In the News
The Westerly Sun is reducing its weekend offerings into a single edition
Local nonprofits, including the WARM shelter and United Theater, will receive grants from the Rhode Island Foundation
A great article by Ryan Blessing about the history and future of the Westerly train station
Ryan also wrote a great summary of the history and current status of the dispute between CRMC and WHFD over Spring Avenue
The Dante Society kicks off its inaugural “Johnny V’s Meatball Challenge and Pasta Dinner” on the 20th
RIPTA is proposing eliminating Westerly’s only bus routes to make up a budget deficit (a resolution in opposition is on the agenda for the next meeting)
A local man died after being pulled from the water in Stonington
Today is the last day to submit written input to the town clerk about the short-term rental ordinance
Town Council (July 21)
This was a long one (adjourned at 11:21pm!!!):
Presentation from Community Infrastructure Partners about a lead service line replacement opportunity
Presentation from CRMC’s lawyer about the Spring Ave right of way, advanced to public hearing
Lots of public feedback about potentially abolishing the appointments subcommittee after the recent snafu
Uncontroversial public hearing about updating the sewer pollutants ordinance in accordance with state guidance
Discussion of the short-term rental ordinance
Discussion of draft resolution opposing the state’s recent assault weapons ban
Discussion of creating a town “marketing message” to promote year-round business, advanced to the EDC
The town clerk reported that the deadline for recalling President Duhamel had passed and that no signatures had been submitted (lol)
Town Council (August 4)
We got a presentation on a community choice aggregate program as an alternative to Rhode Island Energy, and it’s worth looking at! Then there was an onslaught of postponed future agenda items:
Assault weapons ban resolution (postponed; Councilor Van Dover not present)
Lead service line replacement program (approved)
Prioritization request of RIDOT to add sidewalks and curbs to Church Street (advanced to public hearing)
Prohibition of “infrastructure” on Napatree Point (postponed; Councilor LaPietra had a rare moment of integrity in admitting that it was his agenda item but he got a lot of feedback and now needs to gather more information)
Amendment to ordinance regarding stop signs (public hearing next week)
Short-term rental ordinance (advanced for workshopping on September 29)
President Duhamel had also mistakenly (?) added and later amended an agenda item to eliminate the second citizens’ comments opportunity, confusing the rest of the council and angering the public as a result. Understandably so! What an interesting error, especially coming from someone so frequently accused of exercising total control over the meeting agendas. Anyway, what he meant was amending the appointments process to include the entire council, effectively eliminating the appointments subcommittee. I think this was advanced for a public hearing in late September.
Boards and Committees
Citizen Spotlight
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