06/27/09 - The pesky issue of a recently adopted rule that banned pesticides on town-maintained land refused to die Monday. In a 3-1 vote, with First Warden Kim Gaffett opposed, the council kept open the door to revisit the decision later.

Baute, who abstained from the original vote approving the ban, said he wanted more time to research the supposed dangers of certain pesticides. Gaffett, a staunch supporter of the ban, said the council had sufficiently debated the topic.

“I just don’t see the need to reconsider it,” she said to no avail.

The ban has been supported by the town Conservation Commission, but opposed by the recreation department and some local gardeners.

Seawinds

The council appointed Gaffett to serve on the committee that will select the owner of an affordable house renovated as part of the Seawinds project. The committee established by the Block Island Economic Development Corporation will ensure that candidates for the three-bedroom home meet the income and residency requirements. If multiple people meet the requirements, BIED plans to use a lottery to select the homeowner.

Dodge also utilized the appointment to clarify incorrect remarks made at a Housing Board meeting and reprinted in the Block Island Times. She said comments by former board members that the affordable unit was supposed to be a new building were incorrect. And statements that project developer Frank DiBiase set the $250,000 price tag for the affordable house were also mistaken. The price was set based on a formula and negotiations with town officials.

BIED selection committee co-Chair Monica Hull-Shea said the formula allowed a price as high as $330,000, but DiBiase agreed to lower it after talks with the town.

Still, former Housing Board member Mark Emmanuelle said the $250,000 price was too high.

“I realize this council has been left to change a very dirty diaper but is there any way to lower that price?” he asked.

Dodge told him no, because of a consent agreement reached between the town and Seawinds that allowed the condominiums on High Street to move forward.

Wind turbine regulations

The board agreed to postpone a hearing on an ordinance that would create a public utility zone for wind turbines. The Planning Board asked the council to hold off discussing the draft ordinance until it has more time to mount a public education campaign. The board envisions the ordinance allowing the installation of a wind turbine at the Transfer Station. The council scheduled a vote on the ordinance for October 5.

Other business

• The council agreed to urge the General Assembly not to pass legislation that would keep existing school union contracts in place if they expire and the School Committee and union are unable to reach a new agreement. Councilors worried that such a law would eliminate any incentive for the side pleased with the current contract to approach the bargaining table. The legislation — co-sponsored by island Sen. Susan Sosnowski — cleared the Senate but faces an uncertain future in the House.

• The council learned the town received a $5,000 state grant to purchase a microfilm reader and printer for the town clerk’s office.

• The council accepted the resignation of Ann Cunningham from the Sewer and Water commissions for health reasons. It is now accepting letters of interest for the position.

• The council agreed to sponsor the fire department’s annual Fourth of July Steak Fry, and waived town fees normally associated with such an event.