Welcome to Burrillville, RI - 11-10-2004 Regular Council Meeting

REGULAR MEETING of the Town Council held on Wednesday, November 10, 2004 at 7:00 o’clock P.M. in the Council Chamber, Town Building, Harrisville, for and within the Town of Burrillville.

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

2. VOTED that the question of accepting the minutes of the regular meeting held October 27, 2004 be continued to the next regular meeting of the Town Council, at the request of the town clerk.

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

Kevin Blais of 1738 Tarkiln Road congratulated William E. Gonyea, Nancy F. Binns and Margaret L. Dudley on their successful Town Council races and thanked Mr. Gonyea, Mr. Bonczek and Mr. Bleiweis for their service over the past four years. Mr. Blais spoke of his write-in campaign for the Town Council, which he felt resulted in increased community involvement. Mr. Blais spoke of the need to give out more accurate information and called for a more descriptive agenda for Town Council meetings.

Dot Sliney asked when work on the Mapleville Bridge would be complete. John P. Mainville, Acting Town Manager, described set-backs to the project and indicated that the target date for completion was the first week of December, though he was not certain that the date remained reliable.

Councilor Louis Bleiweis reviewed his career in Town government, thanked his supporters on the Town Council, and the town administration, department heads and all municipal employees. Councilor Bleiweis spoke with pride of many accomplishments during his tenure on the Town Council, deploring those who had attacked his participation. Councilor Bleiweis extended his best wishes to the new Town Council.

Council President Wallace F. Lees commended the Town Clerk’s Office, the Board of Canvassers and the poll workers for running a smooth, trouble-free election.

04-314 VOTED to grant a victualing license Cub Scout Pack #188 to apply on November 20, 2004 and January 21, 2005 at St. Theresa’s Church Hall, 35 Dion Drive, Nasonville.

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

04-287 VOTED to receive and open the correspondence from Michael C. Wood, Town Manager, regarding the request from James Daniels, Site Manager, Clarkin Property Management Company, Agent for Maplehill Mobile Home Park for help in construction of a retaining wall on Cooper Hill Road.

Discussion: The recommendations of Richard A. Bernardo, Director of Public Works, were discussed, i.e., “DPW can assist the Maplehill Mobile Home Park with the lower wall construction on this project if Maplehill provides an engineered plan and all of the construction materials. However some of the construction, specifically the upper wall, is beyond our capacity and would require Maplehill to hire a contractor”. James Daniels, Site Manager, Clarkin Property Management Company, indicated that he had met with Mr. Bernardo and was aware of the limitations outlined by Mr. Bernardo. It was discussed that the project is scheduled for the spring, due to possible weather issues and Department of Public Works scheduling.

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

04-315 Consider and act on a motion to repeal the September 8, 2004 vote adopting amendments/update of the Comprehensive Plan; and a motion to adopt an ordinance adopting amendments/update of the Comprehensive Plan.

VOTED that the motion passed at the September 8, 2004 meeting of the Burrillville Town Council that read as follows: “to adopt amendment/update to the Burrillville Comprehensive Plan pursuant to the provisions of Title 45, Chapters 22.2 and 25.53 of the General Laws of Rhode Island” is hereby repealed.

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

VOTED that The Town Council of the Town of Burrillville hereby, after a duly advertised Public Hearing held on September 8, 2004, ordains as follows:

2. The Comprehensive Plan adopted shall become effective upon passage of this ordinance for all local matters, but shall not become effective for the purpose of guiding state agency actions until it is approved by the State of Rhode Island pursuant to the methods stated in Chapter 45-22 of the Rhode Island General Laws, or pursuant to any rules and regulations adopted pursuant to Chapter 45-22.

04-316 VOTED to receive and open for discussion a motion to award the bid for the skateboard park to New England Recreation Group in the amount of $46,431.

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

Discussion: Councilor Ronald E. Faford indicated that Harrisville Fire Chief Mark St. Pierre had requested that the bid not be awarded unless the motion indicated that the black top at the field must be extended. According to Councilor Faford, Chief St. Pierre was concerned that the life-flight could not use the area unless the black top was enlarged. Council President Wallace F. Lees indicated that this project was scheduled for the spring, allowing sufficient time for the proposed work. John P. Mainville, Acting Town Manager, indicated that an appropriate plan would be followed.

VOTED that the New England Recreation Group be awarded the contract to build a skateboard park in the amount of $46,431.00; and the building of the skateboard park is contingent on the area being extended so that the life-flight helicopter pad is done before the skateboard park is done.

04-317 VOTED to receive and open the correspondence from Richard A. Bernardo, P.E., Director of Public Works/ Town Engineer, regarding the Burrillville High School Athletic Field.

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

Discussion: John P. Mainville, Acting Town Manager, indicated that Richard A. Bernardo, Director of Public Works, had requested authorization to clear some of the property for the athletic field. There was no cost involved, according to Mr. Mainville, except labor. Mr. Mainville said the intent was to do site work, as time was available.

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

04-320 VOTED to accept with regret resignation of Brian Lanoie from the Planning Board, to send Mr. Lanoie a letter of thanks from the Town Council and to refer to the Screening Subcommittee.

04-322 VOTED to receive and file the correspondence from the Richmond Town Council requesting support of their resolution in support of the Open Space and Recreation Bond.

04-323 VOTED to receive and file the correspondence from the Rhode Island Department of Administration, Statewide Planning Program, regarding a schedule of public hearings related to the 2006-2008 TIP program.

04-324 VOTED to grant the request for Executive Session from Michael C. Wood, Town Manager, 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.

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

Motion by Councilor Ronald E. Faford. Seconded by Councilor William E Gonyea. The motion carried, six in favor, one opposed. Voting in favor of the motion were Council President Wallace F. Lees, Councilors Jacqueline Zahn, William A. Andrews, Louis Bleiweis, Ronald E. Faford and William E. Gonyea. Councilor Edward F. Bonczek voted in opposition.