March 29, 2024

East Providence News Briefs

Posted

All Schools Now Closed Through April – Distance Learning to Continue
The last days of March saw a grim Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo tighten her previously ordered restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic.  Raimondo ordered all residents to “stay at home,” in place until further notice.  All residents are being asked to “Go to work if you can’t work at home, but come home and stay there,” said the Governor.  All social gatherings of more than 5 people are banned until further notice.  EP playgrounds and parks are all closed to the public.  Schools in East Providence will remain physically closed but “Distance Learning” will continue through the end of April.  Things are looking grim for school to open buildings and resume traditional classes this year.  That decision has not been made yet.

The Chronology of East Providence’s Response:
East Providence Mayor Bob DaSilva and the city council moved fast to enact emergency provisions to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.  The Mayor was tested in his first term of office and issued several emergency executive orders.  The March 17th city council meeting was truncated with just urgent matters voted on.  The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) announced the state’s first presumptive positive case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) early last month.  The person, a school administrator at St. Raphael Academy in Pawtucket had traveled to Italy in mid-February.  The RIDOH coordinating closely with Miriam Hospital where he was being treated.  It was later disclosed that the individual’s wife is an East Providence elementary school teacher who had returned to work here after her husband was hospitalized.  This set into motion a series of actions by state and local officials.

East Providence Superintendent of Schools, Kathryn Crowley forwarded a health advisory to local families issued by the RIDOH.  The advisory provided public information regarding the growing concerns on the coronavirus or COVID-19.  Saint Raphael Academy confirmed that a “member of our community has had a “presumptive positive” test result to the coronavirus” and closed school.  St. Ray’s students and chaperones who were on the recent trip to Europe were placed on self-quarantine and will be self-monitoring with RIDOH supervision.

EP City Leaders rolled out Preventative Measures:
The City released a statement on March 1st.   The statement was jointly issued by the office of Mayor and School Superintendent.  Mayor Bob DaSilva, Superintendent Katherine Crowley, Council President Robert Britto, Council Vice President Bob Rodericks, School Committee Chair Charles Tsonos, Dir. of Administration Napoleon Gonsalves, East Providence Fire Chief/EMA Dir. Glenn Quick, East Providence Fire Battalion Chief Michael Carey and Capt. John Potvin, East Providence Police Capt. James Nelson and Dir. of School Facilities and Security Tony Feola met on Sunday, March 1st to discuss the city’s response on the latest developments from the RIDOH on the first presumptive case of Coronavirus in Rode Island.

The city administration worked together with the School Department to set a number of steps in motion which included; continued sanitation and cleaning of all East Providence schools, daily sanitation of all East Providence school busses, frequent hand washing reminders, use of hand sanitizer in all city schools and buildings, cleaning of desks and other hard surfaces and other measures.

As the problem seemed to worsen, the School Committee received a report from Superintendent of Schools Crowley at their March 10th meeting regarding the possible need to go to “virtual learning” should schools have to be closed at some point.  The plan is to provide for virtual (online) instruction due to the growing concerns for the current coronavirus crisis.  Already athletic contests, concerts and other school events have been closed or have had limited public attendance allowed.

“We have been designing a plan in case we have to close schools,” said Superintendent Crowley. “We will do this to stay in contact with our children.  We will use google docs and our plan still will need RI Department of Education approval, although they are awaiting our plan.  Our draft plan and parental letters have been used by the health department and other districts. We are tweaking the plan and hope to get it approved but never have to use it,” added Crowley.  As it turned out, the plan was needed as all schools in Rhode Island were ordered to close.

Crowley said that high school and middle school staff had been familiar with virtual learning implementation and most the district’s planning now is with elementary schools.  Ben Russell of the district technology team said that the district is far along with planning.  “Legislation (state) was approved years back for a limited number of instruction days. We have enough computers to provide any students that may not have one at home,” added Russell.

Mayor DaSilva Declares a State of Municipal Emergency.  Several Executive orders were issued and updated:
DaSilva issued an executive order, which suspends municipal and probate courts, suspends entertainment licenses and other special event permits, limits the number of people who gather at bars, social clubs, restaurants and places of worship within the City, as well as postpones public events during the municipal emergency, among other directives. 

The Senior Center has halted all programs until further notice. Seniors seeking food, prescriptions or other senior services are encouraged to call Senior Center staff at 401-435-7800. Please provide a 24-hour notice before delivery is needed.

All branches of the public library are closed until further notice. The community still has online access to the library and the following services through the website, eastprovidencelibrary.org  “We are really hoping to do this to keep you and your family safe from contracting and spreading the virus,” said Mayor DaSilva.

Most city offices and operations will remain open until further notice, but the community should continue to avoid visiting City Hall or other municipal offices to conduct non-essential business. Residents should instead utilize the City’s website to conduct normal business and visit the city’s social pages (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) for updates.

All entertainment licenses and special event permits, whether for bars, social clubs, or other events, are suspended during the period of this state of emergency.  The City will not be issuing any entertainment licenses or special event permits during this time.

City officials were directed to cancel all non-essential official city meetings, limit the travel of city employees, and postpone all public events during the period of this state of municipal emergency.

Small business support:  Rhode Island small business owners can now receive 45 minutes of free tech support via teleconference or over the phone.  This service has been coordinated by Rhode Island Commerce and is being staffed by volunteers from some of Rhode Island’s leading tech companies. The experts will be available to help small business owners set up equipment to work from home, shift to online meetings and help with document management and security.  Rhode Islanders can visit Commerce’s website or call 521-HELP to get started.

City Tax Penalties Suspended:
DaSilva issued an executive order to suspend municipal tax penalties during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The order will ultimately suspend all late interest charges of city water bills until further notice, halt all utility shutoffs due to late payments of city water bills until further notice, suspend deadlines to apply for tax exemptions and suspend the city tax sale process for a period of 30 days.  “This is a trying time for East Providence families and residents who aren’t working or who have had to temporarily cease business operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” DaSilva said. “This order will provide East Providence families and businesses some relief and decrease financial burden while the city’s residents and the rest of the world cope with this emergency.”

Emergency Loan Fund to Assist local Businesses:
Officials announced details of an emergency loan fund that would benefit local businesses that may be facing cash flow issues.  Loans would be funded through the existing City-administered federal Urban Development Action Grants program.  In addition, the City will coordinate with Rhode Island Small Business Administration and area banks to maximize benefits to local businesses.  Specifics of this loan program are being released this month.  In addition, the City, together with the East Providence Chamber of Commerce is developing a survey (to distributed early next week) to solicit feedback from the local businesses on what assistance is needed during this uncertain time.

Dog Registration & Rabies Clinic Canceled:
The City announced a cancellation regarding the scheduled dog and rabies clinic.  "In alignment with the Gubernatorial and Mayoral Executive Orders, the annual Dog Licensing and Rabies Clinic hosted by the City of East Providence Clerk's Department, East Providence Animal Shelter and Rhode Island Veterinary Medical Association has been cancelled until further notice," said City Clerk Samantha Burnett.  "We thank you for understanding as we navigate through this unprecedented time," Burnett added.

"Grab N Go" Feeds Children in East Providence:
The East Providence School Department reacted quickly to provide local families with lunch for children who wanted or needed one with schools closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.  Under the leadership of Food Services Director Melissa Read, children are provided a nutritious lunch if they need one.  Read's staff had to quickly put together a program and prepare and deliver food to several pickup locations from Riverside to Rumford.  Ham & Cheese Sandwiches, Turkey Club Wraps, Fresh fruit, Ham & Cheese subs, Bagel Fun lunch, yogurt Parfait/granola, milk and more.

"Grab N Go" Also Feeds 600 Seniors One Day Last Month
City officials and employees, together with 'We Share Hope' volunteers, bagged groceries for East Providence seniors in need on Tuesday, March 24th.   Bags were distributed to EP seniors via a drive-through, open-air market beginning at 1 pm.  All of this was done while practicing social distancing.  “We will try to do this again,” said Mayor DaSilva.

COVID-19 no payment, no interest loan programs; City partners with Chamber to assist small businesses:
In response to the impact on small businesses, Mayor DaSilva, together with Planning & Economic Development Director William Fazioli, Chief Planner Jim Moran and Community Development Director Dave Bachrach, designed two loan programs.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has not only devastated the public’s health but has forced hundreds of businesses to shutter their doors leaving thousands of people unemployed,” Mayor Bob DaSilva said. “We hope the rollout of these loans and modification of other loans will give our small businesses the support they need.  While the City recognizes this is an interim step to provide immediate assistance, we are more than ever committed to building a strong and resilient economy,” Mayor DaSilva said.

City coping with Closed Restaurants:
Through further notice, there will be no on-site food consumption for restaurants, bars, coffee shops, or other food establishments in Rhode Island.  Establishments with a food license can continue to conduct pick-up, drive-thru and delivery only.  Several East Providence food establishments have been providing take-out and delivery service.  Also all recreational and entertainment businesses, as well as any close contact businesses (this includes but is not limited to gyms, fitness centers, hair salons, and nail salons) must be closed to in-person operations.

Utilities Shutoffs on Hold:
The Public Utilities Comission (PUC) has issued an emergency order mandating that all regulated utilities not terminate services at this time. The state has also directed utilities to stop sending past due accounts to collection agencies and is encouraging non-regulated utilities to do the same. If service is terminated, Rhode Islanders should call their utility provider. If the provider is unable to help, customers should call the PUC at 401-780-9700.

Good Night Lights for Hasbro Kids Still On:
EPHS graduate and Hall of Famer, noted cartoonist/artist Steve Brosnihan, released a statement concerning the weekly effort to prop up spirits of sick children at Hasbro Hospital.  Brosnihan has devised the popular program which has received national acclaim.   “Friends of Good Night Lights (GNL), as restrictions to combat the spread of the Coronavirus limit what we can do at this time, keep in mind that sending a Good Night Lights signal can be a safe and monumentally appreciated action.  I received word that nearly all art-related programs that serve patients at Hasbro Children's Hospital have been put on hold, including my own cartooning visits.  It is crushing to face the temporary loss of this privilege for the kids.  Most of the popular public GNL signal sites allow a car to be pointed at the hospital(s) to make this possible.  They include the East Bay Bike Path on the Veterans Parkway and Bold Point Park in East Providence.    GNL happens every night at about 8:30 pm,” said Brosnihan.

The Reporter will continually update any late breaking news on our web site.  www.ReporterToday.com .

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