New Shoreham Town Council Minutes
Town Hall, Old Town Road, Block Island
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
7:00 p.m.
Present: First Warden Kimberley H. Gaffett, Second Warden Raymond J. Torrey, Town Councilor Peter B. Baute, Town Councilor Kenneth C. Lacoste and Town Councilor Richard P. Martin. Also present were Town Manager Nancy O. Dodge, Finance Director Amy Land and Town Clerk Fiona Fitzpatrick, who took the minutes of the meeting.
First Warden Gaffett called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Warden’s Report: First Warden Gaffett reported the Army Corps of Engineers has put bids out for the east dock in Old Harbor, they plan to start work next fall. The Town is finishing reconstruction of the south and west docks. Ms. Gaffett also reported the Committee for the Great Salt Pond’s beach clean up is this Saturday morning with a cookout in the afternoon. The Medical Center’s “Swing into Spring” fundraiser will be May 15.
Public Input: Edith Blane spoke about the erosion of the Town’s Pole Harbor Beach property. The slope has eroded to the sidewalk at the corner of Dodge and Water Streets. She urged the Town Manager to ask CRMC for emergency permitting to fill the gulley. The Town Manager has been working with CRMC for permitting to add stabilizing fill to the eroding slope. Mrs. Blane also asked whether the Council is able to direct the Water and Sewer Commissions to meet somewhere other than the Library, where parking and acoustics are problematic. She noted Dorries Cove and Gracies Cove are worse off than before the Conservation Commission’s efforts to stabilize pedestrian rights of way. Conservation Commission has applied to CRMC for permission to perform the work. A request was made that all discussion or negotiation regarding the Cooneymus Road be held in public.
1. Act on RI DEM proposal re: deer hunting on State land i.e. Plat 12 Lot 13 a.k.a. Black Rock for the time period of January 14 - 29, 2012
Present for the discussion were Deer Task Force members Mary Sue Record and Chris Blane.
The issue had been discussed at the previous Council meeting but a consensus could not be reached. Ms. Gaffett explained the state’s proposal: state owned land at Plat 12, Lot 13 (Black Rock) would be open for hunting from January 14 through January 29, 2012. The sixteen day hunt will be split into four-day blocks. Six hunters, chosen by lottery, would be assigned to each four-day block. Each hunter will be allowed to take one antlerless deer and one of either sex.
Ms. Gaffett said the DEM has made assurances that two Environmental Police Officers will be on the Island every day of the hunt. DEM Fish & Wildlife Chief Cathy Sparks was not able to attend this meeting but provided written assurances in response to questions raised at the previous meeting:
· In response to concerns that the parcel not bounded by stone walls, making the lot lines difficult to determine in the field, Director Sparks wrote “EPO’s are knowledgeable of maps and boundaries and will be able to enforce based upon those. WE can use GIS capabilities to develop an interactive map that the EPO could have on the laptop in the field. Additionally, the department will print a large color map of the area for posting at the kiosk and will have maps with reference points available on line for hunters to print. “
· Asked for her thoughts on the lottery and hunter selection, Director Sparks wrote “We would require an application, postmarked by a certain date (August 15). All applicants are entered into the computer and selected by a random numbers generator. We will select (6) hunters to hunt in one of (4) four day time periods. Over the 16 day period, twenty-four hinters will be able to access this property. Hunters will be assigned at the sole discretion of DEM.”
· Asked about the availability of deer tags since they cannot be purchased on the weekend on Block Island, Director Sparks said “Deer tags can be purchased at any hunting license vendor on the mainland or by mail through DEM licensing. Every hunter selected will be notified of the requirements to purchase tags before arriving on Block Island.”
In discussion, the following was asserted:
· The parameters of any hunting on the Black Rock parcel is subject to Town approval because the Town holds a management easement over the property. If the town does not approve the hunting conditions, there will be no hunting.
· Allowing hunting one year does not obligate the town or state to allow hunting again.
· There will be no hunting until a management agreement is in place. The management agreement is being created.
Deer Task Force Chair Mary Sue Record related the DTF’s discussion regarding a Black Rock hunt. Members in favor thought the plan could finally reduce, rather than stabilize, the deer herd. They thought the proposal was modest. Other members opposed weekend hunting or had safety concerns or thought the lottery should be weighted toward Block Island hunters (familiar with the boundaries and local laws). All thought the bag limit was too low. DTF member Chris Blane spoke and said he voted to move the proposal to the Town Council but feels hunting the property for three weeks will just drive the deer away temporarily. He is opposed to weekend hunting. He said two Block Island hunters should always be included, and Block Island hunters should fill in for absentees.
Dr. Baute said scattering the deer will allow others to hunt them. Doug Michel said he was still opposed. He asked what the specific goals were for this proposal. Barbara MacMullan spoke against weekend hunting. She said there is not much for children to do, many take walks on the weekend. She is opposed to the bag limit. She asked whether the lottery was at the sole discretion of the DEM, or would there be an opportunity for hunters to be vetted locally. She noted at least one hunter has been banned. She also said the management agreement should be resolved before new uses are added. Mark Emmanuelle said the deer should be eradicated. Susie Weisman said the lottery should be weighted toward Block Island.
Ms. Record said the DEM’s stated goal is 15 – 20 deer per square mile (150 to 200 total). The problem is not being solved by sport hunting, a managed hunt is needed. There was a discussion of the number of deer on the Island.
Dr. Baute move moved that based on the Town’s easement rights, the Town will agree to deer hunting from January 9 to January 27, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, provided that there is no bag limit and that two of every six hunters in the lottery be Block Island residents, and that the countersignature of the Police Chief is required for all hunters, seconded by Ms. Gaffett.
Ayes: 5 (Gaffett, Torrey, Baute, Lacoste, Martin) Nays: 0
2. Receive and act on letter from the Block Island Housing Board
• request waiver of Town building permit fees
• update on Champlin Road house building project re: time line, construction and financing plan
Housing Board Chair Cindy Pappas was present. She reported that the Housing Board would like to begin house construction on the Jacke property at the end of June. The rough road, electric lines, bids on foundations, and house plans are finished.
She reported the board wants to realize the potential economy of cost and efficiency by building both houses together. The BIHB has $350,000 of bonding authority of which $100,000 is held in a Washington Trust Company note due this June. Ms. Pappas proposes floating the bond for another year and bonding the remaining $250,000. Debt will be paid off when the houses are sold in December or January. Discussion ensued. The eligibility process has not yet been started. Owners will be selected by lottery, the “affordability” covenants will be in effect for 99 years.
First Warden Gaffett moved, seconded by Mr. Torrey, that the Town Council supports a one-year extension of the Block Island Housing Board’s $100,000 bond held by the Washington Trust Company, and the Town Council will put on their May 18, 2011 agenda the Housing Board’s request to act on a resolution to borrow the $250,000 balance of their bonding authority.
Ayes: 5 (Gaffett, Torrey, Baute, Lacoste, Martin) Nays: 0
First Warden Gaffett moved to waive the Town building permit fees for the BI Housing Board’s development on the Jacke property, as has been done with other affordable housing projects on the Island. The motion was seconded by Mr. Martin.
Ayes: 5 (Gaffett, Torrey, Baute, Lacoste, Martin) Nays: 0
Ms. Pappas reported Bill Landry is preparing a brief regarding advertising and promotion of the homes to satisfy adherence to federal fair housing laws.
3. Act on Motor Vehicle for Hire recommendations
• act on license renewals
• act on MVFH waiting list
Ms. Gaffett moved, seconded by Mr. Torrey, to renew New Shoreham Taxi licenses for 2011-2012 for Martha Ball, Howard Ballard, Oscar Berlin, Victoria Carson, Judy Clark, Muriel Clark, Gloria Hall Daubert, Mary Donnelly, Marcel Dulac, Nat Gaffett, Richard Gann, Jon Grant, Geoffrey Hall, Deborah Hart, Monica Hull-Shea, Avery Kirby, Everett Littlefield, Vincent McAloon, Timothy McCabe, Edward McGovern, Rally Migliaccio, Florence Millikin, William Millikin, Frank Nicastro, Chris O’Neill, Cathy Payne, Henry Peterson, Maureen Quackenbush, James Rondinone, Abra Savoie, David Schaller, Sue Ann Shaw, Michael Shea and Champlin Starr. pending receipt of appropriate licensing fees, certificates of insurance naming the Town of New Shoreham as certificate holder, appropriate approvals by the NSPD and with the stipulation that drivers state rates to passengers prior to departure.
Ayes: 5 (Gaffett, Torrey, Baute, Lacoste, Martin) Nays: 0
Ms. Gaffett moved to renew New Shoreham Charter Bus licenses for 2011-2012 for William McCombe and Howard Rice pending receipt of appropriate licensing fees, certificate of insurance naming the Town of New Shoreham as certificate holder, and appropriate approvals by the New Shoreham Police Department. Motion seconded by Mr. Torrey.
Ayes: 5 (Gaffett, Torrey, Baute, Lacoste, Martin) Nays: 0
Ms. Gaffett moved to accept taxi waiting lists: #1 Mark Emmanuelle, #2 Fred Leeder, #3. Peter Monje, #4 James Murphy, #5 Don Thimble, #6 Fiona Fitzpatrick, # 7 Laurie McTeague, #8 Charles Douglas, #9 Lila Arnold, #10 Clifford McGinnes, Jr., # 11 Shirlyne J. Gobern, #12 Douglas Michel, # 13 Barbara Michel, #14 Richard Tretheway, #15 Patricia Tretheway, #16 Brian Neville, #17 Mark Helterline, #18 Celeste Helterline, #19 John H. Tripler, #20 Janet Ziegler, #21 Nancy Greenaway, #22 Virginia Milner, #23 David Milner, #24 Amelia Gallant, #25 John Cullen, #26 Miriam Leveille, #27 Patrick Evans, #28 David Brennan, #29 John D. Connell, #30 Thomas Durden, #31 Ann Hall, #32 Glen Hall, #33 Richard Mazzur, III, #34 Christopher Lischke, #35. Robert J. Rose, 36. Edith Blane, #37 Geoffrey Ernst and charter bus waiting list: 1. Henry Peterson and 2. Patrick Evans. The motion was seconded by Mr. Torrey.
Ayes: 5 (Gaffett, Torrey, Baute, Lacoste, Martin) Nays: 0
4. Act on Shellfish Commission recommendations re: shellfish closure dates
After a brief discussion, Ms. Gaffett moved to table consideration to the next meeting. Motion was seconded by Dr. Baute.
Ayes: 5 (Gaffett, Torrey, Baute, Lacoste, Martin) Nays: 0
5. Act on memo from the Electric Utilities Task Group re: scheduling a community forum on electric power alternatives
Barbara MacMullan was present for the EUTG. She explained the Group believes it would be beneficial for the community to hold a discussion with an outside facilitator moderating. The EUTG finds there is a lot of misunderstanding; they offer to provide a structure for a discussion of options which range from “do nothing” through scenarios with a cable or on-Island generation. Discussion ensued. The Island Energy Plan Group’s report will be finished soon. As a result of discussion at this meeting the EUTG will use their June 17 meeting to continue to plan for a community forum and return to the Town Council with more information.
Dr. Baute moved to table discussion and setting a date to the next meeting, seconded by Ms. Gaffett.
Ayes: 5 (Gaffett, Torrey, Baute, Lacoste, Martin) Nays: 0
6. Receive and act on requests for Town co-sponsorships of events at Frederick Benson Beach Pavilion
• Blues on the Block
• Conserfest
Dan Lewis was present for Conserfest, a music event staged in different venues including Town Beach. Proceeds will benefit conservation on Block Island. A letter was received from George Dodge requesting use of the Town Beach for the Blues on the Block concert series On July 6, July 20, August 3 and possibly August 17.
Mr. Martin moved to approve the requests and extend Town sponsorship to the events, seconded by Mr. Torrey.
Ayes: 5 (Gaffett, Torrey, Baute, Lacoste, Martin) Nays: 0
7. Boards, Committees and Commissions:
• receive and act on Robert Gilpin letter of resignation from Planning Board
• announce Board, Committee, Commission openings
Ms. Gaffett moved to accept Mr. Gilpin’s resignation from the Planning Board effective upon replacement and to send a letter of thanks for his service, seconded by Mr. Lacoste.
Ayes: 5 (Gaffett, Torrey, Baute, Lacoste, Martin) Nays: 0
First Warden Gaffett announced vacancies on the Library Board, Planning Board and Recreation Board.
8. Act on letter from TNS Board of Tax Assessors re: abatements to the property rolls
First Warden Gaffett moved to approve the tax abatements as recommended by the Tax Assessor
Tax abatements. Motion seconded by Mr. Martin.
Ayes: 5 (Gaffett, Torrey, Baute, Lacoste, Martin) Nays: 0
At 9:30, a motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Martin and seconded by Dr. Baute.
Ayes: 5 (Gaffett, Torrey, Baute, Lacoste, Martin) Nays: 0
Minutes Approved: October 19, 2011
Fiona Fitzpatrick,
Town Clerk