Unless they get vaccinated, the Zoning Board is about to get shingles
 |
| Let's see what crazy false alarms the CCA boys can concoct this month |
By
Will Collette
The
Charlestown Town Council meets again in its regular monthly session this
Monday, September 8 at 7 PM in the Council chambers at Town Hall.
This
month’s agenda is relatively light as they tend to be before an election – the
last thing the Council incumbents want is to give voters reason to vote against
them.
However,
several agenda items relate to the CCA Party’s recent packing of the Zoning Board of Review with their own partisans who will almost certainly boost the
number of lawsuits filed against the town when they disregard the law and make
zoning decisions based on CCA Party ideology. They will almost certainly appoint CCA Party follower JoAnne "Shingles" Stolle to fill one of three vacant Alternate seats on Monday.
Expect
the CCA boys on the Council to make some meaningless display of concern for the
embattled victims of the Copar/Armetta Quarry on the Bradford-Charlestown line,
rather than take effective action.
There
may be a fight over oyster farming which some CCA Party elders, most
prominently CCA Party Treasurer and CCA candidate for Town Moderator Leo
Mainelli, who thinks oyster farming spoils his view. This time, it's Peter Arnold leading the charge.
And
maybe there will be a couple of entertaining surprises in store.
Here’s
the agenda listed according to the actual order of business. As usual, my snarky and rude comments appear in bold red.
2. ROLL CALL
Motion to move items 15a, 15b, 12 to be heard next on the Agenda
15. ORDINANCES,
RESOLUTIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
 |
| Personally, I think there should be serious consequences for people who ignore warnings, get into trouble and endanger our first responders |
a. Commendation for Sergeant Philip Gingerella in Acknowledgment of His Demonstration of
Bravery in the Line of Duty and His Unwavering Commitment to the Service and Protection
of the Citizens of the Town of Charlestown, Rhode Island
This is for Sergeant Gingerella’s heroism in rescuing an idiot tourist from New York who
ignored rip current warnings in the aftermath of Hurricane Cristobal and almost
got killed.
b. Commendation for
Jordan Dolock
And this is another display of heroism by Charlestown Ambulance Deputy Chief Dolock for rescuing another set of idiot tourists – this
time from Pennsylvania who also got caught in rip currents. One is a 62-year
old and the other is her grandson.
I admire Sgt. Gingerella's and Deputy Chief Dolock's bravery, but maybe they're just getting in the way of natural selection.
12. CONSENT AGENDA
All items marked with “CA” are to be considered consent agenda
Motion to accept, approve and place on file the following as the
consent agenda: 11a, 11b, 11c, 13a, 13b, 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, 18a, 18b, 18c,
18d, 18e, 18f, 18g, 18h
“Consent Agenda” items are generally those that
are not controversial and do not need to be debated or opened to public
discussion. They are generally voted on as a bloc. Councilors can have items
pulled if they want those items discussed. Most often, this is done by
Councilor Lisa DiBello.
11. LICENSES AND
PERMITS
“CA” a. Discussion
and Potential Action Regarding the Approval of an Application for a Peddler’s License Clemente's Wood-Fired Trolley Pizzeria with a Recommendation from
Police Chief Jeffrey Allen and Building Official Joseph Warner, Subject to
Receipt of All Required Paperwork
“CA” b. 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. Higher Level Academy in Conjunction with Chariho Youth
Soccer
Event Dates: 9 Ninigret Park Uses
Camping: N/A
Insurance: $1 Million General Liability
Fee: $225.00
2. Event: Birthday Party - Kimberly Chapman
Event Dates: September 13
Camping: N/A
Insurance: N/A
Fee: $25.00
3. Event: Birthday Party (DeVerna)
Event Dates: September 14
Camping: N/A
Insurance: N/A
Fee: $25.00
4. Event: Charlestown Troop 15 Boy Scouts
 |
| Arrrrrrr!!!!!!! |
Camping: Two (2) Nights
Insurance: None
Fee: Waived
Why is there no mention or celebration of International Talk Like a Pirate Day? This takes place on September 19 and is one of the most important holidays of the year.
Why is there no mention or celebration of International Talk Like a Pirate Day? This takes place on September 19 and is one of the most important holidays of the year.
5. Event: Your Church
Event Dates: September 20
Camping: N/A
Insurance: N/A
Fee: $50.00
"Your Church?" Is that for real?
"Your Church?" Is that for real?
6. Event: Graduation Party (Murray)
Event Dates: September 21
Camping: N/A
Insurance: N/A
Fee: $25.00
7. Event: Charlestown Police FOP 5K
Event Dates: October 26
Insurance: $1 Million General Liability
Fee: Waived
“CA” c. Discussion and
potential action regarding the approval of the following events at the
Community Center 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: Charlestown Early
Learning Trike a Thon
Event Dates: October 5
Camping: N/A
Insurance: N/A
Fee: Waived
13. MINUTES
AND REPORTS
“CA” a. Town Council
Minutes: August 6; August 12 (12:00 pm; 6:00 pm; and Regular); August 14;
August 25
“CA” b. Reports: Building Official August was a TERRIBLE month for construction in Charlestown with less than $900K in activity in what should be the most active month of the year. Only one new home is in the work. – August 2014; Police Chief – August 2014; Public Works Director –
August 2014; Town Clerk – August 2014 Surprisingly, the number of births and deaths for the year are now tied at 31. Since 2007, deaths have greatly outnumbered births in, one of the contributing factors to our population decline and lessened Chariho enrollment; Treasurer – July 2014
17. APPOINTMENTS
AND RESIGNATIONS
“CA” a Discussion and
Potential Action Regarding an Appointment to the Board of Canvassers, Term to
Expire in March of 2020. Recommendation of Pamela Schlomann for
appointment by the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee
“CA” b. Discussion and
Potential Action regarding Appointments to the Bicycle Pathway Ad Hoc
Committee; Application Received from Annie Campbell
“CA” c. Acceptance of
the Resignation of Michael J. Rzewuski from the Zoning Board of
Review, Effective at the End of the Zoning Board Meeting on September 16, 2014,
with Regret
NOTE: Mike Chambers can do the eulogy, although it may sound more like a campaign speech by Mike to take over Rzewuski's position as ZBR chair.
“CA” d. Discussion and
Potential Action Regarding the Drafting of a Proclamation for Michael J. Rzewuski
on His Years of Service on the Zoning Board of Review for Presentation at
the October Town Council Meeting
NOTE: And Donna Chambers can tell Rzewuski that she still doesn’t care what Rzewuski says, as she did when he tried to explain how the ZBR works during
hearings on changes she wanted to see in Charlestown’s Home Rule Charter.
18. FISCAL
MATTERS
“CA” a. Request from the
Tax Assessor for Abatements in the Amount of $8,496.33
“CA” b. Discussion and
Potential Action Regarding the Award of the Heavy-Duty Winter Sander Bid to
J.C. Madigan, Inc. for an Amount Not to Exceed $13,470.00, as Budgeted in Line
Item 990-9910, 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” c. Discussion and
Potential Action Regarding the Award of the Heavy-Duty GMC Van to Hurd Automall,
LLC for an Amount Not to Exceed $25,793.00, as Budgeted in Line Item 990-9990,
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” d. Discussion and
Potential Action Regarding the Approval of the Bid for the Sale of the 1996
Maritime Skiff Bid to Stewart Blessington for an Amount of $5,250,
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” e. Discussion and
potential action regarding the following Parks and Recreation Events:
1. Event: Halloween Dance Party
Event Dates: October 17
Camping: N/A
Insurance: Town Insurance
Budget Line Item: 815.8025
Fee: $8.00
2. Event: Pumpkin Walk
Event Dates: Friday October 24 and Saturday October 25
Camping: N/A
Insurance: Town Insurance
Budget Line Item: 815.8025
Fee: None
 |
| Yeah, I'll bet this is great fun. Right, kids? |
“Trunk?” I am told that “Trunk or Treat” is for
parents who can’t stand to have their little darlings out of their sight even
on supervised Trick or Treating. So a group of parents go to a parking lot, I
guess at Town Hall, and give kids treats from out of their trunks. Yeah, I
understand parents get scared these days, but geez, why bother with this?
Event Dates: Wednesday October 29
Camping: N/A
Insurance: Town Insurance
Budget Line Item: 815.8025
Fee: None
4. Event: Trick or Treating at Town Hall
Event Dates: October 31
Camping: N/A
Insurance: Town Insurance
Budget Line Item: 815.8025
Fee: None
Does this (and item #3) REALLY have to be approved
by the Town Council? Are these people this much into control?
5. Event: Annual Christmas Tree Lighting
Event Dates: December 5
Camping: N/A
Insurance: Town Insurance
Budget Line Item: 815.8025
Fee: None
6. Event: New York City Bus Trip
Event Dates: Saturday December 6
Camping: N/A
Insurance: Town Insurance
Budget Line Item: 815.8025
Fee: $38 Per Person
7. Event: Town Bonfire
Event Dates: December 31
Camping: N/A
Insurance: Town Insurance
Budget Line Item: 815.8025
Fee: None
“CA” f. Discussion and
potential action regarding the following Parks and Recreation Programs:
1. Youth Tennis Program as Budgeted in Line Item 815.8040
2. Indoor Tennis Program as Budgeted in Line Item 815.8040
3. Youth Basketball League Program as Budgeted in Line Item
815.8020
4. Men's Basketball Program (no fiscal note needed)
5. Fitness Program Pilates and Strength as Budgeted in Line
Item 815.8035
6. Fitness Program Strength and Stability as Budgeted in Line
Item 815.8020
7. Fitness Program Zumba as Budgeted in Line Item
815.8035
8. Adult Golf Program as Budgeted in Line Item 815.8025
9. Pickle Ball Program as Budgeted in Line Item 815.8035
“CA” g. Discussion and
Potential Action Regarding the Award of the Diesel Dump Truck (Model F-450
4-Wheel Drive Truck with Body, Radio, Plow and Frame) Bid to Flood Ford for an
Amount Not to Exceed $65,278.00, as Budgeted in Line Item 990-9994, 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 Purchase of a 2015 Ford Utility Police Interceptor from MHQ for an Amount Not to Exceed $32,441.00, as Budgeted in
Line Item 01.990.9901, 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
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
for items not on the Agenda
4. COUNCIL
COMMENTS
5. PERSONS WISHING
TO BE HEARD
6. ADMINISTRATOR,
SOLICITOR, COMMISSION REPORTS
a. Town
Administrator
b. Commission
Reports
7. UNFINISHED
BUSINESS
a. Discussion and
Potential Action Regarding an Updated Advisory from the Affordable Housing Commission Regarding the ChurchWoods Land Acquisition that Stems from
the Revised Funding Source and Other Changes from the October 2, 2012 Affordable
Housing Commission Advisory Council Meeting
b. Discussion and
potential action regarding the Establishment of Flagpole Gardens at Ninigret Park and the Establishment of a Restricted Receipt Account for Donations
Towards Improvements and/or Maintenance of the Flagpole Gardens. After months of dwaddling, it looks like this worthy project will finally get Town Council approval.
 |
| The Botka quarry off Route 2, charged by Town Zoning Officer Joe Warner with being an illegal mine. |
c. Discussion and
Potential Action on a Replacement for the Withdrawn Extraction Ordinance
Charlestown NEEDS a town ordinance to regulate ALL quarries and sand pits to block unscrupulous operators from getting a business
permit, to ensure adherence to environmental standards and to make sure the
quarry land gets reclaimed. It's not just Copar.
Is this Town Council up to the challenge? Based on this wimpy, inaccurate and ragged George Tremblay stream-of-consciousness draft, I doubt
it.
8. NEW BUSINESS
a. Discussion and
Possible Action to Authorize the Town Administrator to Process and/or
Execute Releases and Discharges for Edwards Lane Affordable HousingDevelopment. If you click on the link, you'll see that this document contains nothing but the cover memo and not the actual document that is up for discussion and action.
b. Discussion and
Potential Action Regarding Proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendments, Recommended by
the Planning Commission, Relating to Residential Compounds and Residential
Cluster Subdivisions
c. Discussion and
potential action regarding the Ninigret Park and Community Center Rental Policy
Uh-oh. This memo from Parks & Recreation Director Jay Primiano requests that he be given direct authority to approve activities that don't put a lot of stress on town facilities etc. - just like all the little events you see above (like "Trunk or Treat") in Items 11.b. and 18.e.-f. - rather than have to secure Town Council approval.
Lots of luck, Jay, in getting this Town Council to give up any of its micro-managing authority and trusting you to do it instead.
 |
| Planning Commissar Ruth Platner likes the idea of the town buying the streetlights - and then chopping them down! |
d. Discussion and
Potential Action on Washington County Regional Planning Council Working with
the Town of Charlestown to Purchase Our Streetlights from National Grid
Hopefully, this discussion will provide some honest answers for
where the money will come from to buy National Grid’s streetlights. Other than
not having the money budgeted, the idea of the town owning the lights has a lot of merit. But recent experience with this Town Council shows that they will bend and twist the math to meet their own political agenda.
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
– None
10. COUNCIL SITTING
AS BEVERAGE LICENSING BOARD – None
14. ANNOUNCEMENTS
16. COMMUNICATIONS
AND PETITIONS
a. Discussion and
Potential Action Regarding the Challenge from the Richmond Town Council to
Participate in the ALS Challenge
This would be a great idea of they did it with
buckets of molten lava.
I anticipate Councilor Dan Slattery will call this a ruse by Richmond to institute an STD ("single taxing district").
I anticipate Councilor Dan Slattery will call this a ruse by Richmond to institute an STD ("single taxing district").
b. Discussion and
Potential Action Regarding a Request from the Coastal Pond Management
Commission to Object to the CRMC Application of
Walrus & Carpenter (2014-08-13)
Here we go again with the CCA Party’s Aqua-NIMBYs
who object to the expansion of aquaculture in our salt ponds, even though the
oysters are GOOD for the pond’s health because they strain out pollutants. This time, the NIMBY opposition is being led by Peter Arnold.
17. APPOINTMENTS
AND RESIGNATIONS
e. Discussion and
Potential Action to Make a Membership Appointment to the Zoning Board of
Review, Alternate #3 (Term to Expire in July of 2015); Applications Received
from JoAnne Stolle and Robin Quinn
JoAnne Stolle achieved some notoriety during her
short tenure as a CCA-appointed alternate on the Planning Commission. She attempted to stall construction of the town beach pavilion at Blue Shutters Beach by kvetching over the color of shingles.
She offered to bring in books of shingles samples which she apparently keeps stored in her basement. Her shingles expertise certainly qualifies her to serve on the new CCA Party-controlled Zoning Board.
And she's actually listing her Planning Commission as part of her qualifications to go on the Zoning Board. OK, then...let's have a full review of her illustrious career. It won't take long since she was appointed to fill a vacancy in August 2011 and didn't run for election in 2012.
So she only served a little over a year, but I can attest that she left her mark as an expert on roofing materials. But she's loyal to the CCA Party through and through, and that should be more than enough for her to get this gig. To the victors belong the spoils.
She offered to bring in books of shingles samples which she apparently keeps stored in her basement. Her shingles expertise certainly qualifies her to serve on the new CCA Party-controlled Zoning Board.
And she's actually listing her Planning Commission as part of her qualifications to go on the Zoning Board. OK, then...let's have a full review of her illustrious career. It won't take long since she was appointed to fill a vacancy in August 2011 and didn't run for election in 2012.
So she only served a little over a year, but I can attest that she left her mark as an expert on roofing materials. But she's loyal to the CCA Party through and through, and that should be more than enough for her to get this gig. To the victors belong the spoils.
19. LEGAL MATTERS – None
20. ADJOURNMENT