Bonnet Shores Fire District Community Center

130 Bonnet Shores Road

Narragansett, Rhode Island

Monthly Meeting

March 21, 2007

The meeting was Called to Order at 7:30 p.m. by Joe Thomas. Those in attendance included Bill Dickinson, Bruce Fournier, Pat Mannix, Dan Quirk and Bob Stebenne. Interim District Manager Jean Albert, Tax Collector Helen Patience, Harbormaster Mike Tortolani, and Clerk Catherine Kelleher were also present. Treasurer Natalie McDonald 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.

Council Comments

A. Joe Thomas thanked Gene DeCiccio for setting up the new microphone system.

B. Mr. Thomas reported that Council member, Pat Zito, advised the Council and the committees on which she served that she is resigning to pursue a position within the Fire District.

C. Jean Albert was introduced as Interim District Manager.

Urgent Business

None.

Period of Public Comment

D. Following comments made by Doris Baris regarding meeting postings, Jean Albert will replace the windows in the bulletin boards with a plexi-glass product which meets safety codes.

E. Paul Haas presented the "Conflict Resolution Team" brochure and requested the Council’s endorsement to include the brochure with the tax bills or in the newsletter. The brochure explains what the team can do to improve conditions in the Narragansett area.

F. Pat Mannix spoke with an engineer in Jeff Ceserine’s office regarding trash collection in Narragansett. She was informed that this matter is to be discussed at the Town Council meeting on April 2, 2007.

 

Ratification of Minutes

Motion to accept the minutes of the January 2007 meeting was made by Bruce Fournier. The motion was seconded by Bill Dickinson and approved by all Council members in attendance.

Committee Reports

G. Harbor (Mike Tortolani)

1. The report is on disk and a hard copy is attached to the original minutes. Both are retained at the Community Center.

2. Doris Baris requested that the Harbor Plan, which is to be reviewed by Kevin Cute on March 30, 2007, be brought back to the Harbor Committee for review.

3. The ramp versus sand at low tide will be placed on the agenda of the next Harbor Committee meeting.

4. Following a conversation between Dan Quirk and John O’Flaherty from Community Boating, it was determined the cost is prohibitive. An alternative of working something out with the U.R.I. boating program is being considered.

Beach (Bob Stebenne)

The report is on disk and a hard copy is attached to the original minutes. Both are retained at the Community Center.

Community Center Study (Bob Stebenne)

1. The report is on tape and a hard copy is attached to the original minutes. Both are retained at the Community Center.

2. Since the next planned meeting of the Community Center Committee conflicts with Earth Day, the Community Center Committee meeting will be rescheduled.

Roads (Bruce Fournier)

1. There is nothing to report on the roads until things dry out after all the rain.

2. Public Works viewed the intersection of Bonnet Point and Col. John Gardner Roads. They agreed to redirect the road after the Fire District provides them with a site survey.

3. A site plan for the foot bridge was prepared by resident, Elizabeth Reed.

4. Doris Baris will apply for a grant for the foot bridge.

5. A resident expressed concern about a large rock which needs to be removed from the inside of a pipe at the location of the foot bridge.

6. Anita Langer offered plans to the Council that were prepared by her builder, Nick Veltri. Those plans refer to a storm drain on Col. John Gardner Road where the road continuously floods.

Social (Pat Mannix)

3. A successful St. Patrick’s/St. Joseph’s Day event was held at the Community Center on March 10, 2007. Approximately 68 people attended.

4. The date for the Bonnet Shores Fire District 75^th Anniversary celebration at the Dunes Club has been changed to September 21, 2007.

5. According to Marge Manning, Earth Day activities will be held on Saturday, April 21^st this year.

Trash (Pat Mannix)

1. Dumpsters have been requested for Earth Day.

2. There will be a Town meeting at 5:30 pm on April 2, 2007 at the Town Council Chambers to discuss, among other things, trash collection from the Town of Narragansett.

Pond (Dan Quirk)

The report is on disk and a hard copy is attached to the original minutes. Both are retained at the Community Center.

Treasurer’s Report (Natalie McDonald)

The report is on disk and a hard copy is attached to these original minutes. Both are retained in the Community Center.

While Natalie was unable to attend this meeting, she did submit a report to the Council for audit.

Tax Collector’s Report (Helen Patience)

H. The report is on disk and a hard copy is attached to these original meeting minutes. Both are retained in the Community Center.

I. Registered letters will be sent to delinquent taxpayers along with the cost of the registered mail.

J. Reprinting of the tax bills was discussed.

K. 2007 Fiscal Year tax information is as follows:

Total assessment - $575,711,200.00

Taxes assessed - $232,587.32

Total abated taxes - $2,829.89

Total collectable taxes - $229,757.43

Taxes collected to date - $223,909.38

Returned check fees - $31.99

Interest collected - $836.95

Percentage collected – 97.4%

L. Fiscal Year 2006 tax information is as follows:

Uncollected from the prior year - $1,220.98

Taxes collected from prior year – $601.14

Uncollected taxes - $619.84

Interest collected - $95.98

Land Trust

No report.

District Manager’s Report (Jean Albert)

The District Manager position will be posted in the Southern Rhode Island newspaper, the South County Independent, and the Narragansett Times. It is also posted on the bulletin boards and on the website.

Old Business

M. There have been no meetings held regarding the ballot counting procedures, but Bill Dickinson has reviewed the present SOP.

N. June 8^th is set as the target date for submitting all information, including the proposed budget, to Jean Albert for posting in the Spring newsletter.

E. Joe Thomas will ask Natalie McDonald to schedule two budget meetings and one open meeting.

New Business

Bob Stebenne motioned to purchase a sufficient quantity of the "Conflict Resolution Team" brochures for mailing with the Spring newsletter. The motion was seconded by Bruce Fournier and approved by all Council members in attendance.

Pat Mannix made a motion to approve a golf outing, organized by Bob Reidy, to be held in August, September or October. The motion was seconded by Dan Quirk and approved by all Council members in attendance.

Helen Patience reported that she and Mary Beth Holland were no longer able to solicit advertisements for the Fire District newsletter. Steve Ryder and John Vernecki volunteered to assume those duties.

Executive Sessions

None.

Adjournment

O. Bruce Fournier motioned to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Pat Mannix and approved by all Council members in attendance.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Catherine M. Kelleher

Clerk