Click 
to view the entire meeting or click any video icon below to jump to that section of the meeting.
Planning Board Regular Meeting- Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, April 15th, 2025, 6:00 p.m.
Westerly Town Hall | Town Council Chambers
45 Broad Street, Westerly, RI 02891
A. CALL TO ORDER - Mr. Delisio called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. 
B. ROLL CALL AND ATTENDANCE - Mr. Delisio recognized all board members and staff present
Present: Secretary: Andrew Delisio (Acting as Chair), Members: Jean Gagnier, James Nicholas, Perry Kellogg, Alternate: Maurice Divine
Absent: Chairman: Matthew O’Neil and Vice Chairman: Christopher Lawlor
Town Staff: Solicitor for Planning and Zoning: Scott Levesque,
Administrative Officer/Town Planner: Nancy Letendre, Minute Taker: Chloe
Chenot, and Information Technology: Lanny Fuller
C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Nicholas moved a motion to approve the minutes from the March 18th meeting as presented, and Mr. Gagnier seconded the proposed motion. The board was all in favor, and the minutes passed. Mr. Gagnier then withdrew his second and proposed a change to the minutes. Mr. Gagnier moved a motion to amend the line under Item I- Future Agenda Items and Board Questions that reads: “...communication amongst the board members” to “communications to and from the Planning Board.” Mr. Divine seconded the amended motion. The board was all in favor, and the minutes passed unanimously as amended.
D. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA - There were no changes to the agenda
E. OLD BUSINESS
1. 2024-ATC-04 - Petition for Road Abandonment: James Street
Attorney Steven Surdit, 85 Beach Street, Westerly, RI, 02891, was present to speak on this item. Mr. Surdut introduced licensed Land Surveyor Mark Boyer, of Boyer of Associates. Mr. Boyer provided feedback on questions regarding the project mapping, improvements in the right of way, the history of James Street, and results of the property survey. Mr. Levesque entered into the record a document distributed by Mr. Surdut, titled: "Boyer Associates Survey", and discussion ensued.
The board then reviewed the Town Engineer’s Memo, dated April 3rd, 2025. Mr. Surdut inquired further about the Town’s change in stance on the matter, when the initial recommendation, referring to the August 14th, 2024, memorandum, was to abandon James Street. Mr. Levesque reminded the board that their recommendation pertains to abandoning a portion of James Street, and that the April 3rd, 2025, memo is most relevant. The board addressed Mr. Surdut’s inquiry.
Upon no further questions for the applicants, Mr. Delisio opened discussion to public comment. Robert Lombardo was present to speak against this item, on behalf of Meghan Nelson. Mr. Surdut informed the board that Mr. Lombardo was a member of the Town Council when this petition was originally filed. Mr. Lombardo stated that he recused from the item when it was discussed, and proceeded to reference various documents, such as the August 5th, 2024, Town Council Minutes, RI General Law, the July 11th, 2004, petition, and the title report from Pilgrim Title Assurance Company, to support his client’s claim against the abandonment.
Mr. Nicholas moved a motion that the Planning Board make a negative recommendation to the Town Council on the abandonment of James Street, referring to the draft motion as stated in the Town Engineers Memo. Mr. Levesque clarified that a negative recommendation would be made if the board agreed that the portion of James Street is of future use to the public. Mr. Gagnier seconded the motion. The board was all in favor, and the motion carried unanimously. The petition was denied.
2. 2021-MJLD-03 - Combined Preliminary Plan Amendment & Final Plan Review- Major Commercial/Mixed Use Land Development - Cozi LLC Commercial Development (92-100 Granite Street | Assessor’s Map 67, Lot 275)
Attorney William Nardone, and Project Engineer Joe Duhamel of DiPrete Engineering, 2 Stafford Court, Cranston, RI, 02920, were present to speak on this item. Mr. Nardone provided a summary of the application and read for the record a letter from the Rhode Island Department of Transportation detailing their conditions of approval for this project.
Mr. Duhamel provided an overview of the revised site plan, which included changes to use, stormwater, curb cuts, entrances, traffic flow, fencing, lining, and parking. The board raised questions regarding building tenants, Low to Moderate Income (LMI) units, landscaping, traffic, fencing, and drainage, and the applicants provided feedback. In addition to the conditions suggested by DOT, the board and town staff suggested the addition of revised signage, trash removal, striping, and a schedule of traffic flow control, in the plan set.
Mr. Delisio opened the discussion to public comment at 8:26 p.m. Edwin Carr, of 12 Tower Street, Westerly, RI 02891, inquired about parking between the water tower and Granite Street, and expressed concern that the project lighting could affect his property. Mr. Nardone addressed his comments.
Upon no further comment, the board was polled to discuss the application. Mr. Nardone stated that a continuance would not be favorable, as it would be an inconvenience to tenants and the DOT. Mr. Nardone asked the board to seek approval with conditions, and that the Town Planner provide a written decision with a draft motion for the May 6th meeting. The board was all in favor of a conditional approval, including changes to the stormwater and site plan, as discussed at the present meeting.
Mr. Gagnier motioned to continue this matter to May 6th, with the conditions as discussed, for approval for Phase 1, and Phase 2 as approved in 2023. Mr. Nicholas seconded the motion. The board was all in favor, and the motion passed unanimously. This item will be continued to May 6th for a decision, and the public hearing remains open.
F. NEW BUSINESS
1. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Annual Certification
Ms. Letendre provided an overview of this item. The Town Planner reminded the board of their role in reviewing in terms of the comprehensive plan and making recommendations to the Town Council regarding consistency.
Mr. Gagnier stated that the activities proposed, such as drainage, non-profits, investment in Tower Street Community Center, and Westerly Education Center, are all worthy of receiving the grant funding. Mr. Gagnier made a motion to approve these items as presented, and Mr. Nicholas seconded the motion. Mr. Divine inquired about excess grant funding, and Ms. Letendre addressed his question. Mr. Gagnier then amended his motion to include the approval of the draft motion on page 9 of the Memorandum from Town Planner Letendre, dated April 9th. Mr. Nichols seconded the amended motion. The board was all in favor, and the motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Delisio called a recess at 8:55 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 9:00 p.m.
G. ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’S REPORT
1. Future Agenda & Monthly Report Matrix
Ms. Letendre shared that this document will be updated every month, and that there are no significant changes at this time to the status of projects.
H. ASSISTANT SOLICITOR FOR PLANNING AND ZONING’S REPORT- There was no discussion
I. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS AND BOARD QUESTIONS - There was no discussion
J. CONFIRMATION OF QUORUM FOR NEXT MEETINGS
1. May 6th, 2025, Special Meeting at 6:00 p.m. - all board members will be present
2. May 20th, 2025- Regular Meeting at 6:00 p.m. - all board members will be present
3. June 3rd, 2025, Special Meeting at 6:00 p.m. - Ms. Letendre will not be in attendance, all other members will be present
K. ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Nicholas motioned to adjourn the meeting at 9:09 p.m., and Mr. Gagnier seconded the motion. The board was all in favor, and the meeting adjourned at 9:09 p.m.
Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting- May 20th, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
SUBMITTED BY CHLOE CHENOT ON 05/08/2025.
APPROVED BY VOTE OF THE BOARD 05/20/2025.