Above: Officer Scott Sullivan, here posing last year with toys donated for the local gift drive he leads, starts his new job as school resource officer on Aug. 19.
PORTSMOUTH — Police Officer Scott Sullivan has been selected to be Portsmouth’s school resource officer and will begin his new position on Aug. 19, according to Town Administrator Richard Rainer.
Officer “Sully” is well-known in town for his efforts in leading the Police Department’s annual gift drive.
The position, which the police chief and school superintendent said was sorely needed, was established earlier this year. The Town Council and the School Department have each contributed $35,000 toward the position’s salary, with the Portsmouth Prevention Coalition, police and fire unions, Portsmouth Business Association and other organizations kicking in about $10,000 more.
Transfer station work
The eyesore that is the transfer station building on Hedly Street should finally be getting a facelift next month.
Mr. Rainer told the council Tuesday night said the date to start work on the building has been moved to Sept. 14 so as not to impact operating hours around the Labor Day holiday.
He said the job should take about four weeks and will necessitate closing the transfer station three days a week to accommodate the repair work.
The station will be closed Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays starting Sept. 14. It will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Thursday to Sunday, Mr. Rainer said.
Dave Kehew, director of the town’s Department of Public Works, has previously said the town will replace the roof, one of the trusses, put up inside netting to keep birds out and increase the energy efficiency of the interior lighting.
Recycling test project
The council took no action on a proposal by Jim Lathrop, the director of finance, for the town to lease four combination trash and recycling BigBelly units for the town’s sports fields and Sandy Point Beach.
The compacting units are operated by batteries that are solar charged, according to Mr. Lathrop. They send an electronic notification when they need to be emptied or if there are any maintenance issues, he said. BigBelly would maintain the units and provide the warranty.
The units would address the problem of recycling at the sports fields as well as issues with coyotes since the trash would be protected, Mr. Lathrop said.
The monthly cost of the project is $719 and the initial contract is for one year, so the total annual commitment to the town would be $8,628. Savings could be realized through advertising on the units or from improved recycling rates, according to Mr. Lathrop.
Several council members, along with Solid Waste/Recycling Committee member Judi Staven, expressed concerns about the idea, with Ms. Staven noting that the recycling panel had already studied and rejected the idea.
Council member David Gleason said the town’s new recycling coordinator should get on board before any decision is made on the units.
Scampi license transfer
Sitting as a Board of License Commissioners, the council voted to advertise for a public hearing on an application to transfer a Class BV liquor license from Scampi, Inc. to Jonathan Martins, Inc., doing business as Scampi.
The council also approved a victualler license for Mr. Martins. The restaurant is located at 657 Park Ave.
A peddler license was approved for Frederick W. Seng Jr., doing business as Elwood’s Dog House of Cranston. The business is a food truck specializing in hot dogs.
Education sponsorship
The council made a $500 sponsorship contribution to the Portsmouth Public Education Foundation (PPEF) to support the group’s Fall Social fund-raiser on Sept. 18 at Carnegie Abbey.
The Foundation raises funds that support students and teachers in providing additional enrichment activities in and out of the classroom. Money raised from last year’s event at Carnegie will be used to fund a student trip on Columbus Day weekend aboard the Oliver Hazard Perry tall ship.
Appointments/resignations
The council approved five re-appointments to town boards: Claudia S. Divoll to the Glen Manor House Authority, Frank Munro to the Design Review Board, Raymond H. Keller to the Economic Development Committee, James E. Edwards to the Zoning Board of Review and Jeffrey L. Richard to the Melville Park Committee.
The council accepted the resignation of Jeff Moniz from the town’s Economic Development Committee.
The council took no action on naming C. Anne Macedonio and Gary Gump to the Aquidneck Island Planning Commission after learning the positions were never advertised. The council then voted to advertise for applications.
Childhood cancer
The council issued a proclamation declaring September 2015 Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. The council took the action on a request by the American Cancer Fund for Children, Inc.
Upcoming meetings
The Town Council’s next two regular meetings will be on Aug. 24 and Sept. 14.
On Sept. 21, the council will hold a public hearing on the Wastewater Management District Ordinance and Plan.
All meetings are on Monday and start at 7 p.m.