Monthly Meeting

February 16, 2005

Meeting Minutes

I.       The meeting was Called to Order at 7:40 p.m. by Chairperson Steve McCooey.  Those in attendance included Bruce Fournier, Pat Mannix, and Pat Zito.  District Manager Frank Murray, Harbormaster Mike Tortolani and Clerk Catherine Kelleher were also present.   

II.    Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by the Assembly.  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. 

Pat Mannix also requested a moment of silence for the woman who lost her life in a recent house fire on Webster Avenue in Bonnet Shores . 

III. Urgent Business

Henry Marciano proposed establishing a sailing program for children in the Bonnet Shores area with the support of the Boy Scouts of America.  Mr. Marciano has 16 sailboats.  He requested the assistance of 5 adult volunteers.  He said that the indemnification for the program would come from the Boy Scouts. 

The program would be open to boys and girls, ages 14 to 20 years old and would run 2 afternoons per week for 10 weeks.  All participants must have graduated from the 8^th grade. Safety equipment will include life preservers, first aid equipment and 2 safety powerboats.  Each boat will be stored at Mr. Marciano's house.

Launching would be off to the right of the dock, but not from the dock itself.  Each boat can accommodate up to 4 people with 2 adults and 2 young people being the ideal situation.  Adults would be responsible for steering the boats onto the harbor.  The boundaries would be from the jetty to approximately approaching the Bay Campus. Boats will not be launched in inclement weather. 

Professor Callahan from the Bay Campus was asked if boats could be launched from the Bay Campus, as an alternate if the Little Beach area became congested.  The professor indicated it would not be a problem providing the insurance policy proves the indemnification. 

Mr. Marciano stressed that the reason he was interested in starting this project was for the benefit of the community.  He said that he has worked hard building each of the boats and he would like to see young people using them.  He said the program would not only teach youngsters how to sail, but it also would help to build character and build fitness and, at the same time, preserve the environment and involve the community in maintaining the shoreline. 

The fee would be $13 per child/adult, which would cover the cost of the insurance, and a $55 open fee to purchase materials for larger programs such as nautical skills, marine and nautical knots, navigation, making model boats, and maintenance of the boats. 

Pat Zito expressed concern that Mr. Marciano is not being compensated for the use of his boats or his expertise in sailing and in nautical skills.  Steve McCooey motioned to approve Mr. Marciano’s proposal for a pilot program to begin during the 2005 summer season and which would launch 4 boats from Little Beach with 1 instructor and 2-3 youngsters 2-3 weekday afternoons.  The boats will be stored at Mr. Marciano’s home.  A $13 fee per person will be made, payable to the Boy Scouts of America.  The motion was seconded by Bruce Fournier and approved by all Council members in attendance. 

IV.  Period of Public Comment

None. 

V.      Ratification of Minutes

Pat Zito motioned to approve the minutes of the January, 2005 meeting.  The motion was seconded by Bruce Fournier and approved by all Council members in attendance. 

VI.  Committee Reports

A.     Roads

1.             Bruce Fournier reported that he was waiting on Doris Baris to get information from United Water before proceeding with plans for the foot wash. 

2.             The  Road Wish List has not yet been presented to the Town. 

3.             Steve McCooey expressed concerns about the erosion occurring along Little Beach.  He suggested that Bruce see if the Town could place more fill there to prevent further erosion. 

B.     Beautification and U.R.I. Coalition

1.             Pat Zito announced that the U.R.I. clean-up would occur on Saturday, April 23, 2005 .  Dick Agnitsch reported that this information was already posted on the website. 

2.             Pat commended Marge Manning for the work she does for Earth Day, but she requested more communication in this regard. 

3.             Violations are down in the rental areas of Bonnet Shores . 

C.     Trash

1.      Pat Mannix said there were no new complaints about the trash.

2.      A tree reportedly uprooted near 149 Col. John Gardner and landed on adjacent property.  The resident was advised to contact the property owner of the uprooted tree for restitution. 

3.      Frank Murray spoke with the landlord of the property near the Community Center where trash and mattresses have been left out.  The landlord guaranteed the debris would be removed. 

4.      Steve McCooey expressed concern about the number of storage units, as well as the length of time they are being placed on properties in Bonnet Shores .

5.      Steve McCooey suggested that Frank Murray formulate a letter encouraging residents to only place trash outdoors for the scheduled Monday collection days, to avoid placing bulky items out and to retrieve trash containers after the trash has been collected.  He also requested that Frank patrol the area every 2 weeks and place this letter in the mailboxes of violators. 

D.    Community Center

1.      Steve McCooey reported that the asphalt company has been contracted to resurface the basketball court. 

2.      Elizabeth has plans for the foot bridge. 

3.      Steel poles will be purchased for the basketball hoops by the end of March. 

4.      Mr. McCooey requested that a capital spending meeting be scheduled. 

5.      Steve and Natalie McDonald have discussed the cash surplus fund.  He proposed to keep $50,000 in the fund at the end of every fiscal year and have the surplus transferred to the capital fund.  Further discussion ensued regarding this issue among Steve McCooey Pat Zito, Pat Mannix, Bruce Fournier and Dick Agnitsch. 

6.      Pat Zito reminded the Council that she had spoken to Attorney Kerry Rafanelli late last year regarding certain properties that abut the Fire District properties, but she had not heard back from him.  Steve McCooey suggested that she attempt to follow up with Mr. Rafanelli. 

E.     Harbor

1.      Mike Tortolani reported that 100 names are currently on the mooring waiting list.  The list is updated and posted monthly at Little Beach.  

2.      The ramp has been ordered and delivery is expected by the end of February.  The ramp will be chained and padlocked until it is placed in the water.

3.      Only one response was obtained for hauling the dock in and out of Little Beach.  Mike will meet with that hauler over the weekend to get his availability and his fee. 

VII.           Treasurer’s Report

None. 

VIII.        Tax Collector’s Report

See attached report on the website. 

IX.  District Manager’s Report

A.     Frank Murray reported that the Town cannot force property owners in the Muratore area along Route 1A to replace fence that is down.   

B.     Frank will contact the manufacturer of the tractor owned by the Fire District regarding the fuel tank.  If it holds less than 2 gallons of diesel fuel, the Fire District is not considered a hazardous waste site. 

C.     Mr. Murray suggested that the Council agree to remove the oil tank from the Community Center. 

D.    Frank will investigate storage units and will draft a letter regarding the trash as suggested earlier in the meeting. 

E.     The Town will be called regarding a broken guard rail at the bottom of Onondaga Road closest to the water. 

F.      Kathy Kelleher reported that the water cap at the top of Richard Smith Road , near the island, has been knocked out of position, creating a very large, deep and dangerous hole.  The cap has been placed back over the hole several times, but the snow plows continue to knock it off and it has occasionally been displaced elsewhere. 

G.    Dick Agnitsch reported that sinkage is occurring around all the drain holes on Treasure Road . 

X.     Old Business

None.

XI.  New Business

A.     Bruce Fournier requested that the budget meeting be scheduled earlier this year.   

B.     A capital budget meeting to determine priorities will be held on February 23, 2005 at 7:30 p.m.   Frank will post the notice. 

C.     Pat Zito suggested that salaries for paid employees be reviewed and discussed.  She also suggested that the Council review specific job expectations and goals for the District Manager position.

D.    Frank Murray will check with Natalie McDonald regarding her availability for a budget meeting on March 20, 2005 . 

E.     Steve McCooey suggested having a budget meeting for the Council and another for the public.  Pat Mannix disagreed saying that there should be 2 public meetings. 

F.      Steve McCooey reported that Colin Hynes will not be returning this summer, but will train the new person in the spring.  He reportedly has someone in mind to take the position.

G.    Pat Zito suggested getting prices from landscapers for consideration at the budget meetings. 

XII.           Council Comment

None.

XIII.        Executive Sessions

            None.

XIV.        Adjournment

A.     Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Steve McCopoey, seconded by Pat Zito and approved by all Council members in attendance.

B.     The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

   Catherine M. Kelleher

Clerk