Final
look at the budget before town-wide vote
By
Will Collette
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| Look very closely...your eyelids are getting heavy...you're getting sleepy... |
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
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| Official sign-in sheet from the Budget Hearing |
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.
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.
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:
“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.
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.
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.
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