Town Council Meeting Preview

Council to hear Commission concerns about Ninigret Park plans, but will they listen?

By Will Collette

Since I don't have a clue how to illustrate a story like this,
here's a dancing parrot

On Monday night, just one week after getting their way in Charlestown’s Financial Referendum, the Town Council will hold its perfunctory monthly meeting to ratify decisions already determined by the shadowy Charlestown Citizens Alliance (CCA Party) which controls every elected office and most appointed ones in town.

The only threat to the rubber-stamp Council being able to conclude its business in under an hour are dissenting views from the town Parks and Recreation Commission, one of the few bodies left that doesn’t take its orders from the CCA Party.

Last year, by citizens’ initiative, Charlestown voters passed a $1 million bond to carry on improvements at Ninigret Park in keeping with the Master Plan for the Park.

However, since that money was approved by voters, very little of it has been dedicated to things actually in the Master Plan. Indeed, you could say the money was high-jacked by the CCA Party for its own projects such as the construction of a bike path in a park already loaded with trails, paths and paved areas.

Now, the cost for paving this unneeded bike path, based on the low bid, is $266,927 or more than a quarter of the bond issue money for something that wasn’t in the Master Plan and not a priority. But hey, CCA Party co-founder Faith LaBossiere wants it.

Parks and Rec are also challenging the use of “$37,970 to Add the ZipKrooz Handicapped Playground Equipment to the Existing Playground Equipment in a Kid’s Place Playground in Ninigret Park.”

Their argument is that this equipment is neither useful nor appropriate given the projected needs of handicapped children who might use the park. They affirm the vital nature of having “inclusive” playground equipment, but say that the ZipKrooz equipment is the wrong stuff.

Parks and Rec might prevail on their argument about the playground if the Council members are in a reasonable frame of mind. However, I think it’s a real long shot that they will be able to stop the paving contract for the bike track.

Here is the actual Council meeting agenda. It includes links to the documents the Council and public will use to debate the issues involving Ninigret Park and the other matters on the agenda.

Oh, on the agenda is the final Council action on the Town's new budget. This is when we will find out the exact final number for our new property tax rate. This will be the eighth consecutive year that the CCA-controlled Council has raised Charlestown's tax rate, whether it need to or not.

Charlestown Town Council Regular Meeting 6/13/2016 7:00 PM Council Chambers Town Hall   4540 South County Trail   Charlestown, RI 02813
CALL TO ORDER, Moment of Silence, Pledge of Allegiance ROLL CALL Roll Call PROCLAMATIONS A. Swearing in of Officer Patrick J. Majeika to the Charlestown Police Department NEW BUSINESS A. Discussion and Potential Action Regarding the Approval of a Resolution to Designate the City/Town of Charlestown as a PACE Municipality and to Approve the C-PACE Agreement a. C-PACE_Municipal_Presentation b. C-PACE_Municipality_Agreement B. Discussion and Potential Action on a Request for a Tobacco Ordinance or Resolution a. TG agenda item request - Tobacco Ordinance or Resolution b. Tobacco ordinance petition COUNCIL SITTING AS BEVERAGE LICENSING BOARD Motion to sit as the Beverage Licensing Board A. Public Hearing and Potential Action Regarding the Following Application for Beverage License: Charlestown Chamber of Commerce D/B/A CCoC 32Nd Annual Seafood Festival for Class F Liquor License for the 32Nd Annual Charlestown Chamber of Commerce Seafood Festival to be Held at Ninigret Park on August 5-Alcohol Served 12:00 P.M. Until 10:00 P.M., August 6-Alcohol Served 11:00 A.M. Until 10:00 P.M., August 7-Alcohol Served 11:00 A.M. Until 9:00 P.M. a. Seafood Festival Bev Lic appl b. Seafood Festival flyer c. Police Chief approval Motion to open the Public Hearing Motion to close the Public Hearing Motion to approve the application from the Charlestown Chamber of Commerce D/B/A CCoC 32nd Annual Seafood Festival for Class F Liquor License for the 32Nd Annual Charlestown Chamber of Commerce Seafood Festival to be Held at Ninigret Park on August 5-Alcohol Served 12:00 P.M. Until 10:00 P.M., August 6-Alcohol Served 11:00 A.M. Until 10:00 P.M., August 7-Alcohol Served 11:00 A.M. Until 9:00 P.M. B. Public Hearing and Potential Action Regarding the Following Application for Beverage License: VSA Arts Rhode Island for a Class F Liquor License, Fee to be Waived, for the Rhythm and Roots Event to be Held at Ninigret Park on September 2 – Alcohol Served 4:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M., September 3 – Alcohol Served 12:00 P.M. Until 11:00 P.M., September 4 – Alcohol Served 12:00 P.M. Until 11:00 P.M. a. VSA Arts Rhode Island Bev Lic Appl b. Rhythm and Roots website schedule c. Chief's approval Motion to open the Public Hearing Motion to close the Public Hearing Motion to approve the application from VSA Arts Rhode Island for a Class F Liquor License, Fee to be Waived, for the Rhythm and Roots Event to be Held at Ninigret Park on September 2 – Alcohol Served 4:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M., September 3 – Alcohol Served 12:00 P.M. Until 11:00 P.M., September 4 – Alcohol Served 12:00 P.M. Until 11:00 P.M. C. Public Hearing and Potential Action Regarding the Following Application for Beverage License: Frosty Drew Nature Center for a Class F Liquor License, Fee to be Waived, for the Night Under the Stars Event to be Held at Ninigret Park on July 23, 2016 from 5:30 P.M. Until 8:00 P.M. a. Frosty Drew Bev Lic appl b. Chief's approval Motion to open the Public Hearing Motion to close the Public Hearing Motion to approve the application from Frosty Drew Nature Center for a Class F Liquor License, Fee to be Waived, for the Night Under the Stars Event to be Held at Ninigret Park on July 23, 2016 from 5:30 P.M. Until 8:00 P.M. Motion to adjourn as the Beverage Licensing Board PUBLIC COMMENT for items not on the Agenda COUNCIL COMMENTS ADMINISTRATOR and COMMISSION REPORTS A. Administrator Report B. Commission Reports ANNOUNCEMENTS A. Board and Commission Vacancies a. Vacancies as of 6-13-16 ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS A. Discussion and Potential Action Regarding the Approval of the Annual Fiscal Resolutions to Set the Budget and the Tax Rate a. Financial Resolutions for June 2016 B. Discussion and Potential Action Regarding a Resolution to Grant the Governor Authority to Exercise the Line-Item Veto a. Reso Line item veto COMMUNICATIONS A. Discussion and Potential Action Regarding a Communication from the Parks and Recreation Commission Concerning Additional Priorities in Ninigret Park a. EXCERPT OF DRAFT MINUTES - Additional List of Priorities b. 5-16-16 Parks and Rec minutes UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Discussion and Potential Action Regarding an Advisory from the Parks and Recreation Commission on the Award of the Ninigret Park Multi-Purpose Trail Bid to Cardi Corporation for an Amount Not to Exceed $266,927 a. EXCERPT OF DRAFT MINUTES - Advisory Regarding NP Multi Purpose Trail Bid b. Adv Op request from TC to PandR 5-9-16.pdf B. Discussion and Potential Action Regarding a Request from the Ninigret Park Trails Subcommittee for Comments and Feedback on the Hiking and Walking Trail Plan at Ninigret Park a. HEaves agenda item request feedback and comments on the NP hiking and walking trails b. NP Trail Sub letter c. NP Trail Specification Version B 2016_0502 C. Discussion and Potential Action Regarding an Advisory from the Parks and Recreation Commission on Investing $37,970 to Add the ZipKrooz Handicapped Playground Equipment to the Existing Playground Equipment in a Kid’s Place Playground in Ninigret Park to be Paid for from the $1 M Bond a. Zip Krooz Advisory b. EXCERPT OF DRAFT MINUTES - ZIP KROOZ ADVISORY c. Adv Op request from TC to P and R for ZipKrooz 5-9-16.pdf CONSENT AGENDA (No discussion or debate - entire consent agenda is voted up or down as a bloc). Motion to accept, approve and place on file the following as the consent agenda: “CA” A - “CA” M "CA" A. Town Council Minutes: 1. March 14 (Amended) a. 2016-3-14 AMENDED 2. April 6 (Agenda) a. 2016-4-6 3. April 11 (Regular) a. 2016-4-11 4. May 2 (Budget Public Hearing) a. 2016-5-2 5. May 4 (Agenda) a. 2016-5-4 6. May 9 (Executive and Regular) a. 2016-5-9 Exec b. 2016-5-9 "CA" B. Reports: 1. Building Official - May 2016 a. Bldg Official Report May 16 2. Police Chief - May 2016 a. Police Report 16 (May) 3. Public Works Director – May 2016 a. DPW Monthy Report May 16 b. CRCC MONTHLY REPORT 4. Town Clerk - May 2016 a. Clerk's Monthly Report May 16 5. Treasurer's Report - April 2016 a. April 16 6. Wastewater - April 2016 a. WASTEWATER MANAGER'S REPORT 5-10-16 APRIL 13-MAY 10 “CA” C. 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: Overall RI Flying Disc Championship a. Overall Flying Disc Championship - Application 2017 b. EXCERPT OF DRAFT MINUTES - Overall RI Flying Disc Championship - 2017 "CA" D. Reappointments to the Budget Commission: Arthur Haskins, Linda H. Philips and Daniel Slattery, Terms to Expire in June of 2019 a. Haskins reappt Budget 5-23-16 b. Philips reappt Budget 5-23-16 c. Slattery reappt Budget 6-2-16 "CA" E. Appointment of Dominic A. DellaVolpe to the Economic Improvement Commission, with a Letter of Recommendation from the Commission Chair, Term to Expire in September of 2016 a. Dellavolpe appl 5-6-16 b. DellaVolpe recommendation "CA" F. Appointment of the Legal Firm Whelan, Corrente, Kinder & Kiket LLP to Represent the Town in Connection with Labor and Employment Law Matters at an Hourly Rate of $250.00, from Budget Line Item 01.940.9450 (Miscellaneous Legal), 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 a. SKM_C654e16052615540 b. Whelan, Corrente, Kinder & Kiket FY16- "CA" G. Award of the Senior/Community Center Cleaning Bid to Mark Russo for $30 Per Day Regular Rate and $45 Per Diem Emergency Rate, as Budgeted in Line Item 01.800.6065, 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, or Any Action Relative Thereto a. Senior Community Center Cleaning bid recommendation b. Russo - Senior Ctr Cleaning - FY17 c. Sr Comm Ctr Cleaning bid "CA" H. Award of the Bituminous Overlay Bid to Cardi Corporation for an Amount Not to Exceed $75.75/Ton, with the Project Cost Not to Exceed $69,690.00, as Budgeted in Line Item 01.620.6160, 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 Other Action Relative Thereto a. BITUM AWD 16 b. Cardi Corp - Bituminous Overlay c. Bituminous Overlay bid "CA" I. Award of the Surplus Vehicle Bid to Bayridge Motors, Inc. for an Amount of $525.00 for the 2008 Chevrolet Impala (VIN: 2G1WS553781245441; Mileage: 98,000), Authorization to Sell the 2003 Chevrolet Impala as Scrap (VIN: 2G1WF55K039379200; Mileage: 127,000) 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 Other Action Relative Thereto a. Surplus Vehicles bid recommendation b. Surplus Vehicles bid complete "CA" J. Award of Roll-Off Hauling Bid (CRCC) to RPE Waste Services for an Amount Not to Exceed $175.00 Per Haul for Year One and $180.00 Per Haul for Year Two to Include Fiscal Year 2017 and 2018 (And Terminate No Later Than June 30, 2018), as Budgeted in Line Items 05.000.6055 and 05.000.6060, 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 a. HAULING AWARD 2016 b. Hauling Roll off container FY16 c. Roll Off Hauling Bid "CA" K. 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, or Any Action Relative Thereto a. MATS AND SERVICES AWD b. Materials and Services bid file "CA" L. Award of the Septic Pumping Bid to RPE Septic Services, for an Amount Not to Exceed $0.25 Cents Per Gallon, Per Specifications, to Include Fiscal Year 2017 (And Terminate No Later Than June 30, 2017), 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, or Any Action Relative Thereto a. SEPTIC PUMPING BID AWD 2016 b. Septic Pumping bid c. Septic Pumping - FY17 “CA” M. Approval of Homeowners to Place a 12” X 18” Yard Sign on Their Property that Has the Words: “No Fertilizer Used” and the Charlestown Recommended Landscaper Process Logo Below It. a. TG agenda item request - No Fertilizer Used sign b. No Fertilizer Used Yard Sign DRAFT ADJOURNMENT