November 16, 2005

Meeting Minutes

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

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.

Building Plans

Building plans for 33 Maywood Road were reviewed and approved on the condition that the property owner bring back documentation from the Zoning Board that the 8 foot variance has been approved.

Urgent Business

A. The Narragansett Police called District Manager Frank Murray at home regarding a Community Center rental in which the renter refused to leave, stating that he was staying on those premises until 3:00 a.m.

B. Bob Stebenne and Frank Murray will meet to comprehensively review the practices of renting the Community Center. They will work on developing policies for rentals, damage assessments and check lists. Mr. Stebenne will assume responsibility for the Community Center on behalf of the Council.

Period of Public Comment

Doris Baris reported that she requested to be placed on the agenda of the Narragansett Town Council meeting on November 7, 2005 in order to petition a hearing on a former policy regarding the notification of property owners in the Bonnet Shores Fire District pertaining to brush cutting by the Public Works Department. She requested that her report be on file at the Community Center. She also indicated that she felt she had been misquoted in the newspaper.

Ann Marie Silviera stated that she spoke with Mr. Ousterhouse and was told that the cut backs were done for safety reasons. She also said that he doesn’t have enough manpower to send letters to all those needing cut backs.

Ratification of Minutes

Motion to approve the October, 2005 Council meeting minutes was made by Bruce Fournier, providing that Section XII.D. on page 4 be stricken. The motion was seconded by Bob Stebenne and approved by all Council members in attendance.

Committee Reports

C. Trash

Pat Mannix questioned why the Beach Committee was considering using trash barrels at Kelly Beach when the Council previously voted not to have them on the beach.

The final day for the dumpster was on November 12^th. Mrs. Mannix indicated that she had received positive feedback from residents regarding the dumpster.

Joe Thomas asked Pat Mannix to call a meeting of the Trash Committee to address the use of the dumpster after hearing Doris Baris’ remarks that landscapers may be using the dumpster during clean-up.

Social

1. Pat Zito stated that the Christmas Party was completely sold out with 103 tickets being purchased.

2. The U.R.I. food drive is on December 10, 2005. Roch’s is a drop off location. Students will also do pick-ups.

Beaches

Bob Stebenne reported that the Beach Committee has set a goal of March 2006 to present its position to the Council on topics including boat usage at Kelly Beach, riparian rights, swimming at Kelly Beach and dredging of Little Beach.

D. By-Laws

Joe Bleczinski reported that the By-Laws Committee will meet on January 12, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.

Roads

Bruce Fournier reported that the road repairs probably would not start until the Spring of 2006.

 

Treasurer’s Report

See attached report on the website and hardcopy maintained at the Community

Center.

Tax Collector’s Report

D. See attached report on the website and hardcopy maintained at the Community Center.

E. 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 - $208,111.62

Percentage collected – 93.47%

Returned check fees - $50.00

Land Trust

No report.

District Manager’s Report

F. Frank Murray presented a letter to the Council from resident, Daniel J. Reagan, III of 17 Fairport Avenue, requesting a bench in memory of his wife. (The letter is maintained with these minutes at the Community Center.) It was agreed that the matter be referred to the Land Trust Committee for consideration. It was also noted that another similar request had been made from another resident. That resident should receive a response first.

G. Pat Zito motioned that the Community Center rental fee be returned to Mr. Paine, who cancelled his rental due to a death in the family. The motion was seconded by Bruce Fournier and approved by all Council members in attendance.

Old Business

Kerry Rafanelli presented information and a letter from Jean M. Gorrie, the real estate examiner, regarding the 20-foot path in question on Bonnet Point Road. (That letter is maintained with these minutes at the Community Center.)

Doris Baris presented a bid form she received for a comprehensive annual financial report from Donna T. Caccia. The total contract price would be $2,500 per year for 3 years. Bruce Fournier motioned to accept the Caccia bid as proposed. The motion was seconded by Pat Mannix and approved by all Council members in attendance. (A copy of the bid is attached to these minutes and maintained at the Community Center.)

The electrical problem at the Community Center has been resolved. New circuit breakers were installed at a cost of $750. The electrician had additional suggestions for improving the electrical service. Frank Murray will present a summary of those suggestions to the Council.

Bob Stebenne and Frank Murray will schedule a SOP meeting to revise lifeguard procedures.

Mr. Murray was asked to prepare a report for the Council regarding the number of tables that have undergone repair. He will price replacement of 8 rectangular tables, as well as obtain the cost of chair carts.

 

 

New Business

H. Residents have complained that trash collection in the Muratore area repeatedly occurs on Tuesday, which is a day later than scheduled. Pat Mannix and Bruce Fournier will contact Waste Management about this problem.

I. The need for painting the Community Center floor was discussed. Joe Bleczinski suggested the use of concrete paint. Frank Murray will get quotes and will present them to the Council at the January meeting.

Council Comment

None.

Executive Sessions

None.

Adjournment

J. Pat Zito moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Joe Bleczinski and approved by the Council.

K. The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Catherine M. Kelleher

Clerk

Bonnet Shores Fire District Council

Agenda – Action Items

January 18, 2006

Frank Murray and Bob Stebenne: Comprehensive look at the Community Center and develop a rental policy.

By-Laws Committee meeting on Thursday January 12 at 7:00 p.m.

Bob Stebenne: Present to Council in March: Beach Committee position on boats at Kelly Beach, riparian rights, swimming at Kelly Beach, dredging of Little Beach

Pat Mannix: Call committee meeting to address dumpster use.

Give request for benches to Land Trust. Respond to first request, then respond to Daniel T. Reagan.

Frank Murray: Return rental fee to Mr. Paine.

Kerry Rafanelli: Wait for additional information from Examiner Jean Gorrie.

Frank Murray: Prepare proposal from electrician.

Frank Murray and Bob Stebenne: Schedule SOP meeting regarding lifeguard procedures.

Frank Murray: Report on the number of tables that have been repaired.

Frank Murray: Price for replacing 8 rectangular tables and for purchase of chair carts.

Bruce Fournier and Pat Mannix: Speak with Waste Management regarding trash collection in Muratore area.

Frank Murray: Prepare quotes for painting the Community Center floor.