For best print results, set margins to .75" top & bottom and .5" left & right
JUNE 2, 2008
The preceding meeting concerning 2008-2009 Budget was concluded at 6:59pm.
President Paul Roderiques called this meeting to order at
7:08pm. All Council members were
present. Editor’s Note: Time is quoted from the wall clock. The wall clock is three minutes slow. Why this clock remains three minutes slow is
a mystery since everybody appears to know that it is slow. During the preceding meeting President
Roderiques stated “wrap it up because it is 7:00 o’clock,” even though the wall
clock indicated that the time was 6:57pm!
The consent calendar was adopted unanimously without comment.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown welcomed and introduced the Naval Base Commander, Navy Solicitor, and Navy Security Chief. Administrator Brown then explained the current situation regarding law enforcement authority on Navy lands that cause a problem and confusion at times. For example, in a house on Navy land a sailor on one side of the house could be arrested by Navy security and prosecuted by the Federal government; but if the sailor was standing on the other side of the house, he must be arrested by Middletown police and prosecuted in the State of Rhode Island. Administrator Brown explained that a “rationalization of the legislative jurisdiction of federal lands” would alleviate the difficulties and a Council resolution has been prepared to accomplish this deed “at no cost to the Town.” The Council unanimously passed the resolution.
Zoning Ordinance Amendment for Kennel Adopted
On its second reading, the Council unanimously adopted a zoning ordinance amendment to allow the indoor boarding of animals in an animal hospital by special use in a General Business, Limited Business, Office Business and Light Industrial zoning districts. No resident chose to speak during the public hearing.
Zoning Ordinance – Two Family Dwellings
Although the Planning Board had recommended against changing the ordinance regarding two-family dwellings in an R-10 zone, the Council decided to order advertized for hearing an ordinance amendment that had been requested by some residents. The amendment, if passed, would require a special use permit to construct two-family dwellings in an R-10 or R20 zone rather no such requirement as the situation exists now.
Public Records Policy Update
Councilman Edward Silveira Jr. asked for an update regarding his resolution passed on 6/28/07 asking for an opinion from the Attorney General pertaining to the Town’s public records dissemination policy. Town Solicitor Francis Holbrook stated that he had discussions with the AG and Solicitor Holbrook has concluded that the Town Administrator “use his own discretion in disseminating the information.” Councilman Silveira was not satisfied and asked that the original resolution be sent to the AG for his comments. Editor’s Note: for background information on this issue see Middletown Newsletters 5/21/07 & 6/18/07.
Town Employees & Resident Veterans Recognition Process
Referencing an email communication of December 10, 2007 in which the Council had agreed to assign the War Memorial Committee the task to create a process (policy) to formally recognize our residents involved in the war efforts, Councilman Silveira was upset that no such policy has yet been established and asked for an update. Councilwoman M. Theresa Santos explained that the delay was a result of waiting for Ms. Nunes’ return from vacation and then her loss of her brother; however, the Committee is prepared to introduce ten names for recognition at the next Council meeting. Councilman Silveira stated that the “Council had asked for a policy which is much broader than ten names” and then suggested that the membership of the War Memorial Committee be increased from four to seven. Councilwoman Santos stated that the “four of us work well as a team and we get along very well.” President Roderiques and Councilman Silveira then had a short bitter dispute ending with President Roderiques stating that “the nonsense and bickering must stop.” Councilman Silveira then made his motion to increase the membership of the War Memorial Committee; however, since the motion did not receive a second, there was no vote taken.
No one requested to address the Council during the public forum session.
The Council adjourned at 7:48pm.
"The Impossible
Dream" is from the Man of La Mancha Soundtrack
(Original 1965 Broadway Cast) copyright ©1973 MCA Records, Inc.