Monthly Meeting

August 16, 2006

Meeting Minutes

The meeting was Called to Order at 7:35 p.m. by Chairperson Joe Thomas. Those in attendance included Co-chair Bruce Fournier, Pat Mannix, Carmine Moretti, Bob Stebenne, Dan Quirk and Pat Zito. District Manager Frank Murray, Treasurer Natalie McDonald, Harbormaster Mike Tortolani and Clerk Catherine Kelleher were also present. Attorney Kerry Rafanelli and Tax Collector Helen Patience were 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.

Urgent Business

Henry Marciano again proposed the development of a sailing club to include lessons for adults and children. (He initially made this proposal at the February 2005 meeting.) A discussion among the Council and Assembly ensued.

Period of Public Comment

A. Comments included:

1. Speeding in Bonnet Shores

2. Request for a "Please use turn signal" sign at the fork

3. Pollution

4. Cleaning the beaches

5. Applying for grant money for sewers

6. Private beach area signs

7. Request for a "No dogs allowed on the beach" sign

8. Parking on the grass

9. The use of Kelly Beach by non-residents and non-guests of Fire District residents

10. The use of tags/passes for Kelly Beach

11. Kids being dropped off at the Point

12. Scooters without license plates on Fire District roads

 

B. Joe Thomas read a statement regarding golf cart type vehicles which will be posted on all bulletin boards. The notice read: "Narragansett Police Chief Smith has advised the Bonnet Shores Fire District that it is not legal to operate golf carts on any of its roads. He has done the legal research and has been advised that, although Fire District roads are private, there is clear legal foundation that they are publicly maintained and subject to public law, which forbids the use of these vehicles on public streets."

Ratification of Minutes

C. Bob Stebenne motioned to accept the minutes of the June 21, 2006 meeting as submitted. The motion was seconded by Pat Zito and approved by all Council members in attendance.

D. Carmine Moretti motioned to accept the July 18, 2006 meeting minutes as submitted. The motion was seconded by Bob Stebenne and approved by all Council members in attendance.

Committee Reports

E. Roads (Bruce Fournier)

A written report was submitted and is attached to these original minutes and will be retained in the Community Center.

Trash (Pat Mannix)

1. Pat Mannix thanked Ann Galvin, from Homestead Properties, for donating maps for the Fire District yard sale.

2. Mrs. Mannix gave a report on the "bulky pick-up".

3. Pat stated that she had received some complaints regarding the hours the dumpster is available. If the dumpster remains after 10:00 a.m., it must then remain at the Community Center until Monday. This poses a problem with additional dumping and overflow. The dumpster also is an intrusion to the renters at the Community Center.

By-Laws (Carmine Moretti)

Committee had not met.

Public Awareness (Carmine Moretti)

Carmine Moretti requested that residents contact her if they had any problems.

Harbor (Dan Quirk)

Dan Quirk will be meeting with Pat Mannix regarding the Harbor Committee.

Historical (Dan Quirk)

Committee had not met.

G. Beaches (Bob Stebenne)

1. A written report was submitted. A copy of that report is attached to these original minutes and will be retained in the Community Center.

2. A copy of the CRMC Maintenance Certification 2006-08-019 to rake and remove seaweed from the beach on an as-needed basis during the beach season is also attached.

 

 

H. Beautification (Pat Zito)

Replanting has been done in front of the Bonnet Shores Fire District sign at the main entrance.

I. Recreation (Pat Zito)

Katie Boyle and Linda Byrne did a great job once again this past summer with the Day Camp. 45 children were registered for the second session.

J. Social (Pat Zito)

Pasta Night was well attended and enjoyed by the participants.

K. Land Trust (Donna Gunning)

1. There are 2 new members of the Land Trust Committee.

2. Election of officers will take place at the next Committee meeting.

3. Thanks were extended to Cliff Hall for his dedication and time served on the Land Trust Committee.

4. The Land Trust is currently pursuing the donation of a property.

Treasurer’s Report (Natalie McDonald)

F. See attached report on the website and a hard copy attached to these minutes and retained in the Community Center.

Combined balance in the checking and savings accounts is $198,830.27

The Treasurer’s report has been filed for audit.

Tax Collector’s Report (Helen Patience)

G. Natalie McDonald reported for Tax Collector, Helen Patience, in her absence.

H. See attached report on the website and a hard copy attached to these minutes and retained in the Community Center.

I. 2006-07 tax information is as follows:

Total taxable assessment - $575,711,200.00

Taxes assessed - $232,587.32

Total abated taxes - $2,913.85

Total collectable taxes - $229,673.47

Taxes collected to date - $109,524.18

Percentage collected – 47.69%

Returned check fees - $00.00

District Manager (Frank Murray)

J. A Blood Drive was held this past month.

K. Camp will end on August 18^th.

L. Bruce Fournier motioned to approve Bob Reidy to organize a golf tournament slated for September 15, 2006. The motion was seconded by Pat Zito and approved by all Council members in attendance. Deadline for registration is September 6^th.

M. Some damaged tables and chairs at the Community Center need to be replaced.

 

 

Harbormaster (Mike Tortolani)

N. Mike Tortolani suggested that a meeting take place with Kevin Cute regarding floats, permanent floats, the location of floats, and mooring regulations.

O. The mooring waiting list has moved up 2 names.

P. The new dock will be installed next year.

Q. Mr. Tortolani reminded the Council and Assembly that he had resigned as harbormaster for personal reasons at the June 2006 monthly meeting. He indicated that his personal issues had been resolved and he will, therefore, remain as harbormaster.

Old Business

R. Joe Thomas reported that a survey will be done on the 20-foot path.

S. Bruce Fournier reported that the Department of Public Works stated that the traffic obstruction mirrors were not feasible because they do not allow drivers to see that far in the distance.

New Business

Regarding Rules of Civility for Public Participation, Cliff Hall from Dunes Road supplied the Council with standard operating procedures for public participation at meetings. Bruce Fournier and Joe Thomas will review the document. This issue will be continued at the September 2006 meeting.

Request for recount:

1. Joe Thomas read a letter from Doris Baris petitioning a recount of votes from the Annual Meeting. Bruce Fournier made a motion not to recount the ballots from the Annual Meeting. The motion was seconded by Bob Stebenne. A lengthy discussion ensued.

2. Mr. Fournier then motioned to end the debate on this subject. That motion was seconded by Pat Zito and approved by all Council members in attendance.

3. A roll call vote was then taken on Mr. Fournier’s initial motion not to recount the ballots from the Annual Meeting. Bob Stebenne, Pat Zito, Bruce Fournier, Joe Thomas and Dan Quirk approved the motion. Carmine Moretti and Pat Mannix opposed. The motion passed 5 votes to 2.

Dick Agnitsch will present a job description for the webmaster to the Council at the September monthly meeting.

Community Center:

1. Carmine Moretti presented a quote of $220 for cleaning of the Community Center.

2. Frank Murray and Carmine Moretti will meet on August 18^th to review the Community Center SOPs.

3. Additional information regarding major cleaning and emergency cleaning of the Community Center will be continued at the September monthly meeting.

 

The Council agreed to have Doris Baris pursue the cost of surveying Kelly Beach all the way down to the rocks. This issue will be continued at the September 2006 meeting.

Bruce Fournier read a letter from the Remingtons regarding paving of Maywood Road.

Joe Thomas, Kathy Kelleher, Bill Dickinson and Joe DeStefano will work on standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the Annual meeting.

Mary Beth Holland requested that the Council follow up on the motion made by a non-taxpayer at the Annual Meeting to increase the clerk’s pay.

A discussion occurred regarding the Social Committee.

Executive Sessions

None.

Adjournment

T. Carmine Moretti motioned to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Bruce Fournier and approved by all Council members in attendance.

U. The meeting adjourned at 10:42 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Catherine M. Kelleher

Clerk