Council reappoints two members to juvenile hearing board, tables third alternate while ordinance is reviewed

The West Warwick Town Council voted Feb. 3 to reappoint Virginia DeMasi and Anna Raimondo to the juvenile hearing board and to table consideration of a third alternate position while town staff and councilmembers review the board’s ordinance and residency requirements.

The two reappointments passed on a voice vote after council members said they wanted to preserve a clear process for filling alternate seats. A motion to reappoint the two incumbents was moved and seconded and carried with council members voting 'Aye.'

The item drew interest from two applicants who were present to be considered for an alternate seat. One applicant, who identified his law-enforcement experience, described 22 years as a police officer and five years leading a juvenile division, saying the role had given him “a comprehensive understanding of juvenile matters” and that he believes “juveniles deserve guidance, not just punishment.” Another applicant who said he had been through the juvenile system told the council, “the system worked for me,” and urged the town to appoint people who can connect with youth and help them avoid repeat involvement with the system.

A number of council members raised concerns about the timing of applications. One member said a candidate’s application arrived after others had applied and warned that appointing the late applicant immediately would be “a disservice to the process.” Council discussion documented that a sitting board member, Tom Oates, had resigned after the agenda was posted, creating the vacancy; members debated whether that resignation and the town’s posting timeline justified considering the late application now or whether the position should be re-advertised.

Council members also discussed technical questions about the juvenile hearing board’s composition. The town’s ordinance, as read during the meeting, provides for a five-member board with two alternate members; however, the council noted inconsistencies between the ordinance and the town website’s listings. Council members signaled they may pursue an ordinance amendment (two readings required) to adjust how alternates are appointed or to add an additional alternate. Any change would require the first and second readings and would therefore take several weeks to complete.

For tonight’s business, the council approved reappointments for DeMasi and Raimondo and voted to table the third alternate appointment pending clarifying the ordinance language and confirming residency and other application requirements. Councilmembers said they had asked the town manager to examine whether both qualified applicants could be involved in town work while the ordinance question is resolved.

The council asked staff to return the item with clear wording to show whether the opening is for a full member or an alternate. When the item returns, councilmembers said they intend to ensure applicants understand any limitations or expectations tied to alternate seats.

The meeting record shows no formal tally of individual votes on the reappointments beyond the council’s voice vote; the transcript records voice approvals and no roll-call vote for this item. The council will revisit the third alternate position after staff and the solicitor provide a recommended process.