What's Going on in EP?

Residents Spar with Council Members
The city council meeting of January 19, 2016 pitted some of the city's most active social bloggers and resident critics of city council actions. City resident Jason Desrosiers has been highly critical of the three council members who were granted medical benefits as part of a compensation package. Thomas Rose, Helder Cunha and Tim Conley had accepted the benefit from former City Manager Paul Lemont. Conley has since said he no longer will accept the coverage.

"How did former manager Lemont justify granting health benefits to council members without any documentation," asked Desrosiers. "This benefit for part time elected officials doesn't help taxpayers. Process matters. This was done with no discussion. The public was kept out of the process. It was done at taxpayer expense," he continued.

"Wait," said Ward 2 councilman Helder Cunha. "Taxpayer? Where do you live?" When Desrosiers gave his Riverside address, Cunha shot back - "Isn't that Tom Riley's house? So you pay rent to him and he pays the taxes," Cunha said to Desrosiers. "Correct," answered Desrosiers as Cunha then said, "You don't pay taxes." Riley is also a frequent critic of city council decisions.

"You don't have to be a homeowner to speak. I pay car taxes, meal taxes and state taxes - all of which go to the city," Desrosiers said. "Your health benefits cost more than your stipend according to the budget," Desrosiers continued.

"Yes, that is correct," was Cunha's reply. "We were offered it and we took it," he added.

"And I believe that was an unethical decision on your part," said Desrosiers. "That's your opinion. We looked into that to see if it was kosher ," answered Cunha.

"I'm asking that you rescind this ordinance (for health benefits) and allocate that money for city infrastructure repairs or other priorities," stated Desrosiers. "Every dollar counts."

"You know what, I wish there were more of you that would come up here and give such a great speech with positive stuff," said Cunha. "That would be fantastic. But it's week after week after week the same people come up here with negative stuff. It's sickening, come up here with positive stuff. Think we're here to steal, it's disgusting," said Cunha.

"The City of East Providence is doing $250 million worth of private construction," said Mayor Tom Rose. "A lot of this has to do with this council being up here voting on those things. People say businesses are empty. That's because others are buying them. The new owners of Fox Toyota will be spending millions on new construction. Goodyear and Firestone buildings will have new owners. Each and every member of this council has worked harder on this city than any other council we've had before," Rose stated adamantly.

"You'll be impressed with what's coming aboard," said Cunha. "It's behind the scenes, things we can't present yet."

"This is all great," answered Desrosiers, "but it doesn't negate what I said before." Scott Scienzo and Candy Seel also addressed the council in opposition to the matter of council benefits. "I sat astounded watching your rules of procedures which you only enforce when it's to your advantage. There was a council resolution #9 but really two versions were seen. One version included language which gave the city council health benefits. There remains a mystery where this all came from. I've emailed the city manager and Mayor Tom Rose with questions and I never got an answer," said Seel. "I didn't get a response, yet Mr. Kirby gave a 25 minute response tonight to a question on this. You complain about public tone of speakers here yet that should go for both sides," said Seel. "You can't berate the public on their tone when they speak."

"I apologize for not getting back to you," Kirby told Mrs. Seel.

"I have been called a keyboard warrior by some on this council. Well that's how we get our word out. Thousands are on line," Scott Scienzo told the council. "I have a list of complaints," he said. Scienzo went on to question the council on several areas from council resolutions to budget expenses. "The council approved a resolution that gave yourselves health benefits and there are two versions of a resolution out there. I was told the resolution that included council health benefits was an error," said Scienzo. In an earlier blog Scienzo wrote: "Time to put an end to the foolishness coming out of City Hall."

Hinting at more problems to come, Mayor Rose said "There are a lot more serious problems coming up. Things from outside areas where attacks are being made on the city council. You know, it'll come up," the Mayor said without elaboration. Stay tuned.

City Council – School Committee Discourse
The on-again off-again cordial relationship between some on the city council and school committee, took a turn away from cordiality during the city council meeting of January 19. Ward Three councilman and Mayor Tom Rose appeared upset with recent actions of the school committee. At its’ meeting in January the school committee accepted Superintendent Kathryn Crowley’s recommendation to ratify contracts for school principals and district administrators. This didn’t sit well with Mayor Rose. “I put this (contracts) on the docket for a few different reasons,” said Rose. “At our last meeting with the school committee the council said we’ll do our due diligence as far as helping them out with the heating, etc. at the high school. Their last meeting they gave out a bunch of contracts. How many contracts did they give out? I’ve also heard about surpluses. I want it doubly confirmed that they (school dept.) have a $5.4 to $5.6 million surplus,” added Rose.

“When we get picked apart on council spending I think we should put all our cards on the table. If we’re attacked on budget spending they also need to follow their budget,” said an agitated Rose. “When I was on the School Committee I never supported separate employee contracts,” said Ward Four councilman and former member of the school committee Tim Conley. “I think some in management need them but the average taxpayer doesn’t have a contract.” Added Conley.

“The surplus on the school side is certainly a result of the exit plan coming out of the state budget commission,” responded School Committee chairman Charles Tsonos. “Because the budget commission took over and settled all employee contracts at once, we are now faced with their expiration at the same time. It is prudent fiscal management to plan ahead for negotiations with teachers and all other groups. The lack of planning in the past caused us to reach the budget problems we experienced,” said Tsonos.

“This will be the first contract negotiations in 5 years. They (contracts) will all expire in 2017. We have to plan for this and can’t just shoot from the hip. Our budgets are always audited, any prior surpluses are known. The only contracts the mayor has referred to are for our school principals and a few central office administrators. The Superintendent recommended and we agreed that building principals will now get individual contracts instead of one agreement covering all of them,” explained Tsonos. “We are the last city to move toward individual contracts for school principals. Most, not all, received 3 year contracts. We’ve had bad contracts in the past that didn’t help with budgeting and other aspects of running schools. Now people are individually accountable.”

“There really isn’t a surplus that is free to use,” said Tsonos. “The surplus is pretty much slotted for obligated expenses. There are pension and other operating costs and items that can’t be ignored like it was in the past. Our surplus is pretty much programmed and the Superintendent will develop an outline for the council that will show specifics,” said Tsonos.

Not Hiding Money
“Nobody is "hiding" $5.4 million,” said school committee member Joel Monteiro. Monteiro and some on the school committee have been at odds with city funding procedures for education. “That figure is the cumulative of a few years of surplus monies,” said Monteiro. The monies that sit in this account have been publicly ear-marked for several things, mostly facilities projects that have been delayed for several reasons, one being the turnover of Facilities Directors created by the City's action to de-consolidate that department. I've never known the School Committee to be tough to get answers from, we will continue to work with the city council to serve the best interests of students,” Monteiro added.

City Waterfront Getting Attention
During the January 19th city council meeting, members of the relatively new East Providence Arts Council (EPAC) asked that the City "partner" with EPAC's submission of a community grant from the Rhode Island Foundation. Arts council chairman, Rick Lawson said that they would like to use an unbuildable piece of land at the foot of Warren Avenue and Waterfront Way to construct an art culture. "Grants are available up to $15,000 and we feel our Waterfront area down there is promising. The Tockwotton center, the East Providence Yacht Club and other small parks all help to make this an ideal area," Lawson said.

"There are many people interested in the Arts and we have local people who can work on projects like this," Lawson added. "We are a private nonprofit 501c3 organization and we are always looking for folks to join our cause in making East Providence a thriving arts community." Lawson said that no one can build on the vacant lot, which is now strewn with weeds and accumulates windblown debris. Lawson said that the group is also looking for a permanent home to operate from and possibly host live concerts and art exhibits. He suggested the former Union Primary school on Pawtucket Avenue in Rumford, now vacant.

The arts council website has information for those looking to join their committee. "EPAC is made up of enthusiastic residents of the city working to create a thriving Arts Community. Our goals include vibrant art displays created by artists and members of the community in our public spaces. A yearly Music and Arts Festival. Various events throughout the year showcasing artists and bringing the community out to support them. Helping create an environment for theatrical and dance performances. Working with local businesses that provide live entertainment and allow art displays by helping promote their business and the various shows they put on." Lawson said he believes that support of the arts can become an economic driver for the city." Vice-chair Courtney Repoza also addressed the group.

Rick Lawson is the council Chair, Courtney Repoza is Vice Chair, Jade Sisti is Secretary. Other members are Bill Hurley, Annette Mozzoni, Eileen Socha, Jennifer Fonseca, Jennifer Gillooly Cahoon, Karen Orsi, Philip Zexter and Jeanne Boyle.

Joint Meeting on EPHS Infrastructure Needs
After meeting for more than two hours in a special workshop, the East Providence City Council and School Committee agreed that something must be done to address the needs of the 63 year old East Providence High School. Recently the school experienced problems with heating pipes leaking underneath the school which led to some boiler shutdowns. Unfortunately the mishaps occurred during a cold spell right after December vacation as students and staff returned to a frigid building. "We certainly consider the situation at hand to be at an emergency level," Superintendent of schools Kathryn Crowley told the both elective boards on Monday night.

"Tonight is a working session between the city council and school committee," said Mayor Tom Rose. "This has been an issue for almost 30 years. It's not to blame the people here, but we can work to make it (high school physical issues) better. "We should start by fixing the heating system and then address other needs. Do we continue to repair or build a new school," asked Rose. "For now we still have to fix things," he added.

The meeting was sparsely attended with mostly school administrators and a couple of teachers present. "It's great to see the Superintendent and staff here. This is a vital issue to our community," said school board chairman Charles Tsonos. "I also want to thank the City Manager and City Council for their cooperation. We can't do this alone. We are at a crossroads and we need to move forward together," said Tsonos.

While Tsonos offered a promising note of "working together" many of the group's questions were left somewhat unanswered through the evening. City manager Richard Kirby stated that the joint session was a result of an October meeting when an analytical review of the educational status of the high school was requested. "The discussion went from the funding ratio the schools get from the city to the physical problems of the schools," said Kirby. "A sub-committee consisting of councilmen Helder Cunha and Tim Conley and school board members Charlie Tsonos and Tony Ferreira met along with city staffers and two citizens," offered Kirby.

Kirby described how the group conducted a "one and a half hour walk through of the high school, heard a report on prior repairs, code issues, etc." Kirby said the group recommends that an independent outside engineering consultant conduct a feasibility study on the high school plant. "The issue of spending more money to fix serious problems versus building a new high school should be professionally addressed," Kirby added. The group basically agreed that a Request For Proposal or RFP will be developed and sent out immediately. The feasibility study will present the city leaders with an array of information such as timelines, financing, bonding, etc. We're not qualified to decide on a new building versus fixing the old," said Kirby.

However some officials wanted specific answers on current problems. "Before discussing a new school we need to address problems the school is having at this time," said ward one councilman Bob Britto. "It's no big secret," said ward four councilman Tim Conley who has also served on the school committee. "The high school accreditation was in jeopardy for the sole reason of the physical plant. The school's academics are fine," said Conley. "The conversation should be how can we get a new high school in ten years. I don't want to talk about anything bad, but previous school administrations did not address the issues."

"Our biggest concern with the high school is the cost of new, versus fixing the old," said ward two councilman Helder Cunha. "Plumbing, electrical, mechanical are big issues. We're not plumbers and electricians. Certainly we need to invest money in the high school," Cunha added. The group was advised that a feasibility study would cost between $75,000 and $125,000.

"I've been under the building. We have rotting pipes under dirt," said school board member Jessica Beauchaine.

"We all agreed that we need to check on building a new high school down the road," said school board member Joel Monteiro. "But for now we know we have immediate needs," he said. Monteiro pushed the council all evening to commit on how much money, if any, they were prepared to spend on the school's needs. "Is the city positioned to help us now?" Monteiro repeatedly asked. He didn't receive a direct answer. "There is serious investment needed no matter what we do."

Much of the night was spent on discussing numbers. Answers were not readily available in any specific form. "Is there a number (cost) to fix the heating problems," asked Rose. "I know there were boilers replaced in 2010," he added. "Are we talking two or three hundred thousand or three million dollars?" Rose asked. There was no specific answer.

"We have a school committee meeting tomorrow (Tuesday) and we will be looking to start a feasibility study on what we need," said Superintendent Crowley. "Can we get an estimate for our next meeting," asked Rose. School officials said that they would do that.

Councilwoman-at-large Tracy Capobianco attempted at several points to get a specific timeline on dates and costs. "We are here to support schools and education. There is no way not too," said Capobianco. "We need the figures."

"We owe it to the city council to draft a 5 year plan. We've done something but not everything we need to," said school board member Nathan Cahoon. "The high school is also one of twelve school buildings. We also need to consider the needs of all other schools as well," said Cahoon.

"I've worked on and supervised major renovations on schools in four other districts," said Crowley. "There are serious electrical and plumbing needs. We do need a professional engineering study. We have one science lab, although a great one, for 1500 students. The plumbing system is all clogged, the underground cavern of the school is amazing. There will be asbestos abatement needed, we have duct tape on some window frames to stop drafty windows, we must do something quickly. We have great teachers, it's the plant that is lacking. In my experience we are talking millions of dollars here. All of the other schools I refer to were not as old as this high school," Crowley added.

Cahoon brought up the thought that should the city consider building two high schools if new building is to occur. "Large districts have more than one school," Cahoon noted. However school officials point out to long term enrollment projections which continue to show declining or level enrollment census.

Much of the discussion ended on the possibility of the city using some of its' surplus or rainy day fund for immediate repairs at the high school. "There are restrictions on the rainy day fund that don't allow it to be used for schools," said Tim Conley. "There are only 4 instances for emergency funding from the rainy day fund and schools are not one of them," said Conley. "I didn't write this, it's the requirement as written."

The rainy day fund that the city must maintain is one percent of budget totals or $10 million. Because the fund has reached $13.2 million there was much discussion on using anything available above $10 million. The city has already earmarked about $2.2 million for capital projects already in the budget.

"There is $1 million left over the ten. Can't we use that for the schools," asked Capobianco. City officials were hesitant to answer the question but when state overseer Paul Luba was asked, his answer was "yes, get your costs in order first," said Luba.

Tony Ferreira of the school committee asked, "Are we leaving here tonight with any money?" "You'll know after our next council meeting. We need the school department to give us an estimate and we'll (council) check on the money," said Mayor Rose.

After the meeting Joel Monteiro was hopeful for a resolution to the high school issues: "The School Dept will immediately seek quotes to address heating needs. The city committed to finding funds, although was a bit unclear on what funds are available. Thank you to Council members Capobianco and Britto for pushing Mayor Rose and his Finance staff for a definitive answer, albeit unsuccessfully. Even they seem unclear on the availability of the surplus. What's important is that funding was promised. We just don't know how much," stated Monteiro.



Educators Impressed with New School Leader
It's no secret that East Providence teachers and other school employees have been working with low morale for several years. After prior school committees with help from some prior council members worked to make teachers among the lowest paid in New England and slashed benefits, teachers’ morale hit rock bottom. And it wasn't just the salaries. In general teachers and staff felt they were not respected at all. Many young promising educators left the system and others who wanted to stay were denied promotions and administrative advancement.

However there is evidence that morale and Townie Pride has made a big comeback. "This new administration has done more for education in East Providence, in a short time, than the previous administration did during its' full tenure here," said veteran high school Social Studies teacher Richard Martin. Martin was praising the efforts of brand new Superintendent of Schools, Kathryn Crowley. He also is pleased with his new principal Shani Wallace.

"We were chastised for giving our opinions on routine matters, and more. Things are so much better now," added Martin. Martin, Crowley and Wallace were in a classroom after school discussing educational needs of the school when Martin made it clear how he felt. "I think you have done more for this school since you arrived than either of the past two administrations we've had," Martin told Supt. Crowley. "I want you to know that. I appreciate being listened to and feeling appreciated," Martin said.

Many other teachers and staff have echoed similar sentiments since the school committee hired Kathryn Crowley as Superintendent. "I think people will be very pleased with our appointment of Mrs. Crowley," school board chairman Charlie Tsonos said after her appointment. "She will approach issues and daily decisions with a professionalism and style that will make people feel good about education," said Tsonos. Other school committee members also praised Crowley's appointment as well and it has become obvious that Crowley and Wallace are both scoring major points with the community.

Asked how she has been received as an "outsider" in East Providence, Crowley said "wonderful." I have been widely supported and feel right at home here. Our schools have pledged to work diligently on behalf of our students and the staff has done everything I've asked," she said. "I know about some of the past issues here and we will be a good team I'm sure."

One experienced and respected teacher, Richard Martin is happy. "We went through a tough time and there are scars, but I fully appreciate this new administration and love what I've seen."

"Our teachers and staff have always been professional and persevered through some tough years," said History Teacher and State Representative Gregg Amore. "We've never let those problems get in the way of teaching students, but things are much better now with this administration," said Amore.

Save the Clock Tower!
"Save the Clock Tower!" - That was the famous rally cry in the 1985 movie 'Back to the Future' in which Marty McFly is whisked through time. A similar cry, of sorts, has been heard a couple of times in East Providence when it's famous clock tower also needed repair. The current East Providence High School opened in 1952 replacing the old school on Taunton avenue. That old high school, built in 1884, became the former Central Junior High, now the Edward R. Martin Middle School. Today the old Taunton avenue complex is for elderly housing.

When EPHS opened in 1952 it was considered "the showplace of high schools in the Northeast" in a feature article in the old Providence Journal Rhode Islander Sunday magazine. It was one of the first modern high schools in the country with a professional auditorium and a modern cafeteria and large swimming pool with two diving boards. At its' peak census in 1973 when the school had to go on double sessions, the school had some 2400 students. Census is now at about 1550.

When a 1999 bond issue made the school's new addition possible, it was determined that the iconic clock tower was in danger of crumbling. Bricks began to fall and the area was roped off to avoid injury. Then Superintendent of Schools, Taras Herbowy, didn't show an initial appetite to fix the tower. Take it down, he figured. But he figured wrong as school board member Millie Morris and others in the community rang out the cry of "Save the Clock Tower". Some bricks were sold in a short-lived fundraising effort and the city managed to find bond issue funding to demolish and rebuild the clock tower. It is practically an exact replica of its 1952 predecessor.

During the recent cold spell school Interim Facilities director, Tony Feola, was busy organizing repairs to the high school's heating system. A couple of complaints also came in from some that the Clock Tower wasn't keeping correct time. So the Reporter inquired of Mr. Feola and he said that he would investigate - once they straightened out the heating problem. Understandable of course, but Tony Feola told us today (January 6th) that "our clock tower is all set." It seems like the inner mechanism of the clock does not like computer changes, in as much as its just your basic clock. "It was off an hour because it doesn't automatically change to account for daylight savings time, etc.," explained Feola. So Feola had it fixed the old fashioned way - manually. "I'll remember now to climb up there a few times a year and adjust it. We'll keep an eye on it," he promised. A busy week for Feola, thawing out a frigid high school and saving the Townie Clock Tower. Marty McFly would be proud.