East Providence, RI – East Providence Mayor Bob DaSilva vetoed an amendment made by the East Providence City Council during their October 15 meeting.
In the original proposed Capital budget, $3 million was set aside to purchase a new tower ladder truck and a rescue vehicle for the fire department, as well as 2 frontline plow vehicles and other vital day-to-day equipment for the Department of Public Works.
The Capital Budget presented by Mayor Bob DaSilva is carefully vetted by city department heads, and then presented to the planning board for a public hearing, before being presented to the city council.
The City Council voted 3-2 to amend the budget and instead commit those funds towards three school district projects which included $ 1 million roof repair at Oldham Elementary School, $1.5 million to install communications intercoms in schools throughout the district and $500,000 for an energy management system with no vetting by the administration, no public hearing and no scope of work to consider.
“As mayor, I was completely baffled by the actions of the rest of the City Council when they amended this well-vetted capital spending plan and decided to cut funds to replace critical public safety equipment necessary to protect all our residents,” Mayor Bob DaSilva said.
“The Administration has already committed to expending remaining high school bond monies for other school-related capital projects, thus making these changes unnecessary. The Council majority’s reallocation merely jeopardizes equally important projects that cannot be funded by the remaining school bond monies,” DaSilva added.
See letter below:
October 25, 2024
The Honorable Robert Rodericks
President, East Providence City Council
145 Taunton Avenue
East Providence, RI 02914
Re: Message of Disapproval
Dear Council President Rodericks and Member of the City Council,
In accordance with Article III, section 3-6(b), I am returning to the City Council Chapter 927, “An Ordinance of the Council of the City of East Providence Appropriating $6,118,625 for the FY 2025 Capital Budget and FY2025-2029 Capital Improvement Program” as amended on October 15, 2024.
I would like to begin by thanking Council President Rodericks and Councilman Fogarty for voting to support the capital budget appropriations to improve public safety for all of our residents. As mayor, I was completely baffled by the actions of the rest of the City Council when they amended this well-vetted capital spending plan and decided to cut funds to replace critical public safety equipment necessary to protect all our residents.
The Administration’s proposal included critical funding for a replacement of Ladder 3, a tower truck, which is 29 years old, stationed in Rumford and part of the front-line apparatus of the City. This truck is critical to help protect our elderly residents who reside in high-rise apartments, our students and staff in the several story East Providence High School, and similar buildings in Rumford and others in the center of the City.
By refusing to provide funds for this ladder truck, the council majority may have forgotten that this type of equipment has to be special ordered and takes at least two years to receive. Appropriating these funds now and allowing the City to execute a purchase agreement would permit the City to lock in a set price today while at the same time guarding against higher future prices and wait times related to supply chain issues and inflation.
Kicking the can down the road not only will jeopardize the safety of our residents, but also deprive our hardworking and dedicated firefighters of up-to-date and safe equipment.
Similar concerns are expressed in relation to the purchase of a replacement of Rescue 2, which is four years old and has a current road mileage of 127,431. The Administration has led the way in expanding rescue coverage to our City, including the provision and staffing of a fourth rescue during the weekdays at Station 3 in Rumford. This expansion of service helps ensure that our residents get the best emergency medical care, treatment and transport, when necessary. Increased and expanded coverage, however, also adds mileage and general wear and tear to these highly technical and advanced frontline vehicles. The fire chief requested the $475,000 capital appropriation out of necessity, the Council majority deleted the funds without any inquiry or dialogue. As a result, taxpayers and residents will be denied a new and updated rescue vehicle to serve them in an event of a medical emergency.
Equally critical was the capital expenditure of $190,000 for two 3500 utility body trucks with plow to replace two current frontline plow vehicles that the Director of Public Works noted were aging past their useful life. The Council is tasked with the responsibility of providing safe travel for all residents, student and teachers and others who travel our City’s roads and byways. Clearing these public ways is critical during snow emergencies and this proposed expenditure is needed to help our dedicated staff perform their tasks in an efficient and safe manner. Unplowed and unsafe roads also hamper the travel of our police and fire emergency vehicles.
The deletion of these items and others and the reappropriation of capital funds related to the school department projects without verifiable cost estimates or a full vetting by the Administration and/or School Department late in the budget process is not representative of sound fiscal management. The Administration has already committed to expending remaining high school bond monies for other school related capital projects, thus making these additions unnecessary.
The Council majority’s reallocation merely jeopardizes equally important projects that cannot be funded by the remaining school bond monies.
For the reasons stated, I respectfully disapprove of this ordinance and urge the City Council to sustain my veto and restore these funds.
Sincerely,
Roberto L. DaSilva
Mayor
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