This newsletter is brought to you by the Burrillville town council to give you the latest news and information about what we're working on. During the hectic budget season, newsletter publication was set aside for a few months. We're happy to be back and, as always, welcome your feedback! Town council contact information is listed at the left. Or email the town clerk's office.
Council Meeting Schedule The town council voted to cancel the second meetings in July and August. In September, we return to our usual schedule. The town council's regular meetings are held on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month in town council chambers, 105 Harrisville Main St., Harrisville, unless an alternate location is set. Changes are posted in the town building, on the website, and are included in meeting agendas.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010 7:00 pm Regular Meeting Town Building 105 Harrisville Main St., Harrisville
Wednesday, September 22, 2010 7:00 pm Regular Meeting Town Building 105 Harrisville Main St., Harrisville
Public Hearings During the month of September, the Burrillville town council is scheduled to consider four amendments to town ordinances. Public hearings are held during the regular meetings. These meetings are scheduled for 7:00 pm in town council chambers.
Here are the dates - follow the links for text of the proposed ordinances.
At the meeting scheduled for September 8th, the town council will take public comment and may consider adoption of the following:
At the meeting scheduled for September 22th, the town council will take public comment and may consider adoption of the following:
Upcoming hearings In recent months, the charter review commission completed their report with suggestions for changes to the town charter. The town council adopted ten questions, to be included on the November 2, 2010 ballot. Follow this link to review the questions. The town council plans to schedule a public hearing to review and discuss these questions with the public at a date to be determined in October 2010.
Notes from the President ~ by Council President Nancy F. Binns
Several months back, the town council announced that their meetings held in council chambers would be recorded and made accessible to the public on the town's website.
To access a town council meeting on the internet: 2) Click on Burrillville Video Archives on the left margin. 3) Click on Agenda of the desired meeting to view agenda. 4) Click on an archived meeting by clicking on Video for the desired meeting.
The project is going well and we have received favorable comment. We do hear, from time to time, that people would like to view the videos but don't have internet access or don't like using a computer to watch the meetings. There are a couple of alternatives for these people.
Other ways to view!
Public Access Television Burrillville council meetings are aired on Public Access television. That's Channel 18 on Cox. Public access shows the most recent meeting, usually for two weeks. The current schedule is:
Friday @ 8:00 pm Tuesday @ 4:30 pm
Lending Library When a new meeting is delivered to public access, the last meeting is returned to the Town. Jesse M. Smith Memorial Library librarians archive the videos for easy access by the public. View videos at the library or borrow them to watch at home
using a DVD player.
We hope you enjoy these convenient methods of keeping informed about what's happening with your town council.
Spotlight on... The Burrillville town council is excited to announce the First Annual Winter Holiday Card Contest. In the initial year, we will be inviting residents who are age 62 or older to design holiday cards with the theme Winter Holidays at Town Hall. Participants are asked to share their inspiration, using our lovely town building as the focal point of an artistic design that can be reproduced as cards this holiday season.
In November, entrants and the general public will share an evening at the Jesse M. Smith Memorial Library, where submissions will be exhibited and judged.
Donations will be solicited for the cards created from the winning entries. Proceeds will be used to help a family in need.
Coming together to recognize our talented residents, enjoy one another’s company, and share our wealth ~ the meaning of community.
Details will be coming out soon. Follow this newsletter and watch the website for more information.
Talking Trash
Rhode Island has mandated a 35% recycling rate and 50% diversion rate for all municipalities by 2012. Quite a challenge! To help address the issue, the town council appointed a rubbish & recycling committee.
First of all, we want to thank to the committee for a great job. They’ve spent many hours studying the problem, presented an excellent report, and made some reasonable, practical recommendations.
No Bin / No Barrel
The committee's first recommendation is to implement a No Bin / No Barrel program and on July 14th the town council voted to adopted the recommended schedule.
What is it
With a No Bin / No Barrel program, people who do not put out a bin with recyclables will not have their rubbish collected. Residents must put out one recycling bin, with items in them, with their trash on collection day each week. Bins must remain out until trash is collected.
Purpose
It costs $32 per ton plus hauling fees to dispose of solid waste but there’s no cost of disposing of recyclables except the cost of the hauler. So, the purpose of a No Bin / No Barrel program is to produce less solid waste and recycle more. Of course it’s better for the environment and it saves money, too.
When
People have started discussing the No Bin / No Barrel program now, but it won’t be fully implemented for several months. In the meantime, we think it’s really important that everyone understands the program completely. Watch for information in the newspaper, the Bargain Buyer, on the website, at the town building, and in handouts at town events. Families can also expect flyers coming home from the schools.
Please review the information when it’s posted. Many communities have implemented No Bin / No Barrel. People in Burrillville have been doing a good job with recycling – and we’re confident that residents will embrace No Bin / No Barrel as they Strive for 35!
Legal Beagle ~ by Councilor Kevin D. Heitke
On June 13, 1999, the Burrillville town council adopted an ordinance creating a municipal court.
The new Court was given the authority to hear and determine: 1) Causes involving violation of offenses enumerated in the municipal court compact (typically those traditionally heard in the traffic tribunal); 2) Causes involving violation of any ordinance of the town, including minimum housing; 3) Any violation of the housing maintenance and occupancy code.
The municipal court was given the power to administer oaths, compel the attendance of witnesses, and to punish persons for contempt. The court, in addition to its equity power, has the right to impose a fine not in excess of $500, but each day's failure to comply with any provision of the minimum housing ordinance is considered a separate offense.
The municipal court judge is appointed by the town council for a period of two years.
Court costs assessed by the municipal court are $50 for misdemeanors and ordinance violations (excluding parking), and court costs for traffic violations (including parking) are $35.
The municipal court now holds its sessions in the new court room at the Burrillville police station at 1477 Victory Highway, Burrillville.
Subscribe to this newsletter To subscribe to the Burrillville town council newsletter, please visit burrillville.org and click on Subscribe to News. Follow the instructions for subscribing to public notices. When the newsletter is published, we’ll send it directly to your email box. You won’t have to visit the website, though it’s nice when you do. If you decide that you don’t want to get the newsletter automatically, you can always unsubscribe.
The Burrillville town council regularly meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 7:00 pm in the town council chambers in the town building. Contact the town clerk’s office for more information: townclerk@burrillville.org
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