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Bonnet Shores Fire District
Council
Bonnet
Shores
Fire
District
Community
Center
130 Bonnet Shores Road
Narragansett,
Rhode Island
Annual
Meeting
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Meeting Minutes
I.
Call to Order
A.
The
meeting was called to order at
7:30 p.m.
at the
Narragansett
High School
on
South Pier Road
in Narragansett,
Rhode Island
by Moderator, Alicia McDonald.
Council members present included Chairperson Steve McCooey,
Joe Bleczinski, Bruce Fournier, Pat Mannix, Hope Marsella, Joe
Thomas and Pat Zito. Treasurer Natalie McDonald, Tax Collector
Helen Patience, Attorney Kerry Rafanelli, Clerk Catherine Kelleher
and District Manager Frank Murray were also in attendance.
B.
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was recited
by the Assembly.
C.
The Council and Assembly observed a prayerful
moment of silence for the men and women who are serving in the
Armed Forces, in harm’s way, in
Afghanistan
and
Iraq
and, in particular, for those serving from our own state and
community.
D.
The Assembly observed a moment of silence to
reflect on those members of the Bonnet Shores Fire District that
have died this past year.
II.
Proper Notice and Quorum
A.
The clerk attested to the fact that proper
notice of the meeting had occurred.
B.
The clerk also attested that a quorum of
taxpayers were in attendance.
III.
Announcements
A.
Moderator Alicia McDonald read a letter of
resignation from Hope Marsella from her responsibilities as a
member of the Bonnet Shores Fire District Council, chairperson of
the Social Committee and co-chairperson of the By-Laws Committee.
B.
Jennifer McQueeney, from the
Rhode Island
Blood
Center
, spoke briefly about the
Rhode Island
Blood
Center
and announced that a blood drive would be held at the Community
Center on
August 10, 2005
.
IV.
Ratification of the 2004 Annual Meeting Minutes
Pat Mannix
motioned to accept the minutes of the 2004 Annual Meeting.
The motion was seconded and approved by the Assembly.
V.
Nominating Committee
A.
Bruce Fournier thanked the members of the
Nominating Committee: Hope
Marsella, Marge Manning, Mary Beth Holland, John Silveira, Dick
Agnitsch and Doris Baris.
B.
The nominations endorsed by the Committee are:
1.
Council
member
a.
Joe Bleczinski – 1 year term
b.
Pat Zito - 3 year term
c.
Carmine Moretti – 3 year term
d.
Sean Baxter – 3 year term
3.
Treasurer
a.
Natalie McDonald
4.
Land Trust
a.
Doris Baris
5.
Tax Collector
a.
Helen
Patience
6.
Clerk
a.
Catherine Kelleher
7.
Fire Warden
a.
William
Byrne
b.
Gerry Morisseau
8.
Tax Assessor
a.
Miki Dickinson
b.
Ernie Esposito
c.
Hope Marsella
9.
Moderator
a.
Matthew Mannix
C.
The
moderator accepted nominations from the floor:
1.
Council
member
Steve McCooey
nominated Bob Stebenne - 3 year term
2.
Treasurer
None
3.
Land Trust
None
4.
Tax Collector
None
5.
Clerk
None
6.
Fire Warden
None
7.
Tax Assessor
None
8.
Moderator
John Carvalho
nominated Kerry Rafanelli
9.
Nominating
Committee
a.
Mary
Beth Holland
b.
Steve
McCooey
c.
Marjorie
Manning
d.
Linda
Byrne
e.
Tony
Moretti
f.
Steve
Zito
g.
Tom
DiNicola
h.
John
Silveira
VI.
Ballot Vote
The Assembly voted by ballots. The
ballots were collected in the ballot boxes by the Clerk.
VII.
State of the District Report
A.
Council chairperson, Steve McCooey thanked Hope
Marsella for her years of service on the Bonnet Shores Fire
District Council.
B.
The annual Yard Sale will be held on
July 23, 2005
.
C.
The bulky pick-up will occur on
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
.
D.
In review of the last 4 years in which Mr.
McCooey has served on the Council, he reports that:
1.
4 years ago, there was an outstanding loan of
$55,000 for docks and the boardwalk to the beach.
The $35,000 balance has been paid off with a surplus in the
budget.
2.
$2,250 has been paid annually to the Interlocal
Trust as part of a lawsuit judgment and the final $2,250 has now
been paid.
3.
$7,000 has been budgeted annually for legal
fees, but legal fees are now averaging $2,500 per year.
4.
Trash collection fees increased from $90,000 per
year to $125,000 per year. Current
negotiations yielded a 3-year contract at $125,000 per year.
The only possibility of an increase during this period will
be for an increase in gasoline prices.
$3,000 has been budgeted as a surcharge for gasoline.
5.
Interlocal Trust had identified a list of
problems with the playground.
The playground has now been updated with a $5,000 grant and
donations of nearly $13,000 as well as the work of many community
volunteers.
6.
The Fire District is in good financial shape.
Taxes are the same as 4 years ago yet the beach bus, trash
collections, lifeguards, beach cleaning, road races, social
events, camp, grass cutting, flowers planted and the hall rentals
have all continued.
7.
The concept of renovations and expansions of the
Community Center were reviewed.
Proposed costs, financing and tax implications were
explained. Mr. McCooey
suggested that a Community Center Expansion/Renovation Committee
be formed. He then
thanked everyone for their support of this project and expressed
hope that the Assembly would vote to approve the expansion and
renovation of the Community Center.
E.
Moderator Alicia McDonald invited members of the
Assembly to speak regarding the
Bonnet
Shores
Fire
District
Community Center
. Those who gave an
opinion included: Dr.
H. Underhill, Lou Pucci, Joe Thomas, Mary Beth Holland, Natalie
McDonald, Anita Langer, Carol Fortin, Austin Donley, Faith
LaSalle, Maria Donley, Jane Pike, Pat Zito, Pat Mannix, Ellen
Sharkey and Matthew Mannix.
F.
The moderator requested that the Assembly now
vote on the Advisory vote.
VIII.
Tax Collector’s Report
A.
See attached report on the website and hardcopy
retained in the District Manager’s office at the Community
Center.
B.
Helen Patience
reported that $4,341.86 had been collected in prior year taxes.
Interested collected was $539.49
C.
2004
taxes were as follows:
·
Total
assessed value - $343,218,100.00
·
Total taxes
- $222,978.48
·
Less
abatements - $3,707.88
·
Total
collectable taxes - $219,270.60
·
Taxes
collected to date - $219,270.60
·
Percentage
collected – 100%
·
Interest
collected - $1,244.39
IX.
Treasurer’s Report
A.
See attached report on the website and hardcopy
retained in the District Manager’s office at the Community
Center.
B.
Natalie McDonald reported that the final report
through
June 20, 2005
is printed in the Spring newsletter.
C.
The Fire District ended the year with a surplus
of $10,079.32. This
surplus will be carried forward and be the budgeted number for
capital expenditures for the 2005-06 year.
1.
The surplus arose as a result of savings in
beach clean-up costs, which were $5,076.10 lower than expected.
Fire District employees raked the beach, rather than an
outside contractor, which resulted in a significant savings.
2.
Legal fees were $3,281.25 lower than expected.
3.
There was an accumulation of smaller under
budget administrative costs, such as the interest on our bank loan
which was paid off in July of last year, insurance premiums,
newsletter postage, printing costs, and other miscellaneous items.
D.
Cash balances as of
June 30, 2005
are as follows:
1.
Checking and money market accounts = $74,259.86
2.
Bonnet Daze account = $2,560.20
3.
Playground fundraising account = $6,315.89
4.
Capital funds account = $21,692.80
5.
Historical Committee = $1,146.16
6.
Land Trust account = $6,694.36
E.
The checking and money market account is
committed as follows:
1.
Approximately $55,000.00 for working capital in
the current year, needed during July and August before tax revenue
is generated.
2.
$7,470.14 in existing liabilities, payroll, hall
rental deposits, and performance bonds.
3.
$10,079.32 surplus realized in the 2004-05 year
budgeted for capital expenditures in the 2005-06 year.
F.
Natalie thanked the Council for being fiscally
responsible during the year. She
indicated that it had been a pleasure to work with the Council
members.
G.
Mrs. McDonald reminded the Assembly that the
2005-06 budget is published in the Spring newsletter.
X.
Ratification of Compensation
A.
Tax Collector = $5,000
B.
Treasurer = $3,500
C.
Clerk = $1,800
D.
Motion to accept the rates of compensation was
made, seconded and approved by the Assembly.
XI.
Land Trust Report
A.
Walter Manning, Sr. of
57 Col. John Gardner Road
, chairperson of the Land Trust Committee, thanked Co-Chair Donna
Gunning, Cliff Hall, Mary Ann Donley and Lloyd Albert for serving
on the Land Trust Committee.
B.
A plaque honoring the 24 donors to the Land
Trust has been completed and has been hung in the Community Center
building. A 25th
person, Kenneth Marandola, who donated 3 lots to the Land Trust
this past year, will be added to the plaque.
Mr. Marandola was thanked for his generous donation.
C.
92 letters were sent to underdeveloped land
owners asking that they consider donating their property to the
Land Trust. Mr.
Manning also asked the Assembly to consider donation of land
parcels to the Land Trust.
D.
Mr. Manning thanked Doris Baris, a past member
of the Land Trust Committee, for securing a $1,500 grant which the
Land Trust used to survey Kelly Beach.
E.
Mr. Manning presented the Land Trust budget and
requested $1,000 from the Fire District for their operating budget
for the 2005-06 year for mailing costs, quit claim deeds, taxes,
office supplies, seminars related to land use and conservation,
and miscellaneous administrative expenses.
XII.
Period of Public Comment
A.
Pat Mannix, Vice Chairperson of the Bonnet
Shores Fire District Council, thanked Steve McCooey for his
leadership. She also
thanked him for his assistance in leading the volunteer effort for
the repair projects at the Community Center.
She complimented him for his openness and willingness to
discuss issues with his constituents.
She wished him good luck in his future endeavors.
B.
Mr. McCooey thanked Pat Mannix for her kind
words on behalf of the Council.
He also thanked all who have volunteered in the Fire
District and especially Tom Hynes who has always been a great
resource during all the projects.
XIII.
Break
A.
The
moderator called for a break at
9:50 p.m.
pending election results.
B.
The
meeting resumed at
10:10 p.m.
XIV.
Election Results
A.
Council seats (*Top 3 will serve)
1.
*Carmine
Moretti received 128 votes and will serve a 3-year term
2.
*Bob
Stebenne received 121
votes and will serve a 3-year term.
3.
*Pat
Zito received 110 votes and will serve a 3-year term.
4.
Sean
Baxter received 93 votes.
5.
Joe
Bleczinski was uncontested and will serve a 1-year term.
B.
Treasurer
Natalie McDonald
was uncontested.
C.
Land Trust
Doris Baris was
uncontested.
D.
Tax Collector
Helen Patience was
uncontested.
E.
Clerk
Catherine Kelleher
was uncontested.
F.
Fire Warden
William Byrne and
Gerry Morisseau were uncontested.
G.
Moderator
1.
Matthew Mannix received 121 votes
2.
Kerry Rafanelli received 69 votes.
H.
Nominating Committee (*Top 5 will serve)
1.
*Steve
McCooey – 132 votes
2.
*Tony
Moretti -112 votes
3.
*Mary
Beth Holland – 107 votes
4.
*John
Silveira – 104 votes
5.
*Linda
Byrne – 96 votes
6.
Marge
Manning – 85 votes
7.
Tom
DiNicola – 78 votes
8.
Steve
Zito – 78 votes
I.
Community Center renovations
1.
Approved
– 90 votes
2.
Rejected
– 103 votes
3.
Abstentions
– 2 votes
XV.
Old Business
None.
XVI.
New Business
None.
XVII.
Adjournment
A.
Motion to adjourn the meeting was made, seconded
and approved.
B.
The 2005 Annual Meeting was adjourned at
10:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Catherine M. Kelleher
Clerk
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