Planning Board Regular Meeting - Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, February 17th, 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 6:00 p.m.

 

B.     ROLL CALL AND ATTENDANCE – Mr. O’Neil recognized all board members and staff present

 

Present: Chairman: Matthew O’Neil, Vice Chairman: Jean Gagnier,

Secretary: Derek Lombard, Members: Christopher Lawlor, Perry Kellogg, Maurice Devine, James Nicholas, and Alternate: Jeffrey Russo

 

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)      December 2^nd, 2025- The board reviewed the minutes from the December 2^nd meeting. Mr. Nicholas motioned to approve the minutes as submitted, and Mr. Gagnier seconded the proposed motion. Mr. Lawlor, Mr. Nicholas, Mr. Gagnier, Mr. O’Neil, Mr. Lombard, and Ms. Kellogg were in favor. Mr. Devine abstained. The minutes passed

2)      December 16^th, 2025 - The board reviewed the minutes from the December 16^th meeting. Mr. Lawlor motioned to approve the minutes as submitted, and Mr. Nicholas seconded the proposed motion. The board was all in favor, and 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 Pre-Application Review – Minor Land Development – Ring’s End (248 Post Road | Assessor’s Map 112, Lot 23A)

 

Sergio Cherenzia, of Cherenzia and Associates, 99 Mechanic Street, Pawcatuck CT 06379, was representing this application. Mr. Cherenzia opened discussion by introducing other members of the project who were present to provide additional comment, which included: Craig Sinclair, Ring’s End Owner, Representative, and Project Manager, Rebecca Nolan, Landscape Architect, and Tim Foley, of Carlin Construction Management. Mr. Cherenzia also acknowledged project members, Paul Bannen, Traffic Engineer, and Silver Petrucelli, Architect, who were unable to attend.

Mr. Sinclair began the presentation of this application by providing insight into the history of Ring’s End and explaining the operations of their current locations. Mr. Cherenzia then reviewed the site plans and detailed the current site conditions, which included discussion of: Route One access, stormwater, easements, impervious surface, and delivery schedules, among other aspects. Rebecca Nolan shared the landscape plans and detailed the property’s current landscaping conditions. Mr. Sinclair outlined the architectural changes to the building, which included the addition of various rooms and meeting spaces, sales, retail, office, and storage areas, and a warehouse. It was explained by Mr. Sinclair that the exterior of the building was designed to incorporate products sold and manufactured by Ring’s End, such as windows and shingles. Mr. Cherenzia distributed a document displaying images of sheds with similar styles to the proposed site plans, for the board’s review. Questions posed by board members in response to the presentation and topics of discussion included: current easements, emergency vehicle access, elevation, storage of materials, traffic, and the Route One Corridor Project, in addition to other elements. Mr. O’Neil opened public comment of this item at 7:46 p.m. Rose VanDover, 20 Top Street, Westerly, RI 02891, expressed that she believed the proposed building was visually appealing, and that it would be an improvement for the area. This application will return for further review and discussion at a future meeting

 

G.    ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’S REPORT –

 

1)      Future Agenda & Monthly Report Matrix

 

Principal Planner Adams reminded the board that application materials will now be facilitated through the online submission portal. Mr. O’Neil informed members that the interview process for the vacant Administrative Officer/Town Planner position was ongoing. Mr. Gagnier inquired about the Community Development Block Grant Annual Certification and the Semi-annual review of Comprehensive Plan action items. Mr. Adams addressed the inquiry

 

H.    ASSISTANT SOLICITOR FOR PLANNING AND ZONING’S REPORT – There was no discussion

 

I.       FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS & BOARD QUESTIONS –

 

Mr. Nicholas proposed a future agenda item to discuss the Town of Westerly’s current file protection methods and cybersecurity, considering the transition to the online Planning and Zoning application portal. Mr. Gagnier proposed a joint meeting with the Affordable Housing Committee to discuss affordable housing construction costs and to gather resources. Mr. Devine expressed concern that the Planning Board should be more informed of State Law changes. Mr. Nicholas suggested a future agenda item under the Assistant Solicitor for Planning and Zoning’s Report to share applicable legislation changes regularly, as they are passed. Mr. O’Neil added to discussion that a referral from the Town Council for an Atlantic Avenue property would be added as a future agenda item. Mr. Devine suggested Veteran supported housing be examined. Mr. O’Neil thanked Mr. Lawlor for his time serving on the Planning Board, as this would be his final meeting as board member

 

J.      CONFIRMATION OF QUORUM FOR NEXT MEETINGS

 

1. March 3^rd, 2026, Special Meeting at 6:00 p.m. – Ms. Kellogg will not be able to attend, all remaining board members will be present

 

2. March 17^th, 2026, Regular Meeting at 6:00 p.m. – Mr. Nicholas and Mr. Russo will not be in attendance, all remaining members can attend

 

K.    ADJOURNMENT

 

Mr. Gagnier motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 p.m. and Mr. Nicholas seconded the motion. The board was all in favor, and the meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.

 

 

 

Submitted by Chloe Chenot on 3/5/2026

Approved by Vote of the Board on 3/17/2026