Welcome to Burrillville, RI

REGULAR MEETING of the Town Council held on Wednesday, October 26, 2005 at 7:00 o’clock P.M. in the Town Council Chambers, Town Building, 105 Harrisville Main St., Harrisville, for and within the Town of Burrillville.

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

Michael C. Wood introduced a discussion of the serious storms during the preceding weeks. Mr. Wood discussed the progress made and the problems that continued to be addressed. Mr. Wood explained that there was a call center at the police station and that Waste Management had agreed to remove storm-related debris through the end of October.

Mr. Wood noted that the town departments and officials had done a commendable job in dealing with the situation. Mr. Wood particularly acknowledged the efforts of Lt. Kevin San Antonio and Director of Public Works Richard Bernardo who arrived early Friday, stayed on site throughout the weekend and coordinated activities.

Councilor William A. Andrews pointed out that when the charter was amended eliminating the residency requirement for Town employees, he had been concerned about emergency situations. Councilor Andrews noted with pleasure that all employees who were asked to come to work during the storm complied with the request.

Councilor Jacqueline Zahn commended Michael C. Wood, Town Manager, who returned from vacation due to the state of emergency. Resident Kevin Blais, Harrisville, mentioned storm photos posted to the Town website. Barbara A. VonVillas, Ph.D., Superintendent of Schools, commended the school department maintenance department, whose efforts ensured that the schools were able to open despite concerns with transportation and flooding.

05-332 VOTED to open the correspondence from Michael C. Wood, Town Manager, regarding recognition of the Lion’s Club and Roots ‘n Shoots for their efforts in the town beautification program.

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

Discussion: Michael C. Wood, Town Manager, discussed the Adopt-a-Spot program that was created to encourage beautification projects. Mr. Wood said that the Lion’s Club was among the first groups to participate and Roots ‘n Shoots was responsible for the most recent project, located at Mowry Road Park. Members of the Lion’s Club and the Espositos from Roots ‘n Shoots were thanked by the Town Council.

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, William A. Andrews, Nancy F. Binns, Ronald E. Faford and William E. Gonyea. Councilor Margaret L. Dudley 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, William A. Andrews, Nancy F. Binns, Ronald E. Faford and William E. Gonyea. Councilor Margaret L. Dudley was excused.

05-335 VOTED to receive and open the correspondence from David Brunetti, Chairman, Callahan School Building Committee, regarding Town Council review and consideration of the proposed Callahan renovation budget.

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

Discussion: David Brunetti, Chairman of the Callahan School Building Committee, indicated that the budget presented to the Council was a pre-bid estimate and that bids from contractors would be open in early November. Mr. Brunetti reviewed the projection, noted that several items had been added to the base bid from the original scope of work because the committee believes these items to be necessary. Additionally, several items had been added as well as several alternates to the base bids. Included in the additions and alternates were painting, replacement of ceiling tiles, roof repairs, restroom fixtures, etc. Mr. Brunetti indicated that the Committee would seek grant money for playground equipment and identified the expansion of the gymnasium as a deduct alternate.

Councilor Jacqueline Zahn asked about damage to the school as a result of the flooding in October 2005. Mr. Brunetti, indicated that the flooding would not affect the project; he and committee member Roger Robert discussed the aspects of the project that would alleviate the long-standing flooding problem.

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

05-336 VOTED to open the correspondence from Bernadette Schuster, Clerk to the Library Building Committee, regarding presentation of an update and status of the Library project; and correspondence from Michael C. Wood, Town Manager, related to the project.

Discussion: David Ketcham, Ph.D., Vice Chair of the Library Building Committee asked that Jay Litman, project architect, be allowed to provide an update to the project. Mr. Litman reported that the construction documents were half complete. He described the proposed building. Mr. Litman said that, because the library is the first part of the Stillwater Redevelopment, the project was taking an ambitious role in establishing the plan. Mr. Litman discussed the parking, the exterior materials proposed, changes proposed to lower costs, and described changes to the river wall and the river walk. Mr. Litman explained that much of the site work would be in response to the Stillwater Master Plan. The project, he said, was expected to go out to bid in December and ground broken in early March.

Council President Wallace F. Lees pointed out that the original design of the Burrillville High School resulted in heating issues and asked whether this project would encounter similar problems. Mr. Litman described the heating system, the differences between schools and libraries in design and use, better energy codes and improved materials that would prevent those problems. Councilor Zahn pointed out that corridors between buildings at the high school created the problem and that the library design is a single building.

Dr. Ketcham reported on the activities of the building committee: the design/development phase is complete and the construction documentation is underway. Value exercises related to cost reduction had been conducted which resulted in slight reconfiguration while complying with requirements and realized a savings of one half million dollars. Dr. Ketcham said that the committee considered and rejected a plan to move the library to a different location on the site. He said that much permitting is complete, the balance underway. Grant applications have been filed and the fundraising committee has begun their efforts. Dr. Ketcham addressed the complexity of building on an old industrial site and discussed the costs associated with site remediation and infrastructure.

Dr. Ketcham distributed a spreadsheet of estimates/reimbursements, emphasizing that reimbursement figures in particular are negotiable and noted that the contingencies are relatively high because of unknown issues on site. The projected cost, he said, was approximately seven and one half million dollars, of which 2.7 million would be reimbursable through OLIS. Additionally, there are about two million dollars in grants and two million dollars in loans associated with the project.

Dr. Ketcham indicated that a signed contract for the reimbursement arrangement with OLIS would be necessary before going out to bid; and funding for the project must be in place before the contract could be signed. There was discussion of the funding, reimbursement, grants, and so on.

Jay Litman, architect, described the site remediation and infrastructure in more detail. He explained how the site preparation results in higher costs. He pointed out that while the site and infrastructure costs are unusual for a library project, the location is excellent for a library and the reimbursements are higher than they would be for a more traditional library location.

Michael C. Wood, Town Manager, elaborated on OLIS funding, loans and grants and the complexities of the scheduling of the various sources. In the end, he said, is would be necessary for the Town to decide whether they would be willing to make a funding commitment, while anticipating reimbursement through the various sources. Councilor Zahn likened the funding situation to the renovation of Spring Lake Beach, when the Council committed funds for the entire project and ultimately much of the money was recouped through grants.

Bruce Rylah of Pascoag supported the library project. He said he originally supported the Stillwater location but wondered whether the Mill Pond was visible from the building. Mr. Litman said that the library was along the river and that the Pond was visible from the second level of the children’s library.

Mr. Rylah suggested that the arched roof over a portion of the building was not in keeping with the historic appearance of the Stillwater property. Mr. Litman explained that the intent was to create an assembly of buildings that recall the fabric of an industrial development rather than to replicate buildings. Mr. Rylah voiced concerns about energy conservation in the domed portion of the building, about the possibility that the parapet might result in ponding of water, and asked for clarification of costs. Dr. Ketcham reviewed the costs, reimbursements and anticipated grants.

Kevin Blais of Harrisville said that the library approved by the voters was twenty percent larger than the current proposal and suggested that costs had increased eighty percent. Mr. Blais recalled that a level III environmental had been complete and that environmental should not exceed $300,000.

Dr. Ketcham described the changes to the design, noting that the size of the library has not changed. Dr. Ketcham reviewed the open meeting process, the many discussions of costs, the need to complete remediation at the site whether for the library or another project, and reviewed the costs, reimbursements and anticipated grants.

Michael C. Wood, Town Manager, reviewed the process of developing the library proposal, site selection and the effort to raise grant money to complete the project as intended. Mr. Wood pointed out that site remediation and infrastructure would have to be addressed whether or not the library were to be built on the site. The fact that State reimbursement would be greater for a library project was discussed.

Walter J. Kane, Town Solicitor, explained that the site had been determined to be a blighted area and that the Town had established an agency to redevelop blighted areas. Mr. Kane said that it was understood that the redevelopment would involve substantial sums. Mr. Kane discussed why linking the library project to the Stillwater Master Plan is economically sound.

05-338 VOTED to approve a transfer of CIP funds from the 2004 CIP Wallum Lake Canoe Launch budget to the Route 102 Gateway project as requested by Stephen N. Rawson, Chairman, Burrillville Conservation Commission.

05-340 VOTED to open the correspondence from Michael C. Wood, Town Manager, regarding discussions and considerations related to assigning use of town-owned property at 111 Chapel Street, Harrisville.

Discussion: Michael C. Wood, Town Manager, explained that, at the Town Council’s direction, the ambulance building on Chapel St., Harrisville had been acquired. Mr. Wood said that the federal lien on the building was being addressed. Mr. Wood suggested that the Town Council consider the use of the building. Mr. Wood said that if the Town Council wanted to convey the building to another group, the process could be examined. Alternatively, the Town Council might prefer to allow a group or groups to use the building. Councilor Jacqueline Zahn raised the question of the Veteran’s group that had inquired about use of the building. Councilor William A. Andrews commented that the American Legion in Nasonville would be interested in using the building and would be willing to serve as custodians of the building while allowing other groups to use it. Councilor Andrews suggested that the ambulance building would be a suitable polling place for the precinct.

Motion by Councilor William A. Andrews. 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, William A. Andrews, Nancy F. Binns, Ronald E. Faford and William E. Gonyea. Councilor Margaret L. Dudley was excused.

05-341 VOTED to open the correspondence from Council President Wallace F. Lees regarding his request to schedule a workshop for considerations and discussions relative to covenants and requests for proposals for Commerce Park.

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

.05-343 VOTED to open the correspondence from Aram P. Jarret, Jr., regarding his request that the Town Council authorize an authorized signature granting an easement to Maplehill Mobile Home Park Association.

Discussion: Walter J. Kane, Town Solicitor, explained that the water line had crossed the Town road for many years. The Rural Redevelopment Agency has requested an easement from the Town to allow the water line to remain.

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, William A. Andrews, Nancy F. Binns, Ronald E. Faford and William E. Gonyea. Councilor Margaret L. Dudley was excused.

05-346 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 discussions relating to litigation matters and [42-46-5 (a)(5)] for discussion and considerations related to the acquisition, sale or exchange of real property.

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