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, June 16th, 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

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

Secretary: Derek Lombard, Members: Perry Kellogg, James Nicholas, Jeffrey Russo, and Alternate: Patrick Ahern Lemp

Town Staff Present: Planning Fellow: Diego Martin, Minute Taker: Chloe Chenot, Information Technology: Lanny Fuller, and Solicitor for Planning and Zoning: James Murphy

Absent: Member: Maurice Devine, Solicitor for Planning and Zoning: Scott Levesque

C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – May 19th, 2026

The board reviewed the minutes from the May 19th meeting. Mr. Gagnier motioned to approve the minutes as submitted, and Mr. Nicholas seconded the proposed motion. The board was all in favor, and the minutes passed 6-0

D. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA – There were no changes

E. OLD BUSINESS – There was no discussion

F. NEW BUSINESS – There was no discussion

G. ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’S REPORT –

1) Advisory to Town Council – Bus Garage Alternative Sites

Mr. Martin led discussion as board members examined the Municipal Bus Garage Alternative Sites Memorandum, dated June 10^th, for meeting June 16^th, 2026. Mr. Martin reviewed the potential relocation areas, and shared additional insights provided by Westerly Public Schools Transportation Director, Scott Fresdbo. During discussion, it was highlighted that recreational facilities are highly beneficial to the community, and costly to replace, therefore, members agreed they should not be considered as potential relocation areas. Mr. Gagnier motioned to remove recreation lots from potential bus garage relocation sites. Mr. Russo seconded the proposed motion. The board was all in favor, and the motion passed unanimously. Questions posed and additional topics covered included: current charging facilities, electrical capacity requirements, single and multi-facing power, bus maintenance, alternative energy sources, transportation vendor bidding, vehicle replacement programs, and cost analysis. As suggested by Transportation Director Fredsbo, the board explored 22 Frontage Road, Westerly, RI 02891, as a potential relocation site. While it is not a Town owned property, it was determined it could be feasible option, as it meets the needs of the transportation department, provides an existing structure for operation, and is centrally located to schools in the district. Mr. O’Neil informed members of an existing available lot between the current Pee Wee football field and Department of Public Works facility. Mr. Gagnier shared a potential alternative site currently owned by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation that includes an existing garage structure, adjacent to the Westerly Department of Public Works and Transfer Station. Mr. Gagnier suggested the board visit each site to examine the different spaces, and that a small “subcommittee” be created to facilitate ongoing discussion between the Planning Board and Town departments.

2) Future Agenda & Monthly Report Matrix

Board members reviewed the revised document and discussed upcoming projects. Mr. O’Neil highlighted that the preparing and presentation of the Planning Board annual report will begin in August. It was suggested by Mr. Gagnier that more frequent updates of applicable legislature be provided by the Solicitor. Members revisited Mr. Nicholas’s inquiry of Town file storage, and discussion ensued.

H. ASSISTANT SOLICITOR FOR PLANNING/ZONING’S REPORT – No discussion

Approved by Board vote as amended on 7/21/2026