In accordance with notice to members of the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council, a virtual meeting was held on Tuesday, June 23, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. utilizing Zoom Meeting platform, and Council members participating remotely.

Members Present
Jennifer Cervenka, Chair
Raymond Coia, Vice Chair
Trish Reynolds
Joy Montanaro
Ron Gagnon, RIDEM
Mike Hudner
Don Gomez
Jerry Sahagian

Members Excused
Michelle Collie

Staff Present
Jeffrey Willis, Acting Executive Director
Danni Goulet, Marine Infrastructure Coordinator
Anthony DeSisto, CRMC Legal Counsel
Caitlin Chaffee, Coastal Policy Analyst, Meeting Moderator
Laura Dwyer, Public Education & Information Coordinator
Lisa Turner, Office Manager, Recording Secretary
Rebecca J. Forte Court Reporters, Stenographer

1. CALL TO ORDER

Chair Cervenka called the virtual Zoom meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and identified the participants of the meeting, Council Members, Staff Members and Applicants. Chair stated the meeting will be recorded.

2. Caitlin Chaffee, Meeting Moderator, briefed participants on the meeting housekeeping items.

3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

Chair Cervenka called for approval of minutes for the May 26, 2020 meeting:

• Motion: Mr. Hudner
• Second: Mr. Gomez

Roll Call vote:

Chair Cervenka Yes
Vice Chair Coia Yes
Mr. Hudner Yes
Mr. Sahagian Yes
Ms. Montanaro Yes
Mr. Gagnon Yes
Ms. Reynolds Yes
Mr. Gomez Yes

Motion carried to approve minutes of May 26, 2020 meeting.

4. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS:

None heard.

5. STAFF REPORTS:

Mr. Willis reported out:

Orsted – South Fork Windfarm – Stay Agreement extended as there is additional information needed for Fishermen’s Advisory Board

ACOE Resiliency Program along the south shore of Rhode Island; Project will begin this July with the Town of South Kingstown

Attorney General’s office and CRMC Staff working to open up ROW for more Public Access in RI.

Customer Service Survey -- asked by Governor’s Office to create a survey to be completed by applicants, consultants, and stakeholders. CRMC to have a draft ready in early July to submit to the Governor’s staff.

7. APPLICATIONS WHICH HAVE BEEN OUT-TO-NOTICE AND ARE BEFORE THE FULL COUNCIL FOR DECISION:

2019-11-079 TOWN OF BRISTOL -- Construct a new fuel facility consisting of a 12,000 gallon double walled tank on a concrete pad, fencing, protective bollards, underground lines and new floating dock and gangway. Located at plat 10, lot 13; State Street Dock, Bristol, RI.

Present for Applicant:
Greg Marsili, Bristol Harbor Master
Ryan McCoy Pare Engineering

In Support of application:
Steve Contente, Bristol Town Administrator

Mr. Goulet gave a brief overview of the application to the Council:

• For the record, the staff report in the council package is unsigned. It was sent out before I had chance to sign it but the version you have is the same as the signed copy.
• This project is a new Town owned and operated fuel dock located adjacent to the town wharf at the foot of State Street in Bristol.
• The proposed facility will include a 6’ by 24’ float supported by 5 timber piles along with a new gangway and platform.
• There will be a new above ground storage tank that feeds two new fuel pumps that will be installed on a new concrete pad.
• This facility will be located in Type 5 Commercial and recreational harbors.
• The applicant submitted responses required for Category B projects. It is the opinion of staff that the responses were complete and the project meets the requirements of the RICRMP.
• The application included the required Coastal Hazard Analysis Form. It is the staffs opinion that it was completed properly and that the facility has been designed to meet the loads of the potential flooding and in accordance with the Rhode Island State Building Code and ASCE-24.
• The project was put out to a 30 day public notice that ended on March 13, 2020. Only letters of support were received.
• The facility is open to the public from both the land and water.
• We will include two items in our stipulations along with the typical stipulations for this type of project.
  • The RI Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission (HPHC) will require fencing to meet their rules around the tank.
  • RIDEM will require an Above Ground Storage Tank registration.

Council questions:

Chair Cervenka inquired as to the location of the proposed fueling facility. Mr. Goulet stated that the facility will be located in the existing parking area.

Sworn in and identified for the record -- Greg Marsili, Bristol Harbormaster

Mr. Marsili explained to the Council that the tank will be located on a concrete pad in a grass area of the existing paved parking lot. Mr. Marsili explained that no parking spaces will be affected by this project. Mr. Marsili confirmed for Chair Cervenka that the project was in great demand by local boaters, transient boaters, local businesses and fishermen. Mr. Marsili stated that if approved, the fuel facility would be built before the end of this summer as they were the recipient of the “Big Sport” fishing grant this year to help with this project as well as a marina expansion project which will be submitted to CRMC for review soon.

Ms. Reynolds asked about the design of the fence. Mr. Goulet stated that the Town of Bristol will be required to have the fence materials and fence location approved by the RI Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission.

Mr. Hudner addressed the Council stating that the growth of pleasure boating in Bristol harbor over the past 19 years has been tremendous and that the mooring field is very full. Mr. Hudner stated that Bristol is akin to Newport but not as busy and that having a fueling station for boaters would be a great addition to the area. Mr. Hudner stated that he felt it was a great project and that he was impressed by how thoughtfully it had been conceived.

Chair Cervenka stated that the project was consistent with policies of Type 5 waters and that it was evident that it was a very good and appropriate project.

Chair Cervenka opened the meeting for comments:

Steve Contente, Bristol Town Administrator spoke stating commercial fishermen, business owners and residents are very much looking forward to this project and the Town is eager to do this in an environmentally friendly way and preserve the area the best they can.

With no further comments heard, Chair Cervenka closed the public comment section.

Motion:

Mr. Hudner motioned to approve with stipulations from staff report.

Mr. DeSisto clarified the motion to include the two additional required stipulations from RIHPHC and RIDEM.

Mr. Hudner amended his motion to include the two additional required stipulations as well as staff stipulations.

Mr. Sahagian seconded the motion.

Roll Call vote:

Vice Chair Coia Aye
Mr. Gomez Aye
Mr. Hudner Aye
Mr. Sahagian Aye
Ms. Montanaro Aye
Mr. Gagnon Aye
Ms. Reynolds Aye
Chair Cervenka Aye

Motion carried on a unanimous roll call vote.

 

9. ADJOURN

Motion: Mr. Hudner
Second: Vice Chair Coia

Meeting adjourned at: 6:35 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Lisa A. Turner
Recording Secretary

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