By Will Collette
Before the public portion of the Charlestown Town Council meeting, there will be a closed, Executive Session. The only item on the agenda is the lawsuit against Charlestown and several present and former Charlestown officials by Council member Lisa DiBello. That lawsuit is now over two years old and may be ripe for settlement. We will not know what they discussed unless they take a vote and then tell us about it.
Despite a seemingly full agenda, there
are actually only three matters that seem likely to take up a lot of time. Coming
first in the order of business is a continuation of the discussion about the
town’s plans for the future of the Charlestown Moraine Preserve. This is the
property bought by the taxpayers for $2.1 million in open space/recreation bond
money last summer to end the on-going battle over the proposed Whalerock wind
farm.
While there seems to be broad agreement
that this is a great piece of land, there’s debate about whether to give away
property rights to an outside group to “lock up” the land as open space and
close the door on any other conceivable municipal use in the future.
Former Town Council
President Deb Carney argued at the last Council session that locking up the
property and foreclosing other uses was ill-advised and unnecessary while CCA Party Mike Chambers mounted a personal attack on Carney in the Westerly Sun. Mikey seems to want to give away
the land, largely for his own self-interest as Richard Hosp pointed out in a great letter to the Sun. Deb skewered Chambers for his usual misstatements of fact, if not outright lies.
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| Let's give that $2.1 million parcel to the deserving poor, like the Charlestown Land Trust or the Arnolda neighborhood |
Town Council Boss Tom Gentz of the CCA Party crafted a memo some months ago listing several
potential recipients of a conservation easement to lock up the property.
However, after pursuing Gentz’s list, the Conservation Commission discovered that only one of those groups – the Charlestown Land
Trust – is still interested. Readers may remember the central role played by the Trust in the 2012 Y-Gate Scandal.
If the Town Council majority insists on
locking up the land by giving away a conservation easement, it will have to go
before the voters, probably at this summer’s financial referendum.
Next in the batting order is what to do
about mining. The Council has before it a flawed but important ordinance to ban new mining and blasting and to regulate
existing mining. Some Council action is needed at this meeting because the
six-month moratorium the Council passed expires this month.
They will hold a public hearing and will
no doubt hear pro and con testimony. Then they must decide whether to pass the
ordinance, flaws and all, or send it back to the Planning Commission to fix
while extending the expiring moratorium. Or do something else.
Toward the end of the meeting, the
Council is scheduled to take up five closely related issues all tied into the potential civil war within the Chariho School District pitting Charlestown against
Hopkinton and Richmond over the apportionment of power, control and costs.
CCA
Party Council member Dan “Vladimir” Slattery wants war in order to preserve the status quo. Maybe
he’ll talk about mobilizing the Charlestown town militia to occupy
the Richmond piece of Carolina to protect ethnic Charlietowners who happen to
live on the wrong side of the town line.
If Charlestown withdraws from Chariho,
which is what Vlad Slattery is threatening to do, we will need an alternative
way to teach Charlestown’s children. Planning Commissar Ruth Platner may
suggest that we deport families with school-age children.
Our current Chariho School Committee
members "Swami" Ron Areglado and Donna Chambers might want to start up a charter
school or craft a home schooling curriculum for them.
Or maybe we’re going to need that land
in the Charlestown Moraine Preserve for a new school building.
Here’s the agenda listed in the actual
order of business. The Clerkbase documents were not posted after business hours on Friday, so not all of them are posted below. I think I managed to get the important ones linked. My snarky comments are in bold red.
2. ROLL CALL
Motion to move items 12, 7a, 8g, 9a, 9b, 9c and 15b to be heard
next on the Agenda
12. CONSENT AGENDA
All items marked with “CA” are to be considered consent agenda.
“Consent agenda” items
are those generally considered to be non-controversial. They are lumped
together and voted on as a bloc without discussion or debate. Usually Councilor
Lisa DiBello and sometimes Dan Slattery ask to have an item pulled for
discussion usually so they can make a point. I predict Councilor DiBello will
want item 11.a.1., the soccer tournament, pulled for discussion since she did
that last month to the same item.
Motion to accept, approve and place on file the following as the
consent agenda: 11a, 11b, 13a, 13b, 17a, 17b, 17d, 17e, 18a, and 18b
11. LICENSES AND PERMITS
“CA” a. Discussion and potential action regarding the approval of
the following events at Ninigret Park with a recommendation from the Parks
and Recreation Commission, subject to review of contracts by the Town
Solicitor, receipt of all applicable paperwork and insurance and that all event
details are satisfactorily met by the Parks and Recreation Director:
1. Event:
Seaside Classic Soccer Tournament
Park Reservation (Setup): July 12 – July 13, 2014
Event Dates: July 12 – July 13, 2014
Camping: N/A
Insurance: $1 Million General Liability
Fee: $3,400
2. Event: Chariho Youth
Soccer – Spring/Fall Season
Event Dates: March 1 – June 29, 2014 (Soccer Fields Only.
Saturdays and Sunday - 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Tuesdays and Thursdays – 4:00
p.m. to Dusk for make-ups)
Camping: N/A
Insurance: $2 Million General Liability
Fee: Waived
3. Event:
2014 Ocean State Senior Olympics – Ocean State Masters Cycling Classic
Park Reservation (Setup): June 21, 2014
Event Dates: June 21, 2014
Camping: N/A
Insurance: $1 Million General Liability
Fee: $100.00
4. Event:
Northeast Masters Cycling Association (NEMCA) Criterium Skills Clinic
Park Reservation (Setup): April 27, 2014
Event Dates: April 27, 2014
Camping: N/A
Insurance: $1 Million General Liability
Fee: $25.00
“CA” b. Approval of the following events to occur within the Town
of Charlestown per RIGL §31-12-12(a):
1. TRIMOM Tri
Training Series
Event Dates: June 11, June 25, July 16, August 6, August 20, 2014
from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Route: (Bike) From Burlingame Day Use Entrance – right onto
Prosser Trail; Route 1 South to Old Post Road; right onto Klondike Road; right
onto Ross Hill Road (Westerly); right onto Buckeye Brook Road (Westerly –
Charlestown); right onto Shumankanuc Hill Road to Kings Factory Road;
bear right onto Prosser Trail; right back into Burlingame. (Run) from the
Parking Lot, runners head out onto Sanctuary Road; left onto Montauk Road; left
onto Prosser Trail; left onto Cayuga Rd; Montauk Rd; Mohegan Rd; left onto
Seneca Trail; right back onto Sanctuary Rd into the Parking lot.
2. Rhode
Warrior Half-Iron Distance Triathalon (Bicycle Race)
Event: August 24, 2014
Route: From Misquamicut Beach – right onto Atlantic
Avenue; left onto Weekapaug Avenue; straight thru Langworthy/Shore
Road; straight Thru Dunn’s Corner Rd/ Route 1; left onto Ashaway Road;
right onto Tomaquag Road; left onto Woodville; straight thru
intersection onto Clarks Falls Road; right onto Pendleton Hill Road; right onto
Route 49 Beach Pond Road; right Route 138 Rockville Road; right onto Route 3;
left onto Nichols; right onto Mechanic/Switch; right onto 91; left onto Kings
Factory; right onto Shumankanuc; left onto Buckeye Brook; right onto
Church; left onto Route 91; right onto 1A; left onto Maplewood; left onto
Atlantic
3. Rhode
Island Duathlon Festival (Bicycle Race)
Event: October 19, 2014
Route: From Burlingame Campground Main Entrance – right onto
Klondike Road; right onto Ross Hill Road (Westerly); right onto Buckeye Brook
Road (Westerly – Charlestown); right onto Shumankanuc Hill Road to Kings
Factory Road; right onto Prosser Trail to Route 1 South to Old Post Road; right
onto Klondike Road; right back into Burlingame
13. MINUTES AND REPORTS
“CA” a. Town Council Minutes: February 5; February 10 (Executive
and Regular)
“CA” b. Reports:
Building Official – February 2014; Police Chief – February 2014;
Public Works Director – January 2014 (CRCC) and February 2014; Town Clerk –
February 2014; Treasurer – January 2014; Wastewater Manager – February 2014
17. APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS
“CA” a. Reappointment of Susan A. Carpenter to the Board of
Canvassers, term to expire in March of 2020
“CA” b. Reappointment of Michael Roy to the Coastal Pond
Management Commission, terms to expire in March of 2017
“CA” d. Appointment of Peter Wronski to the Friends of
Ninigret Park Subcommittee, term to expire in March of 2017
“CA” e. Reappointment of Ronald Russo to the Friend of Ninigret
Park Subcommittee, term to expire in March of 2017
18. FISCAL MATTERS
“CA” a. Request from the Tax Assessor for abatements in the amount
of $9.31
“CA” b. Discussion and potential action regarding the award of the
Animal Shelter Roof Repair bid to WPI Construction, Inc. in the amount of
$7,200.00, 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
7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Discussion and potential
action regarding the Charlestown Moraine Preserve Management Plan and the
potential for conservation easements on the property. Let's see if this turns into a debate between CCA Party pundit Mike Chambers and Deb Carney who have been fighting it out in the pages of the Westerly Sun. Bring popcorn.
8. NEW BUSINESS
g. Discussion and potential
action regarding supporting a letter from the Wastewater Management Commission
to CRMC pertaining to the spraying of phragmites in West Pond and
groundwater nitrate levels in Quonochontaug
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
a. Public hearing and potential
action regarding Ordinance #362 – Chapter 218, Zoning Map Amendment (Collins
Revocable Living Trust, 9 Prosser Trail, Map 17, Lot 185)
b. Public hearing and potential
action regarding Ordinance #363 – Chapter 218-59, Commercial and recreation
vehicles in residential district (Parking).
c. Public hearing and potential
action regarding Ordinance #364 – Chapter 155, Nuisances (Extraction).
This is a generally good ordinance that was sent
to the Council despite a number of serious flaws. Planning Commissar Ruth Platner
pretty much said she and acting Town Planner Jane Weidman were sick of dealing with
it, so they are throwing it into the Council’s lap. Click here and here for more detail.
15. ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND
PROCLAMATIONS
b. Discussion and potential
extension of the Temporary Moratorium on the Permitting and Licensing of
Excavation, Quarrying, Mining and Material Processing Facilities for an
additional three months, pending action on Ordinance #364 – Chapter 155, Nuisances (Extraction)
The smart move for the Council would be to extend
the moratorium and send Ordinance 364 back to Planning for the revisions it
needs to make it a truly effective ordinance. Anyway, that’s my opinion. The
decision will ultimately be decided by the three CCA boys (Boss Tom Gentz,
George Tremblay and Dan Slattery).
3. PUBLIC COMMENT for items not
on the Agenda
4. COUNCIL COMMENTS
5. PERSONS WISHING TO BE HEARD
– None
6. ADMINISTRATOR and COMMISSION
REPORTS
a. Town Administrator
b. Commission Reports
7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
b. Discussion and potential
action regarding the Hometown Hero Award
8. NEW BUSINESS
a. Discussion and potential
action on a Resolution Requesting the Charlestown School Committee to Provide
Conceptual Changes to the Chariho Act
b. Discussion and potential
action on H 7553 on the Chariho nine members school committee,
and its equivalent Senate bill
c. Discussion and potential
action on H 7568 on Chariho Matriculation and its equivalent Senate
bill
d. Discussion and potential
action regarding the authorization of the Town Council President to write a letter to the Town Council in Hopkinton requesting that their Town Council
take a vote rejecting tax equalization, with the Richmond letter attached as an
example
e. Discussion and potential
action regarding the reconstitution of the Town’s Ad Hoc Chariho Withdrawal Committee, announcing vacancies on the Committee, directing the Committee to
study the matter of the Town’s withdrawal from the Chariho Regional
School District and to issue a final report on its recommendations including
but not limited to the financial impact to Charlestown Taxpayers, and
authorizing the publication of the report in a Pipeline Newsletter to all
Charlestown residents in early April 2014 - How this short date will be possible under the procedure for making town committee appointments will be interesting. I'll bet Deputy Dan will have a creative explanation for getting around that rule. Maybe there's an Australian rule he can cite.
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| Dan Slattery's fantasy of leading Charlestown against its enemies.... |
Item
“e.” regarding the reconstitution of a Chariho Withdrawal Committee is the
logical extension of Slattery’s attitude. Hey, maybe if we end up needing to
build a new school, there might be a convenient site RIGHT ON ROUTE ONE! How
about that, Mike?
 |
| ....but the reality is more like this |
f. Discussion and
potential action regarding the sale and/or disposal of Map 9, Lot 19 (Charlestown Beach Road)
This would eliminate a five foot wide, town-owned path and close off another route for public access to the beach for the benefit of eleven, largely non-resident beach property owners. Shame on Charlestown if we do this!
But this is also classic CCA Party philosophy - serve the out of state beach front owners over the public interest.
This would eliminate a five foot wide, town-owned path and close off another route for public access to the beach for the benefit of eleven, largely non-resident beach property owners. Shame on Charlestown if we do this!
But this is also classic CCA Party philosophy - serve the out of state beach front owners over the public interest.
10. COUNCIL SITTING AS BEVERAGE LICENSING
BOARD – None
14. ANNOUNCEMENTS
a. Board and Commission
vacancies
15. ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND
PROCLAMATIONS
a. Discussion and potential
action on a Plastic Bag Ban Resolution.
Our CCA Party Councilors generally don’t give a sh@t about any
environmental issue other than open space next door to CCA Party supporters and campaign contributors, so it will be interesting how they
come down on this otherwise innocuous issue.
16. COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS – None
17. APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS
c. Appointment to the Parks and
Recreation Commission, term to expire in January of 2017; applications
received from Edward Vazquez and David E. Currier
19. LEGAL MATTERS – None
20. ADJOURNMENT