New Shoreham Town Council Meeting
Town Hall, Old Town Road
Monday, October 6, 2014
7:00 p.m.
Present: First Warden Kimberley H. Gaffett, Second Warden Kenneth C. Lacoste, Council members Gary A. Ryan, Christopher G. Warfel and F. Norris Pike. Also present were Town Manager Nancy Dodge and for the recording of minutes, Deputy Town Clerk Millicent McGinnes.
First Warden Gaffett called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Warden’s Report
First Warden Gaffett reported the following:
· Senator Sosnowski, Representative Walsh, US Senator Reed and US Representative Langevin will be on island Thursday meeting with constituents and the Democratic Town Committee.
· Representatives of the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources are meeting with the Town Council and Senator Sosnowski on Thursday at 1:30 at the Town Hall.
Public Input
From the audience the following people spoke expressing the following:
· Edie Blane – There are new large privet bushes planted on Town property at the corner of West Beach and Corn Neck Road (photos submitted). West Beach Road should be surveyed. There is a boulder that was placed along Beacon Hill Road near the Center Road entrance on Town property, with a plaque on it stating Field Stone House.
· Becky Ballard – The Deer Task Force have an area on the Town’s website with a list of hunters interested in hunting property on Block Island. She asked interested property owners to use the list, and contact hunters to have their property hunted.
· Chris Blane – Construction trailers on West Beach Road should be removed. There are paths and two fields mowed on the Breed Land. Town Manager Dodge responded that a CRMC assent allows management of the fields – mowing once per year.
1. Public Hearing re: Proposed amendment to TNS Revised Ordinances Chapter 11 Article IV Section 11-71 (to allow waterfowl hunting on Plat 1 Lot 16 within the Sachem Pond Wildlife Refuge)
Ms. Gaffett stated that the Town has received letters (attached) from the following people writing in opposition to amending the Town ordinance to allow waterfowl hunting on Plat 1, Lot 16:
· TNS Conservation Commission – Unfavorable advisory
· Block Island Land Trust
· Vicky and John Duff
· Tony Goldwyn and Jane Musky
· Audubon Society of Rhode Island
· David Lewis – Later in the hearing, by request, this item was read into the record.
· Susan and Ray Torrey
Ms. Gaffett noted that a letter was received from Bill Huggins (attached) in support of changing the ordinance.
The following people from the audience spoke against the ordinance change: Jacob Schmitt, Judy Gray, Dr. John Willis, Maggie Komosinski, Michael Ballard, Sven Risom, Barbara MacMullan as representative of the Block Island Land Trust and as an individual, Barry Saxe and Molly Fitzpatrick. The following sentiments were expressed:
· The property is an effective wildlife refuge and should be maintained
· There is no compelling reason to retract the previous ordinance and proclamation
· It sets a bad precedent to break a previous proclamation
· The refuge was created as a partnership between the Town and property owners and the Town should not break a covenant with the owners
· The Town has a history of preservation; don’t backstep on preservationist policies
· There is no need to reduce the waterfowl population
· Supportive of hunting, but not opening the refuge
· The Canada geese population may need reduction, but opening Sachem Pond will not effectuate such
· This is not an issue of hunting vs. birding
From the audience, Chris Blane spoke in support of amending the ordinance. He stated the resident population of Canada geese has contributed to the degradation of the water quality of Sachem Pond and the area is good for hunting because it is away from development. First Warden Gaffett responded noting that the ocean breach is a major contributor to poor water quality in Sachem Pond and noted the geese are a regional problem and not isolated to the refuge.
From the audience, the following people spoke in favor of the amendment, stating:
· Edie Blane - many ponds are restricted from hunting by conservancy and it is hindering a Block Island cultural experience
· Peter Gempp – hunting is being squeezed out by development and conservation
John Littlefield, Bobbie Rose, and Verna Littlefield also spoke on related matters.
Ken Lacoste stated that though opening the refuge is not the appropriate choice, the Town and Town organizations should do due diligence to open land and keep lands open for hunting in the future. Chris Warfel urged Chris Blane to talk to the Block Island Land Trust Chair Barbara MacMullan and Conservation groups.
Mr. Pike moved to close the public hearing and Mr. Lacoste seconded the motion.
Ayes: 5 (Gaffett, Lacoste, Pike, Ryan, Warfel) Nays: 0
Mr. Pike moved to not revise the amendment Chapter 11 Article IV Section 11-71 and to not allow waterfowl hunting on Plat 1 Lot 16 within the Sachem Pond Wildlife Refuge. Ms. Gaffett seconded the motion and it carried.
Ayes: 5 (Gaffett, Lacoste, Pike, Ryan, Warfel) Nays: 0
2. Board of License Commissioners: Receive and act on request from Susan Bush re: F1 liquor license for BIHS fund raising event
Susan Bush was present representing Block Island Health Services (BIHS). It was noted that BIHS is requesting a Class F1 liquor license to allow them to serve beer and wine at their fundraising event October 12, 2014 from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the Empire Theatre.
Ms. Gaffett moved to approve the request and grant the F1 license to BIHS for their 10/12/14 event from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. and to waive the fee. The motion was seconded by Mr. Warfel and carried.
Ayes: 5 (Gaffett, Lacoste, Pike, Ryan, Warfel) Nays: 0
3. Receive and discuss Large Capital Asset Strategy Committee update
Sven Risom was present representing the Large Capital Asset Strategy Committee and gave a presentation highlighting the following:
· The committee is working on a 10 to 15 year strategy for the Town properties/buildings
· They have compiled a list of assets and are working on needs and solutions
· They have held one public meeting and plan to hold two more
· Needs raised by the public so far: New harbor facilities, improved beach pavilion, bike paths, improved internet, attainable housing, public bathrooms and drinking water, community center, exercise center
· They will meet with the Town Manager for funding/spending consultations
Mr. Risom noted that the Committee will present again in November or December.
4. Act on setting public hearing date for proposed TNS zoning amendment re: inoperable/unregistered/junk vehicles
Ms. Gaffett moved to set a public hearing date of November 3, 2014 for the TNS Zoning amendment regarding inoperable, unregistered, junk vehicles. The motion was seconded by Mr. Pike and carried.
Ayes: 5 (Gaffett, Lacoste, Pike, Ryan, Warfel) Nays: 0
5. Act on setting public hearing date for proposed TNS General Ordinance amendment re: hawkers and peddlers license for multiple locations
Ms. Gaffett moved to set a public hearing date of November 3, 2014 for the TNS General Ordinance amendment regarding hawkers and peddlers license for multiple locations. The motion was seconded by Mr. Pike and carried.
Ayes: 5 (Gaffett, Lacoste, Pike, Ryan, Warfel) Nays: 0
6. Act on Shoreline Access Working Group membership appointments and announce openings
Ms. Gaffett moved to appoint Doug Michel to the Shoreline Access Working Group. Mr. Pike seconded and the motion carried.
Ayes: 5 (Gaffett, Lacoste, Pike, Ryan, Warfel) Nays: 0
7. Correspondence: Rebecca’s Seafood Restaurant re: food trucks; Cliff Payne, Edward J Hanrahan, and Douglas Buchanan re: Article 4 – Section 409 (restaurants in the mixed use zone)
Kathy Szabo of Rebecca’s Seafood Restaurant was present and spoke about food trucks.
The correspondence was noted received and filed. The correspondence regarding Article 4, Section 409 was sent on to the Planning Board.
8. Act on recommendation of the Town Clerk to extend the time period for the filing of October 1, 2014 minutes per RIGL 42-46-7. Minutes (b)
First Warden Gaffett noted that there was no need for action on this item, as the October 1, 2014 minutes are completed.
From the audience, Rosemarie Ives spoke at length regarding availability of minutes. She suggested that draft minutes be made publically available and on Clerkbase as soon as they completed. Mr. Warfel concurred.
9. Minutes: September 17, 2014 open and closed; October 1, 2014
Ms. Gaffett moved to approve the minutes of September 17, 2014. Mr. Pike seconded and the motion carried.
Ayes: 5 (Gaffett, Lacoste, Pike, Ryan, Warfel) Nays: 0
Ms. Gaffett moved to approve the closed session minutes of September 17, 2014. Mr. Pike seconded and the motion carried.
Ayes: 5 (Gaffett, Lacoste, Pike, Ryan, Warfel) Nays: 0
Ms. Gaffett moved to approve the minutes of October 1, 2014 with changes. Mr. Pike seconded the motion.
Following discussion, the minutes of October 1, 2014 were tabled to the October 15, 2014 meeting.
With no further business to discuss, Mr. Pike made a motion to adjourn at 8:45 p.m. The motion was seconded by Mr. Warfel and carried unanimously.
Millicent McGinnes, MMC
Deputy Town Clerk
Approved: