March 28, 2024

News Briefs

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Financial Improvement Continues in EP
The climb away from financial peril continues to be strong for East Providence as the latest complete Fiscal Audit shows a city surplus. The accounting firm of Parmelee Poirier & Associates told the City Council during its June meeting that the near $5M surplus was the fifth positive year in a row for the City.

Jo-Anne Newton, a CPA with this firm gave the good news. "You are doing a good job of managing expenses all the important budget watchdog items like retirement contributions, rainy day funding and assets versus liabilities.

Newton said that the City has some $106 Million in assets and $36 Million in liabilities "which is a good thing." Officials reiterated that the City has continued to do well since the state budget commission left oversight control over City management.

In approximately six years the City of East Providence has boldly gone from financial bleakness to a coveted "AA" bond rating. The higher a municipality's bond issue is, the lower interest it gets charged for loans and bonds to manage budgets and build schools or other bond-related projects. It can mean millions of tax dollars saved. There are only two higher bond rating levels, AA+ and AAA. Rating agency Standard & Poor ( S&P) rarely assigns those highest ratings to cities and towns. East Providence has jumped three levels recently from A to AA. S&P describes an AA rating as "an obligor with a very strong capacity to meet its financial commitments. It differs from the highest-rated obligors only to a small degree."

Earlier state financial overseer Paul Luba had told the Reporter that "Basically a 'Perfect Storm' of good financial news happened. The economy got better everywhere, an increased education aid formula infused the district with $1M to $1.5M more, East Providence was the first in Rhode Island to benefit from a new tax offset policy (for past due balances), consolidation of city-school services began (although most have now ended) and the city was more aggressive in collecting taxes owed (currently the city is owed close to $2M in delinquent water bills). Employee contract cuts and other belt-tightening measures were also cited as part of the process of climbing out of a big financial hole.

Councilman Joe Botelho and Roads
Ward 3 City Councilman Joe Botelho issued a mission statement release in June in which he wants City management to apply $5 Million to repair East Providence roads. Botelho said it was up to the city now to fix the badly damaged streets. "Let's design a budget that can fix all bad roads, we can do this," said Botelho at the June council meeting. Botelho added that the council should do this in light of the recent good fiscal report.

Botelho wants City Manager Timothy Chapman to assign the $5 million to repair "roads from Rumford to Riverside." Botelho also wants utility companies to repair an entire area being worked on, not just patch.

Botelho told Chapman that he believes close to $32 million is earmarked in the budget for odds and ends. "I can't approve a future budget that doesn't include the money to fix these streets," said Botelho.

Kent Heights Cumberland Farms Project Finally On
After a lengthy delay in which real estate has changed hands and logistics with neighboring businesses had to be worked out, the Cumberland Farms on the corner of Wampanoag Trail and Pawtucket Avenue will close on August 7th, for the long awaited remodeling. It is planned to reopen on or about December 15th after new construction is completed.

Cumberland Farms officials had not responded to questions on when the project would finally take place. When the East Providence Zoning Board rejected a proposal from Cumberland Farms in 2015 to renovate and expand their operation on the corner of Wampanoag Trail and Pawtucket Avenue, many residents, especially in the Kent Heights neighborhood were unhappy. "A slap in the face! That’s what the Kent Heights Neighborhood was dealt by two members of the zoning board as it voted down the new Cumberland Farms proposal...the small mindedness of two zoning members killed the project which would have brought millions of dollars of private investment to a section of our neighborhood that is beginning to look like a third world country," was a statement from the Kent Heights Neighborhood Association at the time.

Although the Zoning Board did not approve the business expansion as requested, the East Providence City Council was in favor of the project. However the council could not overturn the zoning vote legally and it had to be resolved by the Superior Court.

"We believe that such a development would greatly improve the neighborhood and serve to further bootstrap, high quality developments in the immediate area. At best we will be left with a cigarette and Keno stand and at worst it will be another derelict lot to add to the collection our neighborhood has been piling up," said Joe Botelho. At the time Botelho was starting his campaign for the Ward Three city council seat, which he eventually won.

In a ruling filed on March 24, 2016, the Rhode Island Superior Court ruled that "Upon review of the record before it, this Court finds that the Zoning Board's decision must be reversed, as it is in error of law and clearly erroneous. The Zoning Board's Decision was in violation of its statutory and ordinance provisions

Burnside Avenue Condo Project
A proposal to demolish the vacant former Platt and Watters school buildings at the corners of Burnside and Trurner avenues in Riverside is moving forward through local permitting and community meetings. Ward 4 Councilman Brian Faria has arranged for community meetings with development planners, city officials and the neighborhood in question.

A proposal to add about 33 condominium units in townhouse type buildings where the vacant school buildings now exist. The units will be about a story and a half with garages. Initial meetings had residents asking questions about "street parking" and other issues of concerns.

"That's why we're here, to get your input," said Councilman Faria. "We want to hear from you." Planners told residents that a lot of work remains in the planning process. "Right now you're getting zero from this vacant property," said an architect. "The new development will add to the city tax base." Developers have abandoned plans to offer the units for rent and are limiting them to just homeowners for now.

Some on social media are not yet convinced that this is the best use of this area. Tony Ottone Jr. replied that "if this proposal was for the old, Oldham school location I would support it. Being a main road, and abutting other apartments, and condo complex up the road. I don't think a condo complex in the middle of a residential neighborhood is a good idea. It only makes sense financially to a developer, but not from a planning or geographic point of view. What if they don't sell, like many other so called condo projects in the area. Then the developer has to rent them to keep them full. I don't think it's a good idea, or good for the property values around it. This is where the city should support the residents of this neighborhood and not just the financial gain. Sell it as house lots and keep it a neighborhood," said Ottone.

"No developer will touch that property unless they can build multi unit dwellings," said Rick Lawson. "There will be no money to make with single family homes. The cost to demo two building with asbestos and to build would mean the houses would have to sell in the $300-$350k range. If this proposal can't pass after some adjustments to alleviate parking concerns we will be stuck with what we currently have. Two empty buildings generating zero tax revenue," said Lawson.

"These condos look a lot like normal houses and I think it will fit the area fine," offered Jason Desrosiers. "I would also rather have houses but I don't see it happening. People not buying them is always a possibility but if it gets turned into apartments you'll have a lot more people," said Jeremy Kelly. "I'm not too worried about the increased traffic on the street. Also with condos the landscape and buildings are usually well maintained."

The community meeting was planned and hosted by Councilman Brian Faria in June with more meetings planned.

Richard Martin: EP District Teacher of the Year
Veteran teacher Richard Martin has been named the 2017 East Providence District Wide Teacher of the Year. Martin received his award in June. He is a popular and highly respected teacher at East Providence High School and was a choice of peers, administrators and students. Martin is an Advanced Placement History teacher at the high school and was described as "humble, talented, a contributor with integrity who has shown 30 years of integrity in the classroom." Martin is a Townie, himself an EPHS graduate. "I am speechless and grateful for this honor," a normally very "talkative" Martin told the school committee upon receiving his honor along with other school based honorees.

2017 School based Teachers of the Year
EP Career Center - Joseph Barroso, Auto Tech
Martin Middle - Susana Pimental
Riverside Middle - Jean Douglas
Francis - Deborah Brun
Hennessey - Jennifer Sweeney
Kent Heights - Lauren Alianiello
Oldham - Emily Rendine
Orlo Ave - Kim Chapman
Silver Spring - Stacey Messier
Waddington - Donna Long
Whiteknact - Elizabeth Donahue
Pre-K @ MMS - Leslie Andrade

8th Annual Night Out Against Crime
The East Providence Citizen Police Academy Association (EPCPAA) and the East Providence Police Department invite the community to participate in the National Night Out on Tuesday August 1st, 2017 at the EP Senior Center Field on Waterman Avenue. "It's a fun evening 5-8 pm for kids and families. All booths are free of charge and there is no solicitations. There are no charges of any kind at this event. There will be many things to do for kids of all ages," said event volunteer Rosemary Perry Oliver.

The National Night Out program is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; generate support for, and participation in, local anti crime efforts; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police community partnerships; and send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

With the focus of the event aimed at providing safety information and to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, representatives of the East Providence Police Department and volunteers will be available at the event with information about the community, the City’s Neighborhood Watch program and safety handouts. "This is a great event for residents and businesses to attend to stay involved in the East Providence community," said Perry Oliver. "National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. It furthermore provides an opportunity to bring police and neighbors together. Neighborhoods across the nation host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and other community events with safety demos, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel and exhibits," she added.

Pride Day in EP Observed
The City of East Providence celebrated Happy Pride Day in June. Pride day was first celebrated in 1994 in October. It was declared a national History month by President Barack Obama in 2009. The month was created with the intent to encourage openness and education about LGBT history and rights. June is celebrated as Pride in honor of the Stonewall Riots, though Pride events occur all year round.

East Providence Celebrates the Day of Portugal Last Month
On June 7th and 10th, the City of East Providence proudly celebrated the Day of Portugal with raising the Portuguese Flag outside of City Hall. Councilwoman Anna Sousa took the opportunity to organize a beautiful celebration in recognition of our large Portuguese American population and to recognize the April 25, 1974 Portuguese Revolution, which successfully overcame a dictatorship ensuring democracy and Portuguese Independence. The event was celebrated by many of our local public officials as well as representatives from the Rhode Island Day of Portugal. The 2017 President of RI Day of Portugal, Leonel Teixeira, spoke at the ceremony and said “this is a special occasion to reaffirm and show the value of the Portuguese culture.” The event kicked off the Portuguese Heritage Festival, which is celebrating their 40th celebration of the Day of Portugal.

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