September News Briefs

Mayor Bob DaSilva delivers FY 2024 Proposed Budget to City Council
The fiscal 2024 budget proposes General Fund expenditures of $191,767,267, a $7.5M increase (4.06 percent) over the FY 23 appropriation. Of the total General Fund expenditure increase, city operating expenditures increased by $4.5M (4.96 percent) and funding of the School Department rose by $3M (3.19 percent). The proposed budget seeks a 3.5 percent increase in the tax levy.

“This budget balances the needs and expectations of our residents, continues needed investments in public safety, public education and school infrastructure, and strengthens our private pension fund,” Mayor Bob DaSilva said. “The City’s finances remain stable and strong, and this budget continues our efforts to provide affordable, quality services, while also recognizing the challenges that our taxpayers face in this economic inflationary climate.”

One of the main challenges was driven by the need to pay scheduled bond debt associated with the voter-approved school bonds. This required making difficult decisions including the elimination of previously funded, but vacant positions (Deputy Fire Chief, one Parks Division position, and an IT position).

The proposed increases of $7.5M are primarily related to the following:

• A $1.5M increase of voter-approved debt services – Martin Middle and Waddington

Elementary Schools

• A $3M increase for the School Department ($2M - City & $1M - School State Aid)
• A $500K increase for the statutorily required property revaluation assessment
• $1.2M increase for municipal salaries, contractual obligations and related benefits
• $300K in Refuse/Recycling Tipping Fees increase
• $400K Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) increases per the city’s actuarially required contribution (ARC)
• $600K Firemen’s and Policemen’s Pension Fund increases to meet the City’s ARC
• Inflation/Increase of cost of goods and services including utilities such as electricity,  heating and gas

The general fund expenditures and the increase to the budget is being supported with revenues from the following:

• $116M Property Taxes ($4M increase)
• $62M State Aid ($3M increase)
• $11M Departmental Sources ($500K increase)
• $3M Miscellaneous

“This (budget process) may be the most important role of the City Council,” said council president Bob Rodericks as he was presented the proposed budget from Mayor DaSilva.  “We have a fiduciary responsibility to the community.  We have our homework; we’ll begin public workshops on Tuesday (8/29/23).”  

An interactive link to the proposed budget is available here on OpenGov, on the city’s transparency portal https://stories.opengov.com/eastprovidenceri/published/veWMfZIm14u 

School Committee sends FY 23-24 Budget of $97M to Council
At its August meeting, the School Committee passed a 2023-2024 budget in the amount of $97,024,640.  The request represents a 3.6% increase from last year in the amount of $1.9M.  The final approved budget was brought down from an initial requested increase of $2.1M at the request of Mayor Bob DaSilva.  DaSilva asked the schools to reduce its request and offered to help the process by having the city include the cost of a high school Resource Officer as part of the city police budget account.  The schools also reduced a salary and benefits line due to planned retirements.  Overall, the Mayor asked the school department to reduce its budget request by $211,000.  These changes brought the school budget down to the 3.6% increase.

“We do work really well with the city and their departments, so this is a good budget, and we’ll make it work,” said Superintendent of Schools Sandra Forand.  “We’ll have to look at this when we come back to the table next year.”

A couple of committee members questioned the lowering of the budget and worried about funding losses to shrinking grants and state aid.  “We want to be good partners with the city,” said Forand.  “We always make it work.”

One positive feature is the growth of the student population in the city.  Forand told the committee that the district census has increased from 5065 in 2020-21 to 5336 in 2023-24.  “I can tell you that the enrollment is growing.  In one day we had over 7 students enroll in the high school.  “The high school census is at 1700, middle schools are at 1134 and the elementary schools are at 2107.  Additionally, we have 96 students placed outside of the district,” added Forand.

“As with our regular enrollments, our special education numbers have increased.  There has been a steady increase from 2020-21 with 1020 students to 1108 this year with 134 students currently in the referral process.  Some out of district placements mandated by the state can cost over $100,000 per student,” said Forand.  The committee voted 3-1 to accept the budget.  Chair Jenni Azinaro, members Max Brandle and Ryan Queenan voted in favor with Anthony Ferreira the lone dissenter.  Member Jessica Beauchaine was not present.

The city council will review the school budget as part of a series of public workshops.  The council cannot make line-item decisions on the school budget, just the bottom-line total amount.

Schools Have Busy Summer
Schools Superintendent Sandra Forand gave the School Committee in early August a robust report on facilities.  The planned build and renovations at several schools are moving ahead as planned.  “Six school buildings have been completely cleaned and are ready for the school year.  The other six are in progress and are on schedule,” said Forand.  “Seven separate summer programming and construction projects are underway.  Windows are being replaced at Riverside Middle, Orlo Avenue and Silver Spring schools. 

Construction of the bond-issue approved renovations at Martin Middle School has begun with preparation work.  “We will be communicating with neighbors on the planned work and traffic patterns at Martin MS.  The police will help us with a traffic plan.  Right now, the office area is being moved and cafeteria work will be done.  Hennessey and Silver Spring smoke stacks renovations are essentially complete,” added Forand.  Also, Oldham School (former Meadowcrest) is having classroom reconfiguration and a trailer is there to accommodate support staff offices.  There has been a lot going on and all work is progressing as it should with no expected delays at this point,” said Forand.

City Council Questions Speed Camera Operation
A review of statistics regarding the city speed camera system took place at the August 15 City Council meeting.  Ward One councilman Frank Rego had placed the review on the agenda.  The council had several questions for the president of Sensys-Gatso, Bill Braden.  This is the company which was hired to install and partially manage the speed and red-light cameras.  Speed cameras are in front of a few schools (EP High School, Bay View, Riverside Middle School, Kent Heights and St. Margaret School) while red light cameras are scattered at different busy intersections.  School zone speeding infractions are $50 with running a red light brings a fine of $85.

Since its inception the program has ticket some $8 million in fines but the city has realized about $5 million.  Some tickets are thrown out by the Municipal Court and others remain unpaid. The city plans on budgeting about $3 million in ticket revenue in each of the last two budgets.  Rego asked several questions regarding specific data.  Company president Braden said that the average speeding violator went 15 miles over the speed limit and that local police officers approved 94% of potential violations.  By the end of June 2023, there were just over 264,000 “incidents” or initial violations recorded by all cameras.  Of that number, 196,000 (approx.) tickets had actually been issued, Rego and the council was told.  About 60,000 tickets haven’t been paid yet.

Council President Bob Rodericks had been asking for a “zip code report,” to verify the claim that most offenders were not East Providence residents.  The council was told that 73% of all those receiving violations were non-East Providence residents.  “24% of tickets were sent to registered East Providence addresses,” said the company report.  An incident breakdown was given by each zip code address involved.  Rodericks also added that many residents, including City Hall staff were unsuccessful in reaching a company representative at the Sensys-Gatso phone number listed for inquiries.

The report indicated that 3,453 red light violations were issued for 2022 with 4,609 between January-June of 2023.  There were 132,828 school zone violations in 2022 and 56,746 from January-June, 2023. There was an initial payment rate of 71% realized in 2022.  The camera statistical report showed a 27% decrease in school zone speeding, comparing the same time period of January-June 2022 (77,962) and 2023 (56,746).  

Police Chief Chris Francesconi replied to questions that up to four traffic patrol officers will spend about an hour or so, checking on the validity of tickets.  Only those driving over 10 miles per hour above the speed limit will get a ticket.  Councilors Frank Fogarty and Rick Lawson suggested that actual police officers using radar to control speeding is a better idea than cameras.  “A human being can better see a situation,” said Lawson.  Fogarty proposed the idea of paying retired officers to do the same task.  Chief Fransesconi routinely points out that he doesn’t have the staff to cover this need on a regular basis.

Newly appointed City Clerk, Jill Seppa, said that unanticipated additional work and expenses has occurred for workers in the clerk’s office.  The added impact involved receiving resident complaints, court expenses, supplies, etc.

Throughout the discussion, Director of Administration Napoleon Gonsalves, a retired Pawtucket police officer, chastised the council for “encouraging people to speed” by their comments about the controversial camera system.  The comments did not sit well with council members who shot back retorts.  “Stop saying that,” said Ward Two councilwoman Anna Sousa.  “Accidents happen where we don’t have cameras also.”

The current contract with Sensys-Gatso expires on December 30, 2025.  The company expressed a willingness to negotiate changes with the city council now, but no guarantees were mentioned.  Some on the council have suggested limiting the speed camera times to before and after school hours and possibly eliminating a camera or two.  The city administration opposes any changes.  Referring to a proposed meeting with company officials and council members, Gonsalves said, “You will include administration I hope.”  Rodericks answered that all parties will be involved.

East Providence Police Tout Success in Recruitment
Mayor Bob DaSilva and police chief Chris Francesconi have released a statement touting the city’s recent success in hiring new police officers.  Many communities in Rhode Island are having difficulty filling police vacancies.

“Over the last several years, police departments across the state and country have encountered difficulties with recruiting new police officers. Contrary to the trend, the East Providence Police Department has found success in recruiting officers to join the rank and file over the last 18 months all while facing retirements and other staffing shortages. Department leaders point to several factors that have contributed to the influx of new hires.  Cooperation between police administrators, city leaders and union officials helped to develop a recruitment program that focused on lateral transfers along with new recruits,” said the press statement.

The East Providence Police Department’s Planning and Training Unit has worked tirelessly over the past year and a half to onboard 24 new officers, 13 of which are lateral transfers from other police departments. With the anticipation of three more lateral transfers being added this month and three recruits currently attending the Rhode Island Municipal Police Training Academy, the total number of new officers hired since 2022 will be 30.

“Upon my appointment as Chief of Police, hiring qualified candidates was the highest priority,” Chief Chris Francesconi said. “The men and women of our agency have worked tirelessly to recruit, vet, support and train this unprecedented number of hires and I commend them for that.

We have attracted some great folks to join our ranks.” During this time of tremendous growth, the City of East Providence has continued to see a drop in our crime rate year after year.

“I am so very proud of the men and women of our East Providence Police Department and the work they do in our community,” Mayor Bob DaSilva said. “I am especially proud of the fact that there has been a steady decrease in criminal offenses over the last six years.

“I am pleased to say that East Providence has one of the lowest crime rates in Rhode Island, especially as we are one of the state’s largest municipalities,” said city council President and at-large councilman Bob Rodericks.  “East Providence has a great combination of good citizens, families and a quality police department staff.  This city council fully supports our police, fire and all emergency responders.”  

“Our administration has been laser-focused in bringing the East Providence Police Department to full staff,” DaSilva added.  The East Providence Police Department is currently recruiting entry level police officers. The application deadline is September 6, 2023. The department is also hiring certified lateral transfers through the end of December 2023. Interested parties should apply HERE:

https://www.policeapp.com/Certified-East-Providence-RI-Police-Officer-Jobs/1730/ 

https://www.policeapp.com/Entry-Level-East-Providence-RI-Police-Officer-Jobs/1729/ 

City seeks public/private partnership for mixed-use at former Oldham School
The City administration requesting proposals from interested parties to purchase or lease the former Oldham School, a prominent historic structure owned by the City of East Providence located at 640 Bullocks Point Avenue for the development of a mixed-use housing and small business incubator.

According to an announcement from the mayor’s office, the city seeks proposals that will benefit the City while preserving the historic architectural features of the former school. “Generations of families have attended the school and it has always been a prominent landmark of the community. Successful proposals will demonstrate a commitment to the preservation of the exterior architectural features, conformance to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and a clear benefit to the city,” states the proposal. 

The proposal brought some push back from City Council members who said the idea of a “sale” was new to them.  “I do not support this latest proposal,” said Ward 4 councilman Rick Lawson.  I was excited to get ARPA funds allocated to get this building reopened and explore a business incubator, workforce development space, and community use.  Renovating this building will be a great addition to East Providence. I’m ready to start working with the administration to get this project started. First step is doors, windows, and a roof,” added Lawson in initial comments.

Specifications may be downloaded from the City’s website https://eastprovidenceri.gov/rfp

East Providence Government is Hiring
Are you looking for a job?  Possible with the City of East Providence?  The city has been advertising several jobs that are listed on the city web site.  A few of the jobs may be in the process of being filled but many are still open.  The openings are due to retirements and other reasons.  Interested persons can check out the following listings on the city web site to verify status and availability:

• BUILDING INSPECTOR
• LATERAL PATROL OFFICER 
• ENTRY LEVEL POLICE OFFICER
• ASSISTANT WATER SUPERINTENDENT
• LABORER - PARKS
• LABORER - HIGHWAY
• ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER
• YOUTH SERVICES LIBRARIAN
• YOUTH SERVICES COORDINATOR
• TAX COLLECTOR
• PART-TIME POUNDKEEPER POSITION
• ASSISTANT CITY SERGEANT
• WATER UTILITY LABORER
• UTILITY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR
• ASSISTANT WATER SUPERINTENDENT
• LABORER – HIGHWAY DIVISION
• ASSISTANT CITY SERGEANT
• POLICE CLERK TYPIST II
• TRAFFIC CONTROL PERSONNEL AND CROSSING GUARDS
• CLERK TYPIST II - PUBLIC BUILDING/ZONING

Washington Bridge Construction Update
The repairs of the state’s $78 million Washington Bridge project continue to move on, although traffic backups continue to frustrate motorists.  On I-195 West, at the Washington Bridge, anew lane split will be located just after the lane drop from four lanes to three after the Broadway interchange. Traffic coming onto the highway from the Veterans Memorial Parkway and Taunton Avenue on-ramps will not be affected, merging onto the bridge after the split. Motorists wishing to take the Gano Street (Exit 1D) off-ramp must keep right at the split. Drivers trying to reach the South Main Street (1C) off-ramp also should use the right lane. The lane split will be in place until late fall.

East Providence: Valley St., from Taunton Ave. to Warren Ave., is closed permanently. Use the Connector Rd. and Waterfront Dr. to detour.

East Providence/Providence: I-195 West, from Broadway to South Main St., left lane closed for barrier removal, Fri. night (Aug. 25), 9 p.m.-5 a.m.

East Providence/Providence: I-195 West, from Broadway to South Main St., alternating lane and on/off ramps closed to establish a new traffic pattern with the current split removed and all lanes shifting to the left, Sat. night (Aug. 26), 8 p.m.- 6 a.m. Expect delays.

Providence: Effective Sat. night (Aug. 26), Exit 1D (Gano St.) off I-195 West, will close for bridge work for approximately two months. Follow signed detour.

Providence: Gano St., under I-195, alternating one-way traffic for utility work, Sun. night, 9 p.m.- 5 a.m.

New Assistant Principal at EPHS
Jill Usenia was hired as Assistant Principal for East Providence High School.  “Welcome our newest member of the Townie Family,” writes Principal Bill Black.  Usenia began her teaching experience as a student teacher at East Providence High School and then was a substitute in East Providence.  She comes to EPHS from North Providence with over 16 years of experience as a teacher at North Providence High School.  “Ms. Usenia has a strong understanding of the importance of leadership, collaboration, and student success.  She has worked in various roles throughout her career, including English teacher, CTE teacher, SIT Team Co-Chair, NEASC Leader, RTI Coordinator, National Honor Society Advisor, and Data Team analyst.  Ms. Usenia began at EPHS this summer and hit the ground running,” adds Black.

Usenia fills a vacancy left by the transfer of former Assistant Principal Lian Furtado.  Furtado will be leaving the high school, where she served as Assistant Principal since 2020 and has accepted a new role as an Intensive Resource Teacher at Riverside Middle School.  “Prior to becoming Assistant Principal, Mrs. Furtado excelled as Dean of Students and Special Education Teacher, demonstrating a deep commitment to students,” said Black.  “Her ability to build connections and provide guidance to students is exceptional.  Mrs. Furtado’s experience and care for students' well-being will undoubtedly benefit the Riverside Middle School Community.  We express our heartfelt gratitude to Lian for her invaluable contributions to East Providence High School. We wish Lian continued success in her new position, knowing she will continue to make a profound difference for East Providence,” continued Black.