Bonnet Shores Fire District Council  
Bonnet Shores Fire District Community Center
130 Bonnet Shores Road
Narragansett, Rhode Island  

Monthly Meeting

March 15, 2006

The meeting was Called to Order at 7:35 p.m. by Chairperson Joe Thomas. Those in attendance included Joe Bleczinski, Pat Mannix, Carmine Moretti, Bob Stebenne and Pat Zito. District Manager Frank Murray, Treasurer Natalie McDonald, Tax Collector Helen Patience, Harbormaster Mike Tortolani, Attorney Kerry Rafanelli and Clerk Catherine Kelleher were also present. Bruce Fournier was absent.

Pledge of Allegiance

The Assembly recited the Pledge of Allegiance. 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.

Urgent Business

None.

Period of Public Comment

None.

Ratification of Minutes

None.

Committee Reports

A. Beaches

See attached report on file at the Community Center.

Motion to accept the proposed revision of the Lifeguard SOPs was made by Pat Zito and seconded by Joe Thomas. Pat, Joe and Bob Stebenne voted to approve, however, Pat Mannix, Carmine Moretti and Joe Bleczinski abstained saying that they had not yet had time to review the revisions that had been provided to them at the February 2006 meeting. The Council unanimously agreed to rescind the motion and vote, but to review the revisions submitted by Bob Stebenne and to be prepared to vote at the April Council meeting.

Trash collection at Kelly Beach will be provided free of charge by the Bonnet Shores Beach Club. The Fire District’s only expense will be for the cost of two barrels. Carmine Moretti motioned to approve the purchase of two seagull proof barrels at approximately $100 each. The motion was seconded and approved by all Council members in attendance.

The Bonnet Shores Beach Club has again offered to the Fire District, its supplier’s cost and frequency of walkie-talkies for the lifeguard’s use at Kelly Beach. Mr. Stebenne recommended that the Fire District purchase one walkie-talkie unit and, by doing so, the Fire District will have communication capabilities with Wesquage and the Beach Club. Motion to purchase one walkie-talkie at an approximate cost of $125 was made by Pat Zito. The motion was seconded by Joe Bleczinski and approved by all Council members in attendance.

After two Beach Committee meetings and several meetings with CRMC regarding Bonnet Shores Fire District rights and Riparian rights of property owners, Mr. Stebenne recommends that the Council earmark the very end of Kelly Beach for those property owners with Riparian rights. The Council should accurately define the measurement of the area, but it should not exceed 50 feet in width. According to CRMC, the corridor will respect the Riparian rights of property owners as well as the rights of Bonnet Shores Fire District. Once the Council approves the area, it should be adopted as part of the Bonnet Shores Fire District Harbor Plan and then submitted to CRMC for approval.

It was decided that the Harbor Committee will discuss in depth the Riparian rights issue at its next meeting and will submit its recommendations at the April Council meeting. Any definitive plan approved by the Council will be valid for the Summer of 2006 only and will be re-evaluated when the Harbor Management Plan is developed.

The Community Center SOPs are being developed. A rough draft will be available for review at the next Council meeting.

Social

1. Pat Zito reported that only 10 tickets remain for the Newport Playhouse outing on April 29, 2006.

2. The "Clambake" scheduled for June 24, 2006 has been changed to a "Chicken and Rib Bake".

3. The Social Committee suggested that Bonnet Daze be reorganized to reflect its original theme of carnival events. A Bonnet Daze reorganization meeting will be held at the Community Center on March 30, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.

4. Bonnet Daze is scheduled to take place on July 15, 2006.

Beautification

1. Frank Murray reported that April 1^st is the deadline for landscaping bids for the Fire District. Nine requests for bids were issued.

2. Pat Mannix indicated that landscaping is a "Public Works" issue rather than a Beautification Committee responsibility.

3. Mr. Murray will check with the Town of Narragansett regarding a standard bid request form.

U.R.I. Coalition

Paul Haas is now representing Bonnet Shores Fire District at the U.R.I. Coalition meetings.

Mr. Haas requested permission from the Council to express the sentiments of the Bonnet Shores community at the next U.R.I. Coalition meeting in recognition of the three students who are assumed to have lost their lives at or near Little Beach. Discussion ensued among Council members. Carmine Moretti motioned to have Paul Haas deliver a Council approved message to the U.R.I. Coalition meeting. The motion was seconded by Pat Mannix. Carmine Moretti, Pat Mannix, Pat Zito, Bob Stebenne and Joe Thomas voted in favor. Joe Bleczinski opposed.

E. Harbor

Joe Bleczinski and Mike Tortolani reported that the present dock is in need of repair or replacement. In response to a request from Joe Bleczinski, Mike Tortolani reported that the bid from Rhode Island Mooring for replacing the dock of the same size, including tires, axle and tongue would be $4,500. The dock would be constructed to allow it to be towed to the Community Center each year.

Mr. Bleczinski asked Mike to get additional bids for replacing the dock and to get Rhode Island Mooring’s bid in writing.

Mr. Bleczinski asked for residents interested in serving on the Harbor Committee to submit their names to him following the meeting.

Harbormaster

4. Mike Tortolani reported that in order to dredge the harbor, an engineer must be consulted to determine how much sand and debris needed to be removed; a survey of he bottom of the harbor had to be done; biological testing of the sand had to occur; and permits from DEM, Coastal, and the Army Corps of Engineers had to be obtained. Those initial costs would be between $10,000 to $12,000. The actual dredging work would cost between $40,000 and $50,000 providing the sand could be dumped onto the beach side.

5. The cost of installing a permanent fence at the Community Center for the storage of boats during the off-season is approximately $16 to $20 per 6-foot section of chain link fence. Mike said he was unable to get a price for a portable fence.

6. Maintenance on the boats is not allowed at an area designated for boat storage.

7. The concrete ties at the ramp are worn out. Mr. Tortolani suggested that the Council consider setting funds aside to replace the worn ties. There are two options, according to Rhode Island Mooring:

a. Clean the entire area out and turn the ties over in hopes that the underside is salvageable. This would take approximately 5 days to complete and would cost approximately $11,800.

b. Completely replace the ties for approximately $20,000

8. Bob Stebenne suggested that a survey be added to the letter being sent by the harbormaster to all mooring holders regarding their interest in a fenced-in storage area at the Community Center for boats. The information should include that no maintenance is allowed in the area, that there will be no security on site, that the cost will be approximately $100 per season for storage, and that they need to provide proof of insurance with a release of the Fire District of all claims for any damages. This information should also be included in the Spring newsletter.

9. Natalie McDonald commented that some of the proposals benefited a select group, rather than the entire Bonnet Shores Fire District community. She suggested that the Council consider a "user pay" rather than taxing everyone and obtaining the funds from the capital budget. She also suggested looking at increasing the mooring fees of those who will directly benefit from these enhancements.

10. Mr. Tortolani stated that the State might mandate a special sticker for boats that have a permanent head with overnight facilities. He will add this information to the newsletter as it becomes available.

11. Mike offered his personal services and the use of the Community Center to the police department if they needed it during the search for the missing students.

Treasurer’s Report

See attached report on the website.

Natalie McDonald reported that $132,662.60 is in the money market account and $4,28903 is in the checking account.

A $1,500 grant was received from the State of Rhode Island.

Tax Collector’s Report

B. See attached report on the website.

C. 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 - $217,887.86

Interest collected - $228.64

Percentage collected – 97.86%

Returned check fees - $50.00

D. Helen and Mary Beth Holland will be soliciting adds for the newsletter.

Land Trust

E. Doris Baris reported that the grant request was for the surveying of 51A near Little Beach. Copies of the survey will be provided to the Council and the Town of Narragansett.

F. Mrs. Baris requested partial payment for the footbridge with the grant money because it is a safety issue. Once she obtains the Land Trust Committee’s approval, she will present it to the Council.

G. Joe Thomas will speak with Steve McCooey in hopes that he might spearhead the footbridge project.

District Manager’s Report

H. Frank Murray reported that the summer rentals of the Community Center are going well.

I. The Land Trust beach survey was distributed to the Council members. There are 13 benches in the Fire District.

J. Pat Zito asked Doris Baris to ask the Land Trust to set standards for the beaches, their maintenance and if the Land Trust would revisit the possibility of adding benches in the Fire District.

K. The garage door is due to be installed on March 16, 2006.

L. The towing company informed Mr. Murray that it is a Rhode Island law that if towing is requested, the person requesting the tow must be present and must sign for the towing.

M. Carmine Moretti volunteered to call the towing company and to sign for the service. Joe Bleczinski motioned to designate Carmine Moretti to be the person responsible for directing certified towing. The motion was seconded by Pat Zito and approved by all Council members in attendance.

N. Carmine Moretti motioned to allow the towing company to tow unauthorized cars from the Community Center parking lot. The motion was seconded by Joe Bleczinski and approved by all Council members in attendance.

O. Bids to replace the window in the District Manager’s office have gone out.

P. Bids are still being accepted for the electrical circuits at the Community Center.

Q. One bid has been received for the sign at the back entrance to the Fire District: $625 for wood or $800 for aluminum.

Old Business

Kerry Rafanelli reported that a letter was sent to Attorney Peg Lawrence requesting a meeting with herself, Mrs. Johnson and members of the Council. Ms. Lawrence stated that she would contact Mr. Rafanelli after meeting with Mrs. Johnson on March 17^th. A meeting will then be scheduled to also include Bob Stebenne and Joe Bleczinski as representatives of the Bonnet Shores Fire District Council.

Discussion ensued regarding safety issues at the top of Bonnet Point Road and Col. John Gardner Road. It was decided that the Council would review the Garafalo Survey regarding that area.

A lengthy discussion then ensued regarding the Holton fence, the agreement and the surveys. The Council agreed to have Kerry Rafanelli send a letter to the Holtons stating that the survey revealed that their fence is not exactly where it should be and a requesting that it be relocated to where it is supposed to be. A response from the Holtons will be requested within 10 days of receipt of that letter.

Joe Thomas will contact Mr. Winward regarding questions that have been posed at this evening’s meeting.

 

New Business

R. None.

Council Comment

None.

Executive Sessions

None.

Adjournment

S. Carmine Moretti motioned to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Pat Mannix and approved by all Council members in attendance.

T. The meeting adjourned at 10:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Catherine M. Kelleher

Clerk