Bonnet Shores Fire District Community Center

130 Bonnet Shores Road

Narragansett, Rhode Island

Monthly Meeting

September 19, 2007

The meeting was Called to Order at 7:37 p.m. by Chairperson Joe Thomas. Council members in attendance included Bill Dickinson, Bruce Fournier, Mimmy Logee, Matthew Mannix, Bob Stebenne and Dan Quirk. District Manager Erin Rooney, Tax Collector Helen Patience, Harbormaster Mike Tortolani and Clerk Catherine Kelleher were also present. Treasurer Natalie McDonald was 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

None.

Review of Building Plans

Plans for a building on Wolfe Road were reviewed. When asked, the owner stated that the plans had been approved by the Planning Board, the Zoning Board and Coastal Resource Management Council. He also stated that all necessary permits had been obtained, including approval by the Town Council for the sewers and the easement for the road. The plans were approved by the Council.

Period of Public Comment

A. Once again, Joe Thomas requested that anyone wishing to speak must come to the front of the room and use the microphone so that the entire Assembly can hear the comments.

B. Pat Mannix requested that the Council consider the way the Annual Meeting election results are reported. She suggested that this be addressed under "New Business" and requested that the actual vote totals be posted on the web site and on bulletin boards.

 

 

 

 

Ratification of Minutes

C. Bill Dickinson motioned to accept the March 2007 meeting minutes. The motion was seconded by Bruce Fournier and approved 4 votes to none.

D. Mr. Fournier then motioned to accept the June 2007 meeting minutes. That motion was seconded by Bill Dickinson. The motion passed 4 votes to none.

E. Finally, Bruce Fournier motioned to accept the August 2007 meeting minutes with Mim Logee seconding. That motion was approved by all Council members in attendance.

Committee Reports

Beach (Prepared by Bob Stebenne and delivered by Mim Logee in his absence)

The report is on tape and a hard copy is attached to the original meeting minutes retained at the Community Center.

Historical (Prepared by Bob Stebenne and delivered by Mim Logee in his absence)

The report is on tape and a hard copy is attached to the original meeting minutes retained at the Community Center.

Beautification (Bill Dickinson)

1. Mums are being planted this week at the entrance, at the Community Center sign, and in all the barrels.

2. The Beautification Committee will be meeting soon to talk about gathering winter decorations for the Community Center and the sign area.

3. The Committee has a new member, Terry Duffy, who has volunteered to maintain the triangle on Col. John Gardner at Richard Smith Road.

Pond (Bill Dickinson)

There is nothing new to report at this time.

Social (Bill Dickinson)

4. 184 tickets have been sold for the 75^th Anniversary Celebration of the Bonnet Shores Fire District to be held on September 21, 2007 at 6:00 p.m.

5. The Social Committee has decided not to have an Oktoberfest this year.

6. The next celebration will be the Holiday Party.

Trash (Bruce Fournier)

7. Issues with the new trash company seem to be resolving.

8. There was a discussion regarding a one-day trash collection during the summer with the trash company subsidizing half the cost of the trash bin. Further discussion about this topic will be held in the Spring.

Roads (Bruce Fournier)

9. The report is on tape and a hard copy is attached to the original meeting minutes retained at the Community Center.

10. A lengthy discussion ensued regarding parking on the roads in Bonnet Shores.

 

By-Laws (Matthew Mannix)

11. The By-Laws Committee is in need of updating and printing new Blue Books.

12. The next committee meeting will be held on October 10^th at 7:30 p.m. at the Community Center.

13. The Committee is missing meeting minutes from 1985 to 1992, 1994 and 1997. Mr. Mannix asked if anyone had copies of those meeting minutes to please share them with the Committee.

Harbor (Dan Quirk)

14. Harbor Committee members received a copy of the draft for the new Harbor Plan. Dan incorporated the comments which CRMC had requested to be incorporated.

15. The Committee will discuss potential remedies for the Mooring Waiting List.

16. A list of ordinance changes that will be required for the new Harbor Plan was circulated among Harbor Committee members.

17. Mooring fees will be discussed at the next Harbor Committee meeting.

18. Obtaining bids for the boat ramp will also be discussed at the next Harbor Committee meeting.

Treasurer’s Report (Natalie McDonald)

F. Natalie prepared her report and delivered it to the Council members for review in her absence.

G. The report is on tape and a hard copy is attached to the original meeting minutes retained at the Community Center.

Tax Collector’s Report (Helen Patience)

H. The report is on tape and a hard copy is attached to the original meeting minutes retained in the Community Center.

I. 2008 Fiscal Year tax information is as follows:

Total assessment - $578,618,800.00

Assessment abated - $7,585,200

Total taxes including abated - $241,341.55

Less abated taxes - $3,163.80

Total collectable taxes - $238,177.75

Taxes collected to date - $185,419.39

Returned check fees - $00.00

Interest collected - $00.00

Percentage collected – 77.85%

Outstanding taxes for 2008 - $52,758.36

J. Fiscal Year 2007 tax information:

Unpaid as of July 19, 2007 - $1,790.91

K. Fiscal Year 2006 tax information:

Unpaid as of July 19, 2007 - $ 578.01

 

Land Trust (Doris Baris)

No report.

District Manager’s Report (Erin Rooney)

L. The blood drive was a success.

M. The furnace was cleaned on August 24^th.

N. Narragansett Electric changed the meter on the outside of the building on September 10^th.

O. There will be a hazardous waste collection on October 27^th.

P. The surfboard is in poor condition and needs to be replaced.

Q. The Mooring Waiting List has been posted at both beaches.

R. A gentleman from the Fire District has volunteered to replace the doors on the bulletin boards.

S. A road race for the Troops will be held on October 7^th.

T. A resident suggested having Bonnet Shores tee-shirts and hats for sale.

U. A "Thank-You" note was received from the Johnny Cake Center for the 70 pounds of food donated to them from the Len Cabral activity at the camp.

V. A fraternity member is very interested in adopting a neighborhood.

W. The building inspector has supplied the Fire District with a printed copy of all homeowners who are renting.

X. The Assembly was reminded that the Police Department continues to request that residents call them directly with any problems or concerns.

Old Business

Y. The maintenance and/or replacement of the beach ramp, deck and stairs at Kelly Beach was discussed. Doris Baris stated that the Land Trust and the Fire District Council should meet to discuss the management of the beach and make decisions prior to the next season. Bob Stebenne stated that he would be happy to include the Land Trust Committee in any and all discussions and decisions.

Z. John Carvalho reported that he spoke with a manager at RIPTA and was told that community buses from Wakefield and some shuttle buses for the elderly are the only buses authorized by RIPTA to come to Bonnet Shores.

AA. A lengthy discussion was held regarding beach access and Fire District right-of-way.

BB. Lee Listro reported that the Historical Committee has prepared a display for the 75^th Anniversary celebration.

CC. Mrs. Listro indicated that someone had suggested having a blog on the website to obtain additional historical information. Steve Ryder will research options for a blog.

DD. The Community Center rental form was reviewed. At the present time, the Community Center is rented by the day only.

EE. Matthew Mannix recommended that, rather than forming a building subcommittee, a more general discussion should be held on what to do with the surplus.

New Business

None.

Executive Sessions

None.

Adjournment

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

GG. The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Catherine M. Kelleher

Clerk