Monthly Meeting
January 18, 2006  

Meeting Minutes  

I.       The meeting was Called to Order at 7:50 p.m. by Council member Pat Mannix in the absence of Joe Thomas.  Council members in attendance included Joe Bleczinski, Carmine Moretti and Bob Stebenne.  District Manager Frank Murray, Treasurer Natalie McDonald, Tax Collector Helen Patience, Harbormaster Mike Tortolani, Attorney Kerry Rafanelli and Clerk Catherine Kelleher were also present.  In addition to Mr. Thomas, Bruce Fournier and Pat Zito were also absent.

II.    Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by the Assembly.  The Council and Assembly also observed a prayerful moment of silence for the men and women in uniform 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. 

III. Building Plans

Building plans for 39 Muratore Drive , WhatCheer Road plot N-R 353 and 158 Col. John Gardner Road were reviewed.  Bob Stebenne motioned to approve the plans pending approval by the Town of Narragansett .  The motion was seconded by Joe Bleczinski and approved by all Council members in attendance. 

IV.  Urgent Business

James Daley of 75 Bayberry expressed concerns about the potential for mold and other issues arising from water problems he has had for over 2 years since a very large home was built across from him on Bayberry.  Mr. Daley requested that a letter be written from the Council to the Town of Narragansett Engineering Department requesting installation of a storm water drain in front of his house.  The Council requested that Mr. Daley formalize his request in a letter to the Council.  Carmine Moretti motioned to send a letter to the Town of Narragansett Engineering Department after the Council receives Mr. Daley’s written request.  That motion was seconded by Bob Stebenne and approved by all Council members in attendance. 

V.     Period of Public Comment

None.

VI.   Ratification of Minutes

Motion to approve the November, 2005 Council meeting minutes was made by Carmine Moretti.  The motion was seconded by Bob Stebenne and approved by all Council members in attendance. 

VII.           Committee Reports

A.     Beaches

1.      Bob Stebenne presented each Council member with a packet, which included a draft of the lifeguard S.O.P.s, and the Community Center rental agreement.  Mr. Stebenne requested the Council’s input and/or approval of the material at the February 2006 Council meeting.  (The packet is attached to the hard copy of the meeting minutes in the Community Center.)

2.      Mike Tortolani and Bob Stebenne met with Kevin Cute from CRMG.  Mr. Stebenne will attempt to schedule a meeting of the Beach Committee for February 4, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. to include Mr. Cute.  All interested parties are encouraged to attend.

B.     Harbor

1.      Joe Bleczinski indicated that the Harbor Committee met and reviewed the District ordinances concerning moorings and the mooring waiting list. 

2.      The mooring waiting list has been updated as of January 2006 and the revised list will be given to the District Manager and to Mike Tortolani. 

3.      Mr. Bleczinski and Mr. Tortolani have been working on the launch ramp application and hope to have it available for the 2006 season.

C.     Public Works

1.      Carmine Moretti reported that the Fire District is still having problems with the U.R.I. students, including vandalism, parking on the roads and parking in the Community Center lot. 

2.      Mrs. Moretti indicated that the Community Center signs need to be clearer and that cars parking on the lot should be towed. Mr. Murray will get clarification from the Narragansett Police regarding the towing policy. 

3.      Motion was made by Carmine Moretti to change the wording on the signs posted at the Community Center to read, “Unauthorized cars will be towed at owner’s expense”.  She also asked that Mr. Murray provide the Council with the name of a towing company willing to provide towing services.  The motion was seconded by Bob Stebenne and approved by all Council members in attendance.

D.  Trash

1.      Pat Mannix reported that Christmas trees were picked up the second Saturday in January.  There was a discrepancy in the date on the website, but the newsletter was correct. 

2.      In the summer newsletter, Mrs. Mannix will include a list of the Monday holidays during which Waste Management will not collect trash. 

VIII.         Treasurer’s Report

A.      See attached report on the website and hardcopy maintained at the Community Center.

B.     There is $179,456.00 in the checking and money market accounts combined. 

C.     The holiday party realized a profit of $50.55.

D.    The heating bill for the Community Center has increased due to the increase in the cost of natural gas.  

IX.    Tax Collector’s Report

A.     See attached report on the website and hardcopy maintained at the Community Center.

B.     Helen Patience reported that 2004-05 tax information is as follows:

·        Total assessed value - $347,130,300.00

·        Collectable taxes - $225, 638.50

·        Total abated taxes - $2,987.55

·        Total collectable taxes - $222,647.08

·        Taxes collected to date - $215,884.25

·        Interest collected -  $187.04

·        Percentage collected – 96.96%

·        Returned check fees - $50.00

C.     The Council advised the Tax Collector to send a “letter of reminder” to those taxpayers who did not include interest due with their payment. 

X.       Land Trust

No report.

XI.  District Manager’s Report

A.     Frank Murray reported that several summer rentals of the Community Center have been booked.

B.     Mr. Murray, Bob Stebenne and Dick Agnitsch are working on updating the Community Center rental S.O.P.

C.     Vandalism at the Community Center has increased this year:

·        The tree representing domestic violence has been destroyed. 

·        The Community Center sign is missing. 

·        There has been damage to the garage door. 

·        The oil tank has been painted. 

·        The recycle buckets have been taken. 

·        A Christmas wreath was taken from one of the front windows.

D.    The Council advised Mr. Murray to get bids on a new garage door and to have the office window replaced. 

E.     New electrical circuits are going out to bid. 

F.      Mr. Murray has received calls from residents reporting construction work being done on properties without building permits.  Mr. Murray stated that he has spoken with the building inspector and is aware of 2 such cases. 

G.    Bob Stebenne motioned to authorize Frank Murray to access a server to provide the Community Center computer to be online.  The motion was seconded by Joe Bleczinski and approved by all Council members in attendance.    

XII.           Old Business

A.     Kerry Rafanelli received a final report from the title examiner, Jean M. Gorrie, regarding the 20-foot path.  He reviewed those findings with the Council and the Assembly.  A lengthy discussion followed regarding the ownership of the property.  A copy of the report is attached to these meeting minutes and retained in the Community Center.

B.     Bob Stebenne motioned to request the Bonnet Shores Fire District attorney Kerry Rafanelli to send a letter to the four abutters of the 20-foot path property explaining that the position of the Bonnet Shores Fire District Council is that the 20-foot path is the property of the Bonnet Shores Fire District.  However, the Bonnet Shores Fire District does not intend to use the property as a public walkway or recreational path, nor does it intend to improve or alter the property.  Further, the Bonnet Shores Fire District requests that any structures, including shrubs and planting on the property, or on the perimeter of the property, be removed.  The abutters will have 30 days within which to comply.  This motion was seconded by Joe Bleczinski and approved by all Council members in attendance.  

C.     Natalie McDonald reported that Doris Baris is working on scheduling a Bonnet Shores Fire District audit. 

D.    “Old Business” was briefly interrupted, at the request of Joe DiStefano, to entertain an update on the survey by Robert E. Winward regarding the 4-foot easement.

1.      Kerry Rafanelli reported that an updated survey was done by Mr. Winward that depicts the fence, as it is currently located. 

2.      Mr. Rafanelli said that he had not been able to address his questions personally with Mr. Winward. 

3.      A lengthy discussion ensued among Council members and the Assembly while viewing the survey. 

4.      Bob Stebenne requested that the Council invite Mr. Winward to the February 2006 monthly meeting to discuss the survey. 

5.      “Old Business” resumed

E.     Frank Murray purchased 8 banquet tables for $39.99 each, which was a 25% discount over the regular price of $49.99.  The total purchase price was $319.00. 

XIII.        New Business

A.     Frank Murray will obtain quotes for a replacement sign, made of synthetic material versus wood, for the entrance to the Bonnet Shores .  He will also get quotes on replacing the tree in recognition of domestic violence. 

B.     The Bonnet Shores bench drive is explained in the lifeguard S.O.P.s.  It is meant to provide better use of the lifeguards on rainy days.

C.     The tree, located on Land Trust property at the bottom of Richard Smith Road near Wesquage pond, will be removed on Earth Day.

D.    Bob Stebenne suggested having a committee or Council meeting to specifically dedicate time to discuss issues of concern regarding the Winward Survey rather than holding these discussions at the regularly scheduled monthly meeting when so much time will likely be devoted to that one topic. 

XIV.        Council Comment

None.

XV.           Executive Sessions

            None.

XVI.        Adjournment

A.     Carmine Moretti motioned to adjourn the meeting.  The motion was seconded by Joe Bleczinski and approved by the Council.

B.     The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Catherine M. Kelleher

Clerk