Monthly Meeting
February 20, 2008

Meeting Minutes

The meeting was Called to Order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairperson Joe Thomas. Council members in attendance included Bill Dickinson, Mim Logee, Matthew Mannix, and Dan Quirk. District Manager Erin Rooney, Tax Collector Helen Patience, Treasurer Natalie McDonald, Harbormaster Mike Tortolani and Clerk Catherine Kelleher were also present. Bruce Fournier and Bob Stebenne 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

None.

Period of Public Comment

A. Pat Mannix expressed her displeasure with the CAP email that had been sent to residents summarizing the November 2007 meeting. She reviewed those points of the email which she believed to be incorrect.

B. Doris Baris stated that she felt CAP’s main purpose should be to notify taxpayers of events.

C. Mary Beth Holland expressed her displeasure over people, whom are not tax paying residents, taking on roles within the Bonnet Shores Fire District community. She requested that the Council obtain a legal opinion on this matter from a source other than Kerry Rafanelli. She also said that if the Council does not act accordingly, members of the Assembly will hire their own attorney.

D. Neal Coleman stated that, for 9 of the 11 years he was involved with Bonnet Daze, Jean Albert was always very helpful with advertising the events. He stated that he felt the way that Jean was relieved of her duties as editor of the newsletter appeared to be "very mean-spirited".

E. Bill Dickinson reported that George Vine took pictures of the culvert at Spring Brook showing 3 large boulders blocking the culvert.

Ratification of Minutes

Bill Dickinson motioned to accept the minutes of the January 2008 monthly meeting. The motion was seconded by Mim Logee and approved by all Council members in attendance.

Committee Reports

By-Laws (Matthew Mannix)

1. The report is on tape.

2. The By-Laws Committee meeting is scheduled for March 12, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.

Beautification (Bill Dickinson)

No report.

Pond (Bill Dickinson)

No report.

Social (Bill Dickinson)

3. The report is on tape.

4. The February Fling was a success with approximately 70 people in attendance.

Recreation (Joe Thomas)

5. The report is on tape.

6. Linda Byrne has contracted with a local firm to install 3 new rides in the playground. The cost will be $5,160.00

7. Mrs. Byrne has requested that the playground fund surplus be re-directed to the boat program that Dan Quirk is investigating.

Beach (Mim Logee)

8. The report is on tape.

9. The next Beach Committee meeting is scheduled for March 4, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.

Harbor (Dan Quirk)

10. The report is on tape.

11. Dan has left 5 messages for Kevin Cute and is waiting to hear back from him regarding the Harbor Plan.

12. Dan is checking with Natalie McDonald regarding the Fire District Insurance coverage as it relates to the boating program.

13. Joe Bleczinski requested that the Harbor Committee meeting minutes be emailed to committee members who are not in attendance at the committee meetings.

14. The condominiums will be added on to recycling at no additional cost as long as the residents purchase their own recycling bins.

Treasurer’s Report (Natalie McDonald)

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

 

 

Tax Collector’s Report (Helen Patience)

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

Harbormaster (Mike Tortolani)

The report is on tape.

The boat ramp was started on February 19, 2008 and should be finished by the weekend, weather permitting.

Land Trust (Doris Baris)

No report.

District Manager’s Report (Erin Rooney)

F. There will be no primary voting at the Community Center this year.

G. The District Manager met with Linda Byrne regarding the playground equipment.

H. Earth Day is scheduled for April 26^th. The State of Rhode Island has eliminated all funding for Earth Day. The District Manager will contact local establishments for donations for Earth Day. The current trash hauler will donate the dumpster for the day.

I. The yard sale is July 19, 2008.

J. Bulky pick-up is July 21, 2008

K. The causeway has been closed due to the heavy rain.

L. There are 3 pieces of a dock or ramp in the breach way.

M. The Town is aware of the many pot holes in the roads.

N. Many residents have requested recycle bins.

O. The Community Center is rented a few times this month.

P. Some of the tables are broken. Prices for replacing them are being researched.

Q. One shutter from the front of the Community Center blew off in the recent storm.

R. The surf board for Kelly Beach does not meet the State code.

S. Several industrial fire extinguishers were found on Kelly Beach. They have been removed and are being stored in the Community Center office.

T. The police have been pleased with the latest rentals. They still express concerns about speeding and traffic, however.

U. Joe Bleczinski reported that there are 6 or 7 mail boxes that need to be picked up at the corner of Treasure and Canopus Roads.

V. Pat Mannix reminded the District Manager that bulky pick-up is typically the 4^th Wednesday of July. Erin will bring this to the attention of Bruce Fournier.

 

Old Business

W. Natalie McDonald discussed the financing of the boat ramp. (A worksheet is attached to these original meeting minutes and both are retained in the Community Center.) Natalie proposed that the mooring fees be increased from $90 to $105 and that the ramp fees be increased from $30 to $35. These increases will generate approximately $1,100 additional revenue per year. Over 15 years, the additional revenue will repay the $14,000 which the Fire District will front for the new ramp. In addition, Natalie proposed that the $3,500, which is generated annually from the current mooring fees, be placed in a high interest sinking fund.

X. Bill Dickinson motioned to accept the Harbor Committee’s recommendations to set fees at $100 for moorings and $35 for the ramp. The motion was seconded by Dan Quirk. Discussion ensued, during which time Natalie McDonald was recognized for her excellent work in preparing her proposal. Mr. Dickinson’s motion was approved by all Council members in attendance.

Y. The Council will discuss sinking funds at the budget workshop this Spring.

Z. Helen Patience brought to the Council’s attention that she is having difficulty collecting taxes from some Bonnet Shores Beach Club members. She indicated that she will ask the Beach Club to send out an email regarding the Fire District taxes with all the Tax Collector’s contact information.

AA. Joe Thomas stated that Bob Stebenne and Bruce Fournier requested that further discussion regarding the newsletter editor be postponed until the March meeting. A lengthy discussion among Council members followed. Matthew Mannix made a motion that the newsletter editor not be discussed at this meeting, nor at future meetings, because a decision regarding the newsletter editor had already been made. Mr. Mannix’ motion was seconded by Mim Logee. Additional discussion ensued. Dan Quirk said that is was inappropriate for a governing body to state that a topic would never again be revisited. Mr. Mannix then stated that his motion was an "angry frustrated motion" and that he would like for this to be discussed in the most open forum possible.

New Business

BB. The current trash haulers will donate the dumpster for Earth Day. Mim Logee will donate gloves.

CC. The District Manager has received requests from teams wanting to use Haughey Field for (soccer, lacrosse, etc.) practice.

DD. Matthew Mannix motioned to set Saturday, July 12, 2008 as the date for Bonnet Days. That motion was seconded by Bill Dickinson and approved by all Council members in attendance.

Executive Sessions

None.

 

 

Adjournment

EE. Bill Dickinson motioned to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Mim Logee and approved by all Council members.

FF. The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Catherine M. Kelleher