November News Briefs

City 2022-23 City Budget Passed
The City budget for the 2022-2023 Fiscal Year was approved by the City Council.  Through several public workshops in which the entire proposed budget by Mayor Bob DaSilva was available for scrutiny, only minor changes were made by the council.  Public comment, while available, was not offered by many residents.  In fact, council members were mostly in agreement with most of the budget line items, even voting to increase the amount DaSilva initially requested for a few items.  However, while saying they agreed with a lot of the budget, council members Anna Sousa, Ward Two and Ricardo Mourato, Ward Four voted against the final plan.  Council President and Ward One member Bob Britto, Nate Cahoon, Ward Three and At-Large member Bob Rodericks voted for the budget.  Sousa and Mourato believed the budget carried financial problems for future budget preparations.  Britto, Cahoon and Rodericks viewed the final budget as “responsible” in meeting the many needs of the community.  “The Consumer Price Index is over 8%.  As we all know, everything has gone up in price.  The city faces that too,” said Rodericks.  A tax levy of 1.08% in light of infrastructure needs and programs, is reasonable with today’s economy, was the belief of the council members voting to approve.  “It’s smoke and mirrors,” retorted Mourato in voting against.  Sousa joined Mourato in voting against the final budget.

DaSilva’s original request called for a levy increase of .67% but increases added by council members brought the levy to the 1.08%, said city Finance Director Malcolm Moore.  Britto told council members that maturing past bonds, city retirements and other budget considerations would help offset future lost revenue.  Moore also explained that the upcoming mandated property revaluation will be a factor in tax levy versus actual dollar tax rates.  Moore estimates this budget will raise the average homeowners tax bill by $48 annually.

Much discussion was held on the proposal by Cahoon to add three additional workers to the Department of Public Works.  The estimated increase to the budget is $225,000, which Cahoon said represented salaries and benefit contributions.  Mourato said he opposed the idea and would like more in depth discussion at a later date. “This was on a whim,” said Mourato.  “I want to know what the needs are and why we need three more parks employees,” he added.

“Yes, happy to do that if you want that discussion,” answered Cahoon.  “That’s why we’ve had all these budget workshops for the past several weeks.  The salaries and benefits are for entry level workers, and the RI DEM recommends a ‘number’ of employees for parks and recreation, per acre. We are well under that ratio.  We have over 780 acres of parks and fields and are investing in many park renovations,” Cahoon said.  “We will also have close to 10 acres of open space at Metacomet to maintain.  Currently, seven full time workers aren’t enough.”  Rodericks added that he gets weekly complaints about parks and ball fields needing grass cut, weeding done, etc. “It’s about time we maintain our parks appropriately.  Preventative maintenance saves money in the long run,” he added.

In the end, most council members said they supported the line items as proposed in the budget, but the bottom line passed by the 3-2 vote.

Street Flooding Issues Discussed
The council last month heard from DPW Director Dan Borges who gave an update at the request of at-large council member Bob Rodericks on the progress the city was making on street flooding.  “I held a community meeting at Dewey Avenue several weeks ago, after the heavy rains we had,” said Rodericks.  “About 30 residents attended along with the Mayor, Director Borges and engineer Eric Skadberg. We promised feedback to the neighborhood.  This applies to other areas in the city and speaks to decades of infrastructure neglect which we are now trying to correct,” added Rodericks.

“We had pretty historic rains this summer that led to significant flooding issues.” Borges told the council.  “As a result of those storms, what we have done to date, is we have identified those areas and are compiling linear foot measures of those pipes.  The plan is to send cameras in the pipes and then fix or replace problem areas.”  Borges said the city would be going out to bid shortly for most of this project.  “We’ll do what we can with our staff and go out to hire for more complicated work,” said Borges.

Voter Question Number 4:  Martin Middle & Waddington Bonds
Question Number 4 on the November 8th ballot seeks public input on a bond issue to repair and replace parts of Martin Middle school and Waddington Elementary school.  Both schools still have major portions of their buildings using an outdated “open classroom concept.”  The question reads:  Shall an acted passed at the 2022 session of the R.I. General Assembly entitled: "An act authorizing the City of East Providence to finance the construction, renovation, improvement, alteration, repair, furnishing and equipping of schools and school facilities in the City by the issuance of not more than $148,000,000 bonds, notes, and/or other evidences of indebtedness therefor, subject to the approval of state housing aid at a reimbursement rate or state share ratio of not less 48.5% for expenditures available for state aid and provided that the authorization shall be reduced by any grant received from the school building authority capital fund" be approved.

An approval of this question will authorize the City of East Providence to issue not more than $148,000,000 in bonds, notes, and other evidences of indebtedness to finance the construction, renovation, improvement, alteration, repair, furnishing and equipping of schools and school facilities, particularly Martin Middle School and Waddington Elementary School, with the condition that the City receives as state school aid for at least 48.5% of eligible expenditures.

Council Rejects 24 Hours Operation for Cumberland Farms
The City Council unanimously voted against a request from the new Cumberland Farms being built on Newport Avenue in Rumford last month.  The surrounding neighborhood wrote letters and expressed many concerns with an operation that may give rise to traffic and noise from a 24-hour operation at that site.  Councilman-at-Large Bob Rodericks said that “the Cumberland Farms chain has been a good business for the city. The modernized location in Kent Heights is widely accepted by the neighborhood and does very well,” he said.  Rodericks said the Rumford residents were not generally opposed to Cumberland Farms, just the extended hours. “As one neighbor wrote, I welcome Cumberland Farms as a neighbor I just don’t welcome the 24 hour request.”  “I’m surprised that there isn’t a representative from the business here to answer questions,” said Rodericks.

Separate from the 24 hour vote, Rodericks asked city Economic Development Director Bill Fazioli and planning department officials to verify that the Newport Avenue project was adhering to the original approved plan for development.  “A resident stated that the plan has not been followed as the council approved.  Can we confirm one way or another,” he asked.  Fazioli and planning officials said that the plan is followed closely and has not deviated from the original approval.  The plan includes almost 1400 plantings of trees, shrubs, grass, etc. and fencing, all making up a 35 foot buffer along neighborhood streets.

City Partners with One Neighborhood Housing
City officials and housing leaders held a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the newly rehabilitated Sutton Place apartments last month.   East Providence is now the seventh municipality in the state to reach the 10 percent threshold for affordable housing.  In a collective press release by all parties, the following was stated: “Housing remains one of the most urgent issues in Rhode Island.  ONE Neighborhood Builders (ONE|NB) hosted U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, Lt. Governor Sabina Matos, East Providence Mayor Bob DaSilva, state and local officials, and leading housing advocates marking the completed renovation of Sutton Place in East Providence,” said the joint release.

“When communities invest in affordable housing, they are investing in a stronger economy. We would not be in a position to open the doors of Sutton Place without strong support from our partners in government, from the federal delegation all the way to the local and municipal leaders in East Providence,” said ONE|NB Executive Director Jen Hawkins. “East Providence is now the seventh municipality in Rhode Island to reach the state’s 10 percent low- and moderate-income housing goal. Mayor DaSilva doesn’t just talk about affordable housing. He walks the walk.”

Sutton Place includes a total of 36 apartments in two identical buildings on Sutton Avenue in East Providence. ONE|NB purchased the property for $3.3 million. By rehabilitating the property, ONE|NB prevented the future displacement of existing residents, many of whom would likely experience severe hardship in trying to secure alternative housing. To qualify for the apartments, tenants must be at or below 80 percent of Area Median Income (AMI).

According to officials familiar with the project, ONE|NB invested more than $6 million in the property, with funding coming from Rhode Island Housing, the state Housing Trust Fund, and the East Providence Waterfront Commission, among others. Many of the state funding resources were made available because of federal funding secured by Sens. Reed and Whitehouse.

“This renovated building preserves affordable opportunities for people from all walks of life to live together in modern, enhanced apartments with new amenities. Sutton Place is a great example of what can be accomplished when we work together to breathe new life into older buildings.  It is a win for its residents and a win for the community,” said Senator Reed, the author of the law establishing the Housing Trust Fund, which contributed $1.19 million in federal funding to the renovation project.

“Rhode Island families are getting squeezed by high housing costs,” said Senator Whitehouse.  “Solving this challenge is going to take a commitment from leaders at all levels of government.  I commend Mayor DaSilva and state officials for seeing through the renovation of Sutton Place, and I’ll keep fighting down in Washington to secure funding to ensure every Rhode Islander has a safe, affordable place to call home.”

In June 2022, Governor Dan McKee signed a state budget that included $250 million for housing, including funding for low- and moderate-income housing developments similar to the rehabilitation of Sutton Place. ONE|NB Executive Director Jen Hawkins served on the Low-and Moderate-Income Housing Act Commission which made recommendations to state leaders on how best to direct state funds to solve Rhode Island’s housing crisis.

“What ONE|NB has accomplished here is a model for communities across the state. They have created three dozen units of affordable housing in the midst of a crisis without displacing residents,” said Lt. Governor Matos. “Our administration will be looking to Sutton Place for inspiration as we put our historic, quarter-of-a-billion-dollar investment in housing to work in all 39 cities and towns.”

“There is a high demand for affordable housing units,” said East Providence Mayor Bob DaSilva. “Despite this trend, only a handful of communities are welcoming new housing opportunities. With over 1,200 housing units currently under construction or permitted, East Providence is addressing this problem head-on. Sutton Place is a prime example of this.”

The Sutton Place properties were built in 1970 and required substantial renovation. ONE|NB’s rehabilitation included the installation of new windows and doors in common areas, landscaping, parking lot repairs, and a new roof at 54 Sutton. The roof at 60 Sutton was replaced in 2020. Individual apartments underwent substantial renovations, including new flooring, plumbing, kitchen and bath cabinets and countertops, new windows, doors, and fire and electrical code upgrades.

“Sutton Place represents a strategic and meaningful investment in homes, in communities and in Rhode Island,” said James Comer, RI Housing Deputy Director. “We’re thrilled to be celebrating the completion of a project that has created long-term affordable homes for Rhode Islanders in partnership with an innovative developer, a welcoming municipality and supportive state leadership. Financing these kinds of developments can be complicated, but they reap rewards for Rhode Island residents who need safe, affordable places to live and thrive.”

Police Explorers receive $2K donation from local church
The East Providence Police Explorers Post 750 accepted a $2,000 check from Bethany of the Nazarene Church in Rumford.  Pastor David Vatral presented the check in October, to Paul Manning, a 19-year-old who has been in the program for five years and has plans to someday serve in law enforcement. Pastor Vatral presented the check on behalf of his church members who wanted to help the community in some way.

“We are so thankful to Pastor Vatral and his parish family for their amazing donation,” Mayor Bob DaSilva said. “The funds will be used to help our city’s youth explore the world of law enforcement and perhaps someday pursue a career in the field.”

Chief Christopher Francesconi thanked Pastor Vatral and all of his parishioners for their generous and thoughtful donation.

“The Explorers program gives the youth of East Providence the opportunity to better understand policing and allows them to volunteer within the community,” Chief Francesconi said. “These proceeds will help those who may not be able to afford the cost of the program and also for our much-needed supplies.”

The East Providence Police Explorers program is for all young men and women between the ages of 14 and 20 who are interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement.  The East Providence Explorers meet once every other week from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at 610 Waterman Ave., East Providence (Robert Rock Senior Center).

During these meetings, Explorers are instructed in various aspects of law enforcement. The areas of study include, but are not limited to, traffic stops, building searches, traffic control, self-defense, use of force, firearms safety and use, DUIL Stops, criminal law and officer safety. 

The East Providence Police Department is currently recruiting new members into the program. Youth interested in the program are invited to attend the first meeting and sign up on October 26, 2022 @ 6:30 p.m. at 610 Waterman Ave., (Robert Rock Senior Center).  For more information, please contact Lt. David Pacheco at Dpacheco@eastprovidenceri.gov.

EP Police to Seek Federal Funding
In accordance with U.S. Department of Justice Policy and Bureau of Justice Assistance grant requirements, the East Providence Police Department issued a statement to the general public that states, in part; “The Police Department is pleased to make its intentions known to seek Federal funding available for public review and comment. The Police Department is requesting $10,737.00 to purchase equipment with the goal of meeting the RI General Laws as it pertains to annual firearms qualifications for police officers. The department would use some of the funds to rent a mobile firearm range from Blue Line Corp. Additionally, the department would purchase firearm holsters for new recruits. With the department hiring many new recruits, it is necessary to outfit them with the necessary equipment prior to entering the Rhode Island Municipal Training Academy, or for lateral transfer officers from other departments, before they enter their Field Training program. The amount is allocated for the City of East Providence, to be designated towards law enforcement programs through the 2022 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program. Any individuals or groups wishing to view the grant proposal in its entirety, and/or offer comment on the Department’s request for funding are encouraged to contact Sgt. James Aceto of the East Providence Police Department, 401-563-8699.

Mattresses & Box Springs Free Drop Off:  Saturday, November 5, 2022
Residents can drop off their old mattresses or box springs for free on Saturday, November 5th from 9 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.  Mattress and/or box spring, two pieces or one set, per household are collected on scheduled Saturdays by appointment only. Fee for curbside collection is $25 each piece. Residents can schedule a pick-up by submitting a service request or calling the Recycling Office at 401-435-7701. Mattress collections can be scheduled during the months of March through December. No collections in January and February.

Mattresses can also be dropped off at Rhode Island Resource Recovery throughout the year at 60 Shun Pike in Johnston at no fee, as long as mattress is not torn or damaged it can be recycled follow signs for the small vehicle drop off area, call 942-1430 for more information.