Former Portsmouth Police Chief John T. Pierce was remembered at the Town Council session this evening, and President Dennis Canario issued an executive request for the Town flag to be at half-staff on Thursday, the day of his funeral.

"He served on the Police department from 1958 until he retired in 1981, and became our Chief in 1969" said Town Administrator Bob Driscoll. "It's a big loss for our community."

"He was a gem; it was a privilege to know him," Canario, a former Portsmouth police officer, told reporters after the meeting. "He knew everybody. When I first came on in 1979, I remember if a call came in, he would know the family that lived in that house. He was a historian, an avid antique collector, just a really awesome guy to know."

Pierce was an accomplished local historian and author, and his book, Historical Tracts of the Town of Portsmouth is an indispensable reference for anyone interested in our town's history.

Chief Pierce's wake will be Wednesday, with funeral Thursday. Details at the Connors/Memorial Funeral Home web site.

In other business this evening, the Council heard from Town Administrator Bob Driscoll that the RIPEC study on Aquidneck Island schools, looking for operating efficiencies up to and including consolidation into one district, will be returning results in February of 2009.

There was considerable verbal sparring over the extension of Driscoll's contract, which had been awarded in executive session in September, and which was voted on again in open session tonight on the advice of Town Solicitor Kevin Gavin. The Council voted, 4-3 (with McIntyre, Little, and Gleason opposed) to extend the contract for 3 years with a 3% increase. Separate motions by Little to limit it to two years, and by Gleason to continue the discussion until the next meeting (with the new Council) were defeated. Several of the PCC regulars (who made up almost the entire audience of about 14 people) took to the podium to have their last bite at the apple. I wonder what they'll find to whine about next month.

Tailgunner Gleason protested her ignorance. "I want to make a point," said Gleason. "I don't have the entire contract. We had a sheet on the changes. I don't want anybody to think I saw the contract."

"You had to have seen it," said Canario, pointing out that she had been on the Council when the contract was written.

Councilor Jim Seveney took the opposite tack. "I want everyone to know I did read the whole contract," he said, voicing his support for the terms. "I think it's appropriate for a job well done at a time we need good fiscal management."

When the 4-3 vote affirming the contract was taken, failed council candidate Joe Robicheau snickered from his seat in the last row and struck up a side conversation with the PCC guy running the video camera. Classy.

Then the Council took up a $12K contract for design work to upgrade the bathhouse at Melville Campground, a project which has been on the Council agenda at least for the last two years. Once again, Tailgunner wanted to kick the can down the road because of concerns over possible state funding cuts. She moved to defer the vote for 30 days, and Canario, in an excess of politeness, allowed her to put this motion to postpone to a certain time up for a second twice. It failed both times.

"This is reasonable to do from a fiscal perspective," Town Finance Director Dave Faucher reassured the Council. "Our fund balance perspective is better than it was a year ago."

"The campground makes a lot of money for the town," said Canario, "In return we need to put investment back into it. We have to look at that as well." While he supported the architectural work, Canario did question the ultimate price tag for construction which was estimated to be $100K. The design phase was approved 6-1. You can guess the one.