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Planning Board – Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, December 1, 2020 - 6:00 p.m.
(Pursuant to Governor Gina M. Raimondo Executive Order 20-100 updated November 30, 2020, this meeting was held via Zoom as all public meetings shall be held virtually, and no members of the public body should be convening in person.)
Council Chambers, Westerly Town Hall
45 Broad Street, Westerly, RI 02891
A. CALL TO ORDER –
Mr. Hall called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
B. ROLL CALL AND ATTENDANCE
Members present: Chair James A. Hall, IV, Vice Chair Richard W. Constantine, Secretary Christopher K. Lawlor, Alternate Secretary Justin M. Hopkins, and Members Joseph M. Montesano and Andrew Delisio
Members absent: None.
Staff present: Assistant Solicitor for Planning & Zoning Atty. Scott Levesque, Town Planner Nancy Letendre, Principal Planner Alyse Oziolor, Director of Information Technology Marc Tate, Minute Taker Stephanie J. LaSota
Ms. Letendre reminded the Board that between now and December 13, all Town meetings will be virtual, based on the most recent Rhode Island Executive Order 20-100. She said if anyone needs Planning staff, they can schedule a virtual meeting.
C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. November 17, 2020 Special Meeting – Ms. Letendre said a note needed to be added to page two of the minutes related to Mr. Constantine’s recusal. She read the recommended change into the record. Mr. Constantine suggested one change to the language. Mr. Montesano made a motion to approve as amended the November 17, 2020 special meeting minutes. Mr. Lawlor seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions.
2. November 17, 2020 Regular Meeting – Mr. Montesano made a motion to approve the November 17, 2020 regular meeting minutes as submitted. Mr. Lawlor seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions.
D. OLD BUSINESS
1. Capital Improvement Program - Discussion by the Planning Board on the Capital Improvement Program budget items and provide a recommendation to the Town Manager pursuant to §22-27 of the Town Code.
Ms. Letendre explained that the provided document reviews the process of the CIP and a summary of the requests. She said in addition there is an addendum with information regarding consistency to the Comprehensive Plan and what areas of the plan relate to the CIP.
Mr. Montesano stated his approval of the document’s presentation of the information as it references the Comprehensive Plan in a way that shows why the CIP should be considered. The Board agreed with Mr. Montesano’s complimenting the Town Planner and Planning staff for their excellent work on the report.
Several of the budget items listed under the Projects and Process chart were questioned by Mr. Lawlor followed by a discussion. There was a consensus that Board members approved all the items as listed in the document.
Mr. Montesano made a motion to accept the prepared legal motion as written in the November 24, 2020 Planning memorandum to the Planning Board titled 2021-2025 Capital Improvement Program (CIP), including general findings 1, 2, and 3, as written. Mr. Constantine seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions.
E. NEW BUSINESS
1. Update on the status of the Comprehensive Plan review. Staff will provide the Planning Board with a schedule for the Town Council’s public hearing and describe interim staff preparations for submission to the Office of Statewide Planning.
Atty. Levesque reviewed that a Town Council public hearing scheduled for January 4, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. will be advertised on three dates in December. Ms. Letendre said the Comprehensive Plan will be available on the Town Web site on December 14.
In public comment, Tom McAndrews, of 9 Upland Road, thanked the Board for their time and said he would follow up with the changes to the plan. He commended the Town staff and Planning Board for their work.
F. ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Montesano made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:28 p.m. Mr. Lawlor seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions.
Respectfully submitted,
Stephanie J. LaSota
Minute Taker