Minutes of the Melville Park Committee Meeting, Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Meeting was opened at 6:00p.m. by E. Rizy, Chair. Present were Lisa Bryant, Karen Ptak, Thurston Gray, Glenn Williams, Joanne Emerson, Philip Botelho and Grace Kinnunen. Patrick Higgins arrived at 6:55. Jeffrey Richard and Karen Gleason, Council liaison, notified the chair they had other meetings. Gene Love was absent.
Guest: Donald Sly, chief of the Aquidneck Island Intertribal Indian Council (AIIIC)

REPORTS
  • Minutes from July Meeting submitted electronically by E. Rizy. Motion to accept as written by G. Williams, seconded by T. Gray, unanimous.
  • Finance: G. Kinnunen reported on balances from the 07/08 and 08/09 budgets. The 08/09 budget, with final expenses for the tool shed and contributions to the URI Cooperative Water Watch Program. The unexpended 07/08 account has about $9300, rolled over into 08/09. The ‘Yard Sale’ account, intended for support of public events, has $1629.81 from previous years. The Committee account, for supplies, has $100 for 08.09. J. Richard reported by e-mail that a ‘Part-Time Assistance’’ account from 06/07 has $9,028 to support labor on the park. E. Rizy was tasked to clarify the financial picture with David Faucher, Town Finance Director, prior to budgeting for 08/09.
  • Correspondence: E. Rizy summarized an e-mail from J. Richard covering Troop 22 project, a possible Cub Scout activity, 06/07 labor account, need for a budget, support for AIIIC, and his proposals for a Recreation Department and acquiring Tank Farms 1 and 2.
    • E. Rizy reported on a telecon from Karen Menezes, Open Space Committee, regarding the Tank Farms. Committee position was that most of the tank farms have other uses than recreation, concern for ‘brownfields’ potential problems,
    • E. Rizy reported that T. Gray and he met with Robert Gilstein, Town Planner, to discuss possible use of portions of the tank farms for Melville Park and Campground.

  • SCOUT PROJECT PROPOSAL: S. Schwemin, Troop 3 Newport, proposed to clear, sign and map up to 20 Lower pond fishing spots for his Eagle project. This would be at no cost to the town. After some explanation, T. Gray moved to accept, P. Botelho seconded, unanimous. Subsequently, K. Ptak recommended that the Scouts provide a firm date-to-complete, as we have had two projects with completion date not determined.
OLD BUSINESS
  • Pond Reclamation Project: The Town contract with Pare Corp. has been signed. Pare is anxious to meet with the committee soon. August 23 is a target date. Several Committee members volunteered to meet, as they are available, to get the project moving.
  • Park Rules (Sub-committee): two versions were presented, a long, detailed one and a brochure formal with photos. T. Gray moved that the long version be tabled and the Committee review the short version and return comments to K. Ptak before the next meeting. Motion seconded by G. Kinnunen, passed unanimously.
  • Trail Work: J. Emerson surveyed the trails, indicated they were passable, except for the Red Trail. Work would be needed soon. T. Gray reported on a possible extension of the Orange Trail to the farm foundations near West Main Road. He has located the house foundation in addition to the previously known barn base. He also located what appears to be a filled-in well and urged caution.
  • New Storage Facility: P. Higgins reported the vinyl siding and locksets are purchased and he will be installing shortly as his schedule permits.
  • Aquidneck Island Intertribal Indian Council Request and Ceremonies. The issue of a round-the-clock, four-day Vision Quest for one tribe member was discussed at length. Several questioned the use of Park grounds for a religious event, although it was pointed out that weddings and other religious activities have taken place on public property. Vote to approve was 2 for, 4 against, 2 undecided.
    • The Chair was tasked to write a letter to the Town Council asking for their direction on this issue.
  • Tank Farms: Meeting with R. Gilstein advised him that we see as useful (1) moving the fence along tank farm 1 southward to encompass the road and gate, allowing easy access to Lower Pond for DEM and others; (2) acquiring the parcel around Building 77 back to the existing fence; and (3) acquiring a strip of land on Sullivan Road across from existing camp sites and Building 104 for campground expansion. Mr. Gilstein mentioned a 100’ walkway through the lower property to permit tenant access to the Park; we did not see this as needed.
  • Budget for Next Year: deferred to next meeting. Should include cleaning and filing the Mott Farm ditch to stop road erosion, as P. Botelho has long requested.
  • Scout Project Status: Troop 22 picnic benches are incomplete, awaiting return of Scouts and NWC annual troop resurrection.
NEW BUSINESS
  • Yard Sale, set for Saturday, September 20, at the pavilion. K. Ptak will print posters, needs a contact point to handle table reservations. E. Rizy will contact Gene Love and A. Conti for assistance.
  • New Members: two new members were accepted by the Council, Joanne Emerson and Jimmy McRoy. They should be furnished with a copy of the Committee Bylaws at the next meeting.
  • Reappointments: members who have not yet applied for continuance were provided forms to be completed and given to the Town Clerk.
Motion to adjourn by P. Higgins, seconded T. Gray, approved. Time 7:30p.m.

Submitted 17 August by E. Rizy, Chair and acting Secretary

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