EP Top Cops Retire
The two top East Providence Police officials have announced their retirements effectively at the beginning of April. Both Chief Christopher Francesconi and Deputy Chief Barry Ramer leave the department with 25 and 31 years respectively. Francesconi began his career as a patrol officer in 2000, was promoted to sergeant in 2010, lieutenant in 2014, captain in 2016, deputy chief in 2019 and Chief in 2021. Ramer began his career as a patrol officer in 1993, was promoted to patrol sergeant in 2002, detective sergeant in 2004, patrol captain in 2020 and deputy chief in 2021.
Under the leadership of Chief Francesconi, the East Providence Police Dept has had several notable accomplishments including:
“It has been an absolute privilege to serve this truly special community for the past 25 years,” Chief Francesconi said. “The City of East Providence welcomed me as a young police officer and a new resident.”
“Throughout the years, I have had the opportunity to learn from, and work alongside, some of the finest law enforcement officers in our region who continually strive to make the East Providence Police Department an exceptional organization,” Francesconi added. Three and a half years ago, this culminated in me being selected to lead the agency, an incredible honor for which I will be forever thankful.”
Throughout his career, he served in many department divisions including Patrol, Vice, Professional Standards, Administrative Services and was assigned as a Task Force Agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Chief Francesconi is a member of the Rhode Island Police Chief’s Association, Mayor of East Providence’s Community Advisory Board and has an extensive list of notable training and certifications.
“After more than 31 years of service, I reflect on my time here with immense gratitude and pride,” Ramer said. As a graduate of East Providence High School and a former resident for over 35 years, it has been a true honor to serve and protect this incredible community.
“Throughout my career, I have cherished the relationships built, the challenges faced, and the privilege of working alongside the dedicated men and women of this department. The support from the community has been invaluable, and I am deeply grateful for the trust you have placed in me,” Deputy Chief Ramer added. “As I move on to the next chapter of my life, I will carry with me fond memories and a deep appreciation for the experiences I have been fortunate to have had. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this remarkable community.”
“It has been an absolute honor to work with and get to know the leadership styles and capabilities of both Chief Francesconi and Major Ramer,” Mayor Bob DaSilva said. “It will be a great loss to the department and City of East Providence to lose both of these leaders at the same time, however, I feel confident as search efforts get underway that we will find strong candidates,” DaSilva added. “We will start that process immediately in hopes of filling those roles as soon as possible.”
“Both Chief Francesconi and Deputy Chief Ramer have been exemplary police officials,” said City Council President Bob Rodericks. “Both have provided East Providence with good police work and have done so with a quiet professionalism. They will be missed and the council wishes them well in their retirements and new endeavors.”
“It has been an absolute honor to work with and get to know the leadership styles and capabilities of both Chief Francesconi and Major Ramer,” Mayor Bob DaSilva said.
“It will be a great loss to the department and City of East Providence to lose both of these leaders at the same time, however, I feel confident as search efforts get underway that we will find strong candidates,” DaSilva added. “We will start that process immediately in hopes of filling those roles as soon as possible.”
City to Invest $2.3M to Repair and Repave City Streets
The East Providence City Council voted unanimously last month to authorize Mayor Bob DaSilva to enter into a contract extension with Pawtucket Hot Mix Asphalt for city roadway improvements. The $2.3 million extension funding was previously allocated in the Fiscal Year 2025 Capital Budget. “Our administration is committed to improving our infrastructure, including our city roads and I am grateful that the City Council approved my request for this funding in our prior budget,” Mayor Bob DaSilva said.
“The roads that have been chosen to receive work are the roads that are in most need and do not have scheduled utility work,” Director of the Department of Public Works, Daniel Borges said.
In addition to the list of preliminary roadwork, other streets across the city will also be paved as part of ongoing gas and water utility work, including large sections of Pawtucket Avenue and Kent Heights, which is currently undergoing major Rhode Island Energy gas line replacements. Sections of Warren Avenue from Evergreen Drive to the Massachusetts state line will also receive improvements after being recently dug up as part of a water main break.
East Providence is also embarking on a water main cleaning and lining project that will result in several streets being paved curb to curb. across the city, specifically the neighborhoods near Pierce Field. Those include First Street, Second Street, Burgess Avenue, and surrounding streets.
School Committee Passes Building Visitation Policy
The East Providence School Committee reviewed its policy on how visitors can gain official access to public school buildings last month. The topic was voted on at the March 26th meeting held at the high school. The ‘Building Access Policy’ stated its purpose is to “ensure the safety, security, and privacy of East Providence School District students, staff, and facilities by regulating access and visitor accompaniment protocols for School Committee members and district personnel.” The committee was basically reacting to reports that At-Large member Anthony Ferreira has been entering school buildings with members of the public and taking photos of alleged facility problems which he then posts on social media. “As for what’s happening in our district right now, I feel we need a building access policy for School Committee Members and one for the general public,” Ward Four member Jessica Beauchaine told the committee. A lot of our staff is being treated very poorly, these incidences need to stop,” added Beauchaine. Although some of the committee was known to be concerned with Ferreira’s activities, members made it clear that they were referring to any “parent, guardian or visitor” entering a school in an agitated way. Beauchaine wanted to make sure that every school has a sign-in sheet for every visitor including School Committee members. Under public comment, Chrissy Rossi addressed the committee. Mr. Ferreira has accompanied Ms. Rossi at times in school visits in which they have been critical of facilities. “I think the only thing you missed in this policy was to write my name in it,” Rossi told the committee. Each School Committee member has a swipe access badges which allows them to enter any school building after hours. “We know why this was written, to help stop me from helping Tony (Ferreira) keep lists of what’s wrong in the buildings,” added Rossi. “You’re not gonna sanction Tony, because he’s gonna get his good lawyer and straighten this out,” Rossi said.
“In regard to the building access policy I feel compelled to share that I have heard from many people, especially today, that they support it,” said Chairman David Luiz. “I’ve heard loud and clear that there is a high level of concern and discomfort from residents about the facebook live interviews, etc. I know for sure that we are protecting our staff and kids with this policy,” Luiz continued. “I’m speaking for myself, that the support for this policy is overwhelming.”
“Everybody wants to sit here and talk about security in the buildings, one way or another I’m gonna try and do my job,” said Ferreira. “I’m gonna try to meet with the State Police Colonel next week to try and let him view some of these videos, because I want it stopped,” said Ferreira. “I don’t want to sit here and say what I’m talking about, but people who were involved with this situation as far as getting things done, I’m not a politician by my nature but there are issues with our buildings. I get offended when people say it’s a political stunt. I will go outside the entity, if people have an issue with me taking pictures of ventilation systems, etc. I’m also meeting with the health department to go over that …” Ferreira did not elaborate further. In the end the committee passed the access policy 4-1, including background checks for committee members, with Ferreira voting against.
POLICY HIGHLIGHTS:
During Normal Business Hours
Visitors are allowed entry only if the facility is open to visitors and must remain in the designated area. All visitors must:
School Committee Members must:
After-Hours Access:
Visitor Accompaniment Restrictions
No Accompaniment During After-Hours Access:
This restriction is in place to minimize liability risks for the district and to ensure compliance with student and staff privacy regulations. Unapproved accompaniment during after-hours access infringes on the privacy rights of students and staff, in violation of:
Secretary of State Amore Statement on Election Administration Executive Order
Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore released the following statement on March 26, 2025, after the signing of a new Executive Order targeting election administration:
"President Trump has a long history of undermining voters' confidence in our election systems and spreading misinformation about how elections work. Despite these efforts, which are at the heart of this Executive Order, I remain confident that our elections, managed by professional administrators, are safe, secure, and trustworthy.
Beyond that, elements of this Executive Order closely echo pieces of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (the SAVE Act), which I have already voiced my opposition to. The SAVE Act deviates from pro-voter and pro-democracy policies that make it easier for people to cast a ballot by placing an undue burden on American citizens. It is already illegal for non-citizens to vote, and requiring documentation proving citizenship effectively creates a poll tax for voters. Through this Executive Order, President Trump is disregarding our country's separation of powers as the SAVE Act makes its way through Congress.
While our team works diligently to review President Trump's Executive Order in full, and ultimately it will be up to the courts to determine if the provisions within the Order will hold, it's important that Rhode Islanders are reminded of the facts of how elections are administered in our state.
Our democracy depends on the continuation of our democratic processes – and participating in that democracy is one of the most fundamental tenets of our American values.
I look forward to continuing to safeguard those processes as Rhode Island's Secretary of State, ensuring that all eligible Rhode Islanders can successfully cast their ballot."
Despite the claims made in the Executive Order, the following election administration facts remain true in Rhode Island:
All voters already attest to their United States citizenship and eligibility to vote, under penalty of perjury. Whether Rhode Islanders register online, at the Division of Motor Vehicles, or by paper form, they affirm their eligibility to vote on their registration form.
Rhode Island already uses paper ballots. Even votes marked via touch-screen accessible ExpressVote devices generate a paper record.
Rhode Island is already a participant in the very type of information-sharing agreements mentioned in the Order, intended to identify potential instances of election fraud, including federal and state agencies. Despite the misinformation that has been publicized about the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC), the RI Department of State's Elections Division has found ERIC to be an effective tool in both voter list maintenance and identification of potential instances of election fraud.
Rhode Island already undergoes regular voter list maintenance efforts. A statewide voter mailing in 2020 ultimately resulted in 60,619 inactive voter registrations being removed from the state's voter list. The Department of State is committed to continuing this work, and in this year's budget request, Secretary Amore requested funds to support an additional voter list maintenance mailing effort.
All ballots must be cast in person or received by 8 p.m. on Election Day. The only exception is for military and overseas voters. Amore is an East Providence resident and former East Providence State Representative, History teacher and athletic administrator. To learn more about elections in Rhode Island, visit https://vote.sos.ri.gov/.
School Committee Revises Anti-Bullying and Cyberbullying Policy
The school committee updated its anti-bullying policy during the March 27th meeting. The policy states, in part: The East Providence School Department in compliance with the Statewide Bullying policy promulgated pursuant to 16-21-33 and 16-21-34 of the RIGL recognizes that the bullying of a student creates a climate of fear and disrespect that can seriously impair the student's health and negatively affect learning. Bullying undermines the safe learning environment that students need to achieve their full potential. The purpose of this Policy and the supporting Administrative Procedure ensures a consistent and unified statewide approach to the prohibition of bullying at school.
Chairman David Luiz said that the School Department is “committed to enforcing a zero tolerance attitude towards bullying while creating and sustaining a safe, caring, and respectful learning environment for all students and staff.” The policy went on to state that ‘everyone will be treated equally with civility and respect in an inclusive environment, unhampered by artificial barriers or prejudices or preferences, such as race, religion, ethnicity, sex, or involuntary personal attributes such as disability, sexual orientation, or socio/economic status. The School Committee and Administration expects that in collaboration with teachers, families and community members, each school will implement the anti-bullying policy and procedures as approved and adopted by the School Committee.’
School Administrators {Directors, Principals, Vice Principals, Deans) shall be responsible for the implementation and oversight of the policy and administrative procedures. Bullying is defined as the engagement of behavior by one or more students of a written, verbal, or electronic expression or a physical act or gesture or any combination thereof, intentional or not, directed at a student that:
Students who engage in bullying or cyberbullying may face disciplinary actions, including but not limited to;
verbal or written reprimands; loss of privileges; detention or suspension; referral to a counseling agency; conflict resolution session or change of school placement, in severe cases. Chairman Luiz said those wanting the full text of the policy can contact school administration or check school web sites.
Rhode Island Energy Construction Update
Rhode Island Energy (RIE, formerly known as National Grid) has been upgrading and replacing very old gas lines and mains throughout East Providence. Although an inconvenience to neighborhoods, the work is deemed essential for safety. Once done, the streets will be repaved. The following is a current update on street work being done starting April 1, 2025:
RIE Construction Work Starting April 1:
RIE Construction Work Starting April 7:
RIE Construction Work Starting April 29.
East Providence High School Upcoming Dates of Interest
It’s not too early to mark your calendar for some upcoming dates of interest for East Providence High School. From April 3rd to 5th EPHS will present the musical NEWSIES. NEWSIES is a musical set in turn of the century New York City, following the story of Jack Kelly, the charming leader of a group of teenage newsboys who fight against unfair price hikes by powerful newspaper publishers by organizing a city-wide strike, ultimately rallying for better working conditions and standing up against exploitation: based on the real-life Newsboys' Strike of 1899, the show features exciting choreography, energizing music and a powerful message about the power of unity against injustice. Buy tickets ahead of time: Students $10, Adults $20. https://gofan.co/app/school/RI22211_1
Last month over 35 talented musicians of East Providence High School participated in the All-State Ensembles held at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Providence. Also, the Townie band performed at the World War II museum in a trip to New Orleans, Louisiana.
April 2025
2: PSAT/SATs 10th & 11th grade only
4: End of 3rd Quarter
3-5: Musical 7pm
7: Faculty Meeting 2:05pm-3:05pm
9-11: Band Festival 9am-5pm
14-18: Spring Break – No School
23: Student Assembly - Grades 9 & 10
25: Student Assembly - Grades 11 & 12
28: Faculty Advisory Board Meeting at 2:15pm
28: School Improvement Team at 6pm (Virtual)
30: NGSA Testing - 11th Grade
May 2025
1: Band Concert 6:30pm
5: Faculty Meeting 2:05pm - 3:05pm
8: Choral Concert 6:30 pm
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