Warwick City Council and Committee Meetings - February 9, 2026

The evening of February 9, 2026, featured a series of committee meetings (Finance, Intergovernmental, Ordinance) followed by a full City Council session, running from 5:04 PM to 10:21 PM. The meetings covered a wide range of financial, operational, and legislative items, including health insurance bids, water meters, ice bumper cars, fuel purchases, software licensing, dog park regulations, and requests to the General Assembly. Public comment was heard during the full council session, with several residents expressing concerns about city spending, tax increases, and governance.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of the Finance Committee meeting on January 5, 2026, were approved.
• Minutes of the full Council meeting on January 5, 2026, were accepted.
• Several routine bids and purchases were approved via consent calendars (PCR 10-26 and PCR 11-26), with specific items removed for separate discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Rob Cody (Ward 7): Criticized the council for not questioning the fire contract and cited a potential $75 million lawsuit. He accused council members of avoiding accountability and urged them to act in the best interest of taxpayers.
• Bob Cushman (former councilman): Emphasized that the recent bond defeat was a message to cut spending. He pointed to a 70-page report on school district inefficiencies, noting a $2.4 million deficit and calling for school consolidations. He also questioned how the city would pay interest on new bonds.
• Chris O’Connell (Ward 5): Stated that taxpayers are not the problem and urged the council to “do your job.” He questioned the placement of speed cameras and criticized mismanagement.
• Richard Langseth (Budlong Farm): Discussed the history of public highways in Buttonwoods, citing a 1715 statute and recent legal arguments before the CRMC.
• Bill Harrington: Called speed cameras a “money grab” and urged the council to cut spending, not find new revenue sources.
• Corey Pontius: Apologized for past disruptions, then urged respectful civic engagement. He criticized a filibuster at the previous meeting and stressed that OMA should build trust, not be used as a weapon.

Discussion Items

• Health Insurance Bid (Blue Cross/Interlocal Trust): Director Lynn Project presented a request for $65.1 million over two years (gross) for medical, pharmacy, and dental coverage, a significant increase from the previous net bid of $50 million. Discussion centered on the gross vs. net reporting, transparency, and whether the city was complying with an ordinance requiring competitive bidding every three years. The item was moved to the full council with a recommendation of no recommendation (PCR 13-26).
• Neptune Cold Water Meters: Director Jerry Willette requested $550,000 for a two-year contract. Council members questioned the increased spending authority relative to previous years. A motion to hold the item until February 23 passed (PCR 14-26).
• Ice Bumper Cars (Greenwood Credit Union City Hall Plaza): Director Tom Rourke proposed purchasing 14 bumper cars for $123,590 to be used year-round. Extensive debate occurred over revenue projections, operating costs, maintenance, insurance, and risks. Councilman Muto and others questioned the financial viability, while Councilman Knapper and Foley supported it as a long-term investment. The committee vote was tied (2-2), sending it to the full council without recommendation (PCR 15-26). At the full council, a motion for favorable action failed (5-4, needing six votes).
• Apenag Cove Pier (RFQ): Planning Director Tom Crabitz recommended awarding a contract to Race & Coastal Engineering for $75,465 for design and permitting. Funds would come from a mooring fee reserve account. The item was approved.
• Microsoft 365 Licensing: IT Director Phil Carlucci requested $98,715 to piggyback on the state’s contract with Dell for Office 365. Discussion included licensing tiers, potential savings, and a scrivener’s error (360 vs. 365). Approved with a correction.
• Ballistic Vests: Police Major Robert Hart requested $50,000 for vests, with a reimbursement formula. Approved.
• Fuel Bids: Public Works and Police Department bids for gasoline and diesel were presented and approved, with detailed discussions on inventory and pricing.
• Tree Removal: Budget discrepancy noted (Munis report showing overexpenditure). Held until February 23 (PCR 16-26).
• Dog Park Ordinance (PCO 2-26): Councilman Muto introduced a substitute amendment (Sub A) after collaboration with stakeholders. The ordinance establishes regulations for designated dog parks, including a 35-pound weight limit for small/large dog areas, reasonable control requirements, and enforcement by police and animal control officers. Several amendments were made: the number of dogs per attendant was kept at two (removing a proposal to change to three), and animal control officers were added as enforcement authorities. The ordinance passed unanimously on first passage.
• Canvassing Authority Compensation (PCR 67-25): A resolution requesting the General Assembly to allow the City Council to approve compensation increases for the Board of Canvassers. The original language included employment and compensation; after discussion, an amendment limited it to increases in compensation. The resolution passed (6-4).
• Task Force on Athletic Facilities (PCR 55-26 sub A): Held until March 9, 2026, pending progress on a mayoral executive order.

Key Outcomes

• Health Insurance Bid (PCR 13-26): Approved by the full council with a majority vote (roll call: 7 yes, 1 recuse, others not accounted).
• Ice Bumper Cars (PCR 15-26): Motion for favorable action failed (5-4); the item was not approved.
• Neptune Water Meters (PCR 14-26): Held to February 23.
• Tree Removal (PCR 16-26): Held to February 23.
• Dog Park Ordinance (PCO 2-26): Passed on first passage as amended (9-0).
• Canvassing Compensation Resolution (PCR 67-25): Passed as amended (6-4).
• Appointment: Mark Rabinowitz was confirmed to the Historic District Commission unanimously.
• Amendments to Ordinances: Rescue fee schedule (PCO 29-25) and parking prohibitions (PCO 31-25) passed on second passage; compensation of other officials (PCO 32-25) passed on second passage; tax title property (PCO 13-25) held to March 23.
• New Business Docketed: Multiple charter modernization resolutions were introduced and referred to the Intergovernmental Committee.

Note: The meeting concluded at approximately 10:21 PM after a docketing session.