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Council adopts business registration ordinance, trims proposed fee to $15
Summary
Wesley adopted a local business registration ordinance on March 2 to track locally based businesses after the state took over trade‑name filings. The council reduced a proposed $25 fee to $15 (from the prior $10) and approved the ordinance after public hearing; town clerk explained exemptions for licensed businesses.
The Wesley Town Council on March 2 adopted a business registration ordinance to replace the town''s former practice of recording local trade names, which the state now centralizes. The move creates a local registry to help the town track businesses based in Westerly and to assist assessing and public‑safety functions.
Mary, the town clerk, explained the change during a public hearing: because the state took over trade‑name registrations, the town created a business registration to "keep track of all the businesses in Westerly," clarifying that businesses that already hold a town license (for example, restaurants with liquor licenses) are exempt. "If we issue a license to a business, they do not have to do this business registration," the clerk said.
Council debate focused on the fee. The ordinance originally proposed a $25 charge; several councilors and resident speakers argued that the increase would burden small operators. Councilor Peter moved to amend the fee from $25 to $15 (a 50% increase over the prior $10 fee); the council approved the amendment and then adopted the ordinance as amended. The motion passed with one recorded opposition.
What it means: The registration applies to businesses with a Westerly address, including sole proprietors and home‑based enterprises operating in town. Officials said the registry will help the assessor''s office maintain accurate property and personal‑property tax records and will flag operations that may conflict with residential zoning.
Implementation: The town said existing assessor records will be used to notify current businesses; newly operating enterprises will be expected to register. The council did not change other licensing rules, and routine enforcement will be handled by the assessor and town staff.
Votes at a glance: Business registration ordinance (as amended) — outcome: approved; amendment to fee (from $10 to $15) — approved; recorded opposition: one councilor.
