TOWN COUNCIL
JAMESTOWN, RHODE ISLAND
January 22, 1996
A regular meeting of the Jamestown Town Council was called to order at the
Town Hall, 93 Narragansett Avenue, at 7:40 PM by Council President Fred
Pease. The following members were present:
Paul A. Robertson, Vice-President
Richard A. Hines
Mark E. Liberati
Steven M. McInnis
Also present were:
Frances H. Shocket, Town Administrator
Theresa C. Donovan, CMC, Town Clerk
Steven J. Goslee, Public Works Director
Maryanne Crawford, Finance Director
Arthur J. Christman, Deputy Fire Chief
J. Christopher Powell, Conservation Commission Chair
James A. Donnelly, Esq., Town Solicitor
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Councilor McInnis, seconded by Councilor Robertson to approve
the consent agenda with the exception of item #2.
So voted.
Following clarification, motion by Councilor Hines, seconded by
Councilor McInnis to approve #2.
So voted. The consent agenda consisted of:
1) Adoption of Council minutes: 01/16/96
2) Bills and payroll
3) Copies of minutes of Boards and Committees
a) Library Board of Trustees (10/19/95 & 11/16/95)
b) Jamestown Housing Authority (12/13/95)
c) Harbor Management Commission (12/27/95)
d) Tax Assessment Board of Review (12/12/95)
4) Abatements/Addenda Report of Tax Assessor received 01/18/96
5) Letter from Newport County Youth Hockey Assn. re: budget request
EXECUTIVE SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
The Solicitor requested discussion of litigation; the Administrator
requested discussion of potential litigation and real estate; no objection
from Council; as scheduled on agenda.
OPEN FORUM
1) Scheduled Requests to Address: none
2) Non-Agenda Requests to Address
: none
REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMITTEES AND TOWN OFFICIALS
1) Town Administrator's Report (attached hereto)
2) Zoning Board of Review re: proposed change to the Zoning Board of
Review procedure relative to the use of alternate members
Council consensus: Solicitor is to review the appropriate enabling
legislation.
Motion by Councilor McInnis, seconded by Councilor Robertson that
Council President Pease send a letter to our legislators indicating that,
in addition to Council's previous request for legislation allowing a third
alternate Zoning Board member, Council requests legislation that will
establish a procedure that shall permit rotation of voting amongst those
three alternate members.
So voted.
Solicitor indicated he would advise the Zoning Board of Council's
action at its 01/23 meeting.
3) Library Board of Trustees (one vacancy)
a) Helen H. Smith (request for reappointment)
i) Letter of support from the Chair
Noting that one term will expire in January and another (William Bricker)
in February, motion by Councilor McInnis, seconded by Councilor Robertson
to advertise two vacancies. So voted.
4) Harbor Management Commission (four vacancies)
a) Requests for reappointment
i) Donald Armington (Dutch Harbor [west] riparian owner)
ii) Holly M. Turton (interested; but otherwise unaffiliated)
iii) Patricia Jutras (outside riparian owner)
iv) William S. Munger (East harbor riparian owner)
b) Letter of support from the Chair
c) Letters of interest
i) Richard H. Tyre (outside riparian owner)
ii) Bruce R. Brakenhoff (interested; but otherwise
unaffiliated)
Council consensus: Interview two new applicants on February 20, then
decide on term lengths when actual appointments are made on February 26.
5) Jamestown Housing Authority (1 vacancy)
a) Ernest Anthony, Jr. (request for reappointment)
i) Letter of support from the Vice-Chair
Motion by Councilor McInnis, seconded by Councilor Hines to reappoint
Ernest Anthony, Jr.
to the Housing Authority for a five year term, term ending December,
2000. So voted.
6) Beavertail State Park Advisory Committee (1 vacancy)
a) Letter of interest from Hugh A. Bucher
Motion by Councilor Robertson, seconded by Councilor McInnis to appoint
Hugh A. Bucher to the Advisory Committee for a three year term replacing
Pieter Hinkamp, term ending December, 1998. So voted.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
(none)
COMMUNICATIONS
1) Damage claims:
a) Gary G. Gardiner
b) Elizabeth E. Shanahan
Councilor Robertson: A policy for damage claims exists and these do not
appear to have followed it.
Council instructed the Administrator to check for police reports.
Motion by Councilor McInnis, seconded by Councilor Robertson to table
Mr. Gardiner's claim until the Administrator reports further. So voted.
Motion by Councilor Robertson, seconded by Councilor McInnis that Ms.
Shanahan's claim be handled at the discretion of the Administrator and
Public Works Director. So voted.
2) Letter from Sue Maden re: use of Town Seal
Motion by Councilor McInnis, seconded by Councilor Robertson to indicate
to Ms. Maden that the Town will consider her request, but needs further
information on the context on the proposed use of the seal. So voted.
NEW BUSINESS
1) 1996-1997 Budget Approval
Administrator: The proposed budget would require $8,919,013 from taxes not
including wage increases.
Councilor McInnis: It includes capital money toward a fire truck, and
the school using some of its surplus toward operating expenses.
Motion by Councilor McInnis, seconded by Councilor Liberati to
approve the 1996-97 budget of a total of $10,324,179.14 for both general
government and school department, with $8,919,013 being raised from taxes,
subject to review once union contract negotiations have been completed.
So voted.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion by Councilor McInnis, seconded by Councilor Robertson to enter
executive session at 8:15 PM.
So voted.
Council returned to regular session at 9:07 PM.
Motion by Councilor McInnis, seconded by Councilor Robertson to seal
the minutes of the executive session to the public. So voted.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Council, motion by Councilor
McInnis, seconded by Councilor Robertson to adjourn at 9:08 PM. So voted.
Attest:
Theresa C. Donovan, CMC
Town Clerk
cc: Town Council Members (5)
Town Administrator
Town Solicitor
Administrative Circulation