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Planning Board Regular Meeting - Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, April 21st, 2026 - 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 6:01 p.m.
B. ROLL CALL AND ATTENDANCE – Mr. O’Neil recognized all board members and staff present
Present: Chairman: Matthew O’Neil, Vice Chairman: Jean Gagnier,
Secretary: Derek Lombard, Members: Perry Kellogg, Maurice Devine, James Nicholas, Jeffrey Russo, and Alternate: Patrick Ahern Lemp
Absent: Solicitor for Planning and Zoning: Scott Levesque
Town Staff: Principal Planner: Aidan Adams, Minute Taker: Chloe Chenot, Information Technology: Lanny Fuller, and Solicitor for Planning and Zoning: James Murphy
C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES –
1) March 17th, 2026 - The board reviewed the minutes from the March 17th meeting. Mr. Nicholas motioned to approve the minutes as submitted, and Mr. Gagnier seconded the proposed motion. Mr. Nicholas, Mr. Gagnier, Mr. O’Neil, Mr. Lombard, Ms. Kellogg, and Mr. Devine were in favor. Mr. Russo abstained, as he was not present. The minutes passed
D. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA – There were no changes
E. OLD BUSINESS – There was no discussion
F. NEW BUSINESS
1) 2026-MNLD-01-Preliminary Plan Review -Unified Minor Land Development – Ring’s End (248 Post Road | Assessor’s Map 112, Lot 23A)
Sergio Cherenzia of Cherenzia and Associates, 99 Mechanic Street,
Mr. Cherenzia began the presentation by providing an overview of the project, and summarizing revisions made to submitted materials from the pre-application review at the February 17th meeting. Site details discussed included: accessibility, stormwater, land purchasing agreements, property easements, impervious surface, building modifications, emergency vehicle access, and fire chief approval. Mr. Cherenzia also shared an update on permitting, informing the board that the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) approved the site plans, and the Underground Injection Control (UIC) permit has been received. Mr. Sinclair provided insight into the daily operations of the facility and company history. Employee benefits, personnel, other locations, and Architectural Review Board recommendations, were covered. Mr. Sinclair highlighted that the Route One Corridor study was incorporated into the proposed architecture and signage. Ms. Nolan detailed the landscape plans, describing current conditions and proposed plantings. Questions posed and additional topics of discussion in response to the presentation included: exterior lighting plans, fuel storage, aquifer impacts, and equipment maintenance. Public comment of this application was opened at 6:59 p.m. Rose VanDover, 20 Top Street, Westerly, RI 02891, spoke in favor of the project, expressing that the building is visually appealing, and praised the applicants for providing thorough application materials. Upon no further comment, Mr. Nicholas motioned to close the public hearing at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Gagnier seconded the proposed motion. The board was all in favor, and the hearing was closed at 7:01 p.m.
The board was polled at 7:02 p.m. to discuss action on the matter. Members did not have any further questions for the applicant. Mr. Nicholas then moved the motion to approve the Water Quality Protection Permit and Variances, referencing the motion included in the Administrative Officer’s Memorandum Dated April 17th, 2026, for the meeting April 21st, 2026. Mr. Russo seconded the motion. The board was all in favor, and the motion passed 7-0. Mr. Nicholas then moved the motion to approve with conditions as modified this evening, the preliminary plan application, referencing the motion as written in the Administrative Officer’s Memorandum Dated April 17th, 2026, for the meeting April 21st, 2026. Conditions as modified include: 1) All minor modifications to the approved plans be approved by the Administrative Officer in consultation with Town Staff, 2) Final Plan Approval shall be administrative, and 3) Fuel storage on site shall have secondary containment. Mr. Gagnier seconded the motion. The board was all in favor, and the motion passed
G. ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’S REPORT –
1) Future Agenda & Monthly Report Matrix - Mr. Adams shared that administrative staff are waiting for further approval before beginning the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) certification process. There were no major updates to the Monthly Report Matrix, but it would be revised for the month of May. A discussion of affordable housing and the draft data provided at the April 7th meeting ensued. Mr. Gagnier commented on affordable housing resolutions and other municipalities
H. ASSISTANT SOLICITOR FOR PLANNING/ZONING’S REPORT – No discussion
I. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS & BOARD QUESTIONS – There was no discussion
J. CONFIRMATION OF QUORUM FOR NEXT MEETINGS –
Board members reviewed the upcoming meeting dates. Mr. O’Neil polled the board to discuss cancellation of the May 5th meeting. Mr. Russo, Mr. Nicholas, Mr. Gagnier, Ms. Kellogg, Mr. Lombard, and Mr. O’Neil were in favor of cancelling the Special Meeting. Mr. Devine was opposed. The meeting was cancelled, with a vote of 6-1. Members discussed the potential joint affordable housing committee meeting. Mr. O’Neil shared that he would attend the May 14th affordable housing committee meeting, and report back to the Planning Board. Mr. Gagnier suggested scheduling a special meeting in June, and inquired about the Statewide annual training
K. ADJOURNMENT –
Mr. Gagnier motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:27 p.m. and Mr. Nicholas seconded the motion. The board was all in favor, and the meeting adjourned at 7:27 p.m.
Submitted by Chloe Chenot on 5/4/2026
Approved by board vote on 5/19/2026