East Providence News Briefs

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding
The City Council received a report at its February 15th meeting from Director of Planning & Economic Development, William Fazioli.  Fazioli and Finance Director Malcolm Moore.  Both explained that East Providence will receive $28 million in American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funding.  In March 2021, the ARPA established the Coronavirus State Fiscal

Recovery Fund and the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund. The Act and funds are intended:

1. To respond to the public health emergency or its negative economic impacts, including assistance to households, small businesses, and nonprofits, or aid to impacted industries such as tourism, travel, and hospitality;
2. To respond to workers performing essential work during the COVID-19 public health emergency by providing premium pay to eligible workers;
3. For the provision of government services to the extent of the reduction in revenue due to the COVID–19 public health emergency relative to revenues collected in the most recent full fiscal year prior to the emergency; and
4. To make necessary investments in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure

Congress specified two types of ineligible uses of funds

1. funds may not be used for deposit into any pension fund or, for states and territories only,
2. to directly or indirectly offset a  reduction in net tax revenue resulting from a change in law, regulation, or administrative interpretation.

The city has been allotted $28 million in ARPA funds.  Fazioli explained that the City issued a survey during the summer of 2021 and conducted a community zoom meeting on August 16th with Mayor Bob DaSilva, Congressman David Cicilline, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, members of the East Providence City Council, East Providence Department heads, and the East Providence Area Chamber of Commerce. The City’s survey asked three questions:

1. What is your connection to East Providence?
2. Based on the broad goals of ARPA as outlined above, how do you recommend that the City of East Providence spend these funds? Do you have specific infrastructure ideas or programs that you would like to see funded? If so, please include your suggestions.

3. Please choose your top 3 COVID-19 recovery related priorities you would like to see funded through ARPA.

The survey received 424 responses. The top 5 priorities of survey responders were:

1. 220. City infrastructure including improving roads and green infrastructure projects.
2. 196. Water infrastructure including improving access to clean drinking water, wastewater, and storm water infrastructure systems.

3. 149. Improve City parks and recreational facilities to the extent of reductions in revenues.
4. 136. Economic Small Business Assistance: Help to address the negative economic impacts of the pandemic to small businesses.

5. Community health and wellness: Provide resources to meet health needs, are for those impacted by the pandemic, and/or offer services that address public health disparities.

Ward Three Councilman Nate Cahoon suggested that the city administration look into the RI Infrastructure bank funding possibility.  He also suggested more funds for arts and hospitality.   “I’m asking that because of what New Bedford is doing.  They have done so many innovative things with their city.  People enjoy going there.  New Bedford is spending the bulk of their ARPA funding, $18 million of $78 million on hospitality and tourism,” maintained Cahoon.  “They (New Bedford) are spending $6 million or 7% of their funding on storm wastewater,” he added.  “The intention of ARPA is to help small business recover from COVID.  Largely, we are a restaurant and bar economy here.  Where people can’t gather, businesses get destroyed.  We won’t get another opportunity like this for a while. What we’re looking at in our (proposed) plan, is more than a third or $10 million of the $28M on storm wastewater.  I can’t support that number,” Cahoon stated.  City administration responded that it has used the RI Infrastructure Bank, especially for the new high school, and will continue to investigate possibilities there.  They also said the plan is being worked on by all departments.

Councilman at large Bob Rodericks asked if “any small businesses may have closed because they had asked for ARPA relief and were denied funding.”  Rodericks also asked for a process timetable, noting that no final decisions are implemented at this point. Funds have to be obligated by December 31, 2024 and spent by December 31, 2026.

“No one (small business) has come to us and been turned away that I know of,” said Fazioli.  “This (ARPA) spending plan isn’t in cement and will have to be voted on by this council before finalizing anything,” he said.

Ward Two councilwoman Anna Sousa asked if the amounts small businesses could receive has been set yet.  “I’m thinking that small business needs the help more than large ones,” said Sousa.  “A lot of closed and empty buildings are in decay or need lots of work.  If someone were interested in an old property, would money be awarded to help,” asked Sousa.

“No specific amount is firm yet.  It’s probably in the $5 to $10K range per business.  Façade improvements, other help, yes grants are available,” replied Fazioli.

EP Arts Council Chair Suggests ARPA Help for the Arts/Tourism
Earlier in the meeting, EP Arts Council Chairperson, Jennifer Gillooly Cahoon asked the council to consider using 10% or about $2.9M to support the arts and tourism efforts in the city.  “I’m here to make a general statement of support for arts and cultural funding,” said Gillooly-Cahoon.  She is also the owner of an arts-based business in the city.  “We (arts council) have many public art exhibitions to be unveiled.  They have been slowed down due to COVID.  I recognize that the sewer infrastructure piece is a big part of what administration is asking (in ARPA funds) and needs to be addressed, but I believe there are multitudes of ways to address that issue moving forward,” she suggested.  Municipalities nationwide recognize the benefit of spending ARPA money towards arts and culture.  It effects tourism.  On our dream list is a performing arts center.  Theater and talent shows have no place to practice and perform.  Also, if we use ARPA to improve empty storefronts, they would be more appealing to investors,” she said.  The council received her comments with no vote or commitments being made.

City ratifies union contracts modifying City Hall hours and wages
The City of East Providence, together with the East Providence Professional Managerial and Technical Employees Association (EPPMTEA) union, have mutually agreed to two contracts. The new contracts comes after more than a year of negotiations between the city of East Providence and union leaders.  The first agreement (a one-year contract) calls for no contractual changes or wage increases for the November 1, 2020 through October 31, 2021 period.

The second agreement (a three-year contract) includes an 8 percent wage increase over the three-year period. There will be four, 2 percent increases over the term of this contract. These increases are below the 5.9 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) effective January 2022 as set by Social Security Administration.

“One of the major agreements in the contract, is the allowance for modification of City Hall’s hours of operation. Under the new contract language, the Administration has the ability to implement a change of hours at City Hall to better serve our residents. The contract enables City Hall hours to be modified on Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. beginning sometime this spring at a date to be determined,” states the City Hall press release.

“I am grateful to the union leadership and membership for negotiating in good faith not only on behalf of the union, but to the benefit of the residents we serve,” Mayor Roberto DaSilva said. “With this agreement, we are now in a better position to serve our city’s residents who often cannot make it to City Hall during regular business hours to conduct their business.”

The modified schedule was also agreed upon by the United Steelworkers Local 15509 in previous negotiations with the City of East Providence.

These collective bargaining agreements will continue to keep East Providence on a fiscally responsible footing while affording our employees a fair contract. The contracts were ratified by the East Providence City Council on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022.

EP Police make arrests in Bank Robbery
On Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, at approximately 10:36 a.m., East Providence Police responded to TD Bank at 440 Newport Ave. for the report of a bank robbery. “When officers arrived, they learned that a male suspect showed a note to the teller which demanded cash.  No weapon was shown by the suspect and an undetermined amount of money was taken from the bank.  Members of the Patrol and Detective Divisions gathered evidence, viewed video footage and interviewed witnesses, learning the male suspect had fled the bank on foot across Newport Avenue,” said a police department statement.

“Information was gathered regarding prior area bank robberies in the preceding weeks in which the same suspects were thought to be responsible.  Later in the day, Sgt. Andrew Dubois spotted one of the vehicles thought to be involved in the series of bank robberies travelling on Interstate 195 East and conducted a motor vehicle stop.  Further investigation revealed the two occupants were involved in the series of robberies in neighboring cities and close associates of the suspect in the robbery occurring at the TD Bank branch,” stated a police press release.

Also on February 8, Providence Police conducted a motor vehicle stop on a second involved vehicle, which led to the arrest of a suspect responsible for the robbery at the TD Bank in East Providence.  As a result of this joint investigation by the East Providence Police Dept., Providence Police Dept., Pawtucket Police Dept. and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, five bank robberies were solved; one in East Providence, three in Providence and one in Pawtucket.  

This investigation was assisted by the Flock Safety camera system located in another community.  Investigators were provided with valuable, actionable information from the system that played a pivotal role in solving these robberies.  The following individuals have been charged with the robbery that occurred in East Providence:

• Dashawn Diaz, age 22, a resident of Providence. Diaz is charged with one count of 2nd degree robbery and one count of conspiracy.
• Terrence Lafauret, age 21, a resident of Providence. Lafauret is charged with one count of 2nd degree robbery and one count of conspiracy.

NY Firm Buys Kent Farm Apartments - $54M
In a press release from the Hudson Valley Property Group (HVPG), it was announced that HVPG acquired the “Kent Farm Village 250-unit mixed-income housing property in East Providence, Rhode Island. The $53.7 million closing of Kent Farm Apartments marks HVPG’s first acquisition in Rhode Island as HVPG looks to expand their preservation footprint throughout New England. HVPG will focus on upgrading and renovating the property while keeping rent affordable for residents,” the real estate company stated.

According to the HVPG web site, the firm was founded in 2010 by childhood friends and business partners, Jason Bordainick and Andrew Cavaluzzi. “After observing blatant housing inefficiencies in their hometown of Rockland County, New York, Jason and Andy knew they could improve conditions for families in need of quality affordable housing,” the statement said.

“The lack and loss of quality, affordable housing stock is a nationwide challenge. We are excited to bring our preservation experience and apply our expertise to our first property in the New England region,” said Jason Bordainick, Managing Partner and Co-founder of Hudson Valley Property Group.

Located at 25 Gemini Drive in East Providence, the majority of the 250 units are affordable under a HUD project-based Section 8 contract and will remain affordable for the long term, said firm executives.

“The $5.8 million planned renovation includes new asphalt roof installations, upgrades and beautification of the community spaces such as new flooring, refreshed laundry room, fitness center upgrades including new equipment, a new telehealth center, security enhancements, and a new community kitchen and business center with new computers and printer. In-unit upgrades include installations of energy-efficient lighting and water-saving bathroom fixtures.”

City focuses on small business support, hires two planners
The mayor’s office has announced the hiring of two planners to help “with steps to be more responsive to the small business community.”  The city has hired Dominic Leonardo as its Economic Development Specialist & ARPA Coordinator/Planner II and Victor Regino as its new Business Development & Economic Opportunity Coordinator/Planner I.  Both Leonardo and Regino, work under the direction of the Planning and Economic Development Department Director William Fazioli, and assist the local business community with support in its growth in the City of East Providence through partnerships with employers, educators, economic developers and other community-based organizations. The duo, together with other department staffers, will also guide small businesses through any American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and grant funding opportunities.

“With the growing number of small and medium-sized businesses in East Providence, it is imperative to have a dedicated team on staff who can advocate for and collaborate with the businesses in our city,” Mayor Roberto DaSilva said. “The city’s Economic Development Specialist and Economic Opportunity Coordinator will support our businesses at every stage of growth from startup to expansion and collaborate to provide businesses with the resources they need to succeed.”

Leonardo is tasked with municipal planning, housing and economic development as well as promoting retention and expansion of business and industry. Leonardo is no stranger to public service. He serves as vice chairman of the Economic Development Commission, a role he has had since 2017.  Prior to joining the City of East Providence in September 2021, Leonardo worked as a project manager with State Street Bank and Trust.

A native and current resident of East Providence, Leonardo earned a Master of Arts in Urban and Environmental Planning and Policy from Tufts and Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Providence College.  When he’s not working with small businesses, you can find him working with East Providence youth basketball players, playing acoustic guitar with friends, reading, writing or working on his www.LanduseRI.com newsletter.

Regino, who joined the City of East Providence in January 2022, has also served in the public sector for a number of years. In his role, he will be tasked with responding to the needs of the local business community serving as a liaison between the city and local business sector. He served as the deputy director of city services for the City of Providence from 2020 to 2021 before taking the role of small business coordinator for the City.  Prior to joining the City of Providence, Regino worked in the banking sector as an analyst and relationship consultant.

A resident of East Providence, Regino was born in Providence to Dominican and Puerto Rican immigrants and understands the need for equity and access. He is bilingual in Spanish.

When he’s not advocating for the business community, Regino spends his free time volunteering for Hungry Fridays, a local nonprofit. He is a current member of the East Providence Affirmative Action Committee and former member of Millennial Rhode Island, Rhode Island Latino Political Action Committees.

EP Prevention Coalition honored at CADCA National Leadership Forum
On Monday, January 31, the East Providence Prevention Coalition (EPPC) was one of 178 community coalitions honored during a graduation ceremony at the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America’s (CADCA) 32nd Annual National Leadership Forum. 

“It was an incredible opportunity to be present along with the other Coalitions that have demonstrated immense dedication to their communities by participating in the NCA. Through the Academy, myself along with Coalition staff and members, had the opportunity to learn how to be an effective agent for community change and bring sustainable prevention programming and strategies to the residents of East Providence,” expressed EPPC Director Madeline Marlow. "I am so proud of the work the East Providence Prevention Coalition has done in the community and am truly honored to accept the NCA diploma on their behalf.”

The coalition has recently worked on several programs in East Providence schools which include a successful Red Ribbon Week campaign in each elementary school, “Hidden In Plain Sight” demonstrations to both Middle Schools, and presenting “Circles & Silence'' to East Providence High School Juniors and Seniors. EPPC is also working on initiates aimed to increase community engagement and awareness by running a “Family Meals Monday” social media campaign encouraging family engagement around the dinner table with weekly recipes and topics that prompt healthy conversations between adults and kids and have created public service announcements for impaired driving and over-the-counter and prescription medication safety.

EPPC brought four youth to the forum including Hunter Roman, Jordan Marlow, Brandon Doherty and Benjamin Sherman, who are all part of East Providence Youth Council (EPYC), led by EPPC’s Youth Coordinator Bethanie Rado.

"I just want to thank the East Providence Prevention Coalition for providing me and my peers with this opportunity. I also want to thank our national congressional representatives for taking the time to meet with us and listening to youth concerns and for supporting prevention efforts in East Providence and throughout Rhode Island,” said Jordan Marlow. “I was really impressed that Senator Whitehouse met with us and listened to my story.

“I also learned a lot of things that I cannot wait to bring back to my school (EPHS) and peers,” Jordan Marlow said. “We can be the Townies that end substance misuse and stigma around mental health concerns if we can promote these changes together."

“Experiencing what others go through because of substance use plays a huge role in prevention,” said Brandon Doherty. “Kids don’t often get the chance to really see what happens to themselves or the people around them because of what they’re doing.  “Being able to share stories and personal experiences here at the Forum and with our government leaders can be the biggest difference in making change happen,” Doherty added.