PORTSMOUTH TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

February 9, 2009

 

7:00 p.m. – Town Council Chambers, Town Hall, 2200 East Main Road

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:   Peter J. McIntyre, Hubert E. Little, Dennis M. Canario,

                                          Keith E. Hamilton, Jeffrey C. Plumb and James A. Seveney

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:     Karen Gleason  

 

LETTER OF COMMENDATION PRESENTATION:  Dustin Adler

 

President McIntyre read and presented the Letter of Commendation to Dustin Adler.

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

A moment of silence for our men and women around the world in harm’s way.

 

TOWN COUNCIL

CONSENT AGENDA 

 

 None

 

BOARD OF LICENSE COMMISSIONERS

 

HEARING:  Class B Liquor License: Scampi, Inc. d/b/a Scampi,

                        657 Park Avenue, Jessica Bannister, 64 Hemlock St.,

                        Arlington, MA, President, Benjamin Hochberg,

6 Leyland Court, Bristol, Vice President.

 

Robert Hochberg, Esq., representing Scampi, Inc., introduced himself to the Council.

 

As there was no one wishing to speak, President McIntyre closed the Public Hearing.

 

A motion by Mr. Hamilton, seconded by Mr. Little, to grant the Class B Liquor License to             Scampi, Inc. d/b/a Scampi, 657 Park Avenue.  All voted in favor of the motion.

 

VICTUALLER LICENSE

 

1.     Scampi, Inc. d/b/a Scampi, 657 Park Avenue – NEW

 

A motion by Mr. Seveney, seconded by Mr. Canario, to grant a Victualler License to Scampi,             Inc. d/b/a Scampi, 657 Park Avenue.  All voted in favor of the motion.

 

 

 

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NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF LIQUOR LICENSE APPLICATION

 

Oceanside Enterprises, LLC d/b/a Custom House Coffee             S.P.Patti

Clock Tower Square, 600 Clock Tower Square,

Mark Libby, President

 

A motion by Mr. Canario, seconded by Mr. Plumb, to accept and place on file.  All voted in

            favor of the motion.

 

A motion by Mr. Little, seconded by Mr. Seveney, to adjourn as a Board of License

            Commissioners.  All voted in favor of the motion.

 

ADJOURN

 

TOWN COUNCIL

 

PRESIDENT’S EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

 

President McIntyre thanked the Council members who made the trip to Quonset to see the wind tower being moved to a barge.

 

President McIntyre stated that according to Section 305 of the Town Charter, the Council can not interfere with any workers or contractors.  It is up to the Town Administrator to address any issues.

 

MINUTES – TCM 1/21/09, TCM 1/26/09 & Exec.

 

A motion by Mr. Little, seconded by Mr. Plumb, to accept the minutes as written.  All voted in             favor of the motion.

 

BILLS

 

A motion by Mr. Canario, seconded by Mr. Little, to pay all just and due bills in the amount of

            $59,153.20.  All voted in favor of the motion.

 

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

 

  • After the Tour of Coggeshall School he sent a letter to the School Department asking them for guidance on if they want any part of the School.
  • The Town has overspent the Snow Removal Account by $40,000.  DOT’s account is also overspent.
  • The State Supplemental Budget is still under review.  We have at issue $505,000.

 

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TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT - Continued

 

  • Two workshops to schedule:
      • with RI Marine Archeological Project (Fort Butts)
      • with RI DEM (Coyote Management Plan)
  • RI DOT has indicated that they will accept both Stringham Road and Burma Road.
  • There is a meeting on March 21st at Portsmouth Abbey (8:30-4:30) to discuss the Economy and Budget.
  • Does the Council want to have a Civic Support Night or should it be eliminated because of the budget.  (He will submit as an item on an agenda in March.)

 

In response to a question by Mr. Little, Mr. Driscoll said the Town has been in contact with RI DOT regarding potholes.

 

APPOINTMENTS AND RECOGNITIONS

 

1.  Council Liaisons:

 

Arts & Culture Committee (1) – Continued to when a full Council is present.

 

Economic Development Committee (2) – Mr. Plumb and Mr. Hamilton with Mr. Seveney

            as the Alternate.

 

Land Use Committee (1) –

 

Open Space Committee (1) – Mr. Little.

 

School Committee (1) – Mr. Hamilton (also as Council liaison for the Facilities

Committee.) 

 

            Aquidneck Island Planning Commission (1) – Mr. McIntyre.

 

President McIntyre said the Town Council will review all committees as to their purpose and necessity at a future meeting.

 

2.  Resignations

 

     a.  Portsmouth Economic Development Committee                       

 

A motion by Mr. Little, seconded by Mr. Plumb, to accept with regret the resignation of Chad

            Kritzas.  All voted in favor of the motion.

 

 

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     b.  Portsmouth Harbor Commission (2)                             

 

A motion by Mr. Little, seconded by Mr. Plumb, to receive with regret the resignations of John              Bariscillo and James A. Blaess.  All voted in favor of the motion.

 

3.  Request for Appointments, Advertised

 

            a. Economic Development Committee, 3 vacancies

 

A motion by Mr. Seveney, seconded by Mr. Little, to re-appoint John J. Palmieri and Robert J.

            Andrews.  All voted in favor of the motion.

 

A motion by Mr. Hamilton, seconded by Mr. Little, to appoint Ray Berberick.  All voted in favor    of the motion.

 

            b. Glen Manor House Authority, 6 vacancies 

 

A motion by Mr. Canario, seconded by Mr. Hamilton, to approve the re-appointment of Barbara

            Chase, Coleen Jackson Raposa, Priscilla J. Wimpress and Richard S. Wimpress.  All             voted in favor of the motion.

 

            c. Housing Authority, 2 vacancies (1 must be Quaker Manor resident)

 

A motion by Mr. Canario, seconded by Mr. Seveney, to appoint Frank J. Paiva, Jr. to the             Housing Authority as the Quaker Manor Resident Member.  All voted in favor of the             motion.

 

            d. Redevelopment Agency, 1 vacancy

 

A motion by Mr. Canario, seconded by Mr. Seveney, to approve the re-appointment of  

            Frederick W. Faerber, III.  All voted in favor of the motion.

 

            e. Solid Waste/Recycling Study Committee, 1 vacancy

 

A motion by Mr. Little, seconded by Mr. Hamilton, to appoint Paul E. Ross.  All voted in favor    of the motion.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

OB 1 - HEARING:  Proposed Amendment to the Dog Ordinance: “Such license shall be

                                    annually renewed on or before the 30th day of April each year … A                                                 late fee in the sum of twenty ($20.00) dollars shall be assessed against                                             each renewal application received after April 30 of any year.”

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OB 1 - HEARING:  Proposed Amendment to the Dog Ordinance - Continued

 

Mr. Driscoll said that the $5.00 late fee had become ineffective.  The $20.00 fee is in line with the communities in the area.

 

As there was no one wishing to speak, President McIntyre closed the Public Hearing.

 

A motion by Mr. Seveney, seconded by Mr. Plumb, to approve the Dog Ordinance as amended.         All voted in favor of the motion.

 

TOWN OF PORTSMOUTH, RI

ORDINANCE # 2009-02-09

 

That Ordinance # 92-2-25 B, an amendment to # 85-11-4, be amended by changing Section One thereof

to read:

 

Such license shall be annually renewed on or before the 30th day of April each year by proper application and payment of the requisite fees.  A late fee in the sum of Twenty ($20.00) Dollars shall be assessed against each renewal application received after April 30 of any year.

 

This amendment shall take effect upon passage.

 

                                                                                          APPROVED BY TOWN COUNCIL

                                                                                          ACTION ON FEBRUARY 9, 2009.

 

OB 2 - Appointment Recommendation: Aquidneck Island Re-Use Planning Authority

            (AIRPA)/Redevelopment Agency

 

A motion by Mr. Seveney, seconded by Mr. Little, to approve Guy Bottari as first alternate and             David MacBain as second alternate.  All voted in favor of the motion.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

NB 1 - Request for discussion and action:                                         

a.      Freeze on Discretionary Spending for Current Fiscal year

 

A motion by Mr. Plumb, seconded by Mr. Seveney, to put a freeze on discretionary spending for

            the current fiscal year.  All voted in favor of the motion.

 

b.     Reduction in Spending in FY 09-10 by All Town Departments

           

Mr. Driscoll asked that the 5% reduction be a goal for the overall budget (town wide instead of by each department).

 

 

 

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A motion by Mr. Plumb, seconded by Mr. Little, to request all town departments to set next

            year’s budget goal to reflect a reduction of 5% over Fiscal Year 08-09 and to direct the       Town Administrator to prepare two budgets with one showing the 5% reduction.  All             voted in favor of the motion.

 

NB 2 - Budget Request for the Arts & Culture Committee                 

 

A motion by Mr. Canario, seconded by Seveney, to but a budget line item in for $100.00.

 

A motion by Mr. Seveney, seconded by Mr. Little, to table.  The motion carried 5-1 with

            Mr. Canario opposed.

 

NB 3 - Request to Amend Resolution #2008-01-28: Exemption from Taxation of the Real Estate

            of Certain Income Eligible Senior Citizens

 

A motion by Mr. Seveney, seconded by Mr. Little, to approve.  All voted in favor of the motion.

 

TOWN OF PORTSMOUTH, RI

RESOLUTION # 2009-02-09

 

Exemption from Taxation of the Real Estate of

Certain Income Eligible Senior Citizens

 

                              IF YOUR INCOME IS:                                 YOUR EXEMPTION IS:

DEC. 08                                                                                                                Fiscal Year 09-10

 

CPI-U                                0 - $  8,277.                                                        85 % of Assessed Value

(.1%)

                                $ 8,278. - $ 10,317.                                                      75 % of Assessed Value

 

                              $ 10,318. - $ 12,357.                                                      65 % of Assessed Value

 

                           $ 12,358. - $ 14,397.                                                         55 % of Assessed Value

 

                              $ 14,398. - $ 16,437.                                                      45 % of Assessed Value

 

                              $ 16,438. - $ 18,478.                                                      35 % of Assessed Value

 

                              $ 18,479. - $ 20,517.                                                      25 % of Assessed Value

 

                              $ 20,518. - $ 22,558.                                                      15 % of Assessed Value

 

                              $ 22,559. - $ 24,599.                                                      10 % of Assessed Value

 

Ref.: Amends 2008-01-28

                                                                                          APPROVED BY TOWN COUNCIL

                                                                                          ACTION ON FEBRUARY 9, 2009.

                                                                                          _______________________________

                                                                                          Kathleen Viera Beaudoin, Town Clerk

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NB 4 - Tax Vouchers #20090209 01 - #20090209 02                                   

 

A motion by Mr. Seveney, seconded by Mr. Little, to approve Tax Vouchers #20090209 01 –

            #20090209 02.  All voted in favor of the motion.

 

CORRESPONDENCE

 

1.     Merritt Neighborhood Fund Grant Application/Aquidneck       E.S.Clement,Jr.

Land Trust

            2.   Notice of Tax Sale to be held June 23, 2009                                 D.E.Dolce

            3.   Sale of Surplus Vehicles and Equipment: Status                           D.P.Faucher

                  Report (informational)

            4.   Requests for Support for House Bill 2009-H5019 An Act            L.Phaneuf

      Making Appropriations for the support of the State for

      Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2009/Town of Burrillville

a. Request General Assembly Support of Articles 16, 17,

    18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 29, 40, 41, 42, 43, 46 and 47

                        b. Request General Assembly give due consideration

    to Articles 5, 7, 21, 31, 32, 44, 45 and 48

 

A motion by Mr. Little, seconded by Mr. Seveney, to receive and place on file.  All voted in             favor of the motion.

 

FUTURE MEETINGS

 

Feb. 23 – 6:30 p.m. – Town Council to meet with RI General Assembly Delegation                                                             (Budget)

–       7:00 p.m. – Town Council Meeting

–        

            Mar. 9 –  6:00 p.m. – Town Council to meet with Lower Glen Farm Committee

           and RI Marine Archeological Project

           –  7:00 p.m. – Town Council Meeting

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

            RIGL 42-46-5 (a) (2) Potential Litigation

 

A motion by Mr. Little, seconded by Mr. Seveney, to go into Executive Session under RIGL 42-       46-5 (a) (2) Potential Litigation.  All voted in favor of the motion.

 

TIME:  8:30 p.m.

 

TIME:  8:38 p.m.  – Return

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Page 8

 

A motion by Mr. Canario, seconded by Mr. Seveney, to adjourn.  All voted in favor of the

            motion.

 

ADJOURN

 

TIME: 8:40 p.m.

 

 

_________________________________

Kathleen Viera Beaudoin

Town Clerk