Westerly public meetings in 2023
13 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Regular Town Council Meeting
The Westerly Town Council will hold its regular meeting with a public hearing on the RI DEM wastewater treatment facility plan update, and will discuss and possibly act on proposed ordinances to permit cannabis retail sales, including zoning and alcohol/parks amendments. The council will also consider three ordinances transferring funds from unreserved fund balances for prior year unpaid bills and deficits, and a petition for joint pole location on Avondale Road. The agenda includes routine consent items like tax roll adjustments and board appointments.
- Public hearing: RI DEM Wastewater Treatment Facility Plan Update/Jacobs Project Management Company
- Proposed ordinances to permit cannabis retail sales (zoning, alcoholic beverages, parks chapters)
- Three fund transfer ordinances for prior year unpaid bills and deficits (General Fund, School Fund, Capital)
- Petition from Narragansett Electric and Verizon for joint pole location on Avondale Road
- Tax roll deletions ($6,494.46), additions ($43,375.59), and penalty waiver ($2,171.42)
Special Town Council Meeting
The Westerly Town Council is holding a special joint meeting with the School Committee for a pre-budget discussion, as required by state law. The agenda includes only this new business item and adjournment, with no other substantive actions or votes scheduled.
- Joint pre-budget meeting with School Committee pursuant to RIGL § 16-2-21(a)
Licensing Board Meeting
The Westerly Licensing Board met on December 14, 2023, and approved renewals for amusement, motel/hotel, and guest house licenses. The board also ratified a one-time event license for a pop-up boutique. No public hearings or new business were conducted.
- Renewed amusement license for Avie's Ski Sport (100 Main St) — 4-0 vote, Iacoi recused
- Renewed amusement license for Napatree Bikes (9 Branch St) — unanimous
- Renewed motel/hotel licenses for Blue Whale Inn (54 Winnapaug Rd), The Coast (171 Post Rd), Paddy's Beach Club (153-159 Atlantic Ave), Storage Sense (234 Post Rd)
- Ratified one-time event license for HOMbadi Pop-Up at The Space (38-40 High St) during OCCC Holiday Stroll
- Town Clerk will accept written requests from liquor licensees to stay open until 2 a.m. on New Year's Eve
Special Town Council Meeting
The Westerly Town Council is holding a special meeting with a single substantive agenda item: discussion only of the Potter Hill Mill site, including a presentation and update on the Potter Hill Dam study and alternatives. The council will also consider entering executive session to discuss several litigation matters, including a lawsuit over the dam and ongoing PFAS litigation. No votes are scheduled on the main discussion item.
- Discussion of Potter Hill Dam study and alternatives at the Potter Hill Mill site
- Correspondence includes letters from the Narragansett Indian Tribe Historic Preservation Office, the Town of Hopkinton, the National Park Service, and a resident
- Possible executive session on litigation: Brayman et al v. Town of Westerly (WC-2016-0334)
- Possible executive session on national PFAS litigation (MDL No. 2873) and settlement negotiations
- Possible executive session on litigation Nunes v. Town of Westerly and possible litigation on Lighthouse Road
Special Planning Board Meeting
The Westerly Planning Board unanimously voted to recommend proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance regarding affordable housing and comprehensive permits to the Town Council. The board continued the review of a 42-unit multifamily development at 26 and 28 School Street to a December 19 meeting, with staff tasked to draft conditions regarding low-income unit requirements. Additionally, the board reduced the performance bond for the Harbor Ridge Condominium Development to $4,744.30.
- Unanimous vote to recommend amendments to Zoning Ordinance Section 260-50 (Affordable Housing) to the Town Council
- Continuation of Trendsetter Multifamily Residential application (26 and 28 School Street) to December 19 for final decision
- Reduction of Harbor Ridge Condominium Development performance bond to $4,744.30
- Discussion of 13 low and moderate income (LMI) units for the Trendsetter project, with debate over density bonuses and phase 1 requirements
Regular Town Council Meeting
The Westerly Town Council will discuss and possibly act on several items, including proposed ordinances to permit cannabis retail sales, a resolution supporting commuter rail improvements at the Westerly Train Station, and a ground lease agreement with Tower Street Center, Inc. The agenda also includes consent calendar items for fee waivers and a legal payment, plus a possible executive session on litigation.
- Proposed ordinances to permit cannabis retail sales (zoning, alcoholic beverages, parks)
- Resolution supporting commuter rail and infrastructure improvements at Westerly Train Station
- Ground lease agreement with Tower Street Center, Inc.
- Resolution to contract with Sustainable Energy Advantage, LLC for review of solar farm proposals at Westerly Transfer Station
- Waiver of late payment penalties ($953.37 and $1,990.68) and payment to Law Office of Cameron & Mittleman LLP ($11,590.08)
Regular Town Council Meeting
The Westerly Town Council will discuss and potentially act on a contract with Jacobs Project Management Company for the design of the Westerly Wastewater Treatment Plant. The body will also consider submitting two applications for RI DEM Outdoor Recreation grants and a fee waiver for a Habitat for Humanity project. Routine fiscal matters, including a $759.02 tax roll deletion and legal payments, are on the consent calendar.
- Resolution to authorize contract with Jacobs Project Management Company for Westerly Wastewater Treatment Plant design plan
- Resolution to submit two applications under the RI DEM Outdoor Recreation Grant Program
- Request for waiver of Comprehensive Permit and Building Permit Fees for South County Habitat for Humanity affordable housing project
- Resolution establishing Sewer Debt Service Rate
- Resolution authorizing payment of $5,712.00 to Law Office of Cameron & Mittleman LLP for litigation
Planning Board Meeting
The Westerly Planning Board held a public hearing on a Comprehensive Permit application for a multifamily residential development at 26 and 28 School Street. The applicant reduced the project from 54 to 42 units, with 25% (11 units) set aside as LMI housing. The board heard expert testimony and public comment, but took no final action, continuing the matter to a future meeting.
- Comprehensive Permit for 42-unit multifamily development at 26-28 School Street (Map 66, Lots 91 & 91A)
- Applicant reduced units from 54 to 42, with 11 LMI units at 80% AMI
- Parking reduced from 85 to 63 required spaces, 69 provided
- Deck access door replacement at 113 Bay Street continued to January 9, 2024
- Public comments raised stormwater runoff and density concerns
Zoning Board Meeting
The Westerly Zoning Board voted to approve a special use permit for a proposed mini-storage facility at 16 Post Road (former Staples property), continuing from the October 11 meeting. The board also approved a dimensional variance for a home renovation at 6 Cattail Drive, allowing a 10.4-foot front yard setback variance for an open porch and living room expansion. The meeting was otherwise procedural, including approval of the 2024 meeting calendar and noting an upcoming application for a beauty shop at 27 Crestview Drive.
- Approved special use permit for mini-storage facility at 16 Post Road (AP 99, Lot 3)
- Approved 10.4-foot front yard setback variance for renovation at 6 Cattail Drive (AP 133, Lot 22-2)
- Approved 2024 annual Zoning Board meeting calendar
- Scheduled public hearing for beauty shop special use permit at 27 Crestview Drive (AP 87, Lot 28) for December 13, 2023
Regular Town Council Meeting
The Westerly Town Council will consider authorizing the town manager to contract with Jacobs Project Management Company for the design plan of the Westerly Wastewater Treatment Plant, and with the University of Rhode Island for Pawcatuck River restoration well assessments. The agenda also includes proclamations, presentations, appointments, and a possible executive session on litigation.
- Resolution to contract with Jacobs for wastewater treatment plant design
- Resolution to contract with URI for Pawcatuck River well assessments
- Proclamations for Small Business Saturday and National Veterans Small Business Week
- Resignations from Planning Board and Ad Hoc Former Bradford School Site Study Committee
- Possible executive session on multiple lawsuits
Licensing Board Meeting
The Westerly Licensing Board met on November 2, 2023, to consider license renewals, a stock transfer, and one-time event permits. The board approved renewals for numerous amusement, coin-operated device, motel/hotel, and inside entertainment licenses, as well as Class A, B, BH, and B Victualer liquor licenses. It also granted a stock transfer for Alley Katz, Inc. and a one-time event license for Grey Sail Tap Room's Veterans Day and 12th anniversary celebration.
- Renewed inside entertainment licenses for Surf Cantina (15 Canal St), Alley Katz (116 Granite St), and dozens of other venues
- Approved stock transfer of Alley Katz, Inc. (dba Alley Katz/Cleats Sports Club, 116 Granite St) from son to David Wood Foss
- Granted one-time event license to Grey Sail Tap Room (65 Canal St) for Veterans Day & 12th Anniversary on Nov 10, 2023
- Renewed Class A liquor store licenses for Dick's World of Wines, E-Z Midway Liquors, Ocean State Liquors, and The Wine Store
- Renewed Class B tavern and hotel liquor licenses for Ocean House, Pleasant View Inn, Shelter Harbor Inn, and others
Zoning Board Meeting
The Zoning Board is meeting to consider dimensional variance requests for a wall sign and two detached garages. The board will also provide informational updates on three applications scheduled for the August 9th meeting.
- GX3 LLC, 10 Oak Street: Dimensional variance for a 53.4 s.f. second wall sign
- DiVenuto, 5 Verdi Road: Dimensional variance for a 24’ x 28’ detached garage
- Riggi, 53 Lawton Avenue: Dimensional variances for a 20’ x 24’ detached garage
- 99 Franklin Street (Burger King): Pending application for sign installation variances
- WESTERLY POST ROAD 16 LLC, 16 Post Road: Pending application for a mini-storage facility
Zoning Board Meeting
The Zoning Board will consider several applications for dimensional variances and a special use permit for residential construction and additions. The board may also vote on an advisory letter to the Town Council regarding state land use legislation.
- Dimensional variance for a single-family residence at 5 Pauline Street
- Dimensional variance and special use permit for a 3-season room at 19 East Hills Rd.
- Dimensional variance for a stone porch at 85 Pierce Street
- Continued hearing for a master bedroom addition at 2 Leeward Drive
- Possible advisory letter to Town Council regarding General Assembly land use legislation