Newly appointed Belleair Commissioner Kevin Piccarreto receives the oath of office from Judge Dee Anna Farnell as his wife, Nicole, and sons Jack and Cole witness the proceedings.
BELLEAIR – There’s a new commissioner in town – the third this year.
Kevin Piccarreto took his oath of office Aug. 3 following his appointment to the seat vacated last month by recently elected Commissioner Patricia Irwin. Irwin resigned unexpectedly after winning election in March to the seat following the retirement of former Commissioner Karla Rettstatt.
Commissioner Michael Wilkinson was sworn in two weeks ago to fill the seat vacated by Commissioner Stephanie Oddo. Oddo resigned when her husband’s company reassigned him to California.
Called to role Piccarreto replied good-humoredly, “Not yet,” eliciting laughter from the gallery. Piccarreto’s oath of office, administered by Judge Dee Anna Farnell, proceeded without further delay.
Clearwater Mayor Frank Hibbard made a presentation to the commissioners on the current progress of the Pinellas County Transportation Task Force. Hibbard is the Vice-chair of TBARTA, Tampa Bay Area Transportation Authority representing seven counties comprising Tampa Bay. The task force is engaged in research to choose the best method of connecting Florida’s proposed new high speed rail system to Pinellas County.
The high speed rail between Orlando, Tampa Bay and Miami is the result of a partnership between the U.S. Department of Transportation and Florida to build the triangular connector rail system using grant monies from DOT.
“The key for Pinellas is how do we get those folks (riders) here,” Hibbard said.
Hibbard went on to say that among the nation’s major urban centers, Tampa Bay ranks 60th or in the bottom five with regard to mass transit.
“In fact, of that group only two urban centers have no mass transit system in place, Detroit and Tampa Bay,” he said. “I for one don’t want to be rated with Detroit in any way.”
“Light rail is the answer,” Hibbard said. “Ultimately we’ll be coming to the citizens because this will require an additional revenue source which will mean a tax by referendum in a straight up or down vote.”
In the long run, and Hibbard predicts light rail will be up and running in six to eight years, the mass transportation network will benefit Pinellas in several ways.
“Pinellas is Florida’s most densely populated county, congestion on our roadways is the major complaint we hear,” he said.
Another bonus Hibbard points to, a mass transit system using light rail will enhance Tampa Bay’s allure for potential employers, “not to mention moving our tourists around more efficiently,” he added.
Town Code Enforcement Master appointed
Attorney Tom Trask has been selected by Town Manager Micah Maxwell as the town’s Code Enforcement Master replacing the volunteer code enforcement board.
The master will have judicial powers to determine the outcome of disputes between individual property owners, or corporations and the town. Masters will be able to levy fines, enforce liens and code infractions.
Largo Fire Chief Wallace
Largo Fire District Chief Michael Wallace delivered his monthly report to Belleair officials including the news that Largo had just achieved a milestone in service achievement.
“Each year the Insurance Services Office rates fire districts for efficiency, preparedness and based on what we protect, how we do it and the assets we bring to the job.” Largo traditionally has received a rating of three, the lower the number,” Wallace explained, “the higher the rating. This year Largo was rated two.”
What that means to Belleair is that Belleair is now elevated to a three rating from four.
Insurance providers, Wallace explained, use those ratings to set premiums. For a typical business that can translate into a significant reduction in premiums, “as much as 30 percent,” Wallace told the commission.
Homeowners too can expect saving anywhere between zero and 11 percent, Wallace said.
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