Monthly Meeting

May 18, 2005

Meeting Minutes

I.       The meeting was Called to Order at 7:42 p.m. by Chairperson Steve McCooey.  Those in attendance included Joe Bleczinski, Pat Mannix, Hope Marsella, Joe Thomas and Pat Zito.  District Manager Frank Murray, Tax Collector Helen Patience, Treasurer Natalie McDonald and Harbormaster Mike Tortolani were also present.  Bruce Fournier and Clerk Catherine Kelleher were absent. 

In the absence of the clerk, meeting minutes were tape recorded by District Manager Frank Murray; however, the quality of the recording was very poor.  Clerk Catherine Kelleher transcribed the minutes from the tape.

The Council approved changing the agenda order of this meeting from its usual format.

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

None.

IV.  Period of Public Comment

None.

V.      Ratification of Minutes

 Hope Marsella motioned to approve the minutes of the April, 2005 meeting.  The  

 motion was seconded and approved by all Council members in attendance.

VI.  Treasurer’s Report

A.     See attached report on the website.

B.     Natalie McDonald reported that the final budget hearing will be held on June 4, 2005 at 9:00 a.m. in the Community Center.  Frank Murray will post a notice on the bulletin boards.

VII.           Tax Collector’s Report

A.     Helen Patience reported the following for the 2004-05 tax year:

1.      Total assessed value = $343,218,100.

2.      Total taxes = $223,095.61 for 2004.

3.      Total abated taxes = $3,825.01.

4.      Total collectible taxes = $219,270.60.

5.      Taxes collected to date = $216,524.21.

6.      Percentage collected to date  = 99.00%.

7.      Interest collected to date = $858.95.

8.      Returned check fees = $75.00.

B.     Prior years taxes are as follows:

1.      Total taxes due = $4,796.00

2.      Total taxes collected = $2,264.41

3.      Interest collected = $197.69

C.  49 properties have been reported to the attorney for the upcoming tax sale. 

VIII.        Committee Reports

A.     Beautification Committee

1.      Pat Zito reported that the Committee has been very busy planting and weeding.   

2.      The Narragansett/URI Coalition had their last meeting.   

3.      The date for bulky pick-up is to be scheduled prior to the next meeting.  Frank Murray will post the schedule on the bulletin boards. 

B.  Sanitation and Social Committees

1.      Pat Mannix reported that the first dumpster for the season was on May 14, 2005 , arriving at 7:00 a.m. and removed shortly after 10:00 a.m.   There were no problems.

2.      The schedule for the dumpster has been posted.  The next date for the dumpster is May 28, 2005 from 7:00 to 10:00 a.m.  

3.      The annual Earth Day clean-up was held on April 23, 2005 .   The coordinator for this event was Marge Manning.  Volunteers were provided with free coffee and doughnuts that morning and free pizza and soda later in the day, thanks to Mrs. Manning’s efforts.

4.      Waste Management donated a 30-yard dumpster for the event. 

5.      The event was successful.  The Bonnet Shores Fire District Council thanked all volunteers who worked so hard that day to help make the community look more beautiful. 

C.  Harbor Committee

1.      Joe Thomas reported that a new aluminum ramp was installed on Earth Day at the dock on Little Beach. 

2.      Joe Bleczinski reported that he has been unable to obtain a price for a new float for the dock area at Little Beach since he has yet to be able to make contact with the vendor. 

D.  Community

1.      Steve McCooey reported that the basketball courts will be done by June 1, 2005 . 

2.      At Mr. McCooey’s request, Mrs. Reed spoke about the footbridge.  She reported that Coastal suggested that a biologist view the site to evaluate the wetlands.  They also suggested that an engineer review the designs of the footbridge.  Joe Thomas will have the footbridge plans reviewed by an engineer. 

3.      Steve reported that school ends on June 24, 2005 for the summer recess. 

4.      Pat Zito motioned to open Little Beach and Kelly Beach on June 25, 2005 and close at the end of the day on Labor Day.  The motion was seconded and approved by all Council members in attendance. 

5.      Mr. McCooey asked Hope Marsella to contact Bruce Fournier so that the Nominating Committee could begin its work as soon as possible. 

IX.  Harbormaster’s Report

A.     Mike Tortolani reported the dock is in the water.

B.     The water has been turned on at Little Beach.

C.     The reported work was done by volunteers Tony Moretti, Bob Barker, Joe Bleczinski, Austin Donley and Steve McCooey. 

D.    Approximately half of the moorings have been paid to date.  Full payment is due by June 30, 2005 . 

X.  District Manager’s Report

A.     Frank Murray reported that rentals of the Community Center were on track according to projections for the year. 

B.     Mr. Murray presented a “Copy” procedure for approval by the Council.  He stated that fifteen cents (15¢) is the standard charge for copies, however he suggested that the Fire District provide the first ten copies free and then charge fifteen cents (15¢) per page for every page thereafter.  The “Copy” fee was approved by the Council.

C.     Dr. Randy Sowa requested the return of his $500 road cut deposit.  Steve McCooey asked Frank Murray to survey the area and then provide the treasurer with documentation for reimbursement to Dr. Sowa.

D.    Mr. Murray has received quotes ranging from $3,000 to $5,000 from surveyors regarding the Point.  He will continue to get written quotes for the Council. 

E.     A letter was received from Ted English, dated May 18,2005 , requesting that the Council recognize the need for paving Fairway Drive .  He further indicated that both he and his neighbor, Mrs. DaSilva, are very concerned about the area of Spring Brook and Fairway Drive and feel those roads should be paved. 

F.      Nancy DaSilva stated that approximately 200 feet of the drainage gully has been filled in on Fairway at Anchorage , causing the drainage to run onto private properties.  She indicated that she had called the Town expressing concern.  She requested that the Council address the issue as well.  Steve McCooey stated that he would discuss these concerns with Bruce Fournier.  

G.    Pat Mannix stated that Doris Baris had informed her that the Narragansett Town Council consented to the appointment of David Ousterhout as the Director of Public Works for the Town of Narragansett . 

H.    In response to a question from Mary Beth Holland, Pat Mannix stated that the twice-weekly trash collection would commence on the Thursday after Memorial Day.  The summer schedule will be trash and recyclables on Mondays and trash only on Thursdays. 

I.       The Beach Bus will begin when the beaches open on June 25^th.  The bus will be cancelled during inclement weather. 

J.      Mr. Murray reported that a house was being built on Old Town Trail.  He confirmed that trees have been cut on the paper road at Old Town Trail and Mohawk.  Pat Zito requested that the Council give approval for the District Manager to immediately respond to similar situations by contacting the Town’s building inspector regarding site plans and property boundaries.  Mr. Murray will contact Tony Santilli on May 19, 2005 . 

XI.   Land Trust

No report. 

XII.  Old Business

A.     Joe Bleczinski motioned that any voting concerning the moorings be done as a roll call vote.  That motion was seconded by Steve McCooey and approved by all Council members in attendance. 

B.     Attorney Kerry Rafanelli stated that he had no new evidence to make the Council’s decision any easier.  It was noted that Mr. Rafanelli previously rendered an opinion for the Council on the mooring matter and riparian rights.  The document he prepared was distributed to all Council members for review at the April, 2005 monthly meeting. 

C.     Mr. Rafanelli attended the budget meeting where he reviewed his findings.  He indicated that the Council and Assembly had ample time to ask questions at that meeting. 

D.    A lengthy discussion ensued among Kerry Rafanelli, Joe Bleczinski, Steve Patience, Walter Manning, Hope Marsella, Matthew Mannix, Mary Beth Holland, Paul Haas, Bill DelGizzo, Mike Tortolani, Joe Thomas, Doris Baris and additional Assembly members who did not identify themselves on the tape recording.  Topics included:

1.      Should Dr. DelGizzo be allowed to move to the top of the mooring list just because he is a waterfront property owner?

2.      Does Dr. DelGizzo have proof that he cannot put a mooring in front of his property?

3.      Is it fair for some residents to have 2 moorings when there are so many resident’s names on the mooring waiting list?

E.     Joe Bleczinski motioned that the riparian rights pertaining to Dr. DelGizzo be tabled until Dr. DelGizzo provides documentation that he is prohibited from placing a mooring at his residence.  The motion was seconded by Hope Marsella.  The motion was approved by Joe Bleczinski, Hope Marsella, Pat Mannix and Pat Zito.  Joe Thomas and Steve McCooey opposed.  The motion carried. 

F.      William DelGizzo stated that the Council was discriminating against him, but did not discriminate against Mr. Taylor. 

G.    Pat Mannix stated that there was a search for the minutes of those meetings to see how the Council voted regarding the Taylor mooring.  So far, a vote has not been found regarding that mooring. 

H.    Mike Tortolani recalled that the District Manager, Mr. O’Neil, called him and told him that the Council had approved Mr. Taylor’s mooring and he was instructed to place it in the water.  He said that he had called Anita Langer, the Council Chairperson at the time, and she concurred with Mr. O’Neil that the Taylor mooring could be placed in the harbor. 

XIII.        Recess

Council Chairperson, Steve McCooey, called for a 5-minute recess.

XIV.        New Business

A.     Norma Mann asked how binding was the judgment regarding the Holten’s fence.  She wondered if the Holtens had the right to change the fence and replace it with something different, as well as changing the height of the fence. 

B.     A lengthy discussion ensued among the Council and members of the Assembly.

C.     Kerry Rafanelli read from the judgment: 

1.      Allowing one, the existing pillars and fence remain along the west border with Col. John Gardner Road

2.      The installation of a wrought iron fence and plantings not to exceed 4 feet in height

3.      It is understood that the pillars will be placed between sections of said wrought iron fence and

4.      It is understood that, for aesthetic purposes and to accentuate the erection of the fence, said pillars will be slightly higher than 4 feet. 

D.    Paul Haas stated that he was deeply involved in those negotiations and he felt he would be remiss if he didn’t honor the tenacity and stewardship of the 7 Council members serving the Fire District in 1995 who were ridiculed and mocked for so many years because they decided to go with the law and removed the boulders of enormous size that were resting on the pavement as well as removing the arborvitaes which were 10 to 15 feet on to the Bonnet Shores Fire District rights of way.  Those items were removed by order of the Coastal Resources Management Council. 

E.     Mr. Haas suggested that the Council instruct Kerry Rafanelli to proceed with an injunction, if necessary, regarding the fence.  Pat Mannix motioned for the Council to approve Kerry Rafanelli to research the Holten easement and to follow up with the necessary legal action, including a consent judgment or court order.  The motion was seconded by Steve McCooey and approved by all Council members in attendance. 

F.      Pat Mannix read a letter that was sent to the Council by Mrs. Carty’s daughter, Mary, requesting to have Little Beach renamed and dedicated as the Marguerite R. Carty Little Beach.  Pat Zito motioned to deny that request.  The motion was seconded by Joe Bleczinski and approved by all Council members in attendance. 

G.    Doris Baris stated that she had requested copies of the Monthly Meeting Minutes from 1999.  She said that she received the minutes from July 1999 to the end of that year from Kathy Kelleher, who was elected Clerk at the 1999 Annual Meeting.  Mrs. Baris reported that neither she nor Frank Murray were able to locate minutes prior to July, 1999.  She expressed concern that these legal documents were not available at the Community Center.  She also stated that she was disturbed to find out this evening that it will cost her 15¢ per page to copy the minutes.  Mrs. Baris stated that she was told by the Secretary of State’s office that minutes of public body meetings must be filed electronically, effective July, 2004. 

H.    Matthew Mannix offered to help Frank Murray go through the Community Center office and boxes in the basement to locate the minutes and to put them in chronological order. 

I.       Mary Beth Holland stated that the original meeting minutes, approved by the Council and signed by the Clerk, should be kept in the Community Center rather than keeping a copy.  She said that all Clerks, past and present, should be sent a letter requesting any minutes that they might have in their possession be returned to the Council. 

J.      Steve McCooey asked Frank Murray to go through all files and boxes, along with Matthew Mannix who volunteered to assist, and to place the minutes in order and to note which minutes may be missing. 

K.    Mike Tortolani reminded the Council that he had requested someone other than the harbormaster be in charge of the mooring waiting list. 

L.     Natalie McDonald stated that someone on the Harbor Committee should handle the money for the mooring waiting list. 

M.  It was decided that the application and check be sent to the Bonnet Shores Fire District at their Post Office Box.  Dick Agnitsch will change the wording regarding this issue on the website once he receives the wording from the Harbor Committee.

N.    The Newsletter meeting is scheduled on Monday, June 6, 2005 at 7:30 p.m.

XV.           Council Comment

None.

XVI.        Executive Session

None.

XVII.     Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Catherine M. Kelleher

Clerk