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Westerly council sets censure hearing for Councilor Lombardo after public complaints
Summary
After multiple citizen complaints alleging obscene gestures and inflammatory emails by Councilor Robert Lombardo, the Westerly Town Council voted to remove one email from the complaint record, grant Lombardo 30 days to prepare, and schedule a special censure hearing for Aug. 14, 2024 (4–3).
The Westerly Town Council on July 8 voted to schedule a special hearing to consider a formal censure of Councilor Robert Lombardo, following several public complaints alleging repeated obscene gestures and derogatory emails.
The action came after multiple citizens spoke during the meeting’s public comment period. Caroline Contrada told the council she had watched video in which “councilman Lombardo, gesture his with his middle finger a few times, and he also made a masturbatory gesture.” Ellen Kane urged councilors to “vote to censure this evening or whenever the vote is taken” and called the conduct “egregious.”
Council members debated procedure and scope at length. Solicitor Conley advised the council that Robert’s Rules and town rules require notice of the specific matters to be considered at a censure hearing and that the hearing should be limited to items noticed that evening. Councilors discussed whether the matter should be treated as a short formal statement of disapproval or a more extensive hearing with evidentiary presentations.
During procedure votes the council first approved removal of a single email from the complaint record after a motion to do so passed in committee votes. Councilors then voted to amend the scheduling motion to give Councilor Lombardo 30 days to prepare a defense. The council replaced the initial July date with a special hearing set for Aug. 14, 2024; the motion to schedule that hearing carried 4–3.
Councilors expressed differing views about whether the hearing would be productive. Supporters said a censure would signal the council will not tolerate conduct that intimidates members of the public; opponents warned a public hearing could consume council time and further polarize the body. Councilor Lombardo repeatedly sought clarity on the hearing process and said he needed adequate time to prepare.
Solicitor Conley said he would prepare guidance on the hearing process and provide it to the council president and members. The council directed the clerk to revise the complaint materials to remove the email already voted out of the record and to circulate the final notice and schedule to all parties.
Next steps: the council will receive the solicitor’s written hearing procedures and the clerk will publish the updated hearing notice; the special censure hearing is scheduled for Aug. 14, 2024.
