Minutes

Rights of Way (ROW) Subcommittee Meeting — Monday, April 13, 2026; 5:00 PM
Administration Building, Conference Room A, One Capitol Hill, Providence, RI

 

1. Attendance

Subcommittee Members:
Raymond Coia
Ron Gagnon
Patricia Reynolds

Also Present:
Executive Director Jeffrey Willis
Attorney Mark Hartmann
Attorneys for the Town of Westerly: William Conley, Sarah O’Toole
Attorney for the Weekapaug Fire District: Joseph Farside
Office of the Attorney General: Rachel Rebello

2. Witness Testimony – Paul Iemma

Mr. Paul Iemma was sworn in and cross-examined by Attorney William Conley on behalf of the Town of Westerly. Mr. Iemma previously participated in a deposition related to this matter.

Background and Experience

Mr. Iemma testified that he is a resident of Pascoag, Rhode Island, and is retired after a 46-year career in the financial technology industry. He stated that he has been familiar with the Weekapaug area for many years as an avid surf fisherman, beginning around 1981 or 1982.

He described surf fishing practices in the area, including seasonal fishing patterns, equipment used, and the physical characteristics of the Weekapaug Point and surrounding shoreline. He indicated that he fished frequently in the fall months, often during nighttime hours.

Description of Access Route

Mr. Iemma testified that he and fellow fishermen accessed the area via a sandy trail located
west of the current boardwalk. He stated that:

• There were two trails historically used in the area
• One trail led to the location where the current boardwalk exists
• Another narrower trail led more directly to the rocks at Weekapaug Point
• Parking was available adjacent to the trailhead for approximately four to six vehicles
• The trail was narrow, sandy, and partially overgrown, with a chain-link fence located along one side

He indicated that the trail provided quick access to the beach and was used repeatedly by members of his fishing group over many years.

Permission and Use of the Trail

Mr. Iemma testified that he and others did not seek express permission to use the trail but believed they could use it because no one prevented them from doing so. He stated that he primarily accessed the area during nighttime hours in the fall, when seasonal residents were not present.

Cross-Examination by Weekapaug Fire District

Attorney Joseph Farside questioned Mr. Iemma regarding:

• Prior meetings with attorneys to review deposition materials
• The timing and nature of his fishing activities
• His awareness of applicable access rules or restrictions
• Use of the trail and surrounding properties

Mr. Iemma acknowledged that he had crossed private property in other coastal locations while fishing and understood that such actions could constitute trespassing, though he noted that permission was sometimes implied or informally granted.

Exhibits

Several exhibits were introduced during testimony, including aerial photographs and maps of the Weekapaug area. Objections were raised regarding the relevance of certain exhibits due to uncertainty about the dates of the photographs relative to the witness’s period of use.

3. Expert Witness Testimony – Alfred Diorio

Mr. Alfred Diorio testified as an expert witness on behalf of the Office of the Attorney General.
He identified himself as a professional land surveyor retained to provide expert opinion in this
matter.

Scope of Testimony

Mr. Diorio testified that:

• He reviewed existing plats and mapping materials provided by the Attorney General
• He did not conduct an independent field survey of the Spring Avenue Extension
• In his professional opinion, the Spring Avenue Extension does not constitute a separate lot
• A 1939 plan referenced in testimony was a revision of an earlier plan dated 1920

He stated that questions regarding dedication of the Spring Avenue Extension to the Town of
Westerly were outside the scope of his assignment.

4. Adjournment

A motion to adjourn was made.
Vote: All in favor.

Meeting adjourned.