Monthly Meeting
April 16, 2008

Meeting Minutes

The meeting was Called to Order at 7:40 p.m. by Chairperson Joe Thomas. Council members in attendance included Bruce Fournier, Mim Logee, Matthew Mannix, Dan Quirk and Bob Stebenne. Tax Collector Helen Patience, Harbormaster Mike Tortolani and Clerk Catherine Kelleher were also present. Bill Dickinson, District Manager Erin Rooney and Treasurer Natalie McDonald 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

Doris Baris requested that the dumpster schedule be posted on all bulletin boards.

Ratification of Minutes

None.

Committee Reports

Recreation (Matthew Mannix and Joe Thomas)

1. Bonnet Days:

a. Bonnet Days Planning Committee met on April 2^nd.

b. The date for Bonnet Days was changed to July 11, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. due to a scheduling conflict at the Community Center.

c. The next Bonnet Days Planning Committee meeting will be on May 1, 2008. Matthew Mannix made a motion to formally change the date of Bonnet Days from July 12, 2008 to July 11, 2008. The motion was seconded by Mim Logee and approved by all Council members in attendance.

2. Joe Thomas reminded the Assembly that Linda Byrne had volunteered her services in the past, but would not be overseeing the camp activities this summer.

B. By Laws (Matthew Mannix)

Voting by proxy at the Annual Meeting will be discussed under New Business.

C. Beach (Bob Stebenne)

A scanned copy of the report is attached to these minutes.

D. Historical (Bob Stebenne)

A scanned copy of the report is attached to these minutes.

E. Roads (Bruce Fournier)

None.

F. Trash (Bruce Fournier)

1. A scanned copy of the report is attached to these minutes.

2. Bruce clarified that, if the Fire District approves standardized trash barrels, recycle would still be a separate collection.

G. Social (Joe Thomas for Bill Dickinson)

1. The Social Committee members were thanked for the refreshments provided at the meeting.

2. A brunch was enjoyed by 65 people at the Coast Guard House this past Sunday.

3. The Committee is planning the following new events for the upcoming months. Look for flyers in the boxes.

a. "Welcome Summer" on June 21, 2008

b. "Earth Day" at 10:00 a.m. on April 26^th, 2008 with a rain date on April 27^th.

H. Beautification (Joe Thomas for Bill Dickinson)

The date for the cleaning of Bonnet gardens will be announced. Volunteers are being solicited.

I. Harbor (Dan Quirk)

1. Dan Quirk, Doris Baris and Mike Tortolani met with Kevin Cute, but he did not have the Master Harbor Plan with him. Dan has not heard from Mr. Cute since that time.

2. The Newport School cannot provide liability insurance for its instructors to teach the sailing program to Bonnet residents. Dan will speak to the insurance carrier for the Bonnet Shores Fire District regarding coverage.

3. Bruce Fournier asked if Dan or Mike Tortolani had done further investigation into the possibilities of dredging Little Beach.

4. Dan will add dredging of the harbor to the agenda for the next Harbor Committee meeting.

Treasurer’s Report (Natalie McDonald)

None.

Tax Collector’s Report (Helen Patience)

5. A scanned copy of the report is attached to these minutes.

6. The Bonnet Shores Beach Club will allow Helen to be present on Opening Day to collect taxes from beach club members.

Harbormaster (Mike Tortolani)

Volunteers are being solicited to assist the harbormaster in installing the ramp and dock in mid May.

Mike will request that the meters be installed and the water turned on before the end of May.

Land Trust (Doris Baris)

No report.

District Manager’s Report (Erin Rooney)

None.

Old Business

J. Joe Thomas gave an overview of the changes made to the newsletter editor’s position. A lengthy discussion ensued among Paul Haas, Doris Baris, Dan Quirk, Gene DeCiccio, Matthew Mannix, Mary Beth Holland and Bob Stebenne.

K. Bob Stebenne motion to rescind the vote taken at the November 2007 Monthly Meeting regarding the newsletter editor. The motion was seconded by Bruce Fournier. Roll call vote indicated that Bruce Fournier, Joe Thomas, Dan Quirk and Bob Stebenne voted to rescind. Matthew Mannix and Mim Logee opposed. The motion to rescind passed 4 votes to 2. Matthew Mannix asked to go on record as objecting to the vote on procedural grounds.

L. Bruce Fournier motioned that Jean Albert resume her position as the newsletter editor subject to supervision by the Council. The motion was seconded by Bob Stebenne. Bruce Fournier, Joe Thomas, Dan Quirk and Bob Stebenne approved by roll call vote. Matthew Mannix and Mim Logee opposed. The motion carried 4 votes to 2. Matthew Mannix again objected to the vote based on procedural grounds.

New Business

Matthew Mannix gave an overview on voting procedures at the Annual Meeting as they were prior to 1985 and as they are today. Mr. Mannix reported that the By Laws Committee unanimously decided to restore the language in place prior to 1985. Accordingly, residents are encouraged to be present at the Annual Meeting to vote live. It allows a spouse to vote with a proxy rather than common ownership as it stands today. A lengthy discussion ensued. It was decided that this topic should be further discussed at the next By Laws meeting.

Executive Sessions

None.

 

 

Adjournment

M. Dan Quirk motioned to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Mim Logee and approved by all Council members.

N. The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Catherine M. Kelleher