Welcome to Burrillville, RI - 09-22-2004 Regular Council Meeting

REGULAR MEETING of the Town Council held on Wednesday, September 22, 2004 at 7:23 o’clock P.M. in the Council Chamber, Town Building, 105 Harrisville Main Street, Harrisville, for and within the Town of Burrillville.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Council President Wallace F. Lees; Councilors William A. Andrews, Louis Bleiweis, Edward F. Bonczek, Ronald E. Faford and William E. Gonyea.

2. VOTED to accept the minutes of the meetings held September 8, 2004, the public hearing held September 8, 2004, the public hearing held August 25, 2004; the special meeting and workshop held August 11, 2004; and the question of dispensing with the reading of said minutes; be now taken up.

Motion by Councilor William E. Gonyea. Seconded by Councilor William A. Andrews. The vote was unanimous by the six members present. Voting in favor of the motion were Council President Wallace F. Lees and Councilors William A. Andrews, Louis Bleiweis, Edward F. Bonczek, William E. Gonyea and Ronald E. Faford. Councilor Jacqueline Zahn was excused.

Michael C. Wood, Town Manager, said that the Town had informed that there is notice to proceed on the Mowry Road park and relocation project. Mr. Wood described the project and mentioned the $1,000,000 state and Federal grants awarded for the project. He briefly described the process to be used to implement the project.

Councilor Edward F. Bonczek commented on the initiation of phase one of the The Community Builders project. Councilor Bonczek noted that the realization of long-term projects is uplifting and commended Town Manager Michael C. Wood, Town Planner Thomas J. Kravitz, and Town Solicitor Walter J. Kane.

04-269 VOTED to grant a Class F liquor license to Rev. Clifford J. Cabral d/b/a St. Joseph’s Church for an Apple Festival Dinner to be held at 183 Sayles Avenue, Pascoag on October 16, 2004.

Motion by Councilor William E. Gonyea. Seconded by Councilor Louis Bleiweis. The vote was unanimous by the six members present. Voting in favor of the motion were Council President Wallace F. Lees and Councilors William A. Andrews, Louis Bleiweis, Edward F. Bonczek, William E. Gonyea and Ronald E. Faford. Councilor Jacqueline Zahn was excused.

04-270 VOTED to grant a Sunday & Holiday License to Wolfgang Herb d/b/a Florist at the Crossing to apply at 1452 Broncos Highway, Harrisville.

Motion by Councilor Louis Bleiweis. Seconded by Councilor William E. Gonyea. The vote was unanimous by the six members present. Voting in favor of the motion were Council President Wallace F. Lees and Councilors William A. Andrews, Louis Bleiweis, Edward F. Bonczek, William E. Gonyea and Ronald E. Faford. Councilor Jacqueline Zahn was excused.

04-271 VOTED to grant a Class F liquor license to Nasonville Volunteer Fire Department for the Fall Chowder & Clam Cake fundraiser to apply at 2577 Victory Highway, Nasonville, RI (Assessor’s Map 114, Lot 32).

04-237 VOTED to receive and file the correspondence from RIPTA regarding the Town’s request for a public hearing on the proposed elimination of Bus Route #9.

Motion by Councilor William A. Andrews. Seconded by Councilor Ronald E. Faford. The vote was unanimous by the six members present. Voting in favor of the motion were Council President Wallace F. Lees and Councilors William A. Andrews, Louis Bleiweis, Edward F. Bonczek, William E. Gonyea and Ronald E. Faford. Councilor Jacqueline Zahn was excused.

04-272 Correspondence from Shirley M. Hodson, President, Burrillville Senior Citizens’ Association, regarding their request that the Town Council appoint a Senior Center Task Force.

Discussion: Council President Wallace F. Lees asked whether the request should be received and referred to the Screening Subcommittee. Walter J. Kane, Town Solicitor, pointed out that in the past all appointments and reappointments have been referred the Screening Subcommittee. Council President Lees explained that the Screening Subcommittee would interview the people who have been recommended and make a recommendation to the full Town Council.

Council President Lees asked Shirley M. Hodson, President of the Burrillville Senior Citizen’s Association, to review the Association’s plan. Ms. Hodson said that the people listed had agreed to work together to gather information and ideas to be presented.

Michael C. Wood, Town Manager, noted that senior issues and a senior center are priority items on the Town Council’s Goals & Objectives. Mr. Wood mentioned preliminary work done by Cheri R. Hall, Director of Parks & Recreation and discussed a survey conducted by Ms. Hodson. A copy of the report by Miss Hall, which incorporates the survey results, is on file with the record of the meeting. Mr. Wood said that the administration would work with a task force appointed by the Council. Ms. Hodson said she had been unaware that the Parks & Recreation Department was working on this project.

Further Discussion: Shirley M. Hodson, President of the Burrillville Senior Citizen’s Association, asked for clarification of the action. Council President Wallace F. Lees explained the Screening Subcommittee process.

04-273 VOTED to refer to the screening subcommittee the application from Matthew J. Misiaszek for reappointment to the housing authority.

04-275 VOTED to receive and open the correspondence from the Burrillville Sewer Commission requesting a joint workshop to discuss the sewer projects for the Eastern Villages, Contract 19A and 19B.

Discussion: Walter J. Kane, Town Solicitor, reviewed the fact that bids received for sewer projects for the Eastern Villages, Contract 19A and 19B were considerably over budget. The Commission has asked the engineer to try to reduce the size of the project. Before proceeding, the Commission has asked to meet with the Council for input and to explain what has been proposed.

Motion by Councilor William A. Andrews. Seconded by Councilor William E. Gonyea. The vote was unanimous by the six members present. Voting in favor of the motion were Council President Wallace F. Lees and Councilors William A. Andrews, Louis Bleiweis, Edward F. Bonczek, William E. Gonyea and Ronald E. Faford. Councilor Jacqueline Zahn was excused.

04-276 VOTED to receive and file the correspondence from Charles A. Horbert, Permitting Supervisor, D.E.M. regarding insignificant alteration permit – application #04-0242.

04-277 VOTED to receive and open the correspondence from Charlotte Gabrielson, Manager, Laidlaw Transit, regarding a school bus turnaround on the property of Gerald and Darlene Pomes on Donahue Road.

Discussion: Councilor William A. Andrews indicated that, generally, it is not costly to do this type of project when residents provide a right-of-way. Walter J. Kane, Town Solicitor, said that if the Town gets a survey showing specifically where the easement will be, drawing the easement is a simple matter. Mr. Kane indicated that he would need the dimensions. Mr. Kane suggested that public works could provide the information.

04-278 VOTED to grant the request for Executive Session from Town Manager Michael C. Wood pursuant to Rhode Island Open Meeting Law [42-46-5 (a)(5)] for discussions or considerations related to the acquisition, sale and exchange of real property and [§42-46-5 (a)(2)] for discussions pertaining to current and pending litigation.

Motion by Councilor Ronald E. Faford. Seconded by Councilor Louis Bleiweis. The vote was unanimous by the six members present. Voting in favor of the motion were Council President Wallace F. Lees and Councilors William A. Andrews, Louis Bleiweis, Edward F. Bonczek, William E. Gonyea and Ronald E. Faford. Councilor Jacqueline Zahn was excused.