Welcome to Burrillville, RI - 12-15-2004

WORKSHOP SESSION of the Town Council held Wednesday, December 15, 2004 at 6:10 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, Councilors Nancy F. Binns, Margaret L. Dudley, Ronald E. Faford and William E. Gonyea.

Michael C. Wood, Town Manager, reviewed the Town Council/Manager practice of reviewing and amending the Two-Year Goals & Objectives & Public Policy and the Legislative Agenda each two years following a general election. Mr. Wood suggested that the objective of the present workshop would be a preliminary discussion that would provide an opportunity to assess administrative and department progress, i.e. a discussion of “where we’ve been and where we are heading”.

Subsequent to the workshop, an executive session had been scheduled, he said, to review matters of litigation, land acquisition, land sales and other legal matters.

Michael C. Wood, Town Manager, planned a presentation by Thomas J. Kravitz, Director of Planning & Economic Development, to review the economic development and redevelopment programs since the Town Council has set the highest priority to these programs. Since economic development and redevelopment programs are complex, long-term efforts, Mr. Wood stressed the need for the Town Council to agree with the continuing effort or to provide direction for policy change.

Addressing the Legislative Agenda, Mr. Wood discussed proposals that are underway which would move forward if the Town Council remained interested in these efforts.

Councilor Jacqueline Zahn referred to a planning charette held in 1997, which included the Town Council, Administration and members of various boards and commissions. Councilor Zahn recalled that the planning charette was the basis for the first goals and objectives and suggested that another similar session should be scheduled in January 2005.

Michael C. Wood, Town Manager, provided a brief overview of the long-term progress and philosophy of the economic development and redevelopment programs. Mr. Wood introduced the many steps that the Town has taken through the years to control growth and preserve the physical characteristics of the community, including a Rural Residential Compound Ordinance, Cluster Zoning Concepts, amendments to the Comprehensive Plan, the Route 102 Study, zoning amendments and the Village Planned Development Overlay District.

Thomas J. Kravitz, Director of Planning & Economic Development, discussed the Comprehensive Plan, describing its purpose and the chronology of the document’s development. He discussed the development of the Land Use Chapter and the Affordable Housing Chapter. Mr. Kravitz referenced the Route 102 Study and the Wastewater Treatment Facility Plan, which are incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan by reference. Consequently, he said, these documents are consistent, sharing the same policies and vision relative to long-range planning for the Town. Mr. Kravitz discussed the philosophy behind recent zoning amendments, the challenges existing zoning presented to the rehabilitation plan for the village centers and the strategy of establishing industrial development along the Route 102 corridor.

Thomas J. Kravitz, Director of Planning & Economic Development briefly described the purpose and plans for developing the village centers. He described the village centers, the role of the Redevelopment Agency, and the Stillwater Mill Master Plan. Mr. Kravitz reviewed the downtown Pascoag redevelopment plan in some detail. Michael C. Wood, Town Manager, discussed the redevelopment areas established by the Redevelopment Agency and the Town Council and the process of implementing the plan.

Thomas J. Kravitz, Director of Planning & Economic Development reviewed changes in State law related to affordable housing and the subsequent amendments to the affordable housing chapter of the Comprehensive Plan which provides the Town with controlled, focused growth. Mr. Kravitz discussed the process of developing the local housing strategy, which entailed adopting a Village Planned Development Overlay Zone District and related zoning amendments. He reviewed details of the strategy, describing its benefits to the community. Michael C. Wood, Town Manager, discussed how redevelopment area projects allow the Town to meet affordable housing goals while utilizing existing infrastructure, controlling growth and providing for rehabilitation.

Michael C. Wood, Town Manager, reviewed ordinances that have been adopted or are being considered by the Town Council in support of the long-range goals and objectives, which included mixed-use buildings, in-law apartments, tax programs for residents, businesses and industry. In response to a question, Thomas J. Kravitz, Director of Planning & Economic Development and Michael C. Wood, Town Manager, elaborated on the purpose, advantages and impact of the Village Planned Development Overlay Zone District.

Michael C. Wood, Town Manager, summarized the discussion of economic development and redevelopment. Mr. Wood emphasized that economic development goals can only be achieved through a community-wide effort, which must include not only municipal officials but also residents, business owners, appointed advisory boards, quasi-municipal entities and the school system.

· Councilor Ronald E. Faford pointed out that local projects, such as the Centennial Street and Tarkiln bridges, have been accomplished quickly and efficiently. He contrasted these projects to State projects, such as the Mapleville Bridge. It was noted that the Mapleville Bridge was opened on December 15, 2004, with amenities to be completed in the Spring of 2005.

Colonel Bernard E. Gannon, Chief of Police, distributed a document that outlined the Burrillville Police Department’s goals and objectives. Colonel Gannon noted that the objectives are predicated on being proactive, addressing community needs and providing and increasing the services of the department. The objective of expanding community policing was reviewed.

Councilor Jacqueline Zahn noted that the Town had been informed that the grant application for a second resource officer had not been successful and asked the status of the application. Colonel Bernard E. Gannon, Chief of Police, indicated that the grant had neither been accepted nor denied and remained under consideration.

Councilor Jacqueline Zahn acknowledged the quality of reports submitted by the Police Department. She asked about the low activity of the Juvenile Hearing Board. There was a discussion of the referral process, the benefits of the board and the reasons why some eligible individuals chose not to utilize the board. Councilor Zahn encouraged the police department to continue to make referrals to the board.

Colonel Bernard E. Gannon, Chief of Police, indicated that, at a future council meeting he would have a report relative to RIGL §47-11-11, which requires cities and town to issue pistol permits. Colonel Gannon repeated his position that the appropriate manner of issuing pistol permits is through the Attorney General’s office.

Michael C. Wood, Town Manager, reviewed the provisions of RIGL §45-13-13, which has resulted in the reduction of State aid to the Town of Burrillville. Mr. Wood stressed the importance of engaging the legislative delegation to support the repeal of this statute.

Michael C. Wood, Town Manager, discussed the library bond referendum and the proposed Callahan School referendum, addressing the rationale for placing the library question on the November 2, 2004 ballot and deferral of the Callahan question until 2005.

Councilor Ronald E. Faford renewed his suggestion that the Town Council include regular, scheduled tours of the various school buildings. Walter J. Kane, Town Solicitor, suggested that these visits could be made prior to the adoption of the capital budget.

Councilor Nancy F. Binns recommended that the Town Council should be more proactive in communicating Council activities to the public. Michael C. Wood, Town Manager, suggested that Council meeting notes, which are prepared subsequent to each Council meeting, could be conveyed to the public via the media and/or Town website.

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)(2)] for review and discussion related to collective bargaining; [42-46-5 (a)(5)] for review, discussion and considerations related to the acquisition, sale and exchange of real property; and [42-46-5 (a)(2)] for review and discussions relating to litigation matters.

Motion by Councilor Jacqueline Zahn. Seconded by Councilor Ronald E. Faford. The motion was unanimous by the six members present. Voting in favor of the motion were Council President Wallace F. Lees, Councilors Jacqueline Zahn, Nancy F. Binns, Margaret L. Dudley, Ronald E. Faford and William E. Gonyea. Councilor William A. Andrews was excused.

Motion by Councilor Jacqueline Zahn. Seconded by Councilor William E. Gonyea. The motion was unanimous by the six members present. Voting in favor of the motion were Council President Wallace F. Lees, Councilors Jacqueline Zahn, Nancy F. Binns, Margaret L. Dudley, Ronald E. Faford and William E. Gonyea. Councilor William A. Andrews was excused.

Motion by Councilor William E. Gonyea. Seconded by Councilor Ronald E. Faford. The motion was unanimous by the six members present. Voting in favor of the motion were Council President Wallace F. Lees, Councilors Jacqueline Zahn, Nancy F. Binns, Margaret L. Dudley, Ronald E. Faford and William E. Gonyea. Councilor William A. Andrews was excused.