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, October 21st, 2025, 6:00 p.m.
Westerly Town Hall | Town Council Chambers
45 Broad Street, Westerly, RI 02891
A. CALL TO ORDER - Mr. O’Neil called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 
B. ROLL CALL AND ATTENDANCE – Mr. O’Neil recognized all board members and staff present
Present: Chairman: Matthew O’Neil, Vice Chairman: Christopher Lawlor, Secretary: VACANT, Members: Jean Gagnier, James Nicholas, Maurice Devine, and Derek Lombard
Absent: None
Town Staff: Administrative Officer/Town Planner: Nancy Letendre, Minute Taker: Chloe Chenot, Information Technology: Lanny Fuller, and Solicitor for Planning and Zoning: Scott Levesque
C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – September 16th, 2025
The board reviewed the minutes from the September 16th meeting. Mr. Lawlor
motioned to approve the minutes as submitted, and Mr. Lombard seconded the proposed motion. Mr. Nicholas, Mr. Lawlor, Mr. O’Neil, and Mr. Lombard were in favor. Mr. Gagnier and Mr. Devine abstained. The minutes passed
D. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA – There were no changes
E. OLD BUSINESS
1. Election of Officers
Board members heard nominations for the Election of Officers. Mr. Levesque accepted nominations for Planning Board Chairman. Mr. Nicholas nominated Matthew O’Neil as Chairman of the Planning Board, and Mr. Lawlor seconded. Mr. Gagnier then motioned to appoint Mr. O’Neil as Chairman, and Mr. Nicholas seconded the proposed motion. The board was all in favor. Before hearing nominations for Vice Chairman, Mr. O’Neil informed members that Mr. Lawlor would be stepping down upon completion of his term. Mr. Nicholas then nominated Jean Gagnier as Vice Chairman, and Mr. Lawlor seconded. Mr. Devine motioned to nominate Mr. Gagnier as Vice Chairman, and members were all in favor. Mr. Devine nominated Derek Lombard as Secretary, and Mr. Lawlor seconded the nomination. Mr. Gagnier motioned to nominate Mr. Lombard as Secretary, and members were all in favor.
2. Rules of Procedure
The board reviewed the revised Planning Board rules of procedure, and discussed changes to the extension of meetings, verbiage of working sessions, posting of agendas, voting rights, and the distribution of materials. Mr. Levesque provided legal counsel on items discussed. Paul Azzinaro, Chairman of the Architectural Review Board, added to discussion that he believed longer time was necessary to review materials, in order to develop a proper Planning Board recommendation. Mr. Azzinaro also expressed that the Architectural Review Board meeting time would potentially need to be adjusted, to meet the 7-day distribution of materials deadline. Board members provided feedback
F. NEW BUSINESS
1. Economic Development Commission – Drafting of a Westerly Marketing Plan
Economic Development Commission Chairman Douglas Brockway, and Secretary Ken Julian, presented a draft of the Westerly Marketing Plan. Mr. Brockway provided an overview of the marketing plan, before detailing the marketing strategy, potential campaigns and messages, and appendices, that further support the marketing plan. Board members provided feedback and asked questions in response to the presentation, surrounding topics such as target audiences, key industries, tax implications, existing business value, infrastructure limitations, encouraging investment, tax rate comparisons, and forecasted costs. Ms. Letendre highlighted potential healthcare business opportunities in the area, aligning with the Marketing Plan’s Potential Business and Employee Recruitment Tools. Mr. Brockway shared that the Economic Development Commission will be conducting interviews with professionals in the areas of healthcare and manufacturing, to provide further insight into potential areas of growth, as outlined in the Marketing Plan. Dylan LaPietra, 50 Clark Street, Westerly, RI 02891, commented on tax implications of Rhode Island versus the surrounding areas. Mr. Gagnier read a portion of an article from the Providence Journal, explaining Rhode Island’s spending, supplementing discussion topics from the Economic Development Commission’s presentation
2. Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
Board members discussed the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) process and reviewed the 2026-2027 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) document, attached to the meeting agenda. Submission of capital requests, the Planning Board’s role in the CIP process, presentations to the Planning Board, site visits, and the Comprehensive Plan were discussed, in addition to other topics. Mr. Gagnier, Mr. Nicholas, and Ms. Kellogg volunteered to attend the Capital Improvement Project site visits, accompanied by Town Manager Shawn Lacey.
Justin Hopkins, 39 Highland Avenue, Westerly, RI 02891, chair of the Westerly Public Schools Building Subcommittee, was present to provide comment on the Westerly Public Schools capital requests. Mr. Hopkins gave an overview of current WPS capital projects, which included building upgrades to Dunn’s Corners, Springbrook, Westerly High School, and State Street schools. Mr. Hopkins informed the board of potential Rhode Island Department of Education reimbursements and bond funding and encouraged greater communication between the Planning Board and Building subcommittee. Rose VanDover, 20 Top Street, Westerly, RI 02891, asked if she could attend the capital project site visits, and members directed her to the Town Manager. Dylan LaPietra, 50 Clark Street, Westerly RI 02891, expressed in response to Mr. Hopkins’ comment on the WPS capital requests, that the school budget has a remaining surplus
G. ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’S REPORT
1. Future Agenda Items Report & Monthly Report Matrix
The board reviewed the updated Future Agenda Items and Monthly Report Matrix document. Mr. O’Neil reminded members that the Capital Improvement Recommendations and annual meeting dates will be upcoming items, as the end of the calendar year approaches
2. Route One Corridor Overlay & Comprehensive Plan Amendments
Ms. Letendre shared that the November 4th public hearing of the Route One Corridor was advertised in the newspaper, as a joint meeting with the Economic Development Commission and the Architectural Review Board. The Town Planner added to discussion that members should anticipate the hearing being continued to the November 18th meeting.
H. ASSISTANT SOLICITOR FOR PLANNING AND ZONING’S REPORT – There was no discussion
I. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS & BOARD QUESTIONS
Mr. Gagnier suggested the board create a future agenda item for an update on the Resilient Riverfront Renewal project, in response to correspondence from the Southern Rhode Island Conservation District. It was proposed that the agenda item includes a status on the project, participating businesses, and overall compliance with the Town Ordinance. Town Planner Letendre expressed that she is working with the Southern Rhode Island Conservation district and can provide an update at the December 16th regular meeting. Mr. Nicholas thanked Andrew Delisio for his years of service on the Planning Board
J. CONFIRMATION OF QUORUM FOR NEXT MEETINGS
1. November 4th, 2025, Special Meeting at 6:00 p.m. – Mr. Devine will not be present. All remaining members will be present.
K. ADJOURNMENT – Mr. Gagnier motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:44 p.m. and Mr. Nicholas seconded the motion. The board was all in favor, and the meeting adjourned at 8:44 p.m.
Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting- November 10th, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
Submitted by Chloe Chenot on 11/10/2025
APPROVED BY VOTE OF THE BOARD ON 11/18/2025