Important Issues Facing the City

There are two important issues facing the City of East Providence, which require the attention of all residents and taxpayers in our city. We have contacted all of our current City Council members regarding these matters, but feel the need to make our feelings known publicly.

First and foremost is the issue of the school bond referendum, which will face City voters this Fall. There is little or no question that this is probably the most important issue this City will, or has ever, faced. We urge everyone to vote "YES" on referendum questions #1 and #4 in the November 6th election, to ensure that our kids have the kind of educational facility they need and deserve as they prepare for their future. This will obviously require some form of tax revenue increase to all property owners in the City. We have urged the current city council to consider the route that the Town of Barrington took in order to gain tax payer confidence and support for the added tax burden needed to build their new middle school. That is, they adopted a "special tax assessment" that goes only to the repayment of the bonds required to build that school. This approach gave taxpayers the assurance that those revenues would go entirely to repayment of those construction binds and not into the town's general fund. Further it gives taxpayers the exact amount they are paying for the new facility and the assurance that it will not be compounded with regular tax increases that are sure to follow. It also means that when those bonds are paid off, the assessment would cease to exist and that tax revenue stream would end. Such an approach would go a long way to gaining taxpayer support, which will be needed in this instance.

The second matter, is the issue of Summer time sewer rates. After the public outcry from the last water/sewer rate increases, there was some discussion by the council and water department about basing the year round monthly sewer rate on the homeowner's Winter usage, as opposed to using the actual monthly Summer usage. The present system results in sewer charges for water usage that never gets into the sewer system through lawn and garden watering, and car washing. This in turn results in windfall for the City as charges do not in any way relate to actual sewage processing costs. Many home owners forego lawn watering in the Summer to avoid that excessive charge. This results in unsightly burnt out lawns as well as dead flower and vegetable gardens. If you don't believe this, just drive around town and you can see the burnt out lawns. My neighbor actually catches rainwater from his downspouts to water his garden to reduce his Summer water usage.. We personally have cut back on lawn watering for that reason. Last year we stopped watering completely and lost large sections of lawn, which we have worked hard to restore. While there has been some discussion on this by the current council, there seems to be little action taking place. This issue should not be out on the "back burner" and needs to be addressed before another watering season is upon us.

It is important to everyone that the current or future City Council make these matters a priority as they move forward. To do otherwise would do a great disservice to city residents and taxpayers.

Robert and Gail Amman
East Providence, RI 02914