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Sunday, May 11, 2014

Town Council meeting TONIGHT, Monday, May 12

Final look at the budget before town-wide vote
By Will Collette
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The most important item on this month’s regular Council meeting agenda is the last look at the Charlestown town budget for next year before it is sent on to voters on June 2 for a vote, along with two additional ballot questions.

The meeting will be held at 7 PM at Town Hall on Monday. Prior to the regular meeting, the Council will meet in closed, executive session. The only agenda item is Councilor Lisa DiBello’s two-year old conspiracy lawsuit against the town. I keep saying that this one is ripe for a settlement, and it still is.

For a full run-down on the Charlestown budget, click here. The big subtopic is whether to send voters a ballot question asking them to authorize the town to sell a beach path that a group of mostly non-resident beachfront property owners want to buy – and close off.

For detail on why this is a BAD idea, click here. Hopefully, the three CCA Party boys – Boss Tom Gentz, Dan Slattery and George Tremblay – who voted YES on this question when it first came up will change their minds and join Councilors Paula Andersen (D) and Lisa DiBello in killing this ballot question.

There are also slots in the agenda for more discussion about the botched ordinance to regulate quarries in Charlestown and Councilors Slattery and Gentz’s beef with Hopkinton and Richmond over Chariho. Both matters have been talked to death already, but that’s what these guys do best.

Here’s the agenda as it will actually be heard:


1. CALL TO ORDER, Moment of Silence, Pledge of Allegiance

2. ROLL CALL
Motion to move item 17a, 15d, 7a, 18a, 18c, 18e, 12, 9a, and 15a to be heard next on the Agenda

17. APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS
a. Discussion and potential action regarding the appointment of Susan R. Shea as Deputy Town Clerk

15. ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
d. Resolution of Respect in honor of Reverend Robert C. Cummings CLICK HERE for the tribute to Rev. Cummings from the police union

7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Discussion and potential action regarding the presentation of the Charlestown Community Service Award to Colors for a Cause RI. NOTE: Colors for a Cause Rhode Island does not yet appear on the IRS database for recognized tax-exempt organizations. This may limit the ability to deduct donations from federal taxes.

18. FISCAL MATTERS
Official sign-in sheet from the Budget Hearing
a. Discussion and potential action regarding the adoption of the FY 2014-2015 Budget, including any warrant questions and revisions, to be put before the voters at the Financial Town Referendum on June 2, 2014. 

There was a May 5 hearing on the budget on May 5 with only 11 people present (one more than the ten required for a quorum). No comments were made about the budget itself or the ballot question about whether to spend $260,000 to rebuild the tennis courts at Ninigret Park. 

There was, however, some lively debate about the merits of selling the town-owned strip of beach access to a largest non-resident group of neighbors who want to keep rowdies from going past their property to the beach. Click here for more detail and for reasons why the town should NOT sell the beach path.

c. Discussion and potential action regarding the selection of a Consultant for the Comprehensive Plan Rewrite 

What ever happened to the Comprehensive Plan UPDATE that Planning Commissar Ruth Platner and her plunky planeseros were going to submit LAST year? Let me guess - she forgot.

e.  Discussion and potential action regarding the award of the Emergency Planning Services bid to CDR McGuire, services to be used only in the event of a declared emergency with a percentage of their fees being reimbursed by FEMA, 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

12. CONSENT AGENDA All items marked with “CA” are to be considered consent agenda. 

NOTE: these are items considered non-controversial and are handled as a group and are voted on as a bloc without discussion or debate UNLESS a Council member (usually Lisa DiBello or Dan Slattery) wants to pull an item for discussion. Not all accompanying documents are linked - too damned many for my tired old fingers to enter.

Motion to accept, approve and place on file the following as the consent agenda: 11a, 13a, 13b, 17b, 17c, 18d, 18f, 18g, 18h and 18i

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: (awaiting Fiscal Notes from the Town Treasurer)
1. Event: Comets & Meteor Showers – Meridian Project
Event Dates: May 24, 2014, 5:00 p.m.           – 2:00 p.m.
Camping: None
Insurance: $1 Million General Liability
Fee: Waived
2. Event: Rhode Island Riptide Summer 2014 Season
Event Dates: Wednesday evenings 5:30 p.m.            – 8:00 p.m.      and Saturday mornings 12:00 p.m.     – 3:00 p.m.
Camping: None
Insurance: $3 Million General Liability
Fee: Waived
3.  Event: Global Premier Soccer Rhode Island Soccer Camp
Event Dates: July 21 – July 25, 2014
Camping: None
Insurance: $1 Million General Liability
Fee: $125.00
4 Event: Soccerplus Juniors Academy with Chariho Youth Soccer Association
Event Dates: Friday evening, Aug 15, 2014 – Nov 7, 2014 and March 13, 2015 – June 12, 2015
Camping: None
Insurance: $1 Million General Liability
Fee: $625 for 25 field uses, $25 per use
5. Event: Worship Jam Music Festival – The Rock Productions/The Lighthouse Events
Park Reservation (Setup): Aug 18 – 23, 2014
Event Dates: Aug 23 – 24, 2014
Camping: 450 Campers
Insurance: $2 Million General Liability
Fee: $9,000
6. Event: Rick Newhouse Race (Arc-en-ciel Race Team)
Event Dates: Aug 23, 2014 6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Camping: None
Insurance: $1 Million General
Fee: $50.00 paid prior to event, $2 per rider after
7. Event: SRIV Harvest Festival
Park Reservation (Setup): Sept 19 – 21, 2014
Event Dates: Sept 20 – 21, 2014
Camping: None
Insurance: $1 Million General Liability
Fee: Waived

13. MINUTES AND REPORTS
“CA” a. Town Council Minutes:
April 9; April 14 (Executive and Regular); April 23 (Executive)
“CA” b. Reports: Building Official – April 2014; Public Works Director – April 2014; Town Clerk – April 2014; Treasurer – April 2014

17. APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS
“CA” b. Discussion and potential action regarding the appointment of David E. Currier to the Parks and Recreation Commission, term to expire in January of 2015
“CA” c. Discussion and potential action regarding the appointment of James Westervelt as Deputy Assistant Harbormaster

18. FISCAL MATTERS
“CA” d. Discussion and potential action regarding the award of the Klondike Rd Phase II bid to T.Miozzi in the amount of $660,899.95, as budgeted in line item 70.000.5100.000, with authorization to expend the balance of the budget approved by Referendum to be available for built-in cost adjustments, unforeseen conditions on site, line striping and other contingencies after construction is completed 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 

NOTE: T. Miozzi has pissed off its Coventry neighbors in a manner eerily similar to the way Copar has pissed off its Charlestown and Westerly neighbors. DEM reports that it received over 150 air pollution complaints, but issued no notices of violation. Miozzi also has a long record of financial and legal problems, including lots of IRS tax liens.

Miozzi beat the next lowest bidder by almost $100,000 - almost 15%. In my experience, on a public construction job like this, where the wages are set by prevailing wage, you don't see this much of a spread in the bids. Usually, it means the low bidder either plans to cut corners on the job or jack up the price later through change orders. 

This bid should NOT simply be put on the Consent Agenda. It should be looked at more carefully with attention paid to the background of the bidder. This also serves as another example of why Charlestown needs a "bad actor" ordinance that requires due diligence and bars companies with bad track records from getting Charlestown contracts or licenses.

“CA” f.  Discussion and potential action regarding the award of the Water Systems Management bid to Millenium Water, LLC in the amount of $7,102.00, as budgeted in line item 830-6065, 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

“CA” g. Discussion and potential action regarding the award of the Recreation Trash Removal bid to Waste Management of RI, Inc. in the amount of $7,162.50, as budgeted in line item 01.630.6065, 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

“CA” h. Discussion and potential action regarding the award of the 2014-2015 Ninigret Park Restroom Facility Cleaning bid to Mark H. Russo in the amount of $4,640.00, as budgeted in line item 830.6065, 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

“CA” i. Discussion and potential action regarding the award of the Materials and Services bid as recommended by the Director of Public Works, as budgeted in the General Fund Budget, 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

9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
a. Public hearing and potential action regarding Ordinance #364 – Chapter 155, Nuisances (Extraction) 

COMMENT: this is another version of the Ordinance that was torn to shreds at last month’s meeting

15. ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
a.  Discussion and potential action on a Plastic Bag Ban Resolution 

COMMENT: this item has been bumped from prior Council meetings. The resolution would support a very good piece of legislation to ban plastic grocery bags that appears to have no chance of passage under the new House leadership (not to mention the General Assembly is nearing an end).

3.  PUBLIC COMMENT for items not on the Agenda

4.  COUNCIL COMMENTS  

5. PERSONS WISHING TO BE HEARD
a. Joseph S. Dolock – Memorial Day Parade
b. Heidi Thompson – Relay for Life

6.  ADMINISTRATOR, SOLICITOR, COMMISSION REPORTS
a.  Town Administrator
b.  Commission Reports

7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
b.  Discussion and potential action regarding the invitation of the Chariho School Committee to participate in the Joint Meeting of the Chariho Governing Bodies
c. Discussion and potential action regarding the submission of two agenda items for discussion at the Joint Meeting of the Chariho Governing Bodies, with specific reference to section and language from the Act

NOTE: these items will provide Deputy Dan Slattery (CCA Party) with the opportunity to bang the war drums some more over his trumped-up grievances with Richmond and Hopkinton. Maybe we’ll hear a little more about his lame-brained scheme to pull Charlestown out of the Chariho School District.

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8. NEW BUSINESS
a. Discussion and potential action regarding scheduling potential meeting dates for a presentation by Dr. Boothroyd 

NOTE: Professor Emeritus at URI, Dr. Boothroyd has become Rhode Island's go-to guy on the effects of climate change on coastal environments.

b. Discussion and potential action regarding Cody Clarkin’s request that the Flagpole Gardens at Ninigret Park be incorporated into the Ninigret Park Master Plan

10. COUNCIL SITTING AS BEVERAGE LICENSING BOARD
a. Public Hearing and potential action regarding the following application for beverage license:
Charlestown Chamber of Commerce d/b/a Charlestown Chamber of Commerce 30th Annual Seafood Festival for Class F Liquor License for the 30th Annual Charlestown Chamber of Commerce Seafood Festival to be held at Ninigret Park on August 1-alcohol served 12:00 pm until 10:00 pm, August 2-alcohol served 11:00 am until 10:00 pm, August 3-alcohol served 11:00 am until 9:00 pm.
b. Motion to order advertised for public hearing on June 9, 2014 at 7:00 pm, the following applications for beverage license: Old Mill Diner LLC d/b/a “Old Mill Diner”, to apply to premises located at 4349 South County Trail – Class BV Limited. Designated premises: restaurant and deck/patio only; daily from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm

14. ANNOUNCEMENTS
a. Board and Commission vacancies 

Deputy Dan Slattery seems to be having trouble recruiting people to sit on his Ad Hoc Chariho Withdrawal Committee as there are still three vacancies. Must be a shortage of available Partridges now that most of them have gotten other patronage appointments.

15. ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
b. Discussion and potential action regarding a Resolution on Fortified Building Codes for Residential and Commercial Buildings
c. Discussion and potential action regarding a Resolution in Support of the Municipal Road and Bridge Revolving Fund being funded by the General Assembly as requested by the Office of the General Treasurer

16. COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS - None

18.       FISCAL MATTERS
b. Discussion and potential action regarding a request from the Chariho Post Graduation Committee for a donation to the Chariho Regional High School Green & White Up All Night 2014 Event. NOTE: I wonder if the event is being held under the unoccupied beach houses on Charlestown Beach Road - Click here.

19. LEGAL MATTERS - None


20. ADJOURNMENT