Council debates draft housing committee resolution; solicitor says statute does not bar a committee

A councilor introduced a draft resolution to establish a municipal housing committee for the Town of Westerly, describing a stakeholder body of housing advocates, developers, landlords, tenants and nonprofit service providers to address homelessness, housing stock quality and other long‑term housing challenges.

The proponent argued the town needs a dedicated forum to coordinate housing options and data and said the problem "is not gonna be solved within the next 5 years or 10 years" and requires long‑term thinking and a range of stakeholders. Several councilors supported the idea of an organized body but raised questions about committee size, makeup and timing.

One councilor objected to creating another committee under the present council, arguing past ad hoc committees were not properly composed and that the planning board already has statutory duties related to housing. That councilor asked that the planning board — which statutory language defines as responsible for comprehensive planning and housing studies — be asked to assume greater responsibility instead.

Town Solicitor (unnamed) advised that the planning board enabling legislation does not bar establishing a municipal housing committee. The solicitor also noted that many housing‑related actions would still require planning board review or action and, in most instances, would come back to the town council for final action.

Councilors agreed to revise the draft, seek planning board input and consider a redraft or referral; no formal vote to create the committee was taken. The mover said he would redraft language and bring the item back for further council discussion and possible planning board review.