Fire District Council Meeting Minutes  October, 2005

  

  

Bonnet Shores Fire District Council  
 Bonnet Shores Fire District Community Center
130 Bonnet Shores Road
Narragansett, Rhode Island

Monthly Meeting

October 19, 2005

Meeting Minutes

 

I.       The meeting was Called to Order at 7:40 p.m. by Chairperson Joe Thomas.  Those in attendance included Bruce Fournier, Pat Mannix, Carmine Moretti, Bob Stebenne and Pat Zito.   District Manager Frank Murray, Treasurer Natalie McDonald, Tax Collector Helen Patience and Clerk Catherine Kelleher were also present. 

II.    Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by the Assembly.  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.     Building plans for a tear down and rebuild at 122 Col. John Gardner Road and at 47 Bonnet Point Road were reviewed and approved by the Council.

B.     The electrical circuits at the Community Center are not working.  Frank Murray will call Mike Carty to fix the emergency lights and to prepare an itemized bill for upgrading the electrical system. 

IV.  Period of Public Comment

A.     Mary Elizabeth Holland of 113 Col. John Gardner Road asked that her typed comments be included in the meeting minutes.  The Council agreed that they will be included.  (See enclosed.)

B.     Pat Mannix’s comments regarding monthly meeting minutes and open meeting laws are available on tape at the Community Center.   

V.      Ratification of Minutes

Motion to approve the September, 2005 Council meeting minutes was made by Bob Stebenne, seconded by Pat Zito, and approved by all Council members in attendance. 

VI.  Committee Reports

A.     Beaches

1.      Bob Stebenne reported that he and Mike Tortolani met with Randy Sowa on September 26th.  It is the Fire District’s intent to keep the beach open to swimmers.  Mr. Sowa is concerned about losing his Riparian Rights and he requested to meet in November to discuss these issues. 

2.      The Bonnet Shores Beach Club is willing to work with the Fire District to coordinate lifeguards.

3.      Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for lifeguards will be developed.

4.      The Bonnet Shores Beach Club will place trash barrels on Kelly Beach and pick them up daily for a nominal charge.  

B.     Social

1.      Pat Zito emphasized that more money needs to be allocated to the Social Committee for decorations.

2.      101 people attended the OctoberFest .  $237 profit was realized from the raffles.  This amount will help to subsidize the Holiday Party on December 4, 2005 at the Spain Restaurant.

3.      The Pumpkin Spoof Night will be held on Friday, October 28th.

C.     U.R.I. Coalition

1.      Carmine Moretti led a discussion on the wording for parking signs for the Community Center. 

2.      Carmine also reported that there is still a lot of “drunken behavior” in the neighborhood. 

3.      Narragansett Police Chief Smith addressed the Assembly and stated he wants to make himself available to the community.  He encouraged residents to call him at 789-8751 at any time.  He reported that there are an increased number of rental properties in Bonnet Shores , including large tenement properties on Allaghash.  He said there is one property in the Fire District that has an orange sticker.  Residents were encouraged to meet and greet student renters when they move in.  The chief also encouraged residents to call the Police Department if large parties or noise becomes a nuisance. 

D.  Trash

1.      Pat Mannix  reported that the dumpster was at the Community Center on October 15th, however it was not in its usual location due to cars which were illegally parked on the lot. 

2.      Joe Thomas requested that the District Manager obtain signs regarding trash collections on Monday holidays to be posted at the entrances to Bonnet Shores . 

E.     Roads

1.      See attached report on the website.  

2.      Bruce Fournier reported that Fairway Drive , Anchorage Road and Fairport Road are slated for repairs, according to David Ousterhout, the Director of the Narragansett Public Works. 

3.      Speed limit signs for the causeway were discussed with Mr. Ousterhout.

4.      Mr. Ousterhout was also informed, in writing, of the sinkhole at 318 Col. John Gardner Road that continues to reappear. 

5.      The Town addressed the issue of the trees and stones which extend beyond the fire hydrant at the corner of the property on Bonnet Point and Dunes Roads.               

VII.            Treasurer’s Report

A.     See attached report on the website.

B.     Natalie McDonald reported that $207,357.94 is contained primarily in the money market account.

C.     The beach bus was over budget because it was cancelled only once this past summer. 

VIII.          Tax Collector’s Report

A.     See attached report on the website.

B.     Helen Patience reported that 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 - $205,658.39

·        Percentage collected – 93%

·        Returned check fees - $50.00

C.     Past due notices will be mailed to homeowners by the end of October and to Beach Club property owners in January.

 

IX.    Land Trust

No report.

 

X.     District Manager’s Report

A.     Frank Murray reported that the rope on the flagpole is not operating properly.

B.     Everyone had fun at the OctoberFest. 

C.     Thanks were extended to Roz Thomas for getting a $30 rebate on new tables for the Community Center.

D.    Rental fees are to be returned to the organizers of the October 16, 2005 road race.

E.     A letter was received from Attorney Tim Morgan, who is representing renters of the Community Center who were denied the return of their security deposit. Kerry Rafanelli will get a statement from the party.

F.      Mr. Murray and Bob Stebenne will design a Community Center Rental Check List. 

G.    Towing and fees for towing from the Community Center were discussed.

 

XI.  Old Business

A.     Kerry Rafanelli should have the title search on the 20-foot path ownership by the next meeting.  Bruce Fournier will speak to the Town regarding safety after ownership is determined. 

B.     Doris Baris has communicated with Natalie McDonald regarding the audit. 

C.     Kerry Rafanelli spoke with the Bonnet Shores Beach Club Board regarding the collection of taxes for beach club properties.  The Beach Club does not want to address foregoing voting privileges, but they are willing to send out “Risk of Foreclosure” notices to delinquent taxpayers. 

D.    Joe Thomas will ask Joe Bleczinski to call a meeting of the By-Laws Committee to address taxes.  Bob Stebenne and Carmine Moretti offered to assist Mr. Bleczinski with the committee.   

E.     The posting of minutes on the website and electronically filed minutes were discussed. 

  

XII.           New Business

A.     Bob Stebenne asked if the Council could look at the pros and cons of renovating the Community Center since the vote was so close at the Annual Meeting.  Pat Mannix was adamantly opposed to revisiting this issue.  Bruce Fournier stated that he agreed that some things do need to be done to improve the Community Center, but he felt it was premature to do so.  He suggested that this issue should be revisited in another 6 months or so.  Pat Zito suggested doing an assessment before proceeding in any direction.

B.     Frank Murray will clean the storage room in the basement of the Community Center and will discard unnecessary items.  He was advised to keep all paperwork. 

C.     Pat Mannix requested that Mary Beth Holland’s suggestion to have people identify themselves during the Period of Public Comment including the spelling of their name and providing their address be placed on the agenda for discussion by the Council at the November meeting. 

 

XIII.        Council Comment

None.

 

XIV.        Executive Sessions

            None.

 

XV.           Adjournment

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

B.     The meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m.

           

Respectfully submitted,

Catherine M. Kelleher

Clerk

 

 

 

Bonnet Shores Fire District Council

 

Agenda – Action Items

November 16, 2005

 

  1. Frank Murray is to work on the rope for the flagpole which is not operating properly.

 

  1. Bob Stebenne and Joe Bleczinski are to meet with Randy Sowa regarding the beach/swimmers/boats.

 

  1. Bob Stebenne is to work on the SOPs for the lifeguards.

 

  1. Bruce Fournier will call Chief Smith and question the rules regarding towing from private property.

 

  1. Bruce Fournier will ask Chief Smith for the appropriate wording for the signage at the Community Center.

 

  1. Frank Murray will obtain signs regarding trash collection on Monday holidays for posting at the entrances to Bonnet Shores .

 

  1. Bob Stebenne and Frank Murray will work on a Community Center Renter Check List.

 

  1. Kerry Rafanelli will speak to Attorney Tim Morgan regarding rental fees which were not returned due to broken tables and clogged toilets during a rental. 

 

  1. Frank Murray will get a final quote on towing from the Community Center.

 

  1. Kerry Rafanelli will work on the ownership title search for the 20-foot path. 

 

  1. Bruce Fournier will speak to the Town regarding safety after ownership of the path is determined.

 

  1. Natalie McDonald will get 3 bids for the audit. 

 

  1. Joe Thomas is to ask Joe Bleczinski to call a meeting of the By-Laws Committee to address taxes.

 

  1. Frank Murray will clean the storage room in the basement of the Community Center, yet keep all paperwork. 

   

Bonnet Shores Fire District Council

 

Requested Agenda Items

November 16, 2005

 

 

1.      Address suggestion that people speaking during the Period of Public Comment identify themselves, spelling their name and saying their address.

 

2.      Address suggestion that speakers from the Assembly also indicate whether or not they are Fire District taxpayers. 

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