Monthly Meeting

March 16, 2005

Meeting Minutes

I.       The meeting was Called to Order at 7:40 p.m. by Chairperson Steve McCooey.  Those in attendance included Joe Bleczenski, Bruce Fournier, Pat Mannix, and Pat Zito.  District Manager Frank Murray, Treasurer Natalie McDonald, Tax Collector Helen Patience, 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. 

III. Urgent Business

A.     Scott Miller from the Town of Narragansett attended the meeting, by invitation.  He reported:

1.      The first priority is to repair drains that are collapsed.  The roadsides will then be cleared to accommodate the brush cutters.  Debris and rocks will also be removed.  The grass will be cut and street sweepers will clean the catch basins.

2.      A new brush cutter was purchased by the town this past year. 

3.      The area on Bonnet Point Road , just past the fork on the left side, should be cleared by property owners for aesthetic reasons. 

4.      Coastal would not permit the causeway to be cut back any deeper than it currently is. 

5.      Speed bumps are not recommended on Bonnet Point Road to slow traffic.  Rather the Chief of Narragansett Police should be contacted for assistance. 

6.      Asphalt that was lifted by snowplows during the winter will be repaired.  Residents are advised to use markers to lessen the damage next season.

B.     Scott complimented Frank Murray for assisting him by contacting the homeowners of the properties that are encroaching the roads. 

C.     Steve McCooey expressed concern about erosion in the section of Little Beach closest to the Bay Campus.  He indicated that that portion of the beach had not received attention since Hurricane Bob and it seems that the rocks in that area have settled. 

D.    Pat Zito asked if drainage could be installed on Col. John Gardner.  Scott indicated that that project is not impossible, but could be very costly. 

E.     Pat Mannix asked if the Town would respect the priority roads list that was submitted by Bruce Fournier.  Mr. Miller said the list would be reviewed.  He also said it was his decision to repave Withington Road for safety reasons. 

IV.  Period of Public Comment

A.     Bill DelGizzo requested permission to place a mooring for his boat in the mooring field at Little Beach.  He indicated that it was his riparian right to have a mooring closest to his property.  He submitted information from the Harbormaster from the Town of Narragansett , along with Section 82 198 of the code.  He reminded the Council that there were 2 previous similar cases:  Mr. Taylor on Dunes Road and Mr. Holten on Col. John Gardner.  Mike Tortolani presented a letter written by Attorney Mark McSally to Jeff Ceasrine, the acting Town Manager, dated December 1, 1995 , regarding harbormaster legislation.  Dr. DelGizzo stated that the Council has historically passed things to the Town.  He also indicated that the Council set the precedent by allowing the Taylors and the Holtens to install their moorings.  Mr. Tortolani agreed that the Council had approved the previous moorings after putting the request to a vote.  A lengthy discussion ensued.  It was suggested that this request be submitted to the Fire District attorney for legal counsel.  Mr. McCooey asked Dr. DelGizzo to contact him in one week. 

B.     Jack Silberman, a new resident in Bonnet Shores , introduced himself as a sales associate with Re/Max.

V.      Ratification of Minutes

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

VI.  Committee Reports

A.     Roads

1.      See attached report on the website. 

2.      Steve McCooey thanked Bruce Fournier for inviting Scott Miller to the meeting. 

3.      Pat Zito submitted a letter to the Council for review which referenced clearing paper roads.  The letter would be sent to residents whose property abuts paper roads.  She indicated that she drafted the letter since she had not been able to reach Attorney Kerry Rafanelli since November of 2004.  Pat Mannix requested that the statement, “This road will be cleared and utilized as a foot path” be removed from the letter.  A motion was made by Pat Mannix to approve the letter with that revision.  The motion was seconded by Pat Zito.  It was then approved by all Council members in attendance.  

B.     Beaches

1.      Bruce reported that he had talked with Tom Medeieros regarding sanitary facilities at Kelly Beach.  Tom suggested removable sanitary facilities be placed beyond the high water mark.  A chained cement base would be needed to prevent the facility from being swept away with the tide.  The facilities must be removed at the end of the season and prior to storms. 

2.      Paper work still needs to be completed and the sites need to be determined for installation of benches.

3.      Dan Goulet was contacted regarding the dredging of Little Beach.  It would be considered maintenance dredging.  A permit would be necessary.  The dredging fee is $20 per yard.  A disposal site for the dredged materials would have to be secured. 

4.      Mr. Fournier does not think that a modification of the causeway is possible. 

5.      The foot wash will be completed and submitted as one bill to United.  The estimated cost is $2500.   The Fire District must obtain a permit to pull a flexible hose from the hydrant to the end of the walkway.  The permit fee will be approximately $150. 

B.     Trash

Pat Mannix reported that everything regarding the trash was going well. 

C.     Harbor

1.      Joe Bleczenski reported that the gangway was delivered from Maine on March 10, 2005 .

2.      Mike Tortolani had no additional comments. 

VII.           Treasurer’s Report

See attached spreadsheet report on the website.

VIII.        Tax Collector’s Report

A.     See attached report on the website. 

B.     Helen Patience reported that 135 past due notices had been sent out and $3,000 has been collected since those notices were sent.   $7,500 remains to be collected.

IX.  District Manager’s Report

A.     Frank Murray spoke with a representative at the Town of Narragansett regarding storage containers.  He was advised to provide the town with a list of addresses where the containers are located. 

B.     Spring clean up will be held on April 23, 2005 . 

C.     Pat Mannix stated that the Land Trust would like to have a dedication of the plaque that Donna Gunning got following the clean up this year.  She reported that no Spring Fling was planned following the clean up this year, but a suggestion was made to have a cook out the night of Bonnet Daze. 

X.     Land Trust

A.     Doris Baris reported that a meeting had not been held during the past month. 

B.     The site plan for granite boundary markers at Kelly Beach has been recorded.  The bill for that record was $47 and it has been submitted to the Treasurer for payment. 

C.     Steve McCooey requested that a copy of the site plans be kept in the District Manager’s office. 

D.    Mrs. Baris reminded the Treasurer that money needs to be placed in the Land Trust budget each year.  She recommended $1,000. 

XI.  Old Business

A.     Capital Projects

1.      See attached report on the website from the Capital meeting held on February 23, 2005 .

2.      Steve McCooey presented a list of projects from past discussions.  Items were also added by other meeting attendees.  A list of the projects was placed on the website and contain a rating of low, medium or high priority.  “High” priority was judged by Steve McCooey as those representing projects that were well received by those in attendance. 

3.      A second Capital meeting was suggested to identify which items will be presented at the Annual meeting. 

4.      A budget meeting was scheduled for March 30, 2005 at 7:30 p.m.   Mr. Murray will post the meeting notice.

5.      Hall expansion project meeting has been scheduled for April 7, 2005 at 7:30 p.m.   Mr. Murray will also post that meeting notice. 

B.  In response to a question by Joe Bleczenski, Frank Murray stated that a local contractor with a backhoe has been contacted to move the boulders at Kelly Beach and to straighten out the bike rack.  The cost of those projects will be $100.  Joe Bleczenski motioned to have Frank Murray direct the backhoe project.  The motion was seconded by Steve McCooey and approved by all Council members in attendance. 

XII.           New Business

A.     Pat Zito suggested that the legal counsel for the Fire District be clarified. 

B.     Pat Mannix recommended contacting an attorney with an expertise in riparian rights and maritime law.  She motioned to retain legal counsel with that experience.  The motion was seconded by Bruce Fournier and approved by all Council members in attendance. 

C.     Steve McCooey suggested that the Council meet to discuss paid employees’ pay rates. 

XIII.        Council Comment

None.

XIV.        Executive Sessions

            None.

XV.           Adjournment

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

Respectfully submitted,

Catherine M. Kelleher

Clerk