By Will ColletteAs part of the continuing service by Progressive Charlestown, I have taken the published Town Council agenda and re-ordered the items to reflect the ACTUAL order of business.
As most Council attendees and Clerkbase watchers know, this Council NEVER takes items in their actual order, as published, making it almost impossible to follow if you only have the “official” agenda.
CLICK HERE for a printer-friendly version of this unofficial, but accurate agenda.
Here’s how the actual order of business will go:
TOWN OF CHARLESTOWN
PUBLIC NOTICE
MONTHLY TOWN COUNCIL MEETING – September 10, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.
Charlestown Town Hall, 4540 South County Trail, Charlestown, RI
The regular monthly meeting of the Charlestown Town Council will be held on September 10, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. at the Charlestown Town Hall, 4540 South County Trail, Charlestown, RI. The proposed agenda is as follows:
1. CALL TO ORDER, Moment of Silence, Pledge of Allegiance
2. ROLL CALL
Motion to move items 15d, 17c, 15b and 18a to be heard next on the agenda.
15. ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
d. Certificate of achievement for Zachary R. Dussault for obtaining the high rank of Eagle Scout
17. APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS
c. Swearing in of Jeffrey Allen as Chief of Police, effective September 11, 2012, salary and benefits to be consistent with those conditions in the CPMA agreement
15. ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
b. Resolution of thanks for Police Chief Search Committee
18. FISCAL MATTERS
a. Initial review of the bond application from the Washington County Community Development Corporation for $325,000 in acquisition funding for the Church Woods Project and forwarding of this application to the Affordable Housing Commission, Planning Commission and Conservation Commission for an advisory opinion
3. PUBLIC COMMENT for items not on the Agenda
4. COUNCIL COMMENTS
5. PERSONS WISHING TO BE HEARD
a. Presentation by the RI Blood Bank for the Police Department’s efforts
6. ADMINISTRATOR, SOLICITOR, COMMISSION REPORTS
a. Town Administrator
b. Town Solicitor
7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Discussion and potential action regarding a Memorandum of Understanding by and between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Town Council of the Town of Charlestown. This is the denouement to Deputy Dan Slattery’s “Battle for Ninigret.” Separate article to follow.
b. Discussion and potential action regarding the Employment Manual. For background, read here and here.
8. NEW BUSINESS
a. Discussion and potential action regarding the Blue Shutters Beach Administration. NOTE: there are NO Clerkbase documents for this agenda item which could be yet another attack on Parks and Administration by the Town Council majority. We’ll have to wait and see.
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
a. Public hearing and potential action on Ordinance #353 amending Chapter 155 Nuisances, Article III Dark Sky Lighting, Section 18 General Standards. This is the amendment to the Dark Sky ordinance to require adherence to the Planning Commission's 15 foot height limitation. Despite having no scientific basis and the fact that just about all of Charlestown's prime examples of good, dark-sky friendly lighting exceeds 15 feet, Commissar Platner insists on having it her way. Any business wanting lights that exceed 15 feet will have to hire an expert for the town to evaluate their proposal. Yet another example of the CCA's anti-business attitudes.
10. COUNCIL SITTING AS BEVERAGE LICENSING BOARD - None
11. LICENSES AND PERMITS - None
12. CONSENT AGENDA All items marked with “CA” are to be considered consent agenda “Consent agenda” items are non-controversial items that are usually voted on as a block without discussion or debate.
Motion to accept approve and place on file the following as the consent agenda: 13a, 13b, 15c, 17a, 17b, and 18b
13. MINUTES AND REPORTS
“CA” a. Town Council Minutes: August 8, 2012; August 27, 2012
“CA” b. Reports: Building Official – August 2012; Chief of Police – August 2012; Parks and Recreation – August 2012; Public Works Director – August 2012; Town Clerk – August 2012; Treasurer – July 2012
15. ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
“CA” c. Resolution establishing uniform animal control fees. There is no document link in Clerkbase to explain what this item is.
17. APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS
“CA” a. Reappointment of Evelyn J. Smith to the Affordable Housing Commission, term to expire in September of 2014
“CA” b. Resignation of Bruce Picard from the Senior Citizens Commission. Bruce is leaving Charlestown. We wish him well.
18. FISCAL MATTERS
“CA” b. Request from the Tax Assessor for abatements in the amount of $455.49
14. ANNOUNCEMENTS
a. Board and Commission vacancies
15. ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
a. Introduction and first reading of Ordinance #354 amending Chapter 218 Zoning Map Change, Plat 29, Lot 91 – Heavers, Richard Estate of. Motion to order advertised for public hearing on October 9, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. at the Charlestown Town Hall, Council Chambers 4540 South County Trail, Charlestown, RI and forward to the Planning Commission for an advisory opinion. For background, read here.
16. COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS
a. Memo from Joseph Warner, Jr., Building / Zoning Official re: New Flood Maps
19. LEGAL MATTERS - None
20. ADJOURNMENT
CLICK HERE for a printer-friendly version of this unofficial, but accurate agenda.