PREVIEW: Town Council meeting, SSDD

New agenda posted on new IQM2 database but the same old content
By Will Collette

Maybe I'm letting the foul winter weather get to me, but it's hard to rouse any kind of energy about the upcoming Charlestown Town Council meeting. It's nice to see it on the new IQM2 public access database that Charlestown has deployed, but most of the agenda ideas do not inspire much enthusiasm.

There is nothing on the agenda dealing with Copar or quarries, despite the amazing series of Westerly Sun articles that have run recently. Click here for the most recent.

No added zoning ordinances from Planning Commissar Ruth Platner and her plucky planners. Nothing dealing with taxes. Nothing dealing with the Narragansett Tribe.

Nothing on Chariho or our on-going war with our Chariho Partners, despite Richmond's decision to file suit to get equal representation on the Chariho School Committee.

I find the absent of all these matters pretty strange. Maybe the Charlestown Citizens Alliance, which holds every Council seat, has just decided to slip into cruise control.

There is potential for conflict around a series of normally routine Ninigret Park permits and decisions. However, now that Arnolda has its own representative, CCA Party Councilor Bonny Van Slyke, this may be the time for us to start to see them push their agenda of driving human activities out of Ninigret Park. Especially any activity that takes place after dark and involves people laughing or possibly music.

I wonder if the same busload of elderly British ladies (including one who is now a CCA Party Planning Commission member) who came out to oppose a summer day camp shelter for children will mobilize to block these permits. Awarding the contract for construction of that shelter is on the agenda.

I'm pretty sure the links embedded in the agenda, below, work so you can view documents for yourselves. On my browser (Google Chrome), they come up as PDF downloads.

Here's the official agenda:

Charlestown Town Council Regular Meeting 3/9/2015 7:00 PM Council Chambers Town Hall   4540 South County Trail   Charlestown, RI 02813
Downloads:  Agenda  Agenda Packet  CALL TO ORDER, Moment of Silence, Pledge of Allegiance ROLL CALL Roll Call PUBLIC COMMENT for items not on the Agenda COUNCIL COMMENTS ADMINISTRATOR and COMMISSION REPORTS A. Town Administrator B. Commission Reports APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS A. Discussion and Potential Action Regarding Two Appointments to the Parks and Recreation Commission, Terms to Expire in January of 2018. Applications Received from Keith D. DeMerchant, Justin Mathews and Holly Eaves Agenda Item Printout a. Parks and Rec Draft Minutes 2-24-15 appt of new member.pdf b. Reappt form DeMerchant 2-15 c. Eaves, Holly M. appl 1-22-15 d. Mathews, Justin 11-17-14 B. Discussion and Potential Action Regarding the Reappointment of Timothy Quillen to the Friends of Ninigret Park Subcommittee with a Term to Expire in February of 2018 Agenda Item Printout a. Reappt form DeMerchant 2-15.pdf 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: “CA” A – “CA” D "CA" A. Town Council Minutes: Agenda Item Printout 1. February 4 Agenda Item Printout a. 2015-2-4.pdf 2. February 9 (Executive and Regular) Agenda Item Printout a. 2015-2-9 Exec.pdf b. 2015-2-9.pdf "CA" B. Reports: Agenda Item Printout 1. Building Official - February 2015 Agenda Item Printout a. Bldg Report Feb 15.pdf 2. Police Chief - January 2015 Agenda Item Printout a. Police ACTIVITY (January 2015).pdf 3. Public Works Director - January 2015, February 2015 Agenda Item Printout a. 7-03 MR Arw b. CRCC MONTHLY REPORT c. DPW Monthly Report Feb 15 4. Town Clerk - February 2015 Agenda Item Printout a. Clerks Monthly Report Feb 15.pdf 5. Treasurer's Report - January 2015 Agenda Item Printout a. January 2015 "CA" C. Approval of the Request from the Tax Assessor for Abatements in the Amount of $770.00, or Any Action Relative Thereto Agenda Item Printout a. 2015-02 "CA" D. Award of the Rubberized Chip Seal Bid to All States Asphalt, Inc. in the Amount of $4.55/Square Yard, and a Full Price of $252,252.00, as Budgeted in Line Item 01.990.9961 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, or Any Action Relative Thereto Agenda Item Printout a. BITUM AWD RACS 2014-15 b. Rubberized Asphalt Chip Seal FY15 c. RACS Bid Documents.pdf LICENSES AND PERMITS 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, or Any Action Relative Thereto: Agenda Item Printout 1. Event: Friends of Ninigret Park Autumn Event Event Date: September 20, 2015 Camping: N/A Insurance: $1 Million General Liability Fee: Waived Agenda Item Printout a. FONP Autumn Event Application b. P and R DRAFT Minutes from 2-24-15 FoNP Autumn Event 2. Event: Frosty Drew Evening for the Stars Event Date: July 25, 2015 Camping: N/A Insurance: $1 Million If No Alcohol Served. If Approved for Alcohol Service: $1 Million General Liability Plus $2 Million Alcohol Fee: Waived Agenda Item Printout a. Frosty Drew Evening for the Stars Event Application Revised 2 26 2015 b. P and R DRAFT Minutes from 2-24-15 Frosty Drew Evening for the Stars 3. Event: Frosty Drew Star Party Event Date: May 15 - May 17, 2015 Camping: 20 Campers, 5 Volunteer Campers Insurance: $1 Million General Liability Fee: Waived Agenda Item Printout a. Frosty Drew Star Party b. P and R DRAFT Minutes from 2-24-15 Frosty Drew Star Party 4. Event: Arrowhead Dental's Miles for Smiles 5K Run/Walk Event Date: May 17, 2015 Camping: N/A Insurance: $1 Million General Liability Fee: $100 Agenda Item Printout a. Arrowhead Dental Miles for Smiles Application Revised 2 26 2015 b. P and R DRAFT Minutes from 2-24-15 Arrowhead Dentals Miles for Smiles 5K Run Walk 5. Event: Seaside Classic Soccer Tournament - 2015 Event Dates: July 11 - 12, 2015 Camping: N/A Insurance: $1 General Liability Fee: $4,000, If New Pavilion is Constructed by the Time of the Event the Cost Will be $4,200 Agenda Item Printout a. Seaside Classic Soccer Tournament 2015 b. P and R DRAFT Minutes from 2-24-15 Seaside Classic Soccer Tourney 2015 6. Event: Bob Beal NEMCA Criterium 2015 Event Dates: August 16, 2015 Camping: N/A Insurance: $1 Million General Liability Fee: $200 Plus $2 Per Rider Following the Event Agenda Item Printout a. Bob Beal NEMCA Criterium 2015 b. P and R DRAFT Minutes from 2-24-15 Bob Beal NEMCA Criterium 2015 7. Event: NEMCA Bicycle Racing Clinic 2015 Event Date: March 28, 2015 Camping: N/A Insurance: $1 Million General Liability Fee: $25 Agenda Item Printout a. NEMCA Bicycle Racing Clinic 2015 b. P and R DRAFT Minutes from 2-24-15 NEMCA Criterium 2015 8. Event: Mystic Velo Club Criterium 2015 Event Date: May 16, 2015 Camping: N/A Insurance: $1 Million General Liability Fee: $200 Plus $2 Per Rider After the Event Agenda Item Printout a. Mystic Velo Club Criterium Application 2015 b. P and R DRAFT Minutes from 2-24-15 Mystic Velo Club Criterium 2015 ANNOUNCEMENTS A. Board and Commission Vacancies Agenda Item Printout a. Vacancies as of 3-9-15 FISCAL MATTERS A. Discussion and Potential Action Regarding a Request from Parks and Recreation for Contingency Funds for the RIDEM Grant from the Ninigret Park Fund in the Amount of $60,000 to be Transferred from Line Item 27.000.5995 to Line Item 73.000.3995. Agenda Item Printout a. P and R DRAFT Minutes from 2-24-15 RIDEM Grant b. Grant Financial Supporting Documents for Town Council c. RI DEM Contingency Funds B. Discussion and Potential Action Regarding the Award of the Pavilion Footing Bid to V and M Construction, Inc. for an Amount Not to Exceed $45,855, as Budgeted in Line Item 73.000.5100.003, 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 Agenda Item Printout a. Pavillion Concrete Base Bid Documents.pdf b. TC pier footing slab and sidewalk bid acceptance 2 1 15 c. RI DEM pavilion footing C. Discussion and Potential Action Regarding the Award of the Police Study Bid to Municipal Resources Inc., for an Amount Not to Exceed $27,800.00, to be Taken from Budget Line Item 01.920.9260, 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 Agenda Item Printout a. Admin recommendation b. Charlestown RI Police RFP.pdf c. Charlestown RI Police RFP Ad.pdf d. CPD Assessment Proposal - Center for Public Safety Management.pdf e. CPD Assessment Proposal - Daigle Law Group.pdf f. CPD Assessment Proposal - Management Partners.pdf g. CPD Assessment Proposal - Municipal Resources.pdf h. Police Study i. Police Study Memorandum 3-9-15 TC Agenda.pdf PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Public Hearing and Potential Action Regarding Ordinance #370 – Chapter 218, Zoning Map Amendment (Edna M. Mckenzie Irrevocable Living Trust, Dated 10-07-2008, 169 Sanctuary Road, Tax Assessor’s Map 17, Lot 108) Agenda Item Printout a. #370 Edna M. Mckenzie Irrevocable Living Trust Zoning Ad b. Zoning Ordinance Map Amendment Mckenzie, William W.pdf c. Ord #370 PC adv op.pdf NEW BUSINESS A. Discussion and Potential Action Regarding a Memorandum of Understanding Between the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council and the Town of Charlestown on Aquaculture Agenda Item Printout a. MOU Between the RICRMC and the Town of Charlestown 020215 B. Discussion and Potential Action Regarding House Bill 5257 an Act Relating to Waters and Navigation – Harbors and Harbor Lines (Mooring Fees) and the Equivalent Senate Bill Agenda Item Printout a. TG Agenda Item Request b. ProJo Article - Mooring Fees c. H5257.pdf d. H5257 Mooring Opposition Letter ADJOURNMENT