Tonight I will be bringing you a live blog version of the Town Council meeting. That means I will be writing while listening and watching on ClerkBase and updating the article every five minutes or so. I call it my play-by-play version.
I've done this a couple times last fall and it was fun so here goes. As usual with live blogging, I reserve the right to liberally make corrections later.
So if you're not attending the meeting in person you will be able to read reports while it is in progress. Even at the meeting you can check it out on your phone or tablet. Just tune in shortly after 7 pm tonight for the first update.
I'll start with Will's outline (published here) and fill in commentary. This article will only have limited commentary since I'll be working hard just to keep up with the meeting progress.
7:05 - well, there is no live ClerkBase video yet. The issues with our ClerkBase broadcasts is getting to be no surprise. I also heard that Amy is on vacation so they may not be able to get it going without her.
7:09 - the video is working now. They are starting late as I can see TC members trickling in. All TC members are present and they are adjourning the executive session with no votes. Gentz explained that they had a lot of business.
It's really great that this is the "Ray TV" version of ClerkBase with Ray Dassault operating a camera with pan and zoom capabilities rather than the little fixed camera in the corner of the room. It's also interesting that the sound is loud enough to hear with this setup while it's very difficult with the other setup.
TOWN OF CHARLESTOWN
PUBLIC NOTICE
MONTHLY TOWN COUNCIL MEETING – Monday, March 11, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.
Charlestown Town Hall, 4540 South County Trail, Charlestown, RI
7:10 - Gentz dedicated the moment of silence to the potential turmoil on the Korean Peninsula.
Motion to move items 7b, 17c and 12 to be heard next on the agenda.
7:12 - voted unanimously
b. Discussion and potential action regarding Church Woods Affordable Housing units.
7:12 - Geoff Marchant is giving an update about why the two projects (ChurchWoods in Cross Mills and Shannock Village near the Baptist Church in Shannock) were combined. The expected funding came through only supporting the family housing Shannock Village, not the elder rental units of ChurchWoods. Marchant is thinking of dropping the 55 year age restriction at ChurchWoods to qualify for funding. There is also a problem that RI Housing is not prepared to take the ChurchWoods land into its trust by the church's deadline. Gentz brought up the point that Charlestown is the only town with an Affordable Housing bond to contribute to projects like this. Marchant stated that he previously got a letter of eligibility and the RI Housing statement of not funding the age-restricted units is a surprise. The first time he heard of this was 2 weeks ago.
7:32 - Slattery asked (legal council) Ruggiero is there is some legal option. He stated that it's not too likely since the Town is not dealing with RI Housing. The Town Administrator stated that some pending bills are now on hold based on this setback. The lawyer for Washington County Regional Development spoke to explain that some legal work underway will be capable of redefining the projects to get the funding while still giving preferential standing (rather than a restriction) to older residents.
7:50 - Marchant explained that it will take another month to work through this with lawyers and RI Housing. That will require asking the church for another (second) delay in acquiring the land, They left this topic with that approach, expecting to see this on the TC agenda next month.
7:32 - Slattery asked (legal council) Ruggiero is there is some legal option. He stated that it's not too likely since the Town is not dealing with RI Housing. The Town Administrator stated that some pending bills are now on hold based on this setback. The lawyer for Washington County Regional Development spoke to explain that some legal work underway will be capable of redefining the projects to get the funding while still giving preferential standing (rather than a restriction) to older residents.
7:50 - Marchant explained that it will take another month to work through this with lawyers and RI Housing. That will require asking the church for another (second) delay in acquiring the land, They left this topic with that approach, expecting to see this on the TC agenda next month.
c. Appointments to the Chariho Regional District School Committee with a term to expire in November of 2014. Application received from Ryan J. Campbell, Donna Chambers and Arthur Nelson.
8:03 - All three candidates are attending the meeting to introduce themselves. Each was asked to speak. Slattery explained that he asked Chambers to apply when he thought there might be no other applications. He added that he would be voting for Chambers. Dibello asked Campbell if he would consider other Commissions if he was not selected for School Committee. Slattery suggested that each council member write their top choice on a slip of paper and let Ellen (filling in for Amy) see if there is a consensus winner.
All items marked with “CA” are to be considered consent agenda
Motion to accept approve and place on file the following as the consent agenda: 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 13a, 13b, 16a, 17a, 17b, 17d, 18a, 18b, 18c and 18d. These items are voted on as a bloc without discussion or debate unless a Council member asked for an item to be removed from the Consent Agenda so it can be addressed on its individual merits.
8:22 - Dibello recused herself. She did not explain why but it is likely because of a relationship with Dog Pound, winner of the beahc concession bid. The Consent Agenda items passed unanimously (Dibello recusing) with no comment. (I remove the details in this post.)
3. PUBLIC COMMENT for items not on the Agenda
No people stood to speak.
8:23 - Gentz spoke to announce a deadline for comments on the LMIH (affordable housing) law and to announce an Earth Day cleanup on Charlestown Beach.
NONE
8:25 - Our new Town Adminstrator explained that work on Blue Shutters Beach has been delayed because the Federal government is requiring it to go out to bid. But it is going to get completed in time for the summer season.
(Sorry, I had to respond to a fire call. It was a false alarm but I was away for an hour. I will have some brief notes for some items and then pick up with more detail.)
(Sorry, I had to respond to a fire call. It was a false alarm but I was away for an hour. I will have some brief notes for some items and then pick up with more detail.)
a. Discussion and potential action regarding building a safe and secure walking, running and bicycle path on Charlestown Beach Road from Matunuck School House Road south to the bridge before the Town Beach Pavilion.
Slattery disagreed with the views of Gentz and Tremblay, arguing that it will be too difficult and expensive to build a path along Charlestown Beach Road. The Council decided to send a letter to property owners along Charlestown Beach Road, explaining the issues and possibly setting up a discussion workshop.
Slattery disagreed with the views of Gentz and Tremblay, arguing that it will be too difficult and expensive to build a path along Charlestown Beach Road. The Council decided to send a letter to property owners along Charlestown Beach Road, explaining the issues and possibly setting up a discussion workshop.
8. NEW BUSINESS
a. Discussion and potential action regarding the status of the Cross Mills Fire Station property.
Some town group (sorry I wasn't here) will meet with the Fire Department to see whether the town can get the property.
Some town group (sorry I wasn't here) will meet with the Fire Department to see whether the town can get the property.
b. Discussion and potential action regarding H 5703 (Dry Lands), H 5424 (Dry Lands), H 5393 (Municipal Register) and H 5340 (Binding Arbitration)
The Council voted to approve a statement opposing H 5703, 3 to 2.The Council voted to approve a statement opposing H 5425 (stated incorrectly in the agenda), unanimously.
The Council voted to approve a statement opposing H 5393, unanimously.
The Council voted to approve a statement opposing H 5340, unanimously.
NONE
NONE
a. Board and Commission vacancies
Gentz listed the many openings on Boards and Commissions. Gentz asked whether a Charter Revision Committee is required (a very good question IMO!). Reggiero said he will look into it and report at the next meeting.
Gentz listed the many openings on Boards and Commissions. Gentz asked whether a Charter Revision Committee is required (a very good question IMO!). Reggiero said he will look into it and report at the next meeting.
NONE
none
9:47 - they adjourned!
