Monthly Meeting
April 18, 2007

Meeting Minutes

 I.       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.   Treasurer Natalie McDonald, Tax Collector Helen Patience, Harbormaster Mike Tortolani, and Clerk Catherine Kelleher were also present.  Interim District Manager Jean Albert was absent.

 II.    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.  

III. Urgent Business

A.     Bruce Fournier motioned to allocate funds to hire Bob Barber to excavate the breach way to get the water level down as soon as possible.  The motion was seconded by Bob Stebenne and approved by all Council members in attendance.    

B.     Mary Beth Holland informed the Council of quite a few coyote sightings in the Fire District. 

IV.  Period of Public Comment

None.

V.      Ratification of Minutes

Deferred.

VI.  Committee Reports

A.     Pond (Bill Dickinson)

The report is on disk and a hard copy is retained at the Community Center.

B.     Community Center Study (Bob Stebenne)

The report is on disk and a hard copy is retained at the Community Center.  

C.     Social (Pat Mannix)

1.      Earth Day is scheduled for April 21, 2007, beginning at 9:00 a.m., under the coordination of Marge Manning.  U.R.I. students will be volunteering at the event.  The Department of Environmental Management has waived the tipping fee for the 2 dumpsters.  The dumpsters will be donated by Waste Management. 

2.      The July social event at the Bonnet Shores Beach Club is being planned. 

3.      The 75^th Anniversary celebration of Bonnet Shores Fire District will be held on Friday, September 21, 2007 at the Dunes Club.

D.    Trash (Bruce Fournier)

1.      The report is on disk and hard copy is retained at the Community Center.

2.      Five positive bids have been received for the trash contract.  The bids will be reviewed with Pat Mannix and Walter Manning. 

E.     Roads (Bruce Fournier)

The report is on disk and a hard copy is retained at the Community Center. 

F.      Beach (Bob Stebenne)

The report is on disk and a hard copy is retained at the Community Center.

G.    Historical (Dan Quirk)

Prints of Bonnet Shores are available for purchase from Lee Listro at a cost of $35 per set. 

H.    Harbor Committee (Dan Quirk)

1.      The Harbor Plan was submitted to CRMC last year.  After a meeting with CRMC, the Harbor Committee has been given additional requirements that must go into the Plan.  One major issue is the swim area.  

2.      Mr. Quirk will schedule a meeting with the homeowner who owns property directly related to the swim area at Kelly Beach. 

3.      Kevin Cute has informed the Committee that the additional requirements must be addressed and we must submit the Harbor Plan or we may be in violation. 

4.      Dan has been discussing a sailing program with a group who might be interested in offering it with their own instructors to residents of Bonnet Shores . 

VII.            Treasurer’s Report (Natalie McDonald)

A.     The report is on disk and a hard copy is retained in the Community Center.

B.     To date, there is a combined balance of the checking account and money market account in the amount of $120,513.08

C.     The report has been submitted for audit. 

VIII.          Tax Collector’s Report (Helen Patience)

A.     The report is on disk and a hard copy is retained in the Community Center.  

B.     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 - $224,577.12

·        Returned check fees - $31.99

·        Interest collected - $928.77

·        Percentage collected – 97.75%

C.     Fiscal Year 2006 tax information is as follows:

·        Uncollected from the prior year - $1,220.98

·        Taxes collected from prior year – $620.24

·        Uncollected taxes - $600.74

·        Interest collected - $101.48  

IX.  Land Trust

No report.    

X.     District Manager’s Report (Reported by Joe Thomas in Jean Albert’s absence)

A.     A quote will be requested from Jay ‘n Jay Woodworking for new doors on the bulletin boards. 

B.     The District Manager position has been posted in the newspapers and on the website.  A sign was also posted at the entrance to Bonnet Shores , but blown away during the storms over the weekend.   

XI.  Old Business

A.     Bill Dickinson reported that he reviewed the ballot counting SOP for the Annual Meeting.  This will be reviewed at his committee meeting prior to the next monthly Council meeting.   

B.     Matthew Mannix raised concerns regarding the Community Center project.  His statement was presented to the Clerk with a request that it be included with these meeting minutes and retained at the Community Center.  Discussion ensued among the Council and Assembly. 

C.     Dan Quirk motioned to approve funds from the capital account for a mailing to inform Bonnet Shores residents of the proposed Community Center project once the specific details have been approved.  The motion was seconded by Bruce Fournier and approved by all Council members in attendance.   

XII.           New Business

A.     Budget workshops have been scheduled for:

1.      Wednesday, May 30, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.

2.      Saturday, June 2, 2007 at 9:00 a.m.

3.      Saturday, June 9, 2007 at 9:00 a.m.

B.     It was noted that the first 45 minutes of each budget meeting would be open to public discussion of capital expenditure projects for the 2007-08 fiscal year. 

C.     Bruce Fournier made a motion to immediately replace the steps at the end of the walkway at Kelly Beach which were washed away during the recent storms.  The motion was seconded by Bob Stebenne and approved by all Council members in attendance. 

D.    Bob Stebenne motioned to appoint Bill Dickinson to chair the Beautification Committee.  This motion was seconded by Pat Mannix and approved by all Council members in attendance. 

E.     Bruce Fournier motioned to appoint Dan Quirk and Bob Stebenne as the two Council members on the Nominating Committee.  The motion was seconded by Bill Dickinson and approved by all Council members in attendance.   

XIII.        Executive Sessions

None.   

XIV.        Adjournment

A.     Bruce Fournier motioned to adjourn the meeting.  The motion was seconded by Dan Quirk.

B.     The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m.        

Respectfully submitted,  

Catherine M. Kelleher

Clerk