TOWN COUNCIL NOTES

Wendy Bulk chosen as new recreation director for Portsmouth

Will begin job Dec. 4

EastBayRI.com ·

PORTSMOUTH — The town has a new recreation director, Wendy Bulk.

Town Administrator Richard Rainer, Jr. told the Town Council Monday that Ms. Bulk, a Portsmouth resident, was chosen for the position after seven applicants were interviewed.

Ms. Bulk is the former health and wellness director at the Greater Providence YMCA who also worked in the fitness program at the Newport County YMCA, according to Mr. Rainer. She will start her new job on Dec. 4. 

Ms. Bulk succeeds Timothy Dunbar, who abruptly resigned Sept. 6 after being questioned about reported financial discrepancies with the Sandy Point Beach receipts. Mr. Dunbar was arrested earlier this month by Portsmouth Police and charged with two counts of embezzlement by a public official, six counts of obtaining money under false pretenses, and six counts of providing a false document to a public official/employer. 

The investigation revealed that Mr. Dunbar had embezzled cash from the funds of the recreation department as well as submitted time sheets for six occasions at a time when he was not working, according to police.

Administrator negotiations

The council voted 5-2 to enter into contract negotiations with Mr. Rainer, who’s current pact with the town expires June 30, 2018.

Council members Elizabeth Pedro and Paul Kesson voted against the motion.

Ms. Pedro said she wasn’t comfortable voting in favor of entering negotiations without “knowing what kind of contract” the town is considering for the future.

Mr. Kesson said it was premature to be entering into negotiations. The council hasn’t yet received the annual report, and there also hasn’t been any closure with the budget, he said.

“Today is too early,” Mr. Kesson said. 

Mr. Kesson also asked Mr. Rainer if he would be willing to entertain a one-year extension of his contract. Mr. Rainer responded that he’d “like to know why” before saying he wasn’t interested in a one-year extension at this time.

Mr. Rainer said he is eager to start the negotiating process and that he’s simply looking for “tweaks” in his contract.

New Asian restaurant

In other business Monday the council, sitting as the Board of License Commissioners, voted unanimously to advertise a public hearing on Portsmouth resident Yulin Zhang’s application for a Class BV beverage license for a new business: Wild Ginger Asian Cuisine, at 2984 East Main Road.

Some residents may remember the location as the former site of Kaufman’s Hardware.

The hearing will be held Jan. 8, 2018. The owner is hoping to have the establishment open within five months.

Boss Man coming

The board also approved several victualler licenses, including one for Boss Man Burgers, which recently moved from Middletown to 1965 East Main Road, next to Ferreira’s Package Store. The business will open soon, according to a sign posted on the building.

Re-appointment

The council voted to re-appoint Cathy L. Bonneau to the Portsmouth Housing Authority

Portsmouth Town Council