PORTSMOUTH TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

May 26, 2009

 

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

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Peter J. McIntyre, Dennis M. Canario, Keith E. Hamilton,

                                    Jeffrey C. Plumb and James A. Seveney

                                    Karen J. Gleason arrived at 7:45 p.m.

                                    Hubert E. Little arrived at 8:10 p.m.

 

6:30 p.m. – Town Council Chambers, Town Hall, 2200 East Main Road

 

 – Town Budget

 

#18.  MELVILLE CAMPGROUND

 

A motion by Mr. Hamilton, seconded by Mr. Seveney, to provisionally approve the budget at

            $247,653.00.  All voted in favor of the motion.

 

Mr. Faucher stated that the electrical inspector is entitled to file for unemployment for his reduced hours.  He requested the Council add $6,439.00 to the Miscellaneous Department budget for unemployment compensation and decrease the Building Inspection budget by $1,101.00 for overtime and $833.00 for Social Security/Medicare. 

 

Mr. Faucher also noted updated real estate tax values from the Tax Assessor/Collector.  The Real/Property Net Tax Base has increased to $3,633,889,135.00 or 1.304% over the prior year’s tax base.  He requested that the Provisional Budget the Council approves include the latest Tax Base figures from the Tax Assessor/Collector.

 

A motion by Mr. Hamilton, seconded by Mr. Seveney, to approve changes as presented by Mr.

            Faucher. All voted in favor of the motion. 

 

TIME:  6:58 p.m. - Break

 

TIME:  7:04 p.m. – Return

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

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

 

COMMENDATION PRESENTATION:  Betsy Hanson, Animal Control Officer

 

The Commendation Presentation was continued to the meeting of June 8th.

 

TOWN COUNCIL

 

TCM 5/26/09

Page 2

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

            1. Thank you from the family of Henry E. Williams, Boston Post Cane Recipient

            2. Request for Comment/RI Ethics Commission                         J.Gramitt

 

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

 

BOARD OF LICENSE COMMISSIONERS

 

F LIQUOR LICENSE

            1.  St. Philomena School, 324 Cory’s Lane, May 29, 2009

 

A motion by Mr. Canario, seconded by Mr. Seveney, to approve the F Liquor License for St.

            Philomena School, 324 Cory’s Lane, for May 29, 2009.  All voted in favor of the motion.

 

PEDDLER LICENSE

1.      JLJ Sales d/b/a Gob Shop, 465 Main St., Warren, RI, Lacrosse Tournament, June 7, 2009

 

A motion by Mr. Canario, seconded by Mr. Seveney, to approve the Peddler License for JLJ

            Sales d/b/a Gob Shop, 465 Main St., Warren, RI, Lacrosse Tournament, for June 7, 2009. 

            All voted in favor of the motion.

 

2.      Frajeelai, LLC, 807 Union St., Portsmouth Invitational Soccer Tournament,

June 20 and June 21, 2009

 

A motion by Mr. Canario, seconded by Mr. Seveney, to approve the Peddler License for

            Frajeelai, LLC, 807 Union St., Portsmouth Invitational Soccer Tournament, for June 20

            and June 21, 2009.  All voted in favor of the motion.

 

VICTUALLER LICENSE WITH FEE WAIVER REQUEST

1.      Portsmouth Portuguese American Citizens Club, 35 Power Street, St. Anthony’s Feast, July 16-20, 2009

 

A motion by Mr. Seveney, seconded by Mr. Canario, to approve with fee waiver the Victualler

License for Portsmouth Portuguese American Citizens Club, 35 Power Street, St. Anthony’s Feast, for July 16-20, 2009.  All voted in favor of the motion.

 

ENTERTAINMENT LICENSE WITH FEE WAIVER REQUEST

1.      Portsmouth Portuguese American Citizens Club, 35 Power Street,

St. Anthony’s Feast, July 16-20, 2009

 

TCM 5/26/09

Page 3

 

A motion by Mr. Seveney, seconded by Mr. Canario, to approve with fee waiver the

            Entertainment License for Portsmouth Portuguese American Citizens Club, 35 Power

            Street, St. Anthony’s Feast, for July 16-20, 2009.  All voted in favor of the motion.

 

GUN DEALER

1.      Dominic J. Calarco d/b/a Island Gun Shop Inc., 1678 East Main Road, #17

 

This item was continued to the meeting of June 8, 2009 by request of applicant.

 

HOLIDAY LICENSE

1.      Dominic J. Calarco d/b/a Island Gun Shop Inc., 1678 East Main Road, #17

 

This item was continued to the meeting of June 8, 2009 by request of applicant.

 

A motion by Mr. Hamilton, seconded by Mr. Plumb to adjourn as a Board of License

            Commissioners.  All voted in favor of the motion.

 

ADJOURN

 

TOWN COUNCIL

 

PRESIDENT’S EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – None.

 

MINUTES – TCM 5/4/09; TCM 5/11/09; TCM 5/13/09; and TCM 5/18/09

 

A motion by Mr. Seveney, seconded by Mr. Hamilton, to approve the minutes of TCM 5/4/09;

            TCM 5/11/09; TCM 5/13/09; and TCM 5/18/09 as written.  All voted in favor of the   motion with Mr. Canario abstaining from TCM 5/13 due to his absence.

 

BILLS

 

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

            $43,755.15.  All voted in favor of the motion.

 

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

 

  • Thanks to Eagle Scout Cadet Luke Marker for his Sandy Point Beach project – building and installing benches at both ends of boardwalk.
  • RIPTA grant received for 8 benches to be installed around Town at bus stops. – DOT will provide site approval.
  • 7 benches installed on Park Avenue – paid by grants.
  • Park N Ride well underway at Founder’s Grove

 

TCM 5/26/09

Page 4

 

APPOINTMENTS AND RECOGNITIONS

 

            1. Resignation, Prudence Island Planning Commission                F.Stevenson

 

A motion by Mr. Seveney, seconded by Mr. Canario, to accept with regret the resignation of

            Frederick Stevenson, Sr. and to send a letter of appreciation.  All voted in favor of the   motion.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

OB 1 - HEARING:  That Article III, Section B4 and the Zoning Map be amended to change

            Map 26, Lot 13 from a Heavy Industrial Zone to a Residential-40 Zone (fr. 5/11/09)

 

                        a. Comment/Business Development Director W. E. Clark

 

Attorney Mary Jo Carr represented the Town as Solicitor D’Andrea had a conflict of interest as an abutter.

 

Cort B. Chappell, Esq., representing Conlan RI Acquisitions, LLC. addressed the Council.

 

Richard Talipsky, 79 Cromwell Drive, Chairman of the Economic Development Committee, said that the Committee recommends approval of the re-zoning subject to the following conditions:

 

            1.  To allow the town flexibility in case of the development not materializing as planned,

                 a stipulation should be made that the zone change of Map 26 lot 13 from Heavy

                 Industry to Residential-40 be with the condition that the rezone be granted upon the

                 recording of a plan in substantial compliance with the plan submitted with conditions

                 as approved by the Portsmouth Zoning Board in their decision dated 4/14/09 and all

                 regulatory approvals obtained.

            2.  The developer should provide a plan for improved public access to the waterfront as

                 required by State regulations.

            3.  The developer should provide a plan for at least two low-to-moderate income

                 designated houses (a condition specified by the Zoning Board and recommended by

                 the Planning Board) to improve the town’s percentage of affordable housing. 

 

Mr. Chappell stated that the CRMC would determine public access.

 

Mil Kinsella, 74 Narragansett Boulevard, asked if this would fit in to the Growth Management Ordinance and if this would cause increases in public safety personnel.

 

Mr. Seveney said that the ordinance revolves around the number of building permits, and this only involves 40 homes.

 

TCM 5/26/09

Page 5

 

Mr. Talipsky stated that the employment figures listed one or two maintenance and security guards.

.

Rick Nascimento, 29 Baker Road, spoke about public access and about the area that used to be a sewerage treatment plant.

 

TIME:  7:45 p.m. - Ms. Gleason arrived.

 

Paul Lapointe, 296 West Shore Road, spoke of concerns that public access to the water would have people driving past empty houses, as many Baker Road owners are only part-time residents.

 

Claudette Weissinger, 24 Dove Street, Chairperson Conservation Commission, asked about the “Green area” on the plan and the clean up of the site.

 

President McIntyre closed the public hearing.

 

A motion by Mr. Canario, seconded by Mr. Hamilton, to approve the re-zoning request with

            conditions stipulated by the EDC. 

 

            1.  To allow the town flexibility in case of the development not materializing as planned,

                 a stipulation should be made that the zone change of Map 26 lot 13 from Heavy

                 Industry to Residential-40 be with the condition that the rezone be granted upon the

                 recording of a plan in substantial compliance with the plan submitted with conditions

                 as approved by the Portsmouth Zoning Board in their decision dated 4/14/09 and all

                 regulatory approvals obtained.

            2.  The developer should provide a plan for improved public access to the waterfront as

                 required by State regulations.

            3.  The developer should provide a plan for at least two low-to-moderate income

                 designated houses (a condition specified by the Zoning Board and recommended by

                 the Planning Board) to improve the town’s percentage of affordable housing. 

 

            All voted in favor of the motion.

 

TOWN OF PORTSMOUTH, RI

ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT

#2009-05-26

 

                An Ordinance in Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance adopted effective July 1, 1994:

 

                Be it ordained by the Town Council of the Town of Portsmouth as follows:

 

                Section 1: “the Zoning Ordinance of the Town of Portsmouth, as amended, effective July 1, 1994, and

                                     amended as  follows:

 

1.        That Article III, Section B 4 is hereby amended to remove Lot 13, on Map 26 from Heavy Industrial and this lot be added to Residential-40, subject to the following:

TCM 5/26/09

Page 6

 

a.               to allow the Town flexibility in case the development does not materialize as planned, a stipulation that the re-zoning be granted upon the recording of a plan in substantial compliance with the plan submitted with conditions approved by the Portsmouth Zoning Board of Review in their decision dated April 14, 2009 and all regulatory approvals be obtained;

b.               that the developer provide a plan for improved public access to the waterfront as required by State regulations;

c.               that the developer provide a plan for at least two low-to-moderate income designated houses (a condition specified by the Portsmouth Zoning Board of Review and recommended by the Portsmouth Planning Board) to improve the Town’s percentage of affordable housing.

 

2.        The boundaries of the Zoning Ordinance as shown on the Zoning Map entitled ‘Town of Portsmouth Official Zoning Map,’ dated December 1991, and filed with the Town Clerk, hereinafter called ‘Zoning Map’, are hereby amended, and said Zoning Map is hereby modified to provide that the following described area be designated as Residential-40:

 

Map 26, Lot 13 of the Portsmouth Tax Assessor’s Plats, as presently constituted.

 

                                                        APPROVED BY TOWN COUNCIL ACTION ON May 26, 2009

_______________________________

Kathleen Viera Beaudoin, Town Clerk

 

 

OB 2 - Letter to House Finance Committee in opposition to      2009-H 5983, Article 4/Secretary of

            State (fr. 5/11/09)

 

a. Cost Analysis/Canvassing Authority Registrar                       

 

A motion by Mr. Seveney, seconded by Mr. Canario, to have the Town Administrator send a

            letter supporting the Secretary of State Mollis’s opposition to H-5983.  All voted in favor          of the motion.

 

A motion by Mr. Canario, seconded by Mr. Seveney, to draft a resolution.  All voted in favor of

            the motion.

 

President McIntyre directed the Town Administrator to prepare a resolution that will be submitted to the Council at the next regular meeting. 

 

OB 3 -  Melville Ponds Cleaning and Repair Project                            

 

Ed Rizy, Chairman Melville Park Committee, requested funding for supplemental studies.

 

TIME:  8:10 p.m. – Mr. Little arrived.

 

A motion by Mr. Canario, seconded by Mr. Seveney, to not spend any more funds from this

            budget.  The motion carried 4-2 with Ms. Gleason and Mr. Hamilton opposed and Mr.

            Little abstaining as he arrived in the middle of the presentation.

 

TCM 5/26/09

Page 7

 

OB 4 - April Revenue and Expenditure Reports for FY 2008-09                     

 

No action.

           

OB 5 - Adopt Provisional Town Budget 2009-2010                            

 

This item tabled until May 27, 2009.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

NB 1 - Request Permission to Advertise Abandonment of Land between Plat 5, Lots 45 and 70

            & 71

           

A motion by Mr. Seveney, seconded by Mr. Canario, to advertise for hearing.  The motion

            carried 6-1 with Ms. Gleason opposed.

 

NB 2 - Solid Waste/Recycling Committee                                            

                        a. Request Permission to Produce a Recycling

    Promotion Film

                        b. Request Discussion on cost of operating both

    Transfer Stations (Prudence Island & Hedley Street)

 

Judi Staven, Chairperson Solid Waste and Recycling Study Committee, stated there would be no cost to the Town and they would be helped by NCTV. 

 

A motion by Mr. Canario, seconded by Mr. Seveney, to approve the request to produce a

            recycling promotion film.  All voted in favor of the motion.

 

NB 3 - Award of 1 Year Contract Extension for Transfer Station Gate Attendant Services Bid

            #P09-013

           

A motion by Mr. Little, seconded by Mr. Seveney, to award a one year contract extension to JFA

            Security which will run from July 1, 2009 until June 30, 2010 for $16.50 per hour.  The

            motion carried 6-0 with Mr. Canario abstaining due to a possible conflict of interest.

 

Funding is to be provided from the Transfer Station Enterprise Fund.

 

NB 4 - Tax Vouchers #20090526-01 - #20090526-06                      

 

A motion by Mr. Seveney, seconded by Mr. Little, to approve Tax Vouchers #20090526-01 –

            #20090526-06.  All voted in favor of the motion.         

 

 

TCM 5/26/09

Page 8

CORRESPONDENCE

 

            1.   Portsmouth Arts Guild Civic Grant Consideration                E.Broudy

            2.   Request Support of Resolution Re: US Supreme Court                    J.P.LaCroix

                  Opinion in Carcieri v. Salazar/Town of Charlestown

3.   Resolution Response: Governor’s Tax Policy Strategy Work-          G.S.Sasse

group’s Proposal to eliminate the use of the Enterprise Zone

Wage Tax Credit against RI personal income tax liability/RI

Dept. of Administration

4.   CRMC Notice to Change the Management Plans, Policies, G.J.Fugate

Procedures and Regulations/CRMC

 

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

 

FUTURE MEETINGS

 

            May 27 – 7:00 p.m. – Budget Meeting with School Committee

            June 8   – 7:00 p.m. – Town Council Meeting

            June 22 – 7:00 p.m. – Town Council Meeting

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

            RIGL 42-46-5 (a) (2) Potential Litigation                                              D.A.D’Andrea

            RIGL 42-46-5 (a) (2) DPW Negotiations, Collective Bargaining

 

A motion by Mr. Hamilton, seconded by Mr. Plumb, to go into Executive Session under RIGL

            42-46-5 (a) (2) Potential Litigation and RIGL 42-46-5 (a) (2) DPW Negotiations,        Collective Bargaining.  All voted in favor of the motion.

 

TIME:  8:38 p.m.

 

TIME:  9:33 p.m. – Return

 

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

            motion.

 

ADJOURN

 

TIME: 9:35 p.m.

                                                _____________________________

Kathleen Viera Beaudoin

Town Clerk