The meeting was Called to Order at 7:35 p.m. by Joe Thomas.
Council members in attendance included Joe Bleczinski, Bruce
Fournier, Pat Mannix, 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.
Carmine Moretti was absent.
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.
Urgent Business
Joe Thomas reported that he had received several complaints
from people claiming that their vehicles had been towed from the
Community Center parking lot. A lengthy discussion ensued
between Council members and the Assembly. Bob Stebenne motioned
to reimburse those whose cars were towed at times other than
from 1:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. The motion was seconded by Pat Zito.
Pat Mannix requested that the motion be tabled until absent
Council person Carmine Moretti was available. Mr. Stebenne
rescinded his motion and will consider it at the next monthly
meeting.
Period of Public Comment
A. Howie Logee expressed concern about a "serious
litter problem" in Bonnet Shores. Nancy Carroll
concurred, saying that she spent approximately 12 hours that
past week cleaning up Allagash Trail. Walter Manning stated
that he was also concerned about the litter problem in the
community.
B. Bruce Fournier will conduct a meeting with residents at
the Community Center on April 29th at 9:00 a.m. to
discuss enforcement of the litter ordinance and cleaning up
Bonnet Shores.
Ratification of Minutes
Motion to approve the February 2006 meeting minutes was made
by Pat Zito, seconded by Bob Stebenne and approved by all
Council members in attendance.
Committee Reports
C. Beaches
Bob Stebenne indicated that the proposed lifeguard SOPs
had been distributed and would be voted on by the Council
later in the meeting.
Recommendations regarding Riparian Rights at Kelly
Beach have been given to the Harbor Committee
The Community Center SOPs are waiting on a rough draft
from Dick Agnitsch.
Social
1. The outing to the Newport Playhouse is scheduled for
April 29th.
2. The Whales Tale will cater the spring barbecue.
3. Pat Zito reported that a meeting was held to discuss
Bonnet Daze. The committee will be distributing flyers
calling for volunteers to establish a family day event
during Bonnet Daze. The next scheduled meeting will be on
April 26, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.
4. October fest has been scheduled for October 14,
2006.
5. Marge Manning is preparing for Earth Day and the
Memorial Walk on April 22nd.
6. A holiday party is booked for December 3, 2006 at
the Spain Restaurant.
7. Doris Baris expressed concern that the last Social
Committee meeting was not posted.
Trash
1. Pat Mannix reported that Waste Management will
donate a dumpster for Earth Day. It will be at the
Community Center from Saturday through Monday morning.
2. Bruce Fournier requested permission to send out
requests for proposals (RFPs) for trash collection since
Waste Management has been ignoring his requests to speak
with them regarding the fuel surcharge. Joe Bleczinski
motioned that the Council approve sending RFPs to several
trash haulers and to get estimates for rubbish removal.
That motion was seconded by Pat Mannix and approved by all
Council members in attendance.
3. Mr. Fournier stated that he had spoken to Mr.
Ousterhout regarding road repaving. Fairway, Fairport and
Anchorage should be done between the end of April and the
middle of May. Mr. Ousterhout indicated that he would do a
review of Col. John Gardner Road, by the point, in terms
of resurfacing and drainage.
4. A complaint was received from Mrs. Hoey at 19
Allagash Trail regarding drainage from Route 1A. Mr.
Fournier read a letter that he drafted which he intended
to send to Ann Marie Silveira regarding this problem. Pat
Mannix motioned that the Council approve his letter and
that it be sent to the Narragansett Town Council. Pat Zito
seconded the motion and it was approved by all Council
members in attendance.
5. Street sweeping should begin in mid May.
D. Harbor
1. Joe Bleczinski poled the Council members by phone
and obtained permission to temporarily fix the old dock at
a price of $400 for four floats. Mr. Bleczinski approved
the purchase by Mike Tortoloni.
2. Joe received correspondence from Don Collarulli
regarding the use of the dock at Little Beach. His letter
was read to the Assembly.
3. A list of the Harbor Committee members was given to
the Clerk and is attached to the minutes retained in the
Community Center.
4. A Harbor Committee meeting was held on April 8,
2006.
5. Consideration was given to the Riparian Rights of
homeowners and their availability to launch boats from
Kelly Beach. Mr. Bleczinski still needs to speak to Kevin
Cute from Coastal Resource Management and get his response
on this issue.
6. A lengthy discussion then ensued among Council
members and the Assembly regarding the potential boat
launch area.
7. Bruce Fournier motioned to enact Bob Stebenne’s
plan for the summer of 2006 only with the contingency that
the plan be reviewed after the Harbor Plan is completed.
The motion was seconded by Pat Zito. A roll call vote was
requested by Joe Bleczinski. Those voting to approve the
motion were Bob Stebenne, Pat Zito, Joe Thomas and Bruce
Fournier. Those opposed included Joe Bleczinski and Pat
Mannix. The motion passed four votes to two.
Special Presentation
A. Pat Mannix requested an interruption in the order of the
committee reports to allow Butch Ferris to provide a
presentation of the photographs he has taken of the Bonnet
Shores area. Mr. Ferris presented his photographs to the
Council and Assembly and stated that he would donate proceeds
of his sale of them on Earth Day towards something appropriate
in memory of the three URI students who are missing in the
waters off Bonnet Shores.
B. The council agreed that the timing of Earth Day and the
Memorial Walk would not be appropriate but suggested selling,
raffling or auctioning the photographs at the barbeque on June
24th would be more appropriate.
C. A decision on how to use the funds from the proceeds in
memory of the students would be determined prior to the
barbeque event.
Harbormaster’s Report
Mike Tortolani presented to the Council a "Dear
Boater" letter noting changes in mooring procedures, no
discharge certificate decals, rates for all boats and the
possibility of an off season boat storage area at the
Community Center. A copy of that letter is attached to the
minutes retained in the Community Center.
Bruce Fournier motioned to approve to have the harbormaster’s
letter sent to all mooring recipients. The motion was seconded
by Pat Mannix and approved by all Council members in
attendance.
Mike reported that he has given the quote for a new dock to
Joe Bleczinski. The cost is $4,500.
Treasurer’s Report
D. See attached report on the website and hardcopy
maintained at the Community Center.
E. There is $119,869.00 in the combined checking and money
market accounts. $116,662.00 is actually in the money market
account.
F. The harbor costs are $4,000 per year and we typically
collect $2,910 in mooring fees. Natalie McDonald suggested
that this be reviewed at the budget hearing meetings.
G. There is a surplus of $48,312 available through June 30,
2006.
Tax Collector’s Report
H. See attached report on the website and hardcopy
maintained at the Community Center.
I. Helen Patience reported that 2005-06 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
J. Helen Patience emailed the Bonnet Shores Beach Club,
asking their assistance to remind members to pay their taxes.
K. Helen reviewed the rate for advertisements in the
newsletter and requested the Council’s approval as follows:
1. $500 for a full page ad
2. $250 for a half page ad
3. $100 for a quarter page ad
4. $50 for a business card
5. 10% discount if the advertisements were contained in
both issues.
E. The Council approved keeping the prices the same.
Land Trust
No report.
District Manager’s Report
L. Frank Murray reported that there were many rentals of
the Community Center in July.
M. Mr. Murray received a bid of $139.00 to replace the
window in the manager’s office.
N. Frank received the bidding procedure from the Town and
he is currently reviewing it.
URI Coalition
Paul Haas reported that Austin Donnelly offered to speak on
behalf of the Fire District at the Memorial Walk.
Old Business
The lifeguard SOPs were reviewed and an extremely lengthy
discussion followed regarding the details of those SOPs.
A motion was made to accept the words "input in
salary" in the lifeguard SOPs. Those voting to
approve the motion were Bob Stebenne, Pat Zito, Bruce
Fournier and Joe Thomas. Those opposed included Joe
Bleczinski and Pat Mannix. The motion passed four votes to
two.
A motion was then made to accept the words "beach
person" in the lifeguard SOPs. Those approving the
motion included Bob Stebenne, Pat Zito, Bruce Fournier and
Joe Thomas. Those opposing were Joe Bleczinski and Pat
Mannix. That motion passed four votes to two.
Bruce Fournier made a motion to accept the lifeguard
SOPs with the modifications approved in the earlier
motions. That motion was seconded by Pat Zito. Joe
Bleczinski called for a roll call vote. Those in favor
included Bob Stebenne, Pat Zito, Bruce Fournier and Joe
Thomas. Those opposed included Pat Mannix and Joe
Bleczinski. The motion passed four votes to two.
The 20-foot path case was updated by Attorney Kerry
Rafanelli. He indicated that he had received a letter from
Peg Lawrence, representing Mrs. Johnson who complained that
Council members were trespassing on her property. Mrs.
Johnson plans to hire Garafalo and request that they line
off (flag) her property.
The Holton fence issue was then discussed. Drawings from
BobWinward were reviewed by the Council and Assembly. A
lengthy discussion then ensued. Bruce Fournier motioned to
table any further action on this issue until a later date.
The motion was seconded by Pat Zito. Those voting to table
the issue included Bob Stebenne, Pat Zito, Pat Mannix, Bruce
Fournier and Joe Thomas. Joe Bleczinski abstained. This
motion passed five votes to one abstention.
New Business
O. Landscaping bids were presented by Pat Zito. The Council
decided to check with the man who did the summer mowing last
year and ask him to review the landscaping specifications and
to inform the District Manager of his findings. They will then
be compared to the bids received.
P. Joe Bleczinski motioned to appropriate $4,500 for a new
dock and to give Mike Tortolani authority to ask Rhode Island
Mooring to start building the dock as soon as possible with a
$2,250 deposit. The motion was seconded by Bruce Fournier and
approved by all Council members in attendance.
Q. Council budget work sessions, where the public is
welcome to attend, but cannot comment, were scheduled for May
9, 2006 and May 16, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.
R. Pat Zito motioned to request that Bob Stebenne and Pat
Mannix represent the Council on the Nominating Committee. The
motion was seconded by Joe Thomas and approved by all Council
members in attendance.
S. Joe Bleczinski reported that there are ticks in the
grass along the walkway at Kelly Beach.
T. Bob Stebenne reported that he received a letter from
Alva Vernava regarding concerns about the trash on the beach.
It was requested that trash barrels be placed at Kelly Beach.
U. A letter was also received from Elaine Cardelli stating
that there is a lot of sea weed along the rocks at Kelly
Beach.
Council Comment
None.
Executive Sessions
None.
Catherine M. Kelleher