Planning Board – Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, November 16, 2021 – 5:30 p.m.

Westerly Town Hall | Town Council Chambers 45 Broad Street, Westerly, RI 02891

(Governor Daniel J. McKee’s Executive Order 20-46 expired on July 23, 2021,

thereby requiring public bodies to meet in person.)

Please be advised this meeting was held in-person. All Planning Board members must be physically in attendance for purposes of a quorum. Members of the public were welcomed and encouraged to attend in-person. Zoom video conferencing was provided for the public’s convenience, per Town Manager Mark J. Rooney’s Executive Order 21- 001 dated July 8, 2021.

 

A. CALL TO ORDER –

Mr. Hopkins called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m.

 

B. ROLL CALL AND ATTENDANCE

 

Members present:           Chair Justin M. Hopkins, IV, Vice Chair Richard W. Constantine, Secretary Christopher K. Lawlor, and Members Joseph M. Montesano, Andrew Delisio, Kevin Lowther, and Auxiliary Member Tabitha Harkin

 

Members absent:             None.

 

Staff present:                   Assistant Solicitor for Planning & Zoning Atty. Scott Levesque, Town Planner Nancy Letendre, Principal Planner Alyse Oziolor, Information Technology Technician Lanny Fuller, and Minute Taker Stephanie J. LaSota

 

Town Council Liaison Phillip M. Overton was absent. Director of Finance Dyann Baker and Interim Town Manager and Chief of Police Shawn Lacey were also present at the meeting.

 

C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES –

There were no minutes to approve.

D. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA –

Review, discussion, and possible action by the Planning Board on changes to the agenda, including known continuances and the order in which items will be heard.

            There were no changes to the agenda.

E. OLD BUSINESS –

There was no old business to discuss.

F. NEW BUSINESS

1.      Capital Improvement Program Review and discussion by the Planning Board on the Capital Improvement Program.

Ms. Letendre introduced Ms. Baker and Mr. Lacey to the Board and asked Ms. Baker to give a brief introduction to the Board. Ms. Baker reviewed that in her and Mr. Lacey’s examination of the capital budget, a pattern they found was that recurring projects often remain unfunded. She said the largest one is the Wastewater Treatment Plan updates needed. She said that is a necessity due to Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) requirements. She said right now they have high-level estimates only and need to do facilities plan but have about $275,000 already funded. Ms. Baker said that once a plan is developed and approved; design, permitting, and bidding work will cost about $1 million in 2022 – 2023 with an estimated construction start in 2026. She said by the time the bonding for this would occur, the current debt will age away. Ms. Baker continued that the Department of Public Works still has a need for a facility since the Beach Street property was sold last year. The Town Hall HVAC system has been on the capital improvements list for some time and the cost for the project is increasing, she said, with a new estimate of $710,000. Ms. Baker said the Town Hall windows must also be replaced. The Westerly Transfer Station is also in need of upgrades to the aging facility where waste is collected, and they have a bid out of $467,000.

Mr. Montesano observed that there was a time gap in the planning phases for the Wastewater Treatment Plant project and advised that they fund it at $600,000 in 2022 and another $600,000 in 2023 with bond financing beginning in 2024 so there is progressive movement toward the goal and no gap year in planning. There was discussion of the coordination and integration of the Route One Sewer Extension with the WWTP improvements. There was discussion on how the Town would fund the construction of the improvements and sewer extension.

Mr. Montesano suggested Town Hall façade and eaves improvements also be included in the capital projects list. Mr. Lacey said they could use American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for Town Hall projects and Town Council will have to decide this. He said ARPA funds may also be used for the Wastewater Treatment Plant, too since it is vital infrastructure. Mr. Montesano suggested the Town create an ongoing capital reserve where there is a rolling $100,000 to take care of things as they arise. Ms. Baker said the Town budgets $125,000 in a capital account annually for Town buildings and $75,000 for Town Hall and she would like to see $750,000 in a capital reserve fund.

There was some further discussion on other capital expenses on the list as well as items on the Westerly Public Schools capital expenses list, and maintenance budget which is part of their State required three percent designated capital funds. The Board and staff also discussed recreation investments and the use of ARPA funds for those projects.

Ms. Letendre reviewed that at the special Planning Board meeting on December 7, 2021, staff will present the Board with a memorandum with information and there will be opportunity to discuss it. She said they hope at that time to approve a CIP with possible amendments so that it can get to Mr. Lacey by his deadline of December 15.

 

G. ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’S REPORT –

There was no report given.

H. CONFIRMATION OF QUORUM FOR NEXT REGULAR AND SPECIAL MEETING –

There was no discussion on this agenda item.

I. ADJOURNMENT –

Mr. Montesano made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:07 p.m. Mr. Lawlor seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED by unanimous vote with no abstentions.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Stephanie J. LaSota

Minute Taker

 

Approved by vote of the Board on TBA