Monthly Meeting

August 17, 2005  

Meeting Minutes

 I.       The meeting was Called to Order at 7:38 p.m. by Chairperson Joe Thomas.  Those in attendance included Joe Bleczinski, Carmine Moretti, Bob Stebenne and Pat Zito.   District Manager Frank Murray, Treasurer Natalie McDonald, Tax Collector Helen Patience, Harbormaster Mike Tortolani and Clerk Catherine Kelleher were also present.  Bruce Fournier and Pat Mannix were absent.

 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

A.     New Council members were introduced to the Assembly

B.     An updated phone list was dispersed to Council members and non-Council officers. 

C.     In order to keep the monthly Council meetings orderly, Chairperson Joe Thomas asked residents to submit, in writing prior to the meeting, topics for discussion during the Period of Public Comment.  Those topics will be included in the agenda and posted on the website.  The resident submitting the topic is asked to be sure to attend the meeting.

D.    Frank Murray is in receipt of a letter from Kristin Struck requesting permission to hold a 5K road race in Bonnet Shores on Sunday, October 16, 2005 at 10:00 a.m.   The race will benefit the local organization “Pack It Up” which sends monthly care packages to our Rhode Island troops stationed overseas.  All proceeds from this event will go directly to the troops.  Resident Neal Colman offered to help in any way.  Pat Zito motions to approve the request for the road race.  The motion was seconded by Carmine Moretti and approved by all Council members in attendance.

IV.  Period of Public Comment

A.     A resident asked if the beach bus could run from 11:00 or 11:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. next year.  Joe Thomas asked the resident to put the request in writing and submit it to the attention of Pat Mannix on the Council.

B.     The same resident inquired if there was an ordinance regarding the height and width of trees.  She stated that trees have been and continue to be planted in locations that block water views from many resident’s homes, as well as walkways and roads in Bonnet Shores .  The Council recommended that the resident contact Mr. Santilli, the Town zoning inspector. 

C.     A resident from Allaghash Trail voiced her concerns about the “tenement houses” that are being built on that street.  She said that the land that is being stripped of trees would affect the pond.  She requested advice regarding the buildings and the removal of trees.  The Council advised this resident to seek advice from the Town. 

D.    Helen Patience presented a note she received along with the taxes, from a resident on Aroostok Trail regarding a drainage problem. The resident requested that the Council address this water issue.  Joe Thomas will forward the request to Bruce Fournier for further discussion with the Town engineer.    

V.      Ratification of Minutes

Motion to approve the June, 2005 Council meeting minutes was made by Joe Bleczinski.  The motion was seconded by Pat Zito and approved by all Council members in attendance. 

VI.  Committee Reports

A.     Harbor

1.      Harbormaster Mike Tortolani reported that 10 names have moved up on the mooring waiting list this year. 

2.      Mr. Tortolani expressed safety concerns regarding fireworks being detonated at Little Beach.  He relayed that one woman was allegedly burned on her face and another burned on her hand as a result of ashes from fireworks.  He also stated that his own boat caught on fire!  He stated that residents near Little Beach also complained of debris on their property following the fireworks. 

a.      Tony Moretti suggested hiring a Narragansett Police officer to patrol the area next year.

b.      Joe Thomas recommended that a notice be placed in the newsletter reminding the residents that fireworks are not allowed and that police will be contacted if they are used.

3.      Mike reported that he spoke to Mr. Holten regarding his moorings.  Mr. Holten said that his attorney advised him that his property rights extend 120 feet into the water and that no moorings should be placed in that area.  Mr. Holten also explained that he is entitled to a guest mooring in addition to the one he has in front of his house.

 4.      Mr. Tortolani related that moorings have always been placed to mark the swimming area at Kelly Beach from the cliff to the end of the property line.  Because of the swimming area, boats have traditionally not been allowed in that area.  However, this year a resident stated that he had a right to bring his boat in and out of the beach.  As a result, Mike spoke with Mike Scully, a law enforcement agent from DEM, who said that the Fire District had the right to designate a swimming area and that boats should not be allowed to access that area. 

a.      Lou Pucci from Camden Road stated that, in the 1980s, boats were allowed to come in only parallel to the rocks. 

b.      Bob Stebenne stated that he would be happy to work with the Harbormaster to come to a workable solution to this dilemma.

B.     By-Laws

1.      Joe Bleczinski has begun reviewing some of the ordinances and bylaws in the Blue Book. 

2.      Joe reported that the Book is dated 1984, but changes have been made since then.  He asked if anyone had a complete set of changes or knows where they can be located, to please notify the By-Laws Committee chairperson.

3.      The By-Laws Committee will meet to review and update the Blue Book

C.     Social, Camp and Beautification

1.      Pat Zito reported that the Social Committee will meet on August 23^rd at 4:30 p.m. to discuss a possible Octoberfest and a Holiday Party. 

2.      Camp will close on August 19, 2005 .  It has been great this year, raising $9,876. 

3.      Pat Zito has been involved with the U.R.I. Awareness Coalition, which is directly related to the community.  She will discuss her efforts with the Coalition with Carmine Moretti. 

4.      Pat reported that Frank Murray had given her the necessary information regarding the grounds currently maintained by the Fire District.  This will go out to bid.

5.      Pat stated that some residents complained that the current semi annual informational mailings were not a sufficient means of communication.  She recommended that the Council research a more economical and efficient way of notifying residents more frequently. 

6.      Joe Thomas reported that Steve McCooey had suggested proposing a change in taxation of Beach Club properties from individual taxes to a fee based tax on the Beach Club entity.  There are approximately 930 individual Beach Club property owners who generate approximately $17,000 in taxes.  This would eliminate the need for sending individual tax bills to Beach Club property owners and that money saved could be used to send out more mailings to residents.  The fees could also be used to trade services, such as beach cleaning. 

7.      Mr. Thomas reported that a disproportionate amount of the tax collector’s time is spent in tracking down Bonnet Shores Beach Club owners for their taxes. 

8.      Tax Collector, Helen Patience, suggested that a minimum tax be assessed at the Beach Club. 

9.      Joe Thomas asked Kerry Rafanelli, a member of the Board of Directors of the Beach Club, to raise this issue with that Board.  Mr. Rafanelli stated he would do so if the Fire District formally submitted the request to his attention. 

10.  Joe Thomas asked Helen Patience to research what the Fire District nets in taxes after expenses, including her time and all the mailings.  He requested that this information be presented to the Council at the September, 2005 meeting. 

11.   A lengthy discussion ensued regarding a Beach Club property owner who purchased a bathhouse this year.  He requested a rebate because he claimed he never received a tax bill.  Pat Zito motioned that the tax proceeds not be refunded.  That motion was seconded by Joe Thomas and approved by all Council members in attendance. 

D.    Beaches

1.      Bob Stebenne met with Frank Murray to get a better understanding of the Beach Committee.

2.      Lifeguard duties and responsibilities need to be reviewed.  Some cleaning by the lifeguards of their assigned beach is being considered. 

3.      The placement of trash barrels needs to be reviewed.

4.      Bob plans to investigate the services provided at the Bonnet Shores Beach Club, such as the raking of the beaches, and will check into sharing those services.

VII.            Treasurer’s Report

A.     Natalie McDonald reported that $151.888.00 is available in the combined checking and money market accounts.

B.     Camp finances were better than expected.

C.     Annual meeting expenses were $89 under budget.   

D.    Beach salaries and camp salaries are on schedule.

E.     Mrs. McDonald reported that, to date, the Fire District was in good financial shape.

VIII.          Tax Collector’s Report

A.     See attached report on the website.

B.     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 - $142,735.17  

IX.    Land Trust

A.     Donna Gunning reported that the Land Trust Committee would like to pursue, at the State level, getting sewer services for the remainder of Bonnet Shores .  Pat Zito applauded these efforts. 

B.     The Committee will be consulting with an attorney to protect our land. 

C.     A donation of land, NR541/542 has been received. 

D.    The next Land Trust Committee meeting will be held on August 23, 2005 .

X.     District Manager’s Report

A.     Frank Murray stated that rentals of the Community Center are going well.

B.     A cleaning service has been hired for the Community Center. 

C.     At the present time, the beaches are staffed with one lifeguard at each beach through Labor Day. 

D.    Some of the lifeguards may have to leave their jobs early in order to return to school. 

E.     In answer to a question from Pat Zito, Mr. Murray stated that a Council member may cancel a lifeguard shift during inclement weather. 

F.      Helen Patience stated that there has been no lifeguard at Little Beach during the weekends all summer long. 

XI.  Old Business

A.     Frank Murray reported that the Blood Drive yielded 10 pints and was considered very successful. 

B.     Joe Thomas reported that Betty Reed prepared a plan for the footbridge and it has been approved by DEM and Coastal.  The plans still must be reviewed by an engineer before a permit can be issued by the Town.  Kerrigan Engineering will provide that review for $500.  Joe Thomas motioned to move forward with the construction of the footbridge, pending the engineering certification and permit from the Town.  The motion was seconded by Bob Stebenne and approved by all Council members in attendance. 

C.     Joe Thomas gave a brief history of the ownership dispute of the 20-foot path and then asked Kerry Rafanelli for his comments.  A lengthy discussion ensued.  Mr. Rafanelli recommended that title searches be done on the surrounding properties and parcels followed by a meeting between the owners of the abutting properties and Council members.  Pat Zito motioned to allocate money from the capital budget to do the title searches.  That motion was seconded by Joe Bleczinski and approved by all Council members in attendance. 

D.    Dick Agnitsch requested that the Council review each of the paper roads to determine if there is potential use.  If their use as roads is not tenable, he suggested that the Council consider selling the roads so that the Land Trust would have money to purchase other properties.  He requested that this topic be placed on the agenda for the next Council meeting.   

 E.     Neal Colman reported that the 14^th Annual Bonnet Daze Road Race, held on July 16, 2005 , was very successful with 172 runners and 32 walkers.  102 children ran in the Children’s Races.  Neal thanked all the volunteers who helped the day of the race, especially Don Bosquet, who designed the tee shirts and started the race; the State Police for their assistance with the traffic and for presenting the trophies; Wright’s Farm, who paid for the finish line; Brigido’s IGA for their donation of fruit and 15 cases of sport drinks; Culligan Water for 5 cases of water; Brickley’s Ice Cream for gift certificates; GCI Sports; ReMax and Ernie Esposito; ReMax and Sharon and Chris Ford; Byrne Mechanical, Inc.; DeWal Industries; Roch’s; Lila Delman and Anita Langer; Coventry Home Care, Inc.; Phoenix Home Care, Inc.; and Carty Realty.

F.      The Road Race profited $4,529.  $2,300 was raised in sponsorships and the race generated the remaining $2,229.  Neal requested that $2,500 of the proceeds be dedicated to the playground fund and the remainder used for special activities at Camp. 

G.    Mr. Colman stated that he and his wife would not be organizing the Road Race next year, but he would be happy to help out and will be providing whatever information he has to his successor. 

H.    Joe Thomas expressed his deep appreciation to Neal Colman and his family for all their hard work in making the Road Race such a success.  

XII.           New Business

A.     Frank Murray requested that caddies be purchased for the tables and chairs.  He was instructed to research prices for a caddy versus the cost of new tables and chairs.  This will be discussed at the September Council meeting. 

B.     Mr. Murray reported that he has received questions and concerns from residents regarding the use of golf carts in the community.  Since the Fire District has no jurisdiction over motor vehicles, Mr. Murray should instruct residents to contact the Town police. 

C.     Additional recycle bins have been obtained.  Residents may purchase them from the District Manager.  Joe Thomas motioned that the bins should be sold for $6.00 each.  The motion was seconded by Joe Bleczinski.  Mr. Thomas, Mr. Bleczinski, Pat Zito and Bob Stebenne approved the motion.  Carmine Moretti opposed. 

D.    Joe Thomas requested that Frank Murray post additional signs at a readable level indicating a 30-minute limit to parking at Little Beach.  

E.     Mary Beth Holland expressed concerns about overnight parking at the Community Center.  Joe Thomas requested that this topic be placed on the agenda for the September meeting.   

F.      A lengthy discussion ensued among Joe Thomas, Kerry Rafanelli and Matthew Mannix regarding the content of the monthly Council meeting minutes.  Mr. Rafanelli indicated that the clerk is presently doing the work of a hand written stenographer.  Mr. Thomas said that this issue had been discussed at the organizational meeting where it was suggested that the meeting minutes contain only the date, location, Council attendees, motions made and action items. Mr. Mannix disagreed.  Mr. Thomas asked that this topic also be included on the agenda for the September meeting. 

G.    Carmine Moretti requested to see the landscaping bids when they are received.  Pat Zito assured Mrs. Moretti that all Council members would review the bids. 

XIII.        Council Comment

None.

XIV.        Executive Sessions

            None.

XV.           Adjournment

A.     Pat Zito motioned to adjourn the meeting.  The motion was seconded by Joe Bleczinski and approved by all Council members in attendance. 

B.     The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Catherine M. Kelleher

Clerk