Charlestown Town Council meets Tuesday

The main item on the agenda is the fate of the Gen. Stanton Inn

By Will Collette

Can we turn a problem into an opportunity? Instead of fussing over a proposal that isn't going to be approved, let's look at how the General Stanton could become the core of a thriving history, arts and culture district

Town Council meetings held since last November’s election have largely been pointless affairs. With every seat held by the Charlestown Citizens Alliance (CCA Party), we can be pretty certain that every major decision has already been made. 

Our real seat of government is the secretive CCA Party Steering Committee whose monthly meetings are held at dates and times and locations that no one outside the inner circle knows. Beyond the reach of the state opening meetings and open records laws.

Council meetings are thus primarily ceremonial and conducted with care to make sure that no surprises occur or no grievous errors are committed that might lead to a reversal by the courts.

This month, the Big Issue is whether this Town Council will approve or deny an application from a fundamentalist Christian group called Teen Challenge to set up a residential drug treatment program in Charlestown’s iconic General Stanton Inn. 

Will Council Prez Tom Gentz fail to follow Platner's lead?
Gee, that's tough to predict.

The Planning Commission, also comprised entirely of CCA Party-anointed, and headed by the real power behind the CCA, Planning Commissar Ruth Platner, has already voted unanimously to send the Council an “advisory” opinion against the proposal.

Look, there is as much chance that the Council, led by Platner disciple Tom Gentz, will fail to follow the Planning Commission’s “advisory” than there is of the CCA Party endorsing Bernie Sanders. But they just have to make sure they do it right.

Absent some awful error or gross display of bias against the applicant, the Council’s decision will become binding with no appeal either to the Zoning Board (also controlled by the CCA) or to state Superior Court. So the only drama will be to see whether Gentz is able to keep the crazies from giving Teen Challenge grounds to go to court.

I’ve already suggested that we look past this step and instead consider how important the General Stanton Inn is to Charlestown’s future. Then we should seriously consider the town buying it as an anchor for a history, arts and culture focus in the Cross’ Mills district. Click here.

Tourism dollars and small businesses all along Old Post Road could flourish if we made a modest investment in saving one of Charlestown’s historic treasures and began making our "Traditional Village District" a haven for history buffs, artists and tourists.

Maybe this once we can put aside the usual partisan differences and unite behind the idea of the Town putting a historical preservation bond before the voters so we can invest in historic preservation, just as we have decided to invest in recreation and open space.

As for the rest of the Council agenda, given the content and the CCA control, it can be disposed of in a five-minute meeting.

Here’s the official agenda with the town’s links to the supporting documents.

Charlestown Town Council Regular Meeting 10/13/2015 7:00 PM Council Chambers Town Hall   4540 South County Trail   Charlestown, RI 02813
Downloads:  Agenda   Agenda Packet  CALL TO ORDER, Moment of Silence, Pledge of Allegiance ROLL CALL Roll Call PROCLAMATIONS AND COMMENDATIONS A. Discussion and Potential Action Regarding a Commendation for Joe DeMario, Joe the Barber, for Supporting Veterans Locally Agenda Item Printout a. Joe the Barber Commendation TG Agenda Item Request b. Joe the Barber Commendation B. Discussion and Potential Action Regarding a Commendation for the Organizers of Twin Peaks Preservation Stroll Agenda Item Printout a. Twin Peaks Conservation commendation PRESENTATION A. Presentation of the RYSE School Task Force Regarding the Formation of a Building Committee to Discuss the Feasibility of Putting an Addition on the Middle School to House the RYSE School, Discussion and Potential Action of the Same, or Any Action Relative Thereto Agenda Item Printout a. RYSE presentation agenda item request B. Presentation of the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Association Regarding the Wild and Scenic Study Committee, and Announcement of a Vacancy on the Committee for a Charlestown Resident or Any Other Action Relative Thereto Agenda Item Printout a. TG agenda item request WPWA Wild and Scenic Study Committee b. WPWA Wild and Scenic Study Committee.pdf FISCAL MATTERS A. Discussion and Potential Action Regarding the Approval of Budget Transfers in the Amount of $156,950.00, as Requested by Town Treasurer Patricia M. Anderson Agenda Item Printout a. Budget transfer request b. Budget Transfer for Contract Salary Increases c. Budget Amendment FY2016 PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Public Hearing and Potential Action Regarding Ordinance #371 - Chapter 218, Zoning Map Amendment (An Application from Teen Challenge New England, Inc., for the Property Known as the General Stanton Inn, Located at 4115 Old Post Road, Assessor’s Map 13, Lot 1, Pursuant to Section 218-12 of the Charlestown Zoning Ordinance, for Use of the Parcel as a “Halfway House”) Agenda Item Printout a. #371 Angelo and Janice Falcone Living Trust Zoning Ad b. Planning Comm adv GSI c. Teen Challenge prohibited use change appl UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Discussion and Potential Action Regarding an Advisory from the Parks and Recreation Commission, on Three to Five (3 to 5) Priorities with Detailed Specifics on Capital Improvements for Ninigret Park, to Start Work on Investing the $1 Million Bond that was Approved in June, or Any Other Action Relative Thereto Agenda Item Printout a. TG NP Priorities from workshop b. NP priorities from PandR Comm.pdf PUBLIC COMMENT for items not on the Agenda COUNCIL COMMENTS ADMINISTRATOR and COMMISSION REPORTS A. Administrator Report Agenda Item Printout B. Commission Reports COUNCIL SITTING AS BEVERAGE LICENSING BOARD Motion to sit as the Beverage Licensing Board A. Discussion and Potential Action Regarding Ordering Advertised for Public Hearing on November 9, 2015 at 7:00 Pm, the Following Applications for Beverage License: Agenda Item Printout a. Charlestown Package Store Bev Lic Renewal 15 b. Rippys Bev Lic Renewal 15 c. Birdmar Bev Lic Renewal 15 d. Willows Bev Lic Renewal 15 e. MGMR Bev Lic Renewal 15 f. Wilcox Bev Lic Renewal 15 g. Famous Bev Lic Renewal 15 h. Old Mill Bev Lic Renewal 15 i. Breachway Grill Bev Lic Renewal 15 j. GJSI Bev Lic Renewal 15 k. Downey Weaver Bev Lic Renewal 15 l. Rathskeller Bev Lic Renewal 15 m. Nordic Lodge Bev Lic Renewal 15 Motion to adjourn as the Beverage Licensing Board COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS A. Discussion and Potential Action Regarding Sending a Letter of Commendation to the Rhode Island Department of Transportation for the Work Completed on Route 1 or Take Any Other Action Thereto Agenda Item Printout ANNOUNCEMENTS A. Board and Commission Vacancies Agenda Item Printout a. Vacancies as of 10-13-15 CONSENT AGENDA Motion to accept, approve and place on file the following as the consent agenda: “CA” A – “CA” J "CA" A. Town Council Minutes: 1. August 31 (Joint Workshop with the Parks and Recreation Commission) Agenda Item Printout a. 2015-8-31 2. September 9 (Special - Agenda) Agenda Item Printout a. 2015-9-9 3. September 14 (Executive and Regular) Agenda Item Printout a. 2015-9-14 Exec "CA" B. Reports: 1. Building Official - September 2015 Agenda Item Printout a. Bldg Official Sept 15 2. Police Chief - August 2015, September 2015 Agenda Item Printout a. ACTIVITY Aug 2015.pdf 3. Public Works Director – September 2015 Agenda Item Printout a. CRCC MONTHLY REPORT b. DPW report Sept 15 4. Town Clerk - September 2015 Agenda Item Printout a. Clerk's Monthly Report Sept 15 5. Treasurer's Report - August 2015 Agenda Item Printout a. August 2015 "CA" C. Appointment of Lara Wibeto to the Zoning Board of Review as Alternate #3, Term to Expire in July of 2016 Agenda Item Printout a. ZBR appl Wibeto, Lara 9-4-15.pdf "CA" D. Acceptance of the Resignation of John M. Kells, Sr. from the Mosquito Abatement District Council, with Regret Agenda Item Printout a. Kells, John M., Sr. resignation MADC 9-16-15.pdf "CA" E. Award of DPW Heavy Duty Road Sweeper/Catch Basin Cleaner to Altrui Bros. Truck Sales, Inc. for the Amount of $241,445.00, and Authorize the Treasurer to Secure the Most Favorable Finance Rate for the Town, as Budgeted in Line Item 990-9963, and Authorization of the Town Administrator and Town Treasurer, Each, to Take Any and All Such Actions, and Execute and Deliver Such Certificates, Receipts or Other Documents as May be Necessary to Carry into Effect the Foregoing Award Recommendation, or Any Other Action Relative Thereto. This Approval is to Accept the Actual Bid Price, Incorrectly Listed on the Consent Agenda of September 14, 2015. Agenda Item Printout a. 9-14-15 consent agenda - sweeper bid to be corrected b. DPW recommendation for Sweeper Bid Award c. Fiscal Note for Sweeper Bid Award d. Sweeper Bid File "CA" F. Award of the Komatsu Loader Refurbish Bid to PBE Group for an Amount Not to Exceed $16,700.00, as Budgeted in Line Item 01.990.9937, and Authorization of the Town Administrator and Town Treasurer, Each, to Take Any and All Such Actions, and Execute and Deliver Such Certificates, Receipts or Other Documents as May be Necessary to Carry into Effect the Foregoing, or Any Other Action Relative Thereto Agenda Item Printout a. KOMATSU REFURBISH AWD II b. PBE _ Komatsu refurbish - phase 2 c. Komatsu Repair Bid Package “CA” G. Approval of a Request from Alan A. Arsenault, Director of Public Works, for Approval of Bahr Service as a Sole Source Vendor for Parts and Service for Vac-All/New Earth/Gradall Sweeper/Catch Basin Cleaners, Based on the Requirements of the Town Purchasing Manual, Section V. Special Procurements, A. Exclusive Service/Sole Source Vendor, 2. the Vendor is the Sole Manufacturer of a Particular Good or Service, as Approved by the Town Administrator and Authorization for the Town Administrator and Town Treasurer, Each, to Take Any and All Such Actions, and Execute and Deliver Such Certificates, Receipts or Other Documents as May be Necessary to Carry into Effect the Foregoing Recommendation, or Any Action Relative Thereto Agenda Item Printout a. SOLE SOURCE VAC-ALL15 "CA" H. Approval of a Request from Alan A. Arsenault, Director of Public Works, for Approval of Bill's Tractor Service as a Sole Source Vendor for Diagnosis and Repair of the Town's International/Navistar Dump Truck Fleet, Based on the Requirements of the Town Purchasing Manual, Section V. Special Procurements, A. Exclusive Service/Sole Source Vendor, as Approved by the Town Administrator and Authorization for the Town Administrator and Town Treasurer, Each, to Take Any and All Such Actions, and Execute and Deliver Such Certificates, Receipts or Other Documents as May be Necessary to Carry into Effect the Foregoing Recommendation, or Any Action Relative Thereto Agenda Item Printout a. SOLE SOURCE VENDOR BILL'S TRACTOR15 "CA" I. Approval of HVAC Upgrades by Huntington Controls for an Amount Not to Exceed $14,810.00, as Budgeted in Line Item 01.990.9956, and Authorization of the Town Administrator and Town Treasurer, Each, to Take Any and All Such Actions, and Execute and Deliver Such Certificates, Receipts or Other Documents as May be Necessary to Carry into Effect the Foregoing Agenda Item Printout a. Huntington Controls HVAC b. Huntington Control "CA" J. Request from the Tax Assessor for Abatements in the Amount of $3,156.78 Agenda Item Printout a. 2015-09 b. Sept 2015 Abatements ADJOURNMENT