PORTSMOUTH TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

May 20, 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,

                                         Karen J. Gleason, Keith E. Hamilton, Jeffrey C. Plumb

                                         and James A. Seveney

                                   

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

A moment of silence for our men and women around the world in harm’s way and in memory of John O’Brien and Jack Callahan.

 

TOWN COUNCIL

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

1.        Town Budget

       (Including adoption of Provisional Budget) 

 

Mr. Canario said he had been contacted by Prudence Island residents concerned about closing the school.

 

Dr. Lusi said that the projected cost to keep the school open was $115,589.00.

 

Prudence Island residents Patricia Rossi, Jen Young, Robert Marshall, Matthew Rossi, Denise Allard, Kathryn Marshall, Elizabeth Volkmann, Alan Bearse, and Neal Stephen George Butler spoke on the safety concerns of having small children ride the ferry to school every day.

 

Dr. Lusi requested that when an agreement is reached on how the warrant items will be handled the specifics be reflected in the minutes.  She said the School Dept. retains the payment for the FY 09 warrants.  They did not agree to pay the FY 10.

 

A motion by Mr. Canario, seconded by Mr. Seveney, that the Town of Portsmouth take the

            $58,433.00 and put it back into Debt Service.  The motion failed 5-2 with Mr. McIntyre,          Ms. Gleason, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Little, and Mr. Plumb opposed.

 

A motion by Mr. Hamilton, seconded by Mr. Little, to provisionally approve the School

            Department budget at $35,746,286.00, a 2.9% increase over last year.  The motion failed

            5-2 with Mr. Canario, Ms. Gleason, Mr. Little, Mr. Plumb and Mr. Seveney opposed.

 

A meeting was scheduled for May 27th at 7:00 p.m. to continue School budget discussions.

 

TIME:  9:35 p.m. - Break

TIME:  9:48 p.m. - Return

TCM 5/20/09

Page 2

 

Mr. D’Andrea stated that his research indicates that in a town-owned beach you must provide a lifeguard there are safe regulations that are more specific as to the hours and days when a lifeguard has be present. 

 

Mr. Seveney requested that the Solicitor find a way to cease and desist, lawfully, running a lifeguard program on Sandy Point Beach.

 

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

 

ADJOURN

 

TIME: 10:00 p.m.

                                                _____________________________

Kathleen, Viera Beaudoin

Town Clerk