April News Briefs

Keith A. Brynes new City Director of EP Planning and Economic Development

Sabin Point Park in Riverside

Years long sunken sailboat hazzard removed from boat ramp area of Haines Park last month by EP DPW and Harbor master. Waterfront revitalization continues in EP.

Oldham School in Riverside.

EMPTY BOWLS FLYER

St. Patrick's Day celebration at EP City Hall. Bob Rodericks photo.

Posted Thursday, April 6, 2023 10:48 am

City Sewer Rates could Increase
Since 2016 and likely before that, East Providence City officials had been warned that its sewer fund has not had a minimum increase since 2015 and is woefully underfunded. The City Council received a sobering report at its March 21^st meeting from David Fox of Raftelis Financial Consultants. The company is the largest in the United States dealing with water and wastewater management solutions and other municipal structural assistance. “Raftelis helps local governments and utilities thrive by providing management consulting expertise for local governments and utilities. We’ve helped more than 600 organizations in the last year.” Said consultant Fox.

The Council was presented with two options which would correct the oversight from past inaction. The Council voted to include both options for consideration at a subsequent public hearing but unanimously supported Option Two which would raise the fixed sewer use fee from $60 to $120 annually. After a public hearing and more deliberation on April 5th, the new rate would be effective on May 1, 2023, if approved.

Kicking the Can Down the Road to Stop
“This is what happens when prior City officials kicked the can down the road on needed improvements,” said Council President Bob Rodericks. “Small, incremental increases through the years would have eliminated the problem,” Rodericks said. “This fund is supposed to be self-sustaining,” said consultant Fox. “Isn’t there really an Option Three,” asked Rodericks rhetorically. “What if this council does nothing and keeps the status quo?” Both Fox and City Finance Director Malcolm Moore replied that the sewer fund will cost taxpayers a subsidy of over $13 million in the next few years. This is money coming directly from the local budget. In recent years the fund has needed some $4 million to keep the system afloat. “One of the reasons I got involved with elected office is to stop the neglect of our City infrastructure on this and many other areas. I strongly urge this council to accept this recommendation (Raftelis Financial) and not delay any more,” said Rodericks.

Ward One Councilman Frank Rego also lamented the inaction of prior officials and supported the consultant recommendations. “What would have happened if prior Councils had acted on this,” asked Rego. Fox replied that an easier 3% to 5% increase may have been needed. Council members Frank Fogarty, Ward Three and Rick Lawson, Ward Four, were also in full support of the increases needed and the vote was unanimous to move to the next step. Councilwoman Sousa was unable to attend the March 21^st meeting. The consultant mentioned more than once that East Providence had the lowest rate of increase and “financial support in the state and indeed the country.” Fox said that “23% of all sewer bills that are sent out are assessed only the minimum charge of $5 per month. “This is unheard of anywhere.”

Key Consultant Report Recommendations

According to the report, The sewer fund needs additional revenue immediately to cover its operation and maintenance, debt service, additional capital costs, as well as for financial viability and compliance with bond covenants.
The General Fund has subsidized the sewer fund over the last several years in the amount of almost $4 million.
Without a rate increase, the general fund (budget) will need an additional $13.3 million over the next 5 years.
The current sewer fund will not be eligible for Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank loans, which are utilized to pay for necessary projects and significantly mitigate rate increases on customers.
The sewer rate has not had a rate increase since FY 2015, sewer rates have been going up across the Country by about 6% annually.
Even if the rate was doubled, to $120. It would still be much cheaper than the next highest in West Warwick, $299.
Sewer rates have been discussed at length with prior City Councils. Workshops were held in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.
The pandemic slowed down any actions by the City.

The Proposed Options

Option One: Across the board. Increase volumetric and minimum charges by 23.5% and then 3% annually through Fiscal Year 2027. The fixed minimal charge would just increase by $5.
Option Two: Increase minimum charges by 100% ($10 per month for 5/8” pipe customers). Increase volumetric rates by 15.5%, then 3% across-the-board increases annually through Fiscal Year 2027. This option would be easier and more equitable between users.
Option Three: Unofficially & hypothetically. As pointed out by Council President Rodericks, to do nothing would drain over $13 million dollars from the budget over the next few years, from a fund that should be self-sustaining.

“The maintenance of our water and sewer infrastructure is critical to our everyday existence. Look at the recent state lawsuit against the City of Woonsocket for sewer plant problems,” said Rodericks. “These fees are user-based and we must save this system without further delay.” Financial planning updates should be completed annually to ensure there are no meaningful changes to the forecast.

Proposed City Community Center Downsizing Evident
The current economic climate and feedback from City residents has not sustained support for a proposed $45 million community center. The 60,000 square foot building with a large auditorium, gymnasium, police training area and more, including a municipal pool is projected to be built adjacent to the City’s Senior Center at the corner of Waterman and Pawtucket Avenues. Mayor DaSilva plans on using $10 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) plus $3 million already received from Congressman David Cicilline. DaSilva plans to downsize the concept by eliminating the auditorium and possibly delaying some aspects of the project which could be added at a later time. A bond issue would likely be necessary to supplement any other monies available.

Former Oldham School Building May be Transformed
The now closed Oldham School on Bullocks Point Avenue may be re-purposed under a plan by City officials. The former elementary school was closed in a cost saving consolidation move ordered by the State Budget Commission in 2012-13. The controversial move placed all of Riverside’s elementary students at Waddington School on Legion Way, as Meadowcrest School on Bart Drive had also been closed. With school enrollments down and the Oldham building requiring many renovations, it is unlikely to return as a school.

Mayor DaSilva envisions a space similar to the “Hope and Main” in the Town of Warren. The Warren space is Rhode Island’s first culinary business incubator which “helps local entrepreneurs jump-start early-stage food companies and food related businesses by providing low cost, low risk access to shared-use commercial kitchens and other industry-specific technical resources.” This allows residents the opportunity to start a new business and eventually move off site and expand on their own. Ward Four Councilman Rick Lawson supports the idea. “It is worth exploring,” added Lawson. This is a place where food producers, farmers, fishermen and other industry members can connect directly with consumers, engage the community and collaborate with peers, said the Warren programmers. Hope & Main’s nonprofit incubator program supports dozens of food-related companies, including specialty food product makers, artisanal bakers, caterers, food trucks, farmers, personal chefs and nutritionists.

City Clerk Hiring Moving Forward
The City Council has approved a process to advertise, interview and hire a City Clerk to fill the vacant position. In the interim the Clerk duties have been filled by the Deputy Clerk. For the first time since the initial appointments of Town and then City Clerks, a professional job description has been developed, a job notice was posted on the ADP Workforce website which is used to post municipal positions. At the Council’s meetings in March, a hiring procedure was adopted. Council President Rodericks appointed a three-member subcommittee which will review and recommend five finalists to the full City Council for consideration. Rodericks appointed Council members Anna Sousa, Rick Lawson and former City Clerk and Councilwoman Valerie Perry to review the applications. Sousa will chair the group. A little more than 70 applications have been received. The application period ended on March 23^rd. The full council will interview finalists in person and then appoint. “Our hope is to hire a City Clerk by the April 18^th meeting or the beginning of May,” said Council president Rodericks. This is the first time in city history that a public posting and interview process is being followed.

New City Charter Group to Meet
The newly elected and appointed City Charter Commission received its final two appointed members at last month’s Council meeting. Residents John Faria and Valerie Perry were appointed by Mayor Bob DaSilva to serve on the Commission. Last November voters elected At Large, Bruce Rogers; Ward One, Manuel Vinhateiro Jr.; Ward Two, Julie Silva; Ward Three, Marc Furtado and Ward Four, Michael Sullo. The City Council appointed members are Joseph Tavares and Izilda Fernandes. The mayoral appointees are Valerie Perry and John Faria. The Charter Commission will meet and elect their own Chairperson and begin to review the current City Charter. Meetings will be publicly advertised and open to the public. Recommendations will be made to the full City Council and will have to be approved by voters in order to be enacted as a former charter. Rodericks has invited the group to organize and begin meeting in April.

EP Police Accreditation Process
A team of Assessors from the Rhode Island Police Accreditation Commission (RIPAC) is in East Providence in early April to examine all aspects of the agency’s policies and procedures, management, operations and support services. “The Department is step closer to reaching accreditation,” Chief Chris Francesconi said. “We are looking forward to hearing from the public and members and being reviewed by the assessment team.”

Verification by the RIPAC Assessment Team that the East Providence Police Dept. meets the Commission’s Standards is part of a voluntary process by which the agency seeks recognition of professional excellence in law enforcement. As part of the onsite assessment, agency employees and members of the community are invited to offer comments to the assessment team by telephone. The public is invited to contact the Assessment Team at (401) 270-3954 on April 3, 2023 between the hours of 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.

Telephone comments are limited to 10 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with RIPAC Standards. A copy of the RIPAC Standards are available for review at the East Providence Police Accreditation Office at City Hall, Third Floor (Room 303). Questions concerning compliance with any of the Standards may be directed to Lt. Maari Stainer at (401) 435-7600 x 20181.

Persons wishing to offer written comments about the East Providence Police Dept.’s ability to meet the standards for accreditation are asked to contact: RIPAC Executive Director Christine Crocker by e-mail at crocker.riapc@cox.net or call (401) 440-4352.

Accreditation is for three (3) years, during which time the agency must submit annual reports attesting continued compliance with those applicable standards under which they were accredited. For more information regarding the Rhode Island Police Accreditation Commission (RIPAC) please contact Executive Director Christine Crocker.

New City Planning Director is Hired
Mayor DaSilva has appointed Keith A. Brynes as the new Planning and Economic Development Director. Brynes succeeds William Fazioli. Brynes will be responsible for development opportunities and business growth in the city and to identify opportunities to expand development for arts and culture within the city.

“We have so much great work going on in our city,” Mayor Bob DaSilva said. “Mr. Brynes brings decades of experience in local planning and development and we are fortunate to have him bring his experience in riverfront revitalization, conservation and zoning to East Providence to manage the wonderful projects underway throughout the city and take them through to fruition.”

Prior to joining the City of East Providence, Brynes served the Town of Stonington as the town planner from 2005 until 2023, where he was responsible for the management and facilitation of the land use application process, land use applications reviews, preparation and adoption of Stonington’s Plan of Conservation and Development. In addition, Brynes was responsible for the management of several planning projects including the Stonington Coastal Resilience Plan and Affordable Housing Plan and the adoption of Pawcatuck Village Zoning District.

Before serving as the Town of Stonington’s planner, Brynes served five years as planner for the City of Woonsocket, where he oversaw the management of the Downtown Riverfront Revitalization Plan, the City Brownfields Program and was responsible for the solidifying grant awards totaling more than $500,000 in municipal funding.

“I am honored to serve the residents of East Providence and looking forward to being part of a very talented team,” Brynes said. “It is a very exciting time for the city with many of its long standing plans coming to fruition and its potential being realized more every day.”

His work as a planner and work with zoning amendments in the village of Mystic, has earned Brynes the “Above and Beyond” award by the Connecticut Chapter of American Planning Association. Brynes earned his Master of Community Planning at the University of Rhode Island and Bachelor of Arts in psychology at Rhode Island College. He is also an American Institute Certified Planner and member of the Rhode Island and Connecticut Chapters of the American Planning Association.

Sabin Point Kayaking is Planned
Ward Four Councilman Rick Lawson has proposed that the old boating dock at Sabin Point Park be redesigned to accommodate kayaking instead of a boat launch. Lawson noted that the current boat launch is in disrepair and would be better suited as a kayak and canoe launch. “There isn’t enough boat trailer parking and a much better boat launch which is maintained well by the Rhode Island DEM is just down the road at Haines Park in Riverside,” Lawson said at last month’s council meeting. Lawson and At-large Councilman Bob Rodericks visited the site with DPW Director Dan Borges and all agreed that a Kayak launch will be a better use of the area. “We’ll have engineers look at this area and redesign it to put it to better use. I agree with the idea,” Borges said. Lawson noted that the Haines Park launch has much more room for small boat launching and is more conducive to boating needs. Lawson also noted other boating and kayaking areas are now or will be available at the Bold Point waterfront area.