March 28, 2024

East Providence No School Thursday - Schools, Sidewalks Not Ready

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Clearing away almost 20 inches of snow, not counting the high drifts and windblown snow, has proved to be too much of a task to open schools on Thursday. Although most schools have been plowed pretty well, they still aren't ready or safe enough. Compounding the problem is the fact that many city sidewalks are not passable for students who walk or others needing to get around. School buses will also have a difficult time picking up students at their stops. Buses will also find it hard to negotiate turns around tight corners piled high with plowed or drifting snow.

"In my opinion, some of the schools in East Providence still need significant snow removal. I am glad that the decision came today rather than the morning hours when parents would be struggling to find childcare," said Ward 4 school committee member Jessica Beauchaine. In response to some of the complaints school committee members have received over the decision to close school tomorrow, Ward 3 member Nate Cahoon posted the following: "Let's all keep in mind that the School Committee does not dictate the day-to-day operations of the School Department. School Department leadership assessed the situation, determined that snow removal around the schools has not been able to adequately address the snow that fell, and blew in drifts to block entrances and safe travel routes. Transit via buses through uncleared streets and around slippery corners has the potential to imperil students. Further, they felt that due to the fact that many sidewalks remain uncleared, walking students would not be safe. I don't know that can I fault that logic, particularly as Pawtucket and Cranston have also made the decision to close tomorrow, as have multiple RI private schools and 7 Massachusetts districts," said the Cahoon statement. Cahoon urged those having questions about this to attend the February 10th school committee meeting and raise the issue. At-Large member, Joel Monteiro also cited issues with getting students to school safely as the likely reason for tomorrow's cancellation. Cranston and Pawtucket have also called off school Thursday.

The Reporter spent a few hours driving around East Providence today (Wednesday) and this is what we found. The main roads like Pawtucket Avenue, Willett, Warren Avenue, Broadway and most major cross streets like Forbes, Dover, Centre Street, etc., were extremely passable. The large main streets were down to pavement in most cases. But many side streets, while plowed, were "clumpy" or "slushy" due to windblown drifts or were needing another pass by with a plow. We did not see many plows on the roads at this time - mid to late afternoon. Most concerning was the fact that many sidewalks had not yet been shoveled or cleared of snow, especially in areas where school bus and RIPTA bus stops are. There weren't many people out walking but those that were, were walking in the streets.

A survey of several schools found a range of well plowed lots and walkways to some that needed substantially more work. East Providence High School was in excellent shape. The big lots were done and area sidewalks were also clear of snow. Both Martin and Riverside Middle schools were essentially done but had workers still plowing their lots at 4:30 PM. A check of Kent Heights, Orlo and Hennessey Elementary schools showed that some progress was made but quite a bit more plowing of lots and walkways remained to be done. As the hour got later and the temperature started to drop, it appeared that would also be a problem with icing over some of the unplowed snow, making for slick driving and walking in the morning. There wasn't any evidence yet of salting and sanding.

One area that was crowded with smiling but cold faces was the Silver Spring golf course on Pawtucket Avenue. Many families had gathered in one of the only places to go sledding or tubing in the city. Although people coming and going had to use extreme caution as the adjacent sidewalk was not plowed and busy Pawtucket Avenue drivers were moving at near normal speeds on the clear pavement two lane state road. The small golf course parking lot was unplowed as the course is, of course, closed for the season.

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