Council Roundup: Abatements Approved for Nature Conservancy; Fontaine’s Settlement Passed

Unless otherwise noted, all votes are unanimous.

At the request of the Nature Conservancy, the Narragansett Town Council approved a motion for $12,199.66 in tax abatements.

The purchase of about 42 acres in the Whale Rock area was . Narragansett Town Manager Grady Miller said that in the past, the council had been open to the idea of tax abatements for the organization.

“The Nature Conservancy had approached the council last spring about the purchase of property in the Whale Rock area,” Miller said. “As part of that purchase, they asked for tax relief, which the council granted.”

Kathleen Wainwright, speaking on behalf of the Nature Conservancy, said she echoed Miller’s comments.

“We are paying well over $6 million to protect this property that Narragansett Beach goers view,” she said. “Since the conservancy is protecting such an iconic piece of property for the town, with no town investment, it would be wonderful if the town could see fit to abate the taxes for the rest of the year.”

The motion passed with little debate.

Fontaine’s Severance Package Passed

With no debate, the council approved a severance package for former Parks and Recreation director Barry Fontaine, who was .

According to the terms of the package, Fontaine would receive about $28,000, equivalent to three months of salary. He, town employees and town officials would be prohibited from “making disparaging remarks about one another.”

Town Solicitor Mark McSally said that the severance package does not prevent Fontaine for applying for or receiving unemployment payments. He said that any decision on these benefits would have to be made by the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training.

After Fontaine was fired, he requested a hearing with the town’s Personnel Appeal Board. His hearing was scheduled for Aug. 31, but it was canceled because of Hurricane Irene. It had not been rescheduled as of Sept. 6, and will not take place because of the settlement agreement.

Narragansett – Future Home of a Boarding School?

A boarding school could be coming to Narragansett, although the process is in the elementary stages, according to town officials.

The council approved several motions to hold public hearings on the modification of the town’s zoning ordinances to allow boarding schools. The applicant is attorney Margaret Hogan, on behalf of the Middlebridge School.

According to the school’s website and Facebook page, it services students ages 13 to 19 that have trouble learning in traditional environments. It was established in 2008.

However, Narragansett Community Development Director Michael DeLuca said any approval was not imminent, and simply a request for a code change by the applicant to make a boarding school possible in town.

“There is nothing in the code now for boarding schools,” he said. “This particular applicant wants to established a boarding school in the town of Narragansett, and they are looking at a property.”

The change would allow boarding schools to appeal for a special use permit in R-80 zones – those in excess of 16 acres.

“Instead of looking to re-zone the property, they are asking that we add the category,” DeLuca said.

The council passed the motion, scheduling a public hearing for Nov. 21. It also asked for the proposed changes to be referred to the planning board for a recommendation.

Spending Approved for New Police Patrol Dog

The council approved a motion for $11,500 for a new K-9 patrol dog from Shallow Creek Kennels. The money, however, will come out of the police union’s fund, along with fundraising done by K-9 officer Matt Riley.

Councilors asked Police Chief Dean Hoxsie what would happen to the current patrol dog, Roki. According to the department’s website, Roki has been used in more than 1,000 searches in the past eight years and found more than 130 pounds of drugs and other contraband.

“He’s at his retirement age,” Hoxsie said. “He has a 401k, but there are some details that we need to work on.”

Jokes aside, Hoxsie said that following his retirement ceremony, Roki will live with Riley.

New Reverse 911 System

The council approved a motion to switch to a digital reverse 911 system at a cost of $9,445 for the first year.

“The first year is a little bit more expensive because of the initial buy-in,” Miller said. “If people have Caller ID, they’ll see Town of Narragansett coming through.”

Miller said the previous vendor was more expensive, and also failed the town during Hurricane Irene.

“With the new system, we’ll be able to notify the town in 15 minutes,” he said. “I think it’s a win-win for the town. It’s a better system … It’s the same system that South Kingstown used during the hurricane.”

Narragansett resident Carol Stuart criticized the town’s old system.

“I don’t want to point fingers, I’m just saying there is a responsibility to your constituents and yourself to make sure there is something working,” she said. “There must be a group of people or staff in the town that are responsible for emergency response … It’s on their shoulders to know whether the capabilities are there.”

Library Needs Study to Qualify for State Funds

The council approved a motion to spend $11,750 on a space needs study at the Maury Loontjens Memorial Library.

According to Miller and Laurie Kelly, the chairperson of the library’s Board of Trustees, a study is needed in order to receive any state funding.

“In order to apply and receive funding from the state for any enhanced construction, we have to use [state-approved] experts,” Miller said.

Kelly said that it is a step the town hasn’t taken in the past, and as a result, they have missed out on state funds.

“Narragansett has been the only town in the state that hasn’t applied for these funds,” she said. “We’ve chosen or failed to realize that we could get money back.”

Miller said that the expert would examine both the inside and outside of the library.

“Maybe you don’t have to go up, maybe you can reconfigure the library, or it can go out instead,” he said. “Parking has been something that has been brought up. There are all sorts of other options that are going on.”

In response to a question from a resident, Miller said there were not plans to build an entirely new library.

Town Joins State Emergency Contracts

In response to Hurricane Irene, Miller said that the state did a group bid and is now offering municipalities two emergency response contracts. The council opted to join both, with an outlay of up to $40,000.

Miller noted that because town crews had to work to remove storm debris, employees were a week and a half behind on usual maintenance.

“In the future, there will be a contract we can dovetail on,” Miller said.

The town would only have to pay for the service if they opted to use it, Miller added.

Other Business

In other business approved by the council with minimal or no discussion:

• The council approved $151.43 in motor vehicle and $13,355.69 in real estate abatements.
• The council approved a request from Verizon and National Grid to place a new joint pole on Daytona Avenue.
• The council approved a request from Marilyn and Jerry Fonzo, and KBS Building Systems, to move a modular home over the streets of Narragansett to 14 Major Arnold Road in the third week of September.
• The council approved a Class F-1 liquor license for the Local 1589 firefighters union for a fundraiser at the Dunes Club on Oct. 1.
• The council approved a motion from Back on Track to hold a fundraising 5k on Oct. 16. Back on Track is a non-profit town group raising funds for a new track at the high school.
• The council approved $9,970.60 in emergency repairs to the roof of the Parks and Recreation Maintenance Facility. According to town officials, a tree fell on the building during Hurricane Irene. Because of funds from the town’s insurance policy and FEMA, the total cost to the town will only be $625.
• The council approved $3,550 for three nozzles and four hydrant gate valves for the fire department.
• The council approved $3,574 for software upgrades for the Water and Wastewater Departments.
• The council approved $3,360 for a contract extension to Graphic Image, Inc. The company produces brochures for the Parks and Recreation Department.
• The council approved a motion to schedule the 30^th annual Narragansett Arts Festival at Veterans Memorial Park on June 22, 23 and 24, 2012.
• The council approved a motion from a BMW group to host a Show and Shine car show at Veterans Memorial Park on Oct. 23.
• The council approved a motion to accept a $90,712 modification to the 2010-11 fiscal year budget. According to town officials, it reflects a bill that insurance covered for an emergency replacement of the fuel depot canopy at the Public Works garage.