[5:49] Mhm.
[7:44] » Mhm.
[8:28] » I'll call the August 4th, 2026 meeting
[8:31] to order.
[8:33] Please stand for the Pledge of
[8:34] Allegiance and remain standing for a
[8:35] moment of silence.
[9:02] Okay, item number one, acceptance of
[9:03] meeting minutes, discussion and possible
[9:05] action and vote with regard to the
[9:07] acceptance of meeting minutes from the
[9:08] meetings of May 29th, June 2nd,
[9:12] June 18th, and June 25th, 2026.
[9:16] Do we have a motion to accept?
[9:17] >> So moved.
[9:18] » So moved.
[9:18] >> Motion has been made by Councilman
[9:19] » Motion has been made by Councilman
[9:19] Bacalla, seconded by Councilman Is that
[9:22] DiLorenzo?
[9:23] All those in favor?
[9:24] >> I.
[9:25] » I.
[9:25] >> All those opposed, the eyes have it.
[9:26] » All those opposed, the eyes have it.
[9:26] Item number two, Senadale Manor
[9:28] restoration project. Mayor Lombardi
[9:29] would like discussion and possible vote
[9:31] on the Senadale Manor restoration
[9:33] project Superfund site. Mayor.
[9:38] » Mr. Chairman, of the council,
[9:40] as you all are aware of the Centerdale
[9:44] or Uncas Hut,
[9:46] the Superfund cleanup.
[9:48] Uh
[9:50] just to give you an update, I had asked
[9:53] that Charlotte Gray from the EPA
[9:56] and David Payne from Loureiro
[9:59] Engineering Associates come here this
[10:01] evening.
[10:02] Uh they need our permission for some of
[10:05] the properties there and also to give us
[10:08] a complete
[10:10] update as to the cleanup there. So, if
[10:13] you may.
[10:13] >> Thank you.
[10:14] » Thank you.
[10:14] >> Charlotte.
[10:18] » Just state your name for the record,
[10:19] please.
[10:20] >> Hi, Charlotte Gray with the US
[10:22] » Hi, Charlotte Gray with the US
[10:22] Environmental Protection Agency.
[10:24] >> Thank you.
[10:24] » Thank you.
[10:24] >> And David Payne with Loureiro
[10:26] » And David Payne with Loureiro
[10:26] Engineering Associates.
[10:28] >> Thank you.
[10:29] » Thank you.
[10:29] >> Ready?
[10:30] » Ready?
[10:30] >> Yeah.
[10:30] » Yeah.
[10:30] >> What do you want to start with? Kind of
[10:32] » What do you want to start with? Kind of
[10:32] where we're at and then access permits.
[10:33] >> Sure.
[10:34] » Sure.
[10:35] Um
[10:35] yeah, so what brought us here today is
[10:37] looking for an access agreement to do
[10:40] some work along
[10:42] Allendale Pond and Lyman Mill Pond. So,
[10:45] some of you may be familiar with the
[10:47] Centerdale Manor Restoration Project. Um
[10:50] since kind of 2018, the performing party
[10:53] has been as a settle
[10:55] an agreement with EPA to perform the
[10:57] remediation.
[10:59] Um we're the contractors that have been
[11:00] selected to do the work. So, we've been
[11:03] working towards investigating and
[11:05] remediating the site, which includes the
[11:08] Centerdale Manor and Brook Village
[11:09] Apartments, which one which we've
[11:11] investigated and remediated so far. And
[11:14] then we have three other operable units,
[11:16] which we call Allendale Pond and then
[11:18] the adjacent flood plain soils. Um the
[11:21] Oxbow area, which is large wetland kind
[11:23] of behind Allendale Mill Apartments and
[11:26] then Lyman Mill Pond and the adjacent
[11:29] flood plain soils.
[11:30] So, we are getting ready to remediate
[11:33] Allendale Pond, which will involve the
[11:36] excavation of the sediment within the
[11:38] ponds and then the flood plain soils
[11:40] adjacent to it. Um with that, there are
[11:44] some town properties, particularly it's
[11:46] the ends of roads. So, there's Aldridge,
[11:49] Centerdale Ave,
[11:51] Steer, a few others that will part of
[11:54] that is within the flood plain and that
[11:56] was contaminated by the site. So, we'll
[11:59] be excavating the ends of it's very
[12:03] limited. Doesn't even really end up into
[12:05] the kind of the the paved areas, maybe
[12:07] slightly.
[12:08] We'll have to excavate that and then
[12:10] we'll be restoring it.
[12:12] And then also some of the access for the
[12:14] along Lymanville Pond is to just do some
[12:16] sampling at the ends of the roads as
[12:18] well as survey
[12:19] as we continue to investigation over the
[12:21] next couple years and then in the future
[12:24] we'll be remediating
[12:26] those areas as well.
[12:28] So, kind of just a time frame we're
[12:30] looking at is we're hoping to start
[12:32] later this year with the flood plain
[12:33] soil remediation on Allendale Pond,
[12:36] get into the pond itself next year.
[12:38] Um and kind of looking at two years kind
[12:41] of per pond to excavate and
[12:44] restore. So, kind of looking the next
[12:47] six to eight years to complete the
[12:49] investigation, remediation and
[12:51] restoration of
[12:53] the site.
[12:55] >> Okay, thank you. Any questions?
[12:56] » Okay, thank you. Any questions?
[12:56] Councilman?
[12:57] >> Yeah, my only
[12:59] » Yeah, my only
[12:59] that that makes total sense to me. I'm
[13:00] all in favor of it. The only thing that
[13:03] I would like to see in here is an
[13:04] indemnification and hold harmless
[13:06] provision.
[13:07] If somebody gets hurt while they're
[13:09] doing work on town property, I want the
[13:10] town to be
[13:12] not liable and we get indemnified. Other
[13:14] than that, I don't know of any issues
[13:16] with it.
[13:17] >> Okay. Any other questions?
[13:20] Is there anyone here that would like to
[13:21] speak on this matter?
[13:25] Okay, do I have a motion to
[13:27] With the requirement that Councilman
[13:29] Martone the indemnification.
[13:31] >> Indemnification and hold harmless
[13:33] » Indemnification and hold harmless
[13:33] Yeah, so moved.
[13:34] >> Okay, motion has been made by Councilman
[13:36] » Okay, motion has been made by Councilman
[13:36] Macaluso. Is there a second?
[13:38] >> Second.
[13:38] » Second.
[13:38] >> Seconded by Councilman Faiola. All those
[13:40] » Seconded by Councilman Faiola. All those
[13:40] in favor?
[13:41] >> Aye.
[13:41] » Aye.
[13:41] >> All those opposed? The eyes have it.
[13:42] » All those opposed? The eyes have it.
[13:42] Thank you very much.
[13:43] >> Thank you.
[13:45] » Thank you.
[13:45] >> The merriest
[13:47] » The merriest
[13:47] left mine
[13:48] the design
[13:49] >> Item number three, zone change amendment
[13:50] » Item number three, zone change amendment
[13:50] Town Council to consider approval of an
[13:52] application from Smith Real Realty LLC
[13:55] to amend Article 2 Section 203 use table
[13:58] of the zoning ordinance of the Town of
[13:59] North Providence to classify doggie
[14:01] daycare as permitted use in the CP, CV,
[14:04] and CG districts only.
[14:06] This application was advertised in the
[14:07] Providence Journal on February 6th,
[14:10] 13th, and 20th, 2026 for a hearing on
[14:13] this date.
[14:15] Is there anyone here?
[14:18] Now, this matter is going to be
[14:19] continued to the September meeting. Do I
[14:20] have a motion to continue?
[14:21] >> So moved.
[14:22] » So moved.
[14:22] >> Second.
[14:22] » Second.
[14:22] >> Motion has been made by Councilman
[14:23] » Motion has been made by Councilman
[14:23] Macaluso, seconded by Councilman
[14:25] Laporte. All those in favor?
[14:26] >> Aye.
[14:26] » Aye.
[14:26] >> All those opposed? The eyes have it.
[14:29] » All those opposed? The eyes have it.
[14:29] Proposed ordinance. Notice was given of
[14:31] a public hearing on this date whereby
[14:32] the Town Council will consider passage
[14:33] of the following proposed ordinances.
[14:35] Item number four, ordinance 26-002Z,
[14:39] an ordinance amending the Town of North
[14:41] Providence zoning ordinance Article 2
[14:42] Section 203 use table. This item is in
[14:45] connection with the previous zone
[14:46] change. Do I have a motion to continue
[14:47] this to the September meeting?
[14:48] >> So moved.
[14:49] » So moved.
[14:49] >> Second.
[14:49] » Second.
[14:50] >> Motion has been made by Councilman
[14:51] » Motion has been made by Councilman
[14:51] Macaluso, seconded by Councilman Di
[14:52] Lorenzo. All those in favor?
[14:53] >> Aye.
[14:54] » Aye.
[14:54] >> All those opposed? The eyes have it.
[15:05] Item number 28, Centerdale Village
[15:07] Festival. Councilman Di Lorenzo requests
[15:09] discussion and possible vote on setting
[15:11] up a separate account for the Centerdale
[15:12] Village Festival. Councilman?
[15:15] >> Thank you, Council President. So, we're
[15:17] » Thank you, Council President. So, we're
[15:17] going to sell for the first time uh
[15:20] in the six years, we're going to sell
[15:21] some t-shirts
[15:23] uh
[15:24] promoting North Providence like we've
[15:26] been doing for the last six years.
[15:28] Um so, what I'd like to do is when we
[15:29] sell the t-shirts, I'd like to make a
[15:31] separate account, a special account,
[15:34] strictly for the Centennial Village
[15:35] Festival. And I I ask you that in the
[15:37] form of a motion.
[15:40] >> Do we have to do that?
[15:41] » Do we have to do that?
[15:41] >> You
[15:42] » You
[15:42] >> John.
[15:43] » John.
[15:43] >> It's something to be done through
[15:44] » It's something to be done through
[15:44] ordinance.
[15:45] >> What is it?
[15:46] » What is it?
[15:46] >> It's to make a separate account.
[15:47] » It's to make a separate account.
[15:47] >> So, do we have to create a line item?
[15:48] » So, do we have to create a line item?
[15:49] >> I would create a separate account.
[15:51] » I would create a separate account.
[15:51] >> All right. So,
[15:52] » All right. So,
[15:52] we have to do ordinance. So, I'll send
[15:54] it to ordinance cuz we have to set
[15:55] create a line item in the budget to do
[15:57] that.
[15:58] >> Okay. So, okay.
[15:59] » Okay. So, okay.
[15:59] >> And then we'll from that, we'll
[16:01] » And then we'll from that, we'll
[16:01] >> So, I'll make a motion to send this to
[16:02] » So, I'll make a motion to send this to
[16:02] ordinance.
[16:03] >> Second.
[16:03] » Second.
[16:03] >> Okay. So, that's a very good idea.
[16:05] » Okay. So, that's a very good idea.
[16:05] Uh I will say.
[16:06] >> Yeah.
[16:06] » Yeah.
[16:07] >> Um
[16:07] » Um
[16:07] So, motion's been made to send this to
[16:09] the ordinance committee to create the
[16:10] line item
[16:11] for the separate account for the
[16:13] Centennial Village Festival by
[16:15] Councilman Di Lorenzo. Is there a
[16:16] second? Seconded by Councilman Baccala.
[16:18] All those in favor?
[16:19] >> I.
[16:19] » I.
[16:19] >> All those opposed, the eyes have it.
[16:21] » All those opposed, the eyes have it.
[16:21] Thank you.
[16:27] Item number five, ordinance 26-010,
[16:30] an ordinance amending chapter 19,
[16:32] article 10,
[16:33] section 182
[16:35] of the code of ordinances of the town of
[16:37] North Providence entitled no parking
[16:39] generally to provide for certain parking
[16:41] restrictions on Cleveland Street.
[16:44] Is there anyone here from Cleveland
[16:45] Street? That's not what you guys are
[16:47] here for?
[16:49] Okay.
[16:50] >> I'm surprised I believe she was
[16:51] » I'm surprised I believe she was
[16:51] watching.
[16:52] >> Okay. Do we have a motion to pass?
[16:53] » Okay. Do we have a motion to pass?
[16:53] >> So moved.
[16:54] » So moved.
[16:54] >> Motion's been made by Councilman
[16:55] » Motion's been made by Councilman
[16:55] Is there a second?
[16:56] >> Second.
[16:57] » Second.
[16:57] >> Seconded
[16:59] » Seconded
[16:59] opposed, the eyes have it. Item number
[17:01] six, ordinance 26-011,
[17:04] adoption of 2026-2027
[17:07] operating budget ordinance. Do we have a
[17:09] motion to adopt?
[17:10] >> So moved.
[17:11] » So moved.
[17:11] >> Motion's been made by Councilman
[17:12] » Motion's been made by Councilman
[17:12] Baccala, seconded by Councilman
[17:13] LaPorteo. Any questions?
[17:16] There being none, all those in favor?
[17:17] >> I.
[17:18] » I.
[17:18] >> All those opposed, the eyes have it.
[17:20] » All those opposed, the eyes have it.
[17:20] Item number seven, class F1 liquor
[17:22] license. Town Council consider a vote
[17:23] for the approval of a class F1 liquor
[17:25] license for Enchanted Sip Mobile Bar for
[17:27] an event at Camp Meehan on September
[17:29] 5th, 2026.
[17:32] Come up, state your name for the record,
[17:33] please.
[17:35] » Hi, my name is Sonia Torres.
[17:38] >> Thank you. Are there any questions?
[17:42] You have all the information in front of
[17:43] you. Do you have a motion to approve?
[17:44] >> So moved.
[17:45] » So moved.
[17:45] >> Motion been made by Councilman Baccala,
[17:46] » Motion been made by Councilman Baccala,
[17:46] seconded by Councilman LaPorte. All
[17:48] those in favor?
[17:48] >> I.
[17:49] » I.
[17:49] >> All those opposed, the eyes have it.
[17:50] » All those opposed, the eyes have it.
[17:50] Thank you.
[17:50] >> Thank you.
[17:52] » Thank you.
[17:52] >> Item number eight, victualing license.
[17:53] » Item number eight, victualing license.
[17:54] Town Council to consider the approval of
[17:55] a victualing license for SM Food LLC DBA
[17:58] Hangry Joe's at 1670 Mineral Spring
[18:00] Avenue, North Providence, Rhode Island.
[18:02] Is there anyone here from Hangry Joe's?
[18:12] Okay, do we have a motion to continue
[18:14] this to the September
[18:16] Motion been made by Councilman
[18:17] seconded by Councilman LaPorte. All
[18:19] those in favor?
[18:20] All those opposed, the eyes have it.
[18:22] Item number nine, peddler vendor
[18:23] license. Town Council to consider a vote
[18:25] for the approval of a peddler vendor
[18:26] license for Country Fresh Farms
[18:28] Incorporated, 5081 Union Street, Union
[18:31] City,
[18:33] Georgia, 30
[18:35] 291. Sorry, I don't have my glasses.
[18:38] State your name for the record, please.
[18:39] >> Charles Olwen on behalf of Country Fresh
[18:40] » Charles Olwen on behalf of Country Fresh
[18:41] Farms.
[18:41] >> Just speak into the microphone, sorry.
[18:43] » Just speak into the microphone, sorry.
[18:43] >> Charles Olwen on behalf of Country Fresh
[18:45] » Charles Olwen on behalf of Country Fresh
[18:45] Farms.
[18:46] >> Okay, and where will you be selling?
[18:49] » Okay, and where will you be selling?
[18:49] >> Uh we'll be selling frozen meat, choice
[18:50] » Uh we'll be selling frozen meat, choice
[18:50] and prime.
[18:51] >> Is that in the parking lots?
[18:53] » Is that in the parking lots?
[18:53] >> Yeah.
[18:54] » Yeah.
[18:54] >> Okay.
[18:54] » Okay.
[18:54] >> Uh we have a cross promotional with
[18:56] » Uh we have a cross promotional with
[18:56] Lowe's. Uh we set up, it helps bring
[18:58] traffic to Lowe's, and we get traffic
[19:00] from them. It works out for everybody.
[19:02] >> So this is on Lowe's property?
[19:04] » So this is on Lowe's property?
[19:04] >> Yes.
[19:04] » Yes.
[19:04] >> Okay.
[19:05] » Okay.
[19:05] >> We have been invited by Lowe's.
[19:11] » I'll approve this pending Do you have to
[19:13] get health department approval?
[19:15] >> Yes.
[19:16] » Yes.
[19:16] >> All right, so so you can pick up your
[19:18] » All right, so so you can pick up your
[19:18] approval pending you provide us with
[19:20] that. Okay. Um I don't see that in our
[19:22] package here unless you we're missing
[19:24] it.
[19:25] >> I do not have that with me. Um could I
[19:27] » I do not have that with me. Um could I
[19:27] possibly uh
[19:29] >> You can come in and see the clerk.
[19:30] » You can come in and see the clerk.
[19:30] She'll
[19:31] >> Okay.
[19:31] » Okay.
[19:31] >> Her office is right downstairs.
[19:34] » Her office is right downstairs.
[19:34] Oh, actually, you know what? I'm not
[19:36] tech-savvy. You can just upload it
[19:38] online.
[19:39] >> Okay. Um I'm going to have to get in
[19:40] » Okay. Um I'm going to have to get in
[19:40] touch with my superiors and get that
[19:42] done.
[19:42] >> Okay. So,
[19:44] » Okay. So,
[19:44] I'll approve this pending the uploading
[19:47] of the health department certificate.
[19:48] >> Okay. Uh is there a specific health
[19:50] » Okay. Uh is there a specific health
[19:50] department like for this jurisdiction or
[19:52] just
[19:52] >> Rhode Island health department. Any time
[19:54] » Rhode Island health department. Any time
[19:54] you're serving food, you need
[19:56] [clears throat] a a sign-off from the
[19:57] health department.
[19:58] >> I just I wasn't sure if there was a
[19:59] » I just I wasn't sure if there was a
[19:59] local one I had to go through or not.
[20:01] >> No.
[20:01] » No.
[20:01] >> Thank you, sir.
[20:02] » Thank you, sir.
[20:02] >> Any other questions?
[20:04] » Any other questions?
[20:04] Okay, do I have a motion?
[20:05] >> So moved.
[20:06] » So moved.
[20:06] >> Motion been made by Councilman Di
[20:07] » Motion been made by Councilman Di
[20:07] Lorenzo. Is there a second?
[20:08] >> Second.
[20:08] » Second.
[20:09] >> Seconded by Councilman Baccari. All
[20:10] » Seconded by Councilman Baccari. All
[20:10] those in favor?
[20:11] >> I.
[20:12] » I.
[20:12] >> All those opposed? The eyes have it.
[20:13] » All those opposed? The eyes have it.
[20:13] Good luck.
[20:13] >> Thank you, sir.
[20:15] » Thank you, sir.
[20:15] >> Private investigator license. Town
[20:16] » Private investigator license. Town
[20:16] Council to consider the approval of a
[20:18] new private investigator license for
[20:19] Douglas Belcamp, 15 Thomas Street, North
[20:22] Providence, Rhode Island.
[20:24] >> I can
[20:24] » I can
[20:24] >> Good evening.
[20:25] » Good evening.
[20:25] >> Good evening. Just state your name for
[20:26] » Good evening. Just state your name for
[20:26] the record, please.
[20:27] >> Douglas Belknap.
[20:30] » Douglas Belknap.
[20:30] >> I'm sorry, it's misspelled on my
[20:32] » I'm sorry, it's misspelled on my
[20:32] >> I was going to bring that up. That's I
[20:33] » I was going to bring that up. That's I
[20:33] was going to offer to bring a business
[20:34] card or something.
[20:35] >> That's okay.
[20:38] Any questions? Councilman
[20:40] >> I just have one question. It says Thomas
[20:42] » I just have one question. It says Thomas
[20:42] Lane.
[20:43] >> Thomas Street.
[20:44] » Thomas Street.
[20:44] >> Thomas Street, I'm sorry. Your driver's
[20:46] » Thomas Street, I'm sorry. Your driver's
[20:46] license is Pawtucket.
[20:48] >> Yes, I I moved from Pawtucket about 3 to
[20:50] » Yes, I I moved from Pawtucket about 3 to
[20:50] 4 months ago, and I know per the statute
[20:53] when your license expires, you have to
[20:55] renew it through your new domicile.
[21:00] I haven't just uh changed my driver's
[21:02] license from Pawtucket to North
[21:03] Providence as of yet.
[21:06] >> Please sign.
[21:07] » Please sign.
[21:07] Okay.
[21:08] Any other questions?
[21:10] This package has been reviewed by our
[21:12] police department and signed off on.
[21:14] So, with that, do I have a motion to
[21:16] grant?
[21:16] >> So moved.
[21:17] » So moved.
[21:17] >> Motion has been made by Councilman
[21:18] » Motion has been made by Councilman
[21:18] LaPaccio, second by Councilman La-
[21:20] LaCala.
[21:22] All those in favor?
[21:22] >> I.
[21:23] » I.
[21:23] >> All those opposed, the eyes have it.
[21:25] » All those opposed, the eyes have it.
[21:25] Item number 11, license review. Town
[21:26] Council to conduct a license review on
[21:28] liquor and entertainment licenses for
[21:30] One of One Lounge, 1759 Middle Spring
[21:34] Avenue, North Providence, Rhode Island.
[21:36] Gentlemen, just come up, please.
[21:49] All right.
[21:50] Just state your name for the records,
[21:51] please.
[21:53] >> Wase Ali.
[21:54] » Wase Ali.
[21:54] >> Thank you.
[21:54] » Thank you.
[21:54] >> Michael, miss owner.
[21:56] » Michael, miss owner.
[21:56] >> Thank you.
[21:57] » Thank you.
[21:57] >> Lance Cherry.
[21:58] » Lance Cherry.
[21:58] >> Thank you. Um gentlemen, I have to say
[22:00] » Thank you. Um gentlemen, I have to say
[22:00] good job. I mean
[22:02] we've had a few small complaints.
[22:05] Nothing
[22:06] earth-shattering, but we get noise
[22:08] complaints from
[22:10] every
[22:11] establishment in the in the town. So,
[22:13] just be cognizant of that. Um but so
[22:17] far, you guys have given us your word.
[22:19] I've driven by, I see you guys out there
[22:21] patrolling the parking lot.
[22:22] Good job, thank you.
[22:23] >> Good.
[22:24] » Good.
[22:24] >> Makes our lives a heck of a lot easier,
[22:25] » Makes our lives a heck of a lot easier,
[22:25] so
[22:26] >> Good.
[22:26] » Good.
[22:26] >> um
[22:27] » um
[22:27] any questions from
[22:30] the council members?
[22:32] Councilman?
[22:33] >> Not a question, but just remain
[22:35] » Not a question, but just remain
[22:35] vigilant.
[22:36] If as soon as you let your guard down,
[22:38] it'll be a problem. So, whatever you've
[22:39] been doing, please keep doing it.
[22:41] >> All right.
[22:42] » All right.
[22:42] >> Definitely going to, you know, intensify
[22:44] » Definitely going to, you know, intensify
[22:44] that, for sure, and you know, and make
[22:45] more improvements as we go.
[22:48] >> Um
[22:48] » Um
[22:48] >> Thanks.
[22:49] » Thanks.
[22:49] >> we do have, you know, three incidents
[22:52] » we do have, you know, three incidents
[22:52] where the police have been contacted.
[22:54] Like I said, nothing noise violation, no
[22:56] noise complaints. So,
[22:59] just be aware of that.
[23:00] >> Okay.
[23:00] » Okay.
[23:00] >> And I was like, I think one was at 9:00,
[23:02] » And I was like, I think one was at 9:00,
[23:02] which is kind of you know, early in the
[23:04] evening, so so be aware of that.
[23:06] >> Right.
[23:07] » Right.
[23:07] >> Um
[23:07] » Um
[23:07] >> We've been proactive, too, going outside
[23:09] » We've been proactive, too, going outside
[23:09] after quiet hours, you know,
[23:11] always level up, taking pictures, and
[23:13] making sure the noise is not too
[23:15] crazy, outrageous, or anything like
[23:17] that.
[23:18] >> Good.
[23:18] » Good.
[23:18] >> Any other questions?
[23:20] » Any other questions?
[23:20] >> No, just uh emphasize what uh Councilman
[23:22] » No, just uh emphasize what uh Councilman
[23:22] Matton said, keeping it clean, keeping
[23:24] it out there. Doing what you're doing,
[23:26] just keep it up cuz even the complaints,
[23:28] the noise ones, I don't think they were
[23:30] coming from
[23:31] right behind you, which was most of the
[23:33] people that were complaining.
[23:34] >> Yeah.
[23:34] » Yeah.
[23:34] >> So, you know, so take that for what it's
[23:36] » So, you know, so take that for what it's
[23:36] worth, but just keep vigilant and keep
[23:38] doing what you're doing.
[23:39] >> All right, thank you. I appreciate you
[23:40] » All right, thank you. I appreciate you
[23:40] guys.
[23:40] >> My phone hasn't rang, right?
[23:44] » My phone hasn't rang, right?
[23:44] >> You're doing a good job, so keep it up.
[23:45] » You're doing a good job, so keep it up.
[23:45] >> All right, thank you, guys.
[23:46] » All right, thank you, guys.
[23:46] >> All right, so from going forward, you
[23:48] » All right, so from going forward, you
[23:48] have a full
[23:49] You have a motion to approve a full
[23:51] liquor and entertainment license from
[23:52] here on out.
[23:54] >> All right.
[23:54] » All right.
[23:54] Thank you, guys.
[23:55] >> Yeah.
[23:55] » Yeah.
[23:55] >> Appreciate you, guys.
[23:56] » Appreciate you, guys.
[23:56] >> All right, wait, wait.
[23:57] » All right, wait, wait.
[23:57] Yeah.
[23:58] >> I'll make a motion.
[23:59] » I'll make a motion.
[23:59] >> Motion's been made by Councilman De
[24:00] » Motion's been made by Councilman De
[24:00] Lorenzo, seconded by Councilman Baccala.
[24:02] Question with question.
[24:03] >> The only The only thing I just want to
[24:04] » The only The only thing I just want to
[24:04] point out is renewal time's going to be
[24:06] coming up, so just make sure uh December
[24:09] 1st, the license expires.
[24:11] Uh Amanda, when do you send start
[24:12] sending that stuff out? Like October?
[24:14] September?
[24:15] Okay. So, but don't Renewal time's going
[24:17] to be coming up, so make sure you renew
[24:19] the license, okay?
[24:20] >> We'll definitely, yeah.
[24:21] » We'll definitely, yeah.
[24:21] >> Good job, guys.
[24:21] » Good job, guys.
[24:21] >> Back up seriously.
[24:23] » Back up seriously.
[24:23] >> Make sure the Make sure the attorney's
[24:24] » Make sure the Make sure the attorney's
[24:24] not at this time.
[24:25] >> [laughter]
[24:26] » [laughter]
[24:26] >> You're welcome.
[24:28] » You're welcome.
[24:28] >> Thanks to the councilman for giving me
[24:30] » Thanks to the councilman for giving me
[24:30] the band over the last 10 business days.
[24:34] » Item number 12.
[24:37] Wooded Road, Louisquisset Golf, Town
[24:38] Council to conduct a review of the
[24:40] measures taken it to stop the golf balls
[24:42] from hitting properties on Wood Road. Is
[24:45] there anyone here from Louisquisset?
[24:47] >> I don't see anybody.
[24:47] » I don't see anybody.
[24:47] >> I've been in con- constant contact.
[24:50] » I've been in con- constant contact.
[24:50] Um
[24:51] Seems like there's been a lot of
[24:52] measures taken to mitigate this, and I'm
[24:55] happy to hear that. A window was broken
[24:57] recently and the golf course is paying
[24:59] for it, but that was a one one-off
[25:01] incident of debris.
[25:03] So, I'll make a motion to remove this
[25:04] item from the agenda.
[25:05] >> So moved.
[25:06] » So moved.
[25:06] >> Second.
[25:06] » Second.
[25:06] >> Motion been made and seconded. All those
[25:07] » Motion been made and seconded. All those
[25:08] in favor?
[25:08] >> Aye.
[25:09] » Aye.
[25:09] >> All those opposed? Guys have it.
[25:11] » All those opposed? Guys have it.
[25:11] >> I told you that three would be fine.
[25:13] » I told you that three would be fine.
[25:13] >> Noise ordinance discussion. Resident
[25:15] » Noise ordinance discussion. Resident
[25:15] Carolyn Mancone would like to address
[25:18] the council with a desire for a daytime
[25:20] noise ordinance to address excessively
[25:22] loud music coming from 4 Cross Street.
[25:25] Is Carolyn Mancone here?
[25:30] How are you?
[25:30] >> Hi. Good. Carolyn Mancone.
[25:32] » Hi. Good. Carolyn Mancone.
[25:32] >> Thank you.
[25:33] » Thank you.
[25:33] >> Um
[25:34] » Um
[25:34] So, [snorts]
[25:36] I wanted to come before the council
[25:38] because if some of you may remember that
[25:40] I was here in 2024 because there was a
[25:42] lot of noise coming from that address
[25:44] that year. Um
[25:47] they have improved, you know, they're
[25:50] not doing it as much, but they did have
[25:52] an ins- one incident, only one, this
[25:55] summer, which is excellent. Um but, it
[25:57] was extremely loud. It was on a Sunday
[25:59] afternoon, probably around 2:00.
[26:02] And it was loud enough to be heard, you
[26:04] know,
[26:05] 200, 300 ft away. I could hear it in my
[26:08] living room, in the front of the house,
[26:09] with the TV on, with the with the
[26:10] windows closed.
[26:12] You know,
[26:14] and I thought that back in 2024 that we
[26:17] had agreed to a noise ordinance for
[26:20] excessive
[26:22] daytime noise, you know.
[26:24] If I'm Let's just I'll just give you an
[26:26] example. That day when I went in my
[26:27] backyard and I I did a measurement on my
[26:30] phone with a decibel meter and it was
[26:32] over 80 decibels, which is very, very
[26:35] loud.
[26:36] Um
[26:38] it it interrupts your your relaxation
[26:40] and enjoyment of your home.
[26:42] And when I called the police,
[26:45] they were
[26:47] they didn't want to come out. I kept
[26:49] them on the phone and I'm like, "Look,
[26:50] this is this is a nuisance."
[26:52] When they came out,
[26:54] they went in and talked to the people,
[26:56] the music got turned up,
[26:58] and I asked the police officer about it,
[27:00] and she said, "Not my problem." She was
[27:02] indifferent.
[27:03] So, I called the police again,
[27:06] and then they were scrambling trying to
[27:07] look at what's the ordinance. You know,
[27:09] they transferred me like two or three
[27:11] times. I think I finally spoke to a
[27:13] sergeant,
[27:14] and he sent somebody out, and then, you
[27:16] know, then the music was shut off, but
[27:20] did we have an ordinance for this? I You
[27:23] know, I remember it was supposed to be
[27:24] like if it was heard more than 200 ft
[27:28] from the source that it was supposed to
[27:29] be
[27:31] not allowed,
[27:33] you know?
[27:34] >> Cuz it's intrusive.
[27:36] » Cuz it's intrusive.
[27:36] >> No, we have We do have an ordinance
[27:37] » No, we have We do have an ordinance
[27:38] Yeah, so I I know we had started talking
[27:39] about it, and then kind of the the issue
[27:41] seemed to die down, so we never um we
[27:44] never put in place something for the
[27:47] daytime. That's
[27:48] you know, considering you're bringing it
[27:49] back up, I certainly think it's
[27:51] something that we can put back on the
[27:52] ordinance uh committee's docket and talk
[27:54] about potentially implementing that. And
[27:56] And I And you're right. I think the what
[27:58] we were thinking about was potentially
[28:00] something that if you could hear it from
[28:02] 200 ft away from the source, that would
[28:04] be too loud, so that way you don't have
[28:05] to get into the decibels and all that
[28:06] stuff. So.
[28:07] >> Right. I mean, you know, the issue is I
[28:08] » Right. I mean, you know, the issue is I
[28:08] think is that
[28:10] the technology and for stereos has, you
[28:13] know,
[28:16] come so crazy that people have these
[28:18] really loud stereo systems,
[28:21] and they're just not cognizant of the
[28:23] fact that they're disturbing, you know,
[28:25] I'm not saying people can't listen to
[28:26] music, but be reasonable.
[28:29] You know, have have a care for your
[28:30] neighbors, and
[28:32] that I would like to be able to, you
[28:34] know, if that ever happens again, to be
[28:36] able to call and say, "Look, we have
[28:37] this ordinance. You need to come out
[28:38] here."
[28:40] And And have the police be informed
[28:43] that it it is on the books.
[28:46] Cuz they didn't seem to know.
[28:47] >> You shouldn't have to deal with that.
[28:48] » You shouldn't have to deal with that.
[28:48] You're right. And
[28:50] we will get on that.
[28:52] >> Okay. Great.
[28:52] » Okay. Great.
[28:53] >> That's serious. So, that's
[28:54] » That's serious. So, that's
[28:54] unacceptable.
[28:55] >> you.
[28:55] » you.
[28:55] >> No problem. Do you have any questions?
[28:58] » No problem. Do you have any questions?
[28:58] Okay, do you have a motion to send this
[28:59] to the audience? So moved. Motion has
[29:00] been made by Councilman Laporte, you
[29:01] second by Councilman Vacallo. All those
[29:03] in favor? Aye. All those opposed, the
[29:05] eyes have it.
[29:06] Item number 14, block party resident
[29:09] Jordan Shore requests discussion and
[29:11] possible vote on a block party on
[29:12] Orchard Street on August 29th, 2026.
[29:17] >> Jordan Shore cannot make it tonight.
[29:19] » Jordan Shore cannot make it tonight.
[29:19] She's on her way to Alaska.
[29:20] >> Oh, good.
[29:21] » Oh, good.
[29:21] >> This is this is right behind Richie
[29:24] » This is this is right behind Richie
[29:24] School. They want to have about 50 to 75
[29:27] ft part of the street. Not blocking
[29:29] anyone. Just for the sake of doing it
[29:32] the proper way. She asked to put the
[29:34] palm palms.
[29:35] So, I'd like to make a motion that we
[29:37] approve
[29:38] the block party on uh
[29:41] >> Okay, motion has been made by Councilman
[29:43] » Okay, motion has been made by Councilman
[29:43] Di Lorenzo, second by Councilman
[29:44] Vacallo. All those in favor?
[29:45] >> Aye.
[29:46] » Aye.
[29:46] >> All those opposed, the eyes have it.
[29:48] » All those opposed, the eyes have it.
[29:48] Item number 15, paid property. Maureen
[29:49] Gerard would like to discuss the
[29:51] the progress [clears throat] of the paid
[29:52] property and to propose a community use.
[30:04] Thank you for coming.
[30:06] >> Hi.
[30:06] » Hi.
[30:06] >> Maureen Gerard.
[30:09] » Maureen Gerard.
[30:09] >> Thank you.
[30:11] » Thank you.
[30:11] >> Amy Robinson.
[30:12] » Amy Robinson.
[30:12] >> Thank you.
[30:12] » Thank you.
[30:12] >> I have folders.
[30:22] » Oh, Amy, you and I spoke a few times via
[30:24] email, right?
[30:26] >> I don't think so.
[30:27] » I don't think so.
[30:27] >> And Amy, you you and I spoke via email a
[30:29] » And Amy, you you and I spoke via email a
[30:29] few times, correct?
[30:30] >> Yeah.
[30:31] » Yeah.
[30:31] >> Thank you.
[30:35] » Oh, I thought we got homework.
[30:37] >> So, we have drawn up a proposal petition
[30:41] » So, we have drawn up a proposal petition
[30:41] to request a green clean space for the
[30:44] Pate property in conjunction
[30:47] with the parking issue at the KFC field.
[30:50] Um I spoke with Josh Johnson, the uh
[30:53] president of the North Providence Jets
[30:55] Football Organization, which is
[30:57] currently using the former Casey
[30:59] baseball complex on Ivan Street.
[31:02] He's not asked for this plan to be
[31:05] developed, but he is in favor of it.
[31:08] The actions we're asking the town to
[31:10] take involve the following. Remove the
[31:12] basketball poles from the basketball
[31:14] court on Ivan Street and use the court
[31:16] as a paved parking lot.
[31:18] Remove the playground area at Ivan
[31:20] Street and use that area for additional
[31:22] parking in an unpaved lot.
[31:25] Establish a basketball court and a
[31:27] tennis court one behind the other at the
[31:30] entrance to the Pate property with
[31:31] parking for eight to 10 spots.
[31:34] Further, in the Pate property, rebuild
[31:37] the playground and a walking area with
[31:38] benches in a figure eight format.
[31:41] We've attached a diagram of this
[31:43] scenario at the Pate property.
[31:45] Additionally, we've been in touch with
[31:47] Sherry Lepore, our grants manager, and
[31:49] we have a proposed applying for a Lowe's
[31:52] community grant for the Pate property
[31:54] project.
[31:56] And a Lowe's grant can be used in
[31:58] conjunction with Rhode Island DEM
[32:00] grants. I contacted both of them.
[32:03] They don't conflict, I'm told. Rhode
[32:05] Island DEM said, "You can reapply for
[32:08] the grant we lost
[32:10] and use the Lowe's grant at the same
[32:12] time. It's not conflicting."
[32:15] There are also a lot of other grants
[32:17] that can be used for trees, perennial
[32:19] gardens.
[32:22] Uh we feel that the signing of the names
[32:24] on the petition represent the wishes of
[32:26] the neighbors and those of the mayor who
[32:28] has communicated that he wants this
[32:30] project to be successful and meet the
[32:32] wishes and expectations of the community
[32:34] surrounding the Pate property.
[32:37] Last, but most important, we ask that
[32:40] the mayor and the council form a
[32:41] committee that includes several of the
[32:43] residents of the peat property area to
[32:46] work on overseeing the implementation
[32:48] and oversight of the development of the
[32:50] peat property green clean space.
[32:53] We ask that this be formed no later than
[32:56] this September
[32:57] of 2026.
[32:59] And this is on behalf of the residents
[33:01] surrounding the peat property.
[33:05] » This is really good.
[33:06] Thank you for putting this together.
[33:08] I mean, obviously, it's an initial
[33:10] reaction. It's the first time I'm seeing
[33:12] it.
[33:13] First time we're all seeing it, but this
[33:14] this is We appreciate
[33:16] you guys putting this together. This is
[33:18] very, very good.
[33:19] >> pretty good that
[33:20] » pretty good that
[33:20] Um we might ask for your help with the
[33:22] grant.
[33:23] >> [laughter]
[33:24] » [laughter]
[33:24] >> No, this is good. I appreciate it,
[33:26] » No, this is good. I appreciate it,
[33:26] seriously. Um
[33:28] obviously, this is the first time we're
[33:30] seeing it. Let us digest it and um
[33:34] any questions?
[33:36] >> No, I just wanted
[33:36] » No, I just wanted
[33:36] >> I wish everything had this presentation.
[33:40] » We do have a couple of questions
[33:42] regarding our last meeting with the
[33:44] mayor. Um we were told that the property
[33:46] would be cleaned out, which it was, and
[33:48] we do appreciate that. That was great.
[33:51] Um but since then, there was more soil
[33:55] um that was put on top. They would be um
[34:00] so we want to know what happened with
[34:02] the plan of just flattening out and
[34:04] putting the grass and putting up a gate.
[34:08] Um
[34:09] so there's been um more soil in addition
[34:12] to the one that was dumped, and we want
[34:14] to know why it was brought in. And this
[34:16] was not part of the plan that we were
[34:18] told the last time we met with you guys.
[34:20] And then we had some serious flood
[34:23] flooding in the area, and quite a bit of
[34:25] soil from the peat property flooded into
[34:27] the Washington Street and onto the small
[34:29] bridge, pouring over the bridge in the
[34:32] upper Canada Pond moving a small river
[34:35] not sure if this type of sediment is
[34:38] safe to be going into this waterway
[34:41] since it is the protected.
[34:44] >> Okay.
[34:45] » Okay.
[34:45] Bernie, can you answer any of those?
[34:48] You could
[34:53] » Yes, so I'm familiar with the runoff
[34:56] that they're talking about. There's been
[34:58] runoff twice that occurred.
[35:01] And as the I'll speak for the soil that
[35:03] was brought into the property because I
[35:05] don't think there's an understanding
[35:06] about the stockpiling of soils. So that
[35:10] has to go all the way back to the
[35:12] embankment line and that drop that
[35:14] elevation drops off so they're moving
[35:16] soil in there and they are stockpiling
[35:20] it in a ramp fashion. So when they clean
[35:23] out all the the bull briar and the brush
[35:25] and everything else, they can flatten
[35:27] that soil out. That hill's going to come
[35:30] down and it eventually establish a flat
[35:33] field so to speak. And then
[35:36] the level of soil erosion that is
[35:39] developed there, it's for developed
[35:42] within a half inch of water within an
[35:44] hour. We received an inch and a half of
[35:46] water in 45 minutes. But I can tell you
[35:49] this morning that I met the engineer,
[35:51] met the contractor down there, stepped
[35:54] that soil erosion plan way up from the
[35:56] engineer's design and that should not
[35:59] occur anymore.
[36:00] >> Okay.
[36:01] » Okay.
[36:01] Okay, thank you. Any questions for
[36:02] Bernie from the council?
[36:05] Thank you very much.
[36:10] » He answered everything.
[36:11] >> Okay, I'm going to send this plan to the
[36:12] » Okay, I'm going to send this plan to the
[36:12] finance committee so we can have a look
[36:14] at it. Look at it in more of
[36:17] intimate setting,
[36:18] ask some questions and we'll invite you
[36:21] to that meeting.
[36:21] >> Okay.
[36:22] » Okay.
[36:22] >> So we can have a more free flowing
[36:23] » So we can have a more free flowing
[36:23] conversation.
[36:24] Unless there's any questions from any
[36:27] residents, any council members?
[36:29] I'll make a motion.
[36:31] Sure.
[36:36] » I'm Ken Conti. I uh
[36:39] I'm trying to get a sense of what what
[36:40] property we're talking about exactly. I
[36:42] know you guys
[36:45] What in relationship to the Ivan Street
[36:47] baseball field, where is that?
[36:49] >> Okay, if you go past the bridge
[36:51] » Okay, if you go past the bridge
[36:51] >> Yeah. Oh, so it's not part of the Ivan
[36:53] » Yeah. Oh, so it's not part of the Ivan
[36:53] Street baseball field.
[36:55] >> Cuz I know just past
[36:56] » Cuz I know just past
[36:56] >> Okay, Ken, it's right across the street.
[36:58] » Okay, Ken, it's right across the street.
[36:58] There used to be a garage in there.
[37:00] Oh, the old
[37:01] >> Oh, okay. All right. I thought it was
[37:02] » Oh, okay. All right. I thought it was
[37:02] the Ivan Street field cuz I thought it
[37:04] was a great opportunity.
[37:05] >> I was going to say that the North
[37:06] » I was going to say that the North
[37:06] Providence Land Trust owns property
[37:08] adjacent to the North Providence uh
[37:10] Little League field.
[37:11] >> Well, that property That property does
[37:15] » Well, that property That property does
[37:15] It doesn't connect to the But They're
[37:17] They're
[37:17] >> field's not owned by the town, all
[37:19] » field's not owned by the town, all
[37:19] right? That's owned by the K
[37:20] >> No, but where they're
[37:21] » No, but where they're
[37:21] where they're proposing the parking lot
[37:24] is part of that is part of the Cuz
[37:26] that's where the basketball courts are.
[37:28] So, if you want to take a look at it.
[37:32] » With the um field that's past the park.
[37:35] >> Yeah, this is the bridge.
[37:36] » Yeah, this is the bridge.
[37:36] >> Yeah, so it's not part of the
[37:37] » Yeah, so it's not part of the
[37:38] >> In the meantime, I want to make a motion
[37:39] » In the meantime, I want to make a motion
[37:39] to send this to the finance committee.
[37:41] Motion made by Councilman LaPorte,
[37:43] seconded by Councilman Pollock. All
[37:44] those in favor?
[37:45] All those opposed? The eyes have it.
[37:47] Thank you.
[37:49] >> Very nice.
[37:59] » And Mr. Chairman, there's a piece of
[38:01] property
[38:02] uh to the left
[38:05] It's up a little higher that we utilize
[38:07] for parking.
[38:09] There's property next to that that abuts
[38:12] that last house coming down Ivan Street
[38:16] that we own.
[38:19] We're looking at that at this point in
[38:21] time and maybe try and garner some funds
[38:24] to increase that top pocket lot
[38:27] to address the need for additional
[38:29] parking
[38:31] uh now that the it's going to be
[38:33] utilized by what from the football
[38:36] um club
[38:38] and soccer.
[38:40] We know we have a an issue with the
[38:41] parking.
[38:43] And also temporary with the parking or
[38:45] for the parking is when you go into the
[38:48] Ivan Street though field that we're
[38:50] living on off now. Right there to the
[38:53] left.
[38:55] We're hoping that we'll be able to
[38:58] clear that as quick as possible, put
[39:00] down some of what we call the road grind
[39:04] and use that for some temporary parking
[39:06] to relieve
[39:08] any of the parking issues there.
[39:10] So, that's in play also at this point in
[39:12] time.
[39:15] » Thank you.
[39:16] Ma'am, my understanding though is that
[39:18] once
[39:19] uh Woodhaven school is done
[39:21] that football field is going to be put
[39:23] back.
[39:24] >> Well, that's another issue.
[39:28] Because in most of these areas I
[39:30] shouldn't say dealing with, but we're
[39:32] dealing with
[39:33] neighbors' wishes.
[39:37] So, at this point in time
[39:40] I'm not sure.
[39:45] » Okay.
[39:50] » And number 22, ordinance introduction,
[39:52] discussion, and possible vote on the
[39:54] introduction of the ordinance number
[39:57] 26-013
[39:59] relating to resident only parking signs
[40:02] on Oregon Avenue.
[40:04] Councilman DiLorenzo.
[40:05] >> So, we have a problem on Oregon Avenue
[40:08] » So, we have a problem on Oregon Avenue
[40:08] with parking.
[40:09] Uh
[40:12] it seems that the people who are there
[40:15] are parking all the way down the street.
[40:16] The people in front of the houses cannot
[40:18] park their cars.
[40:19] However, Steve, I understand, Steve,
[40:22] Hold on one second. Wait till they don't
[40:40] » I want
[40:42] I want them to be able to hear cuz
[40:55] » All right.
[40:56] Thank you. Okay.
[40:57] >> So, residents are having a problem
[40:59] » So, residents are having a problem
[40:59] parking on Oregon Avenue.
[41:01] Uh the the two houses next to the
[41:04] building
[41:05] uh
[41:06] the old base furniture that has
[41:08] qualified businesses in there.
[41:10] Uh Kevin uh a community police officer,
[41:13] we were there the other day and looking
[41:14] to see what we can do is probably need
[41:15] about maybe 100 ft, Kevin.
[41:18] >> That's correct.
[41:18] » That's correct.
[41:19] >> Um
[41:20] » Um
[41:20] which is
[41:21] what we do need to protect those two
[41:23] houses.
[41:24] Uh but I understand now that
[41:27] uh this game room business
[41:31] cannot open
[41:32] uh unless we approve the ordinance for
[41:36] for the resident only parking sign. I
[41:38] guess they need it on a variance in
[41:41] order to get open. And they've been
[41:42] patiently waiting for something to
[41:44] happen with that.
[41:45] Um Kevin, maybe you can articulate a
[41:47] little bit more what what the
[41:49] >> Right parking situation.
[41:49] » Right parking situation.
[41:49] >> Brent's here, too. He can explain what
[41:51] » Brent's here, too. He can explain what
[41:51] the
[41:52] >> Brent, come up, please.
[41:53] » Brent, come up, please.
[41:53] >> Yeah.
[41:53] » Yeah.
[41:54] >> Thank you.
[41:56] » Thank you.
[41:56] >> Lieutenant, you can you can stop.
[41:57] » Lieutenant, you can you can stop.
[41:57] >> I can speak to, you know, we've had some
[41:59] » I can speak to, you know, we've had some
[41:59] calls from residents that are having a
[42:01] hard time parking during certain hours.
[42:04] There are several businesses in that uh
[42:06] block of 1726 Mystery that do take up
[42:10] some of those businesses. So, I think we
[42:12] owe it to the residents to to give them
[42:14] some relief for for company and
[42:18] you know, whatever you can
[42:19] >> By the way, one of them is handicapped
[42:22] » By the way, one of them is handicapped
[42:22] and has a caretaker there. On the second
[42:24] house, has a caretaker there, so I
[42:26] wanted to make sure we protect her. Now,
[42:27] in in the first house, we just had a
[42:29] livery by the way, something like that.
[42:31] And so, both of those houses have, you
[42:33] know,
[42:35] >> So, uh Steve is correct. Uh
[42:38] » So, uh Steve is correct. Uh
[42:38] They got approval from the zoning board
[42:41] uh conditional to receiving council
[42:43] approval for no park or uh resident only
[42:46] parking signs down Oregon Ave.
[42:47] >> Right.
[42:48] » Right.
[42:48] >> Um just because there is,
[42:50] » Um just because there is,
[42:50] you know, a tight parking situation on
[42:52] the property right now, and they don't
[42:54] want the parking extending into the
[42:55] residential neighborhood. They'd rather
[42:57] see it
[42:58] >> Right.
[42:58] » Right.
[42:58] >> I I have a question on the street.
[43:01] » I I have a question on the street.
[43:01] >> All right, I have a question. And
[43:04] » All right, I have a question. And
[43:04] So, I'm familiar with that building. I
[43:05] live right down the street.
[43:07] >> [clears throat]
[43:08] » [clears throat]
[43:08] >> You have a tattoo shop, a hair salon,
[43:12] » You have a tattoo shop, a hair salon,
[43:12] this potential game business, and then
[43:14] there's another business I think in
[43:15] between the tattoo shop.
[43:18] >> And don't forget the business behind.
[43:20] » And don't forget the business behind.
[43:20] There's a construction company behind.
[43:22] >> That's not their business?
[43:23] » That's not their business?
[43:23] >> No, no. They got GameStop, which is on
[43:24] » No, no. They got GameStop, which is on
[43:24] the street, but in the back of that
[43:26] building there's a construction business
[43:29] uh in the back of it. So, there's five.
[43:31] >> So, how are these
[43:33] » So, how are these
[43:33] >> [clears throat]
[43:33] » [clears throat]
[43:33] >> uh
[43:34] » uh
[43:34] businesses allowed to open with such
[43:36] little parking on a main road? And I say
[43:38] that for the residents, but also them.
[43:40] Like, that's not fair to them either.
[43:42] Like, I mean, cuz it's right around that
[43:44] curve, so there's not much street
[43:46] parking.
[43:47] It's all residential behind the
[43:49] building.
[43:50] Are they expected to park across the
[43:52] street and cross
[43:54] Smitty, it's a pretty busy road.
[43:56] >> So, the zoning board reviewed the the
[43:59] » So, the zoning board reviewed the the
[43:59] time schedules of each um business, and
[44:02] they felt comfortable enough voting to
[44:05] approve it because the the
[44:07] it was alternating
[44:09] time frames um of of peak hours. So,
[44:14] there's not necessarily enough to meet
[44:16] the regulation. However, they
[44:19] they think it could be accommodated on
[44:21] the property and within the I believe
[44:23] there's seven spaces on Smith Street.
[44:25] >> So, so GameStop right now is looking for
[44:27] » So, so GameStop right now is looking for
[44:27] eight spaces that are currently there.
[44:31] » So,
[44:32] >> There's no additional spaces, just the
[44:33] » There's no additional spaces, just the
[44:33] ones that are currently there.
[44:35] >> So, essentially all the spaces right now
[44:37] » So, essentially all the spaces right now
[44:37] on the property are utilized by the
[44:38] existing businesses. So, they got the
[44:40] variance for
[44:42] what they would need eight eight spaces.
[44:46] >> Right.
[44:46] » Right.
[44:46] >> To make the the whole lot legal
[44:48] » To make the the whole lot legal
[44:48] essentially.
[44:49] >> Right.
[44:49] » Right.
[44:49] >> And that's not just this location.
[44:51] » And that's not just this location.
[44:51] That's assuming businesses don't extend
[44:53] their hours.
[44:55] The other businesses that are there
[44:57] could extend their hours.
[44:59] Theoretically correct?
[45:00] >> That's always possible, yes.
[45:03] » That's always possible, yes.
[45:03] >> I'm just saying that
[45:05] » I'm just saying that
[45:05] kind of go by what the president's
[45:06] saying, you know.
[45:07] >> So, if if you remember
[45:09] » So, if if you remember
[45:09] uh maybe two three months ago I had a
[45:11] resident only parking sign put on the
[45:13] right hand side coming
[45:14] >> Yes, that's why I'm not yeah.
[45:15] » Yes, that's why I'm not yeah.
[45:16] >> Be- because fire apparatus could not get
[45:17] » Be- because fire apparatus could not get
[45:17] through.
[45:18] People, I mean, listen, I'm on that
[45:20] street I go up and down that street 10
[45:21] times a day other day.
[45:22] >> Right.
[45:23] » Right.
[45:23] >> Fire apparatus could not get through.
[45:25] » Fire apparatus could not get through.
[45:25] So, I had a no parking sign put there.
[45:28] Uh
[45:29] kind of put some of the people back into
[45:32] the parking lot a little bit. It's not
[45:33] so bad, but now they're on the opposite
[45:35] side of the street.
[45:35] >> Right.
[45:36] » Right.
[45:36] >> Coming all the way down.
[45:37] » Coming all the way down.
[45:37] So,
[45:38] you know, it's a combination. There's
[45:40] one house over there that has eight
[45:41] cars. And between those eight cars and
[45:43] everybody else that's parking, the two
[45:44] people who are who are leaving
[45:47] >> Of course.
[45:47] » Of course.
[45:47] >> park their cars.
[45:49] » park their cars.
[45:49] >> And you guys going to be okay
[45:51] » And you guys going to be okay
[45:51] to open with with such a
[45:53] limited
[45:55] not so
[45:57] ideal parking situation?
[45:59] I don't I I want to see you guys be
[46:01] treated unfairly either. That's That's
[46:04] >> Thank you. Um my name is August Bogner
[46:07] » Thank you. Um my name is August Bogner
[46:07] This is Genesis Sanchez. We're the
[46:09] owners of the game house.
[46:10] >> Oh, nice. Thank you.
[46:11] » Oh, nice. Thank you.
[46:11] >> Um to your question, um
[46:15] » Um to your question, um
[46:15] if this is not approved tonight, it will
[46:18] not be okay.
[46:20] >> Right, right. And I'm saying like I have
[46:21] » Right, right. And I'm saying like I have
[46:21] no problem. Like we're going to do
[46:23] whatever you can to let you get you guys
[46:24] open, right?
[46:26] But I'm saying going forward
[46:28] like
[46:29] you know, you're going to have people
[46:30] coming there and see there's no parking.
[46:33] You know, and they might not visit your
[46:34] your business cuz
[46:36] it's it's such a packed
[46:38] little building.
[46:39] >> Sure, if I may. Um so I think one of the
[46:42] » Sure, if I may. Um so I think one of the
[46:42] points that we had raised earlier had
[46:44] been raised at the earlier hearings is
[46:46] that So we operate from 5:00 in the
[46:49] afternoon to 9:00 in the afternoon
[46:50] Monday through Friday and then 2:00 p.m.
[46:52] to 10:00 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays and
[46:54] we find ourselves at the game house
[46:56] every weekend sort of, you know,
[46:58] polishing things up and getting things
[46:59] ready that need to be and we there's
[47:02] plenty of parking at least on the
[47:04] weekend. I'm not sure when the
[47:04] complaints are coming in if it's during
[47:06] the daytime more frequently than not,
[47:08] but in terms of the weekend traffic in
[47:11] that area, it's significantly decreased.
[47:13] We never have an issue with parking
[47:15] whatsoever. The lot is always empty. In
[47:18] fact, whenever we're there on Saturdays
[47:19] and Sundays and that would be our peak
[47:21] hours. We're also targeting the students
[47:25] from Rhode Island College that are
[47:26] nearby from Providence College, from
[47:27] North Providence High School. And so the
[47:29] hope is that people would just come to
[47:30] us walking or carpooling and have less
[47:33] needs. And my understanding is that the
[47:35] parking variance was for actually six
[47:37] spaces um because we are one combined
[47:41] spots. We would only need six additional
[47:42] spaces, but again, given our experience
[47:44] there
[47:45] every weekend for the last six months
[47:47] while we wait on the process, I I don't
[47:49] think that there's a parking
[47:51] problem on the weekends at least as
[47:54] >> I agree with you.
[47:55] » I agree with you.
[47:55] >> Okay.
[47:55] » Okay.
[47:55] >> And nighttime it's it's it's much easier
[47:58] » And nighttime it's it's it's much easier
[47:58] to get in and out. Um If if you can stay
[48:01] vigilant have people park in the back.
[48:03] >> Absolutely.
[48:04] » Absolutely.
[48:04] >> Listen, I I want to see you guys being
[48:06] » Listen, I I want to see you guys being
[48:06] in business. Great kid. I want to see
[48:07] you guys being in business. I just you
[48:09] know, we have to I we have to worry
[48:12] about the neighbors.
[48:13] They're just as important as everybody,
[48:15] you know.
[48:15] >> Absolutely, and we understand and that's
[48:17] » Absolutely, and we understand and that's
[48:17] our our hope is really that they get
[48:19] their sign tonight because if it gets
[48:21] referred and we've been waiting for
[48:23] about 6 months just sort of in the
[48:24] evolution of this process
[48:26] for permitting. I think we submitted our
[48:28] business application back in February
[48:30] and so it's just we're really struggling
[48:32] because the bills are still coming and
[48:34] there is no income being generated and
[48:36] as you see from the pamphlets that are
[48:38] at in front of you, there's a lot of
[48:40] interest, media, people, the community
[48:43] and so we really just need a chance to
[48:45] to get to exist.
[48:46] >> Mayor, Mayor, so um
[48:48] » Mayor, Mayor, so um
[48:48] Mayor.
[48:51] Mayor, is Bernie still here? Well, can
[48:53] we have DPW put up the two signs
[48:58] and I'll I'll have an ordinance meeting
[49:00] within the next 2 weeks so they can open
[49:03] and then I'll pass the the no parking
[49:06] signs cuz they've been waiting.
[49:09] Yeah.
[49:12] » [clears throat]
[49:13] >> You can get with me if you like and
[49:17] » Yep.
[49:19] >> Thank you. We'll take care of it. You'll
[49:20] » Thank you. We'll take care of it. You'll
[49:20] be all set.
[49:24] » We'll help you be successful.
[49:26] >> Thank you, sir.
[49:28] » Thank you, sir.
[49:28] >> We can see.
[49:30] » We can see.
[49:30] >> All right. All right, so
[49:32] » All right. All right, so
[49:32] Thank you, Mayor.
[49:33] That's very helpful. So, they'll put up
[49:36] I'll expedite the
[49:38] the ordinance process.
[49:40] You guys okay with that?
[49:42] >> Yeah, absolutely. I was just How many
[49:43] » Yeah, absolutely. I was just How many
[49:43] square feet is this?
[49:45] >> It's about 1,200, but do you have floor
[49:47] » It's about 1,200, but do you have floor
[49:47] plans? So, I think you might have a more
[49:49] exact Not there.
[49:50] >> You still have the pictures and great
[49:51] » You still have the pictures and great
[49:51] marketing the free parking sign up.
[49:53] >> You know
[49:55] » You know
[49:55] >> You got a good concept going there. It's
[49:56] » You got a good concept going there. It's
[49:56] a place for people to go. So, I agree
[49:58] with, you know, getting getting it open
[49:59] and we need more businesses like this.
[50:01] >> Thank you.
[50:02] » Thank you.
[50:02] >> Okay, okay, wait. Excuse me.
[50:04] » Okay, okay, wait. Excuse me.
[50:04] >> Can I make a motion to dispense with the
[50:05] » Can I make a motion to dispense with the
[50:05] ordinance now?
[50:07] >> I I will if you want, you know.
[50:10] » I I will if you want, you know.
[50:10] All right, so
[50:10] >> I'll do it.
[50:11] » I'll do it.
[50:11] >> All right.
[50:15] Just uh
[50:16] Yeah, just to make a motion to dispense
[50:18] with the reading of the ordinance.
[50:20] >> Uh I want to make a motion to dispense
[50:22] » Uh I want to make a motion to dispense
[50:22] with the reading of the ordinance.
[50:24] >> So moved.
[50:25] » So moved.
[50:25] >> Second.
[50:26] » Second.
[50:26] >> Motion been made by Councilman
[50:27] » Motion been made by Councilman
[50:27] DeLorenzo, seconded by Councilman
[50:28] Vaccola. And a motion by Councilman
[50:31] DeLorenzo to introduce
[50:33] ordinance 26-013.
[50:38] » So, so that we're all clear
[50:40] B Spoke's can now open.
[50:41] >> Well, yes, but I I asked
[50:43] » Well, yes, but I I asked
[50:43] >> Borrow.
[50:44] » Borrow.
[50:44] >> Well, they're going to make just make
[50:46] » Well, they're going to make just make
[50:46] sure everything from the business
[50:47] perspective is
[50:49] >> Business license license
[50:51] » Business license license
[50:51] >> License and all that. Yeah.
[50:52] » License and all that. Yeah.
[50:52] >> And your your building permit is
[50:55] » And your your building permit is
[50:55] >> I mean, everything
[50:56] » I mean, everything
[50:56] >> Do you have a building permit?
[50:57] » Do you have a building permit?
[50:57] >> Everything on the portal is up to date.
[50:59] » Everything on the portal is up to date.
[50:59] >> Yes.
[50:59] » Yes.
[50:59] >> But this is just a printout. I'm going
[51:01] » But this is just a printout. I'm going
[51:01] to have the clerk
[51:02] make sure everything's
[51:04] You know, you guys have everything you
[51:05] need, but is it if there's anything
[51:08] she can think of, you know, just check
[51:09] with her before you do anything.
[51:11] >> Yeah, we'll we'll get anything done that
[51:13] » Yeah, we'll we'll get anything done that
[51:13] needs to get done as quickly as
[51:14] possible.
[51:16] >> Invite us to the grand opening.
[51:18] » Invite us to the grand opening.
[51:18] >> Yeah.
[51:18] » Yeah.
[51:18] >> All right.
[51:18] » All right.
[51:18] >> I will. Thank you.
[51:20] » I will. Thank you.
[51:20] >> Okay, a motion's been made, seconded.
[51:21] » Okay, a motion's been made, seconded.
[51:21] All those in favor?
[51:24] » Motion.
[51:28] » Okay.
[51:31] >> I'm going to challenge DeLorenzo.
[51:32] » I'm going to challenge DeLorenzo.
[51:32] >> Look, I I got to do one of them now.
[51:37] » Item number 16, Good Energy, John
[51:39] O'Rourke like to address the
[51:42] >> So, uh as far as the residential parking
[51:44] » So, uh as far as the residential parking
[51:44] signs, we're going to take care of it. I
[51:46] don't need to make any motions to do
[51:47] that.
[51:47] >> No, you just got to meet him and tell
[51:49] » No, you just got to meet him and tell
[51:49] him where you got to go.
[51:50] And then I'll take care of that. We just
[51:53] We got to It's not enforceable until we
[51:54] pass this.
[51:55] >> I know that.
[51:56] » I know that.
[51:56] >> All right.
[51:56] » All right.
[51:56] >> Yeah.
[51:57] » Yeah.
[51:57] >> Okay, uh President would like to address
[51:59] » Okay, uh President would like to address
[51:59] the council once again concerning
[52:00] community electric aggregation. Thank
[52:03] you.
[52:03] >> President O'Rourke, Tillo, members of
[52:04] » President O'Rourke, Tillo, members of
[52:04] the council, uh thank you for letting us
[52:06] come before you today.
[52:08] Um my name is John O'Rourke.
[52:11] My associate, Steve Di Natale.
[52:14] Uh if you remember, uh we appeared
[52:16] before you on December the 3rd, uh gave
[52:19] you a presentation at that point in
[52:21] time. Much of the presentation I have
[52:24] for you tonight is that same
[52:26] information. So, rather than rehash that
[52:29] information and in the interest of time,
[52:32] I'm going to go directly to the last
[52:33] page, which is the key points of these
[52:36] programs.
[52:39] All you're doing by putting together a
[52:41] community choice electricity program
[52:45] is forming a buying group
[52:47] that gives your residents and small
[52:49] businesses another choice for getting
[52:52] their electricity. It also gives them
[52:55] increased buying power to move forward
[52:58] with uh large uh supplies of electricity
[53:03] that want their business.
[53:05] Participation is voluntary.
[53:08] There is never any
[53:10] um
[53:11] uh fee or termination
[53:13] uh charge to get out of the program once
[53:16] they're in the program.
[53:18] Um
[53:19] these programs provide increased
[53:22] protection from unscrupulous
[53:25] um marketers of electricity,
[53:26] particularly for those seniors that may
[53:29] be preyed upon
[53:31] uh by those those individuals.
[53:34] There's no cost to the town.
[53:37] Essentially, uh uh Uh,
[53:40] we would as consultant to put these
[53:43] plans together, we're paid by the
[53:45] competitive supplier.
[53:47] What I'll do now is open it up for
[53:49] questions.
[53:51] >> Mr. O'Rourke.
[53:53] » Mr. O'Rourke.
[53:53] I'm in the program with you now.
[53:55] Walk me through how I
[53:57] if I choose to want to withdraw and how
[53:59] long that process will be.
[54:01] >> To uh, to opt out of the program,
[54:04] » To uh, to opt out of the program,
[54:04] uh, there's a website that's set up that
[54:06] you can go to to fill out a form or you
[54:09] can call the supplier directly, you can
[54:12] call us directly, and on your next meter
[54:14] read you're out.
[54:18] » Okay, I'm just trying to play the
[54:19] devil's advocate. I'm I'm
[54:22] 75 years old, not computer literate,
[54:24] don't have websites that can Okay. I can
[54:26] call you, speak to a human being.
[54:28] >> Absolutely.
[54:29] » Absolutely.
[54:29] >> And and easily be opted out.
[54:31] » And and easily be opted out.
[54:32] >> That's correct.
[54:33] » That's correct.
[54:33] >> Councilman.
[54:34] » Councilman.
[54:34] >> All right.
[54:35] » All right.
[54:35] We've we've heard uh, the pitch I think
[54:38] enough times that everybody understands.
[54:40] What I want to understand is
[54:42] we're going to look like heroes if the
[54:45] numbers make sense. We're going to look
[54:47] like
[54:48] villains if the numbers don't make
[54:49] sense. So, the last year, 3 years, 5
[54:52] years, you've beaten Rhode Island Energy
[54:54] or you're not beating Rhode Island?
[54:56] >> We've beaten Rhode Island Energy. And
[54:58] » We've beaten Rhode Island Energy. And
[54:58] just just as a matter of um,
[55:00] information, I'm not sure whether you're
[55:01] aware of this, but Rhode Island Energy
[55:04] as of October 1st is going to 17 cents
[55:06] for residential rate.
[55:08] Uh, our
[55:09] Rhode Island buying group is at 13
[55:11] cents.
[55:12] >> Okay.
[55:13] » Okay.
[55:13] I will say this. I I know you guys came
[55:15] and several other companies have. In
[55:17] December, you guys came in October,
[55:20] another group came.
[55:21] Those and we put it in the finance
[55:24] committee.
[55:25] What happened was, and I know you were
[55:27] elected at some point, our budget came
[55:29] out.
[55:30] And as you know, you know, this year was
[55:32] a controversial budget, so we put a lot
[55:33] of this stuff on hold until we finished
[55:37] up our budget. So, I will be having some
[55:38] finance committee meetings in the next
[55:40] month or so to start looking at the
[55:42] numbers that you just Maybe we can go
[55:43] into those in more
[55:44] >> Yeah, there's there's no cost to the
[55:46] » Yeah, there's there's no cost to the
[55:46] town.
[55:47] >> Okay.
[55:48] » Okay.
[55:48] >> Just so I understand again, and I
[55:50] » Just so I understand again, and I
[55:50] request
[55:52] everybody in town's going to be put into
[55:53] this program. It's there they have to
[55:56] opt out.
[55:58] >> This is a This isn't This isn't opt-down
[56:00] » This is a This isn't This isn't opt-down
[56:01] program.
[56:01] >> Everybody's going to be put in. It's
[56:03] » Everybody's going to be put in. It's
[56:03] their duty
[56:05] to figure out
[56:07] with many ways that you said how to opt
[56:09] out.
[56:09] >> There's a tremendous amount of
[56:10] » There's a tremendous amount of
[56:10] information given out before
[56:13] the 30-day period where they have to opt
[56:16] out. So, they're fully informed. The
[56:18] letter that they get is fully
[56:20] informational. Everything we do has to
[56:23] be approved by the
[56:25] Public Utilities Commission. So,
[56:27] essentially, we're not we're not acting
[56:29] alone. We're acting through through your
[56:32] review and through the review of the the
[56:35] PUC. Okay? And essentially,
[56:38] again,
[56:40] everyone is initially put into the
[56:43] program
[56:45] unless they picked a third-party
[56:47] supplier.
[56:49] And they they can opt out if they want.
[56:51] Now, interestingly enough, Rhode Island
[56:54] had an opt-in aggregation program for
[56:58] many years that went nowhere because
[57:01] suppliers will not bid on that kind of a
[57:04] program.
[57:05] So, it's an opt-down program. It's
[57:08] basically
[57:09] modeled on the Massachusetts program,
[57:12] which was the first
[57:14] municipal aggregation program in the
[57:16] country and the one every successful law
[57:20] in the country is based on right now.
[57:22] >> So, it's not worth it for your company
[57:23] » So, it's not worth it for your company
[57:23] or any company to come in and have an
[57:26] opt-in program.
[57:27] No, it's
[57:28] >> Which You can't You can't do it because
[57:30] » Which You can't You can't do it because
[57:30] nobody nobody else apply it.
[57:34] » Okay, is there this motion to send it
[57:36] back to the finance committee?
[57:38] >> So moved.
[57:38] » So moved.
[57:38] >> Second.
[57:39] » Second.
[57:39] >> Motion been made by Councilman Bacalla,
[57:40] » Motion been made by Councilman Bacalla,
[57:40] seconded by Councilman Martone. All
[57:42] those in favor? All those opposed? The
[57:44] eyes have it. We'll let you know we're
[57:45] going to have that meeting those
[57:46] meetings soon. Thank you, gentlemen.
[57:47] Thank you. Have a good night.
[57:50] >> You got to do Colletti Farms.
[57:52] » You got to do Colletti Farms.
[57:53] >> I got to do it all.
[57:53] » I got to do it all.
[57:53] >> Yeah.
[57:54] » Yeah.
[57:54] >> Then I'll do Kennedy.
[57:57] » Okay.
[57:58] >> Where are we?
[58:00] » Where are we?
[58:00] >> Item number 26, Colletti Farms property.
[58:02] » Item number 26, Colletti Farms property.
[58:02] Councilman Pollock requests discussion
[58:04] and possible vote on Colletti Farm
[58:06] property.
[58:07] Councilman?
[58:09] >> So, may I say correct?
[58:11] » So, may I say correct?
[58:11] Mr. President, um
[58:15] I think a lot of us thought we were in a
[58:16] place that
[58:18] there was an agreement with everybody
[58:20] what's fine what was finally
[58:22] going to go into that property.
[58:25] And then we read the Valley Breeze
[58:27] saying that the town respectfully
[58:31] I don't know what the word is. Not
[58:32] decline, but
[58:33] you know, the grant.
[58:35] Which
[58:36] got a lot of calls to us from the
[58:38] residents of the neighborhood.
[58:40] Um
[58:42] May I, if you don't mind, I'm not trying
[58:44] to put you on the spot, but can you tell
[58:45] us what transpired between
[58:48] June meeting
[58:49] the June special meeting we had last
[58:51] year when everybody was kind of in
[58:52] agreement that final program
[58:55] to December?
[58:57] Um
[58:57] you know, we read that we were aware I I
[59:00] know I wasn't aware that
[59:02] the grant was turned back. And the other
[59:04] part of the concern is the condition of
[59:06] that property right now.
[59:08] That's I know there's some residents
[59:10] here, a couple that couldn't come.
[59:12] But are we going to address the
[59:13] condition of that property?
[59:16] Sherry, hi.
[59:21] I'm sorry, I didn't see you there, May.
[59:22] I'm sorry.
[59:26] » Good evening. How are you?
[59:28] So, um in terms of where we stand with
[59:31] the Colletti property, there are two
[59:33] grants that are for Colletti. One of
[59:35] them is through the Rhode Island
[59:36] Infrastructure Bank, which is for phase
[59:38] one design, and the other one will be
[59:41] the HUD grant that we were awarded
[59:43] through the earmark. Um and that's for a
[59:46] million dollars. One can be used as a
[59:49] match for the other.
[59:50] Where we currently stand right now is we
[59:53] have
[59:54] the approved designs from town
[59:58] council that were approved last
[1:00:00] September, I believe. And we have just
[1:00:03] gotten our extension with the Rhode
[1:00:05] Island Infrastructure Bank so that we
[1:00:07] can move ahead, and we are in the
[1:00:09] process of bidding out for the design
[1:00:11] for Colletti right now. We have the
[1:00:13] concept, but we need the formal design.
[1:00:18] » What happened between I think it was
[1:00:20] June the special meeting
[1:00:21] and December when that first grant
[1:00:24] What was Was it the
[1:00:26] DEM grant? I think.
[1:00:27] >> The DEM grant, sure. So, when I came on,
[1:00:29] » The DEM grant, sure. So, when I came on,
[1:00:29] there was some conversation about the
[1:00:31] DEM grant because unlike the other
[1:00:34] grants, particularly federal grants,
[1:00:37] there's not as much flexibility with the
[1:00:40] DEM grants. So, by the time that final
[1:00:43] design had been approved, the concept
[1:00:45] was so vastly different than what we had
[1:00:47] applied for that they considered it to
[1:00:51] no longer be the same project. And so,
[1:00:54] what was advised to us is simply don't
[1:00:57] struggle with the grant you have,
[1:00:59] withdraw without prejudice.
[1:01:01] >> That's what I thought.
[1:01:02] » That's what I thought.
[1:01:02] >> Yes.
[1:01:03] » Yes.
[1:01:03] >> [laughter]
[1:01:03] » [laughter]
[1:01:03] >> And that means we can apply again
[1:01:06] » And that means we can apply again
[1:01:06] um once we have a better grasp of what
[1:01:08] the design is actually going to look
[1:01:09] like, everyone's in agreement. So, we've
[1:01:11] moved quite a bit towards that goal um
[1:01:15] of having that final design that was
[1:01:17] approved and getting that extension so
[1:01:19] that we could go ahead and start bidding
[1:01:21] for the formal design process.
[1:01:23] >> I I I appreciate you coming in the
[1:01:24] » I I I appreciate you coming in the
[1:01:24] explanation. I think
[1:01:26] some of us, if not all, were just kind
[1:01:28] of caught off guard reading the Valley
[1:01:30] Breeze that
[1:01:31] >> Sure.
[1:01:31] » Sure.
[1:01:31] >> knew
[1:01:32] » knew
[1:01:32] when myself, I didn't know.
[1:01:35] >> Right.
[1:01:35] » Right.
[1:01:35] >> When I got the calls,
[1:01:37] » When I got the calls,
[1:01:37] I had no answers for them because I I
[1:01:39] did not know that that grant was
[1:01:41] >> Yeah, sure.
[1:01:42] » Yeah, sure.
[1:01:42] Well, I would love to make myself
[1:01:44] available for any type of finance
[1:01:46] committee meeting that can be scheduled.
[1:01:48] I've got reports waiting for you. I can
[1:01:50] tell you more about how I do things, why
[1:01:53] my position is different than just being
[1:01:54] a grant writer. I'm the actual
[1:01:57] grants manager, so there are other
[1:01:58] elements to what I do that, you know,
[1:02:01] what you may not be used to
[1:02:03] in the recent past. I'm more than happy
[1:02:05] to go over anything in detail. My office
[1:02:08] is right across the hall, so please feel
[1:02:10] free to you know, call on me and I will
[1:02:12] explain everything to you.
[1:02:15] >> As I didn't know,
[1:02:16] » As I didn't know,
[1:02:16] they have any questions. You know what I
[1:02:18] mean?
[1:02:20] >> Are there any residents that have any
[1:02:21] » Are there any residents that have any
[1:02:21] questions?
[1:02:28] » Uh Michael Porter, Hamlin Street.
[1:02:32] I think the most
[1:02:34] um
[1:02:36] yeah,
[1:02:36] biggest point that I wanted to make
[1:02:38] right now was that Larry Feeney and I,
[1:02:41] Larry can't be here tonight, he's on
[1:02:43] vacation, went to sit down with the
[1:02:45] mayor
[1:02:46] uh
[1:02:47] back in November 25th.
[1:02:50] We had a discussion as far as what was
[1:02:52] going on with all the dirt coming in.
[1:02:54] There's more and more and more dirt and
[1:02:56] it continued.
[1:02:58] The mayor made a phone call and said
[1:03:00] there wouldn't be any more dirt,
[1:03:02] but it kept on coming.
[1:03:04] And it kept on coming all the way until
[1:03:05] the weather changed.
[1:03:07] And then that was the end of it.
[1:03:09] And then in March, it started coming
[1:03:11] again, which we're assuming was coming
[1:03:13] from Richie for the new athletic turf
[1:03:16] field.
[1:03:17] Right now, when we walk out my front
[1:03:19] door, I have a 60-ft mountain of dirt.
[1:03:23] All grown over with grass.
[1:03:26] When you go down to the back, there was
[1:03:27] a duck farm a duck pond back there.
[1:03:30] There's starting to get beer cans back
[1:03:32] there.
[1:03:33] There's kids going up and down the hills
[1:03:35] on their bikes, and somebody's going to
[1:03:37] get hurt
[1:03:38] because this keeps getting put off and
[1:03:41] off and off.
[1:03:44] Now, one of the last
[1:03:47] uh Breeze articles, the mayor was noted
[1:03:50] on saying this would be taken care of
[1:03:53] soon.
[1:03:54] Eventually,
[1:03:56] the land would be
[1:03:58] uh made even, plowed out,
[1:04:01] get rid of the mountains.
[1:04:03] But, that hasn't happened.
[1:04:06] And personally, um
[1:04:08] with that back end, with the neighbors
[1:04:10] back there with the drainage problems,
[1:04:13] he's already mentioned that that
[1:04:15] backside will probably have to go up on
[1:04:18] concrete slabs 11 ft.
[1:04:22] So, it's just not a matter of taking
[1:04:25] that dirt and spreading it out.
[1:04:27] It's going to have to be done nicely so
[1:04:30] nobody gets flooded on the other end of
[1:04:32] the street, the other end of the
[1:04:34] property.
[1:04:36] That's a big concern.
[1:04:39] Hamlin Street right now,
[1:04:42] okay, Hamlin Street was going to be
[1:04:43] taken care of.
[1:04:45] They put down a load of the gravel tar
[1:04:47] on it,
[1:04:48] which is
[1:04:49] giving away slowly, but giving away. And
[1:04:52] right now, to get to Only Street on
[1:04:55] Hamlin, all the brush and everything is
[1:04:58] all grown in.
[1:05:00] So, the DPW or somebody has to get out
[1:05:03] there and clean it back so cars can get
[1:05:05] down it.
[1:05:07] I've already done the tree on the corner
[1:05:09] of my property because there was vines
[1:05:11] hanging down from it, and I couldn't
[1:05:13] even pull out.
[1:05:16] So,
[1:05:17] Hamlin Street uh uh we've been there
[1:05:19] since 2002.
[1:05:21] Hamlin Street there's two maps of roads
[1:05:24] in the town. Hamlin Street is not on one
[1:05:26] of them.
[1:05:28] For the big blizzard of last winter, I
[1:05:30] had to call,
[1:05:34] and then
[1:05:35] Councilman had to come down, and
[1:05:38] he brought people with us to get the
[1:05:40] snow plowed.
[1:05:43] And that's the same condition that
[1:05:45] street is in right now.
[1:05:47] Instead of snow, we have trees and
[1:05:49] holes.
[1:05:52] » [clears throat]
[1:05:56] » Just want to see something.
[1:05:58] Somebody's going to get hurt.
[1:06:00] And I want to get rid of the eyesore.
[1:06:03] You know, I was speaking to a friend of
[1:06:05] ours who was a
[1:06:06] uh a realtor,
[1:06:08] and she was telling me how much this is
[1:06:10] hurting the property value of my land
[1:06:14] for this eyesore that's across the
[1:06:16] street.
[1:06:18] Not to mention the dust and the dirt and
[1:06:20] everything else that blows across off
[1:06:22] that mountain. Got to keep all our
[1:06:24] windows closed and everything
[1:06:26] because of the mess.
[1:06:31] The other items I brought out about the
[1:06:33] uh the money,
[1:06:35] I know we lost the 400,000,
[1:06:37] but if the other things are still open,
[1:06:41] I I count that's almost like 4 and 1/2
[1:06:43] million.
[1:06:45] I think they said this was only going to
[1:06:46] cost around two to have it done.
[1:06:50] So,
[1:06:53] thank you very much. That's all I got.
[1:06:55] >> Thank you. Are there any other residents
[1:06:56] » Thank you. Are there any other residents
[1:06:56] that have any questions?
[1:06:59] >> I I have a question.
[1:07:00] » I I have a question.
[1:07:00] >> Sure.
[1:07:03] State your name, please.
[1:07:04] >> My name's Joe Castellano.
[1:07:05] » My name's Joe Castellano.
[1:07:05] >> Thank you.
[1:07:06] » Thank you.
[1:07:06] >> I want to know, why does it take so long
[1:07:09] » I want to know, why does it take so long
[1:07:09] to get any project done?
[1:07:11] I'm just saying in general.
[1:07:13] Wha- why? Like what like
[1:07:15] >> Hey, you're 100% not wrong.
[1:07:17] » Hey, you're 100% not wrong.
[1:07:17] >> Wha-
[1:07:17] » Wha-
[1:07:17] >> You're not wrong and it's it's a
[1:07:19] » You're not wrong and it's it's a
[1:07:19] municipal, state you know, if we could
[1:07:22] build
[1:07:23] >> No, but but why not have plans? Wha-
[1:07:26] » No, but but why not have plans? Wha-
[1:07:26] >> No, no, I I understand what
[1:07:27] » No, no, I I understand what
[1:07:27] >> When you build a house, you don't just
[1:07:28] » When you build a house, you don't just
[1:07:28] say
[1:07:29] >> That's that's what I'm saying, you know.
[1:07:30] » That's that's what I'm saying, you know.
[1:07:31] >> That's what I'm saying. Wha- why? Like
[1:07:32] » That's what I'm saying. Wha- why? Like
[1:07:32] we should have plans done.
[1:07:35] We're talking
[1:07:35] >> Well, we we need
[1:07:36] » Well, we we need
[1:07:36] >> the ball field where Mr. Carci was
[1:07:38] » the ball field where Mr. Carci was
[1:07:38] president.
[1:07:39] All right. I spoke to Nick.
[1:07:42] I think what you should do down here is
[1:07:45] you put the girls softball down here and
[1:07:47] you put the football at Stephen O'Leary.
[1:07:51] >> I
[1:07:52] » I
[1:07:52] >> All right? I mean, you're still going to
[1:07:53] » All right? I mean, you're still going to
[1:07:53] have parking issues. Don't get me wrong.
[1:07:56] All right? But it's an open area.
[1:07:59] >> Mhm.
[1:07:59] » Mhm.
[1:07:59] >> It's a big open area. You can
[1:08:02] » It's a big open area. You can
[1:08:02] you know,
[1:08:03] and then the other thing is when they
[1:08:05] use the high school field, the how long
[1:08:08] is that turf going to last? 10 years?
[1:08:11] >> Right.
[1:08:11] » Right.
[1:08:11] >> Then what happens?
[1:08:12] » Then what happens?
[1:08:12] >> Right.
[1:08:13] » Right.
[1:08:13] >> Mayor, you want to pay for it?
[1:08:15] » Mayor, you want to pay for it?
[1:08:15] I'm just because I mean, what do we do
[1:08:17] with the money? Do we charge them
[1:08:20] to use the field?
[1:08:21] >> I I
[1:08:22] » I I
[1:08:22] Councilman O'Leary, I think the mayor
[1:08:24] they they
[1:08:26] did some nice work.
[1:08:27] >> They did.
[1:08:28] » They did.
[1:08:28] >> Recently down at Neil F. Second and Ivan
[1:08:30] » Recently down at Neil F. Second and Ivan
[1:08:30] Street.
[1:08:31] And the Jets are happy they extended the
[1:08:33] I mean, we made the you moved the
[1:08:35] telephone poles back. So, the Jets are
[1:08:37] happy there.
[1:08:39] Do you know, we've gone to the girls
[1:08:40] softball games and I think at times they
[1:08:41] got two or three games going at the same
[1:08:43] time.
[1:08:44] So, you couldn't fit them
[1:08:46] over at that location.
[1:08:47] >> Um
[1:08:48] » Um
[1:08:48] >> It well, we've been there
[1:08:49] » It well, we've been there
[1:08:49] [clears throat] with the
[1:08:50] >> I I listen, I coach girls softball.
[1:08:52] » I I listen, I coach girls softball.
[1:08:52] >> Okay.
[1:08:52] » Okay.
[1:08:52] >> Okay.
[1:08:53] » Okay.
[1:08:53] >> So, you could fit two or three games
[1:08:55] » So, you could fit two or three games
[1:08:55] >> How many How many kids are in that
[1:08:57] » How many How many kids are in that
[1:08:57] league?
[1:08:58] >> In what?
[1:08:59] » In what?
[1:08:59] >> In girls softball.
[1:09:02] » In girls softball.
[1:09:02] >> I don't know. 40
[1:09:03] » I don't know. 40
[1:09:03] 40 cops. You have two fields you can
[1:09:06] use.
[1:09:06] >> Right.
[1:09:07] » Right.
[1:09:07] >> Or you did. I don't know what the mayor
[1:09:09] » Or you did. I don't know what the mayor
[1:09:09] has done, but you had two fields there.
[1:09:11] >> Are you talking about Coletti?
[1:09:14] » Are you talking about Coletti?
[1:09:14] You're talking about Coletti Farm?
[1:09:15] >> No.
[1:09:15] » No.
[1:09:15] >> No, no, I'm talking about Knights of
[1:09:17] » No, no, I'm talking about Knights of
[1:09:17] Columbus field.
[1:09:18] >> Yeah, we we you got to stick to Coletti
[1:09:20] » Yeah, we we you got to stick to Coletti
[1:09:20] Farm though. That's this agenda right
[1:09:21] on.
[1:09:22] >> Well, I'm just I'm but I'm just saying
[1:09:23] » Well, I'm just I'm but I'm just saying
[1:09:23] >> I know I know what you're saying. Yeah,
[1:09:24] » I know I know what you're saying. Yeah,
[1:09:24] I understand.
[1:09:25] >> But my point is it takes forever
[1:09:27] » But my point is it takes forever
[1:09:27] >> You're you're not wrong.
[1:09:28] » You're you're not wrong.
[1:09:28] >> I just don't understand.
[1:09:30] » I just don't understand.
[1:09:30] >> But I I will say
[1:09:31] » But I I will say
[1:09:32] >> give me an answer.
[1:09:32] » give me an answer.
[1:09:32] >> Can I have a minute to explain?
[1:09:34] » Can I have a minute to explain?
[1:09:34] You're not wrong.
[1:09:36] We collectively with the mayor's office
[1:09:38] came up with a a plan for a field.
[1:09:40] >> Yeah.
[1:09:41] » Yeah.
[1:09:41] >> The neighbors did not want that. And I
[1:09:42] » The neighbors did not want that. And I
[1:09:42] understand. So then we changed the plan
[1:09:44] again. This is the fourth iteration of
[1:09:46] the plan.
[1:09:47] >> tell the people, "Guess what? We didn't
[1:09:49] » tell the people, "Guess what? We didn't
[1:09:49] want because of you we lost money. So
[1:09:51] here's what's going to happen."
[1:09:52] >> No, no, but I'm explaining it to you.
[1:09:53] » No, no, but I'm explaining it to you.
[1:09:53] And then we have a bidding process that
[1:09:55] we have to go through. It's not like
[1:09:57] when I built my house, I can just go buy
[1:09:59] the wood. We have to go to bid for it.
[1:10:01] We have to It's Trust me, it's very
[1:10:03] frustrating.
[1:10:03] >> how can we streamline this? Why not go
[1:10:05] » how can we streamline this? Why not go
[1:10:05] out to bid first? Like how can we
[1:10:06] streamline this? Why not go out to bid
[1:10:07] first? Like how can we streamline this?
[1:10:08] >> If you want to come to the state house
[1:10:10] » If you want to come to the state house
[1:10:10] with me and argue that point, I'll you
[1:10:11] I'll take you with me tomorrow.
[1:10:14] >> [laughter]
[1:10:15] » [laughter]
[1:10:15] >> But I'm just saying, WHY CAN'T WE
[1:10:16] » But I'm just saying, WHY CAN'T WE
[1:10:17] streamline it?
[1:10:18] >> Yeah, you're not
[1:10:19] » Yeah, you're not
[1:10:19] >> We want to put a whatever baseball
[1:10:20] » We want to put a whatever baseball
[1:10:21] field, football field.
[1:10:22] I mean we can get a nice complex over
[1:10:24] there
[1:10:25] at the high school.
[1:10:27] Okay?
[1:10:29] But it's half done.
[1:10:31] It's half done.
[1:10:33] >> Oh, I know. I played on that field. I I
[1:10:34] » Oh, I know. I played on that field. I I
[1:10:34] I I I
[1:10:35] >> I coached down there. It's half done.
[1:10:39] » I coached down there. It's half done.
[1:10:39] Why didn't we do the whole field?
[1:10:42] Now you wouldn't have problems if it was
[1:10:44] all I I mean I don't know what happened.
[1:10:46] I You did it, you know what I mean, with
[1:10:48] that project.
[1:10:49] Um
[1:10:50] That's all I'm saying. If then you
[1:10:52] wouldn't be in this mess if you guys
[1:10:54] just did something.
[1:10:57] Spend a little while I mean
[1:11:00] I I don't get it.
[1:11:03] >> So Bronco light, so
[1:11:04] » So Bronco light, so
[1:11:04] Um I think Sherry mentioned about
[1:11:07] finance committee. It's something that
[1:11:08] we could I can make a motion at least
[1:11:10] send the Coletti project to finance.
[1:11:12] >> Yep.
[1:11:13] » Yep.
[1:11:13] >> I I make put that in form of a motion.
[1:11:15] » I I make put that in form of a motion.
[1:11:15] >> Okay, motion's been made by Councilman
[1:11:17] » Okay, motion's been made by Councilman
[1:11:17] Pollick. Is there a second?
[1:11:18] >> Second.
[1:11:18] » Second.
[1:11:18] >> Seconded by Councilman Bacall. All those
[1:11:20] » Seconded by Councilman Bacall. All those
[1:11:20] in favor?
[1:11:20] >> Aye.
[1:11:21] » Aye.
[1:11:21] >> All those opposed? The ayes have it.
[1:11:22] » All those opposed? The ayes have it.
[1:11:22] >> One more motion. Can we just uh
[1:11:25] » One more motion. Can we just uh
[1:11:25] maybe notify DPW to at least see if they
[1:11:27] can move down and kind of trim along
[1:11:29] that Hamlin Street area and to make it a
[1:11:31] little more accessible.
[1:11:32] >> Okay, mo- motion's been made by
[1:11:34] » Okay, mo- motion's been made by
[1:11:34] Councilman Pollick to contact DPW about
[1:11:36] the
[1:11:37] overgrowth at Hamlin Street
[1:11:39] and seconded by Councilman Bacall. All
[1:11:41] those in favor?
[1:11:42] >> Aye.
[1:11:43] » Aye.
[1:11:43] >> All those opposed? The ayes have it.
[1:11:44] » All those opposed? The ayes have it.
[1:11:44] Thank you.
[1:11:45] >> We need to talk with Sherry.
[1:11:46] » We need to talk with Sherry.
[1:11:46] >> No.
[1:11:47] » No.
[1:11:47] >> Oh.
[1:11:49] » Oh.
[1:11:49] >> Okay.
[1:11:50] » Okay.
[1:11:50] 18, Brook Farm Bridge. Kenneth Con-
[1:11:53] Conti, Kenneth Conti. I'd like an update
[1:11:56] on the bridge on Brook Farm Road.
[1:11:58] >> I'll tell them excuse me, Mr. President.
[1:12:00] » I'll tell them excuse me, Mr. President.
[1:12:00] >> Hi.
[1:12:00] » Hi.
[1:12:00] >> Thank you, Councilors uh hearing me
[1:12:02] » Thank you, Councilors uh hearing me
[1:12:02] tonight.
[1:12:03] >> One second. I have to recuse myself from
[1:12:05] » One second. I have to recuse myself from
[1:12:05] this item.
[1:12:06] >> Okay, just note for the record
[1:12:07] » Okay, just note for the record
[1:12:07] Councilman Fielder is re- uh
[1:12:09] recusing.
[1:12:10] >> Sorry.
[1:12:10] » Sorry.
[1:12:10] >> Thank you.
[1:12:12] » Thank you.
[1:12:12] >> I'm Ken Conti, uh 9 Carriage Way.
[1:12:15] » I'm Ken Conti, uh 9 Carriage Way.
[1:12:15] Um I was uh before the Town Council
[1:12:17] about I think it was 4 months ago
[1:12:20] and um
[1:12:23] identified the issue of the bridge over
[1:12:25] at Brook Farm Drive that leads the road
[1:12:28] that leads to uh Birchwood Middle School
[1:12:30] and the entranceway that leads Farm
[1:12:32] uh plat.
[1:12:33] Um you know, the issue was
[1:12:36] that there's an issue with the bridge um
[1:12:39] structure, I suppose. And um
[1:12:42] you know, it's been there. There's been
[1:12:44] a temporary plate over that area.
[1:12:47] Um I think this is the 2-year
[1:12:48] anniversary of it, actually.
[1:12:50] Um and you know, nothing's really been
[1:12:53] tangibly done on this. Um,
[1:12:56] at the last meeting back in March, um, I
[1:13:00] understand that the mayor came up and
[1:13:01] identified a potential solution and was
[1:13:04] hopeful that
[1:13:06] by today that we would actually see
[1:13:08] something
[1:13:09] uh, going on there. Um, but yet there's
[1:13:12] still nothing uh, tangibly going on. Um,
[1:13:16] you know, it's it's an issue that I
[1:13:18] assume
[1:13:19] there's a reason why those plates were
[1:13:21] put there. It has to be a I assume it's
[1:13:23] a safety issue.
[1:13:25] Right? Why else would you put plates
[1:13:26] over a bridge? Um, i.e. the bridge or
[1:13:30] the the big bridge over there in
[1:13:32] Providence. Um,
[1:13:34] there's got to be a structural problem.
[1:13:35] Something's going on. It's been there
[1:13:36] for 2 years now. Those plates aren't
[1:13:39] going to last. That's not a permanent
[1:13:41] fix. Right? Um, I feel as though if I
[1:13:45] didn't come before this board the
[1:13:46] council 4 and 1 ago,
[1:13:49] status quo would be status quo. Nothing
[1:13:51] would be going on. Um, I did call the
[1:13:54] uh,
[1:13:55] town engineer who we have on retainer,
[1:13:57] David DeMico.
[1:13:59] Um, we had a good discussion. He did
[1:14:01] explain to me, um, I think it was about
[1:14:04] a month ago I spoke with him, that um,
[1:14:07] the town is now seeking a uh, they moved
[1:14:11] some money from the EPA from West River
[1:14:15] uh, restoration area,
[1:14:17] um, to move it for this project cuz he
[1:14:20] he indicated to me that it's going to be
[1:14:22] a very expensive project just the
[1:14:24] permitting alone. Um, it's going to be
[1:14:26] six figures. I was kind of surprised at
[1:14:28] that.
[1:14:29] Um,
[1:14:31] but you know, it's it's an issue that
[1:14:34] you know, people in the plat don't like,
[1:14:36] right? We we have we we pay a lot in
[1:14:38] taxes, right? North Providence, second
[1:14:41] highest tax rate. Just got my tax bill.
[1:14:44] Went up.
[1:14:45] And you know, we pay a lot of taxes. We
[1:14:47] ex- the expectation is that the services
[1:14:50] from our town are going to meet those
[1:14:52] taxes that we pay.
[1:14:54] Um
[1:14:55] and repairs like this should be done on
[1:14:58] a timely manner. Um it's a matter of
[1:15:00] public safety, from my opinion.
[1:15:03] Um
[1:15:03] those plates, uh from what I understand,
[1:15:06] I don't know, maybe I'm not sure if
[1:15:08] anyone on the council knows. I'm sure
[1:15:09] the mayor can let us know.
[1:15:11] I don't think we own those plates. I
[1:15:12] think we rent them.
[1:15:14] So, I think there's a payment that we
[1:15:16] make,
[1:15:17] whatever, to rent those plates.
[1:15:19] Um there's a cost there that's going on
[1:15:21] for 2 years now.
[1:15:23] Uh I'm not saying that's going to cover
[1:15:24] the cost of the replacement of the
[1:15:25] bridge or repair of the bridge, but
[1:15:27] um there are certainly solutions out
[1:15:29] there that we shouldn't be should be
[1:15:32] further progressed than it is right now.
[1:15:34] Um I understand that there may be not a
[1:15:37] lot of communication from the town
[1:15:40] to the council on this.
[1:15:42] I don't I personally don't understand
[1:15:44] why.
[1:15:45] Um
[1:15:46] I understand it's up to the mayor to run
[1:15:47] this town, and I, you know, commend him.
[1:15:49] He's doing a great job for
[1:15:52] 20 plus years.
[1:15:54] Um I've always been on the mayor's side
[1:15:56] on on many things. Um but at this this
[1:15:59] point, I think that this this has gone
[1:16:01] on, you know, like I said, it's been 2
[1:16:03] years. And we we kind of joke and we
[1:16:04] call it the mini the mini Greystone
[1:16:06] project there.
[1:16:07] And uh you know, it's it's it's still
[1:16:10] access, but again, there is a concern
[1:16:13] that, you know, there's a reason why
[1:16:14] that's that those plates aren't going to
[1:16:15] last forever. And I think that um we
[1:16:19] should identify,
[1:16:21] you know, some
[1:16:22] tangible schedule
[1:16:25] to the replacement of the bridge. You
[1:16:27] know, I understand that um there's some
[1:16:29] form of a grant or whatever,
[1:16:31] but there's got to be money somewhere
[1:16:33] for emergency fund that can, you know,
[1:16:35] push this along. We don't even have a
[1:16:37] design yet.
[1:16:38] Um
[1:16:39] you know, there are certainly structural
[1:16:41] engineers out there who can come up with
[1:16:43] a a solution. Um my company is a civil
[1:16:46] engineering company.
[1:16:47] Um we just we were in the process of
[1:16:49] doing a project. Um we're not structural
[1:16:52] engineers, but we have a project where
[1:16:54] there's a similar issue where there's a
[1:16:56] a major culvert that replaced a a stream
[1:17:01] for about 2,000 linear feet, which is a
[1:17:03] lot more than this bridge.
[1:17:05] And it was an issue that we wanted to
[1:17:06] put a parking lot over this culvert, and
[1:17:09] it wasn't it was you know, 100 years
[1:17:11] old.
[1:17:12] And um the structural engineer came in
[1:17:14] with came up with a design to do an
[1:17:16] insert inside the culvert to improve the
[1:17:19] structure of it and not have to rebuild
[1:17:22] the whole culvert just for the parking
[1:17:24] lot.
[1:17:25] You know, this maybe that's a solution
[1:17:26] here. Cuz I I, you know, I'm not sure
[1:17:29] what the answer is, but I think you you
[1:17:31] got to get it go out to bid and get some
[1:17:34] ideas of prices, I would assume, before
[1:17:36] you can uh you know, come up with a
[1:17:37] solution and
[1:17:39] find out what it's going to cost, cuz
[1:17:40] right now I don't think anybody knows
[1:17:42] how much it's going to cost to replace
[1:17:44] that. And I I think that should be
[1:17:46] really the starting
[1:17:48] >> Thank you.
[1:17:49] » Thank you.
[1:17:49] Does anybody have any questions for Ken
[1:17:51] while he's up here?
[1:17:53] >> I don't want to talk about Ivan Field.
[1:17:55] » I don't want to talk about Ivan Field.
[1:17:55] >> Mayor, do you do you have any updates
[1:17:56] » Mayor, do you do you have any updates
[1:17:56] you can you can provide for us?
[1:18:08] » Hi, again.
[1:18:09] Um so, Brook Farm Bridge, yes. It is
[1:18:12] obviously a priority. When I came on, I
[1:18:16] was made aware of its priority, and one
[1:18:19] of the first thing I did was I applied
[1:18:20] for an earmark grant. However,
[1:18:24] probably to the point the last gentleman
[1:18:26] made, as you know, earmark grants can
[1:18:28] take about a year to to be approved. So,
[1:18:30] that's like
[1:18:32] too far down the road.
[1:18:34] We had also been approved for an earmark
[1:18:39] grant for the West River Parkway, which
[1:18:41] is right near the Brook Farm Road
[1:18:43] Bridge.
[1:18:45] I attended the
[1:18:47] mandatory webinar, and I found out that
[1:18:49] we could do something called a technical
[1:18:51] correction if we wanted to change the
[1:18:54] scope of the project. See, every grant
[1:18:56] is different in what they allow you to
[1:18:58] do. So, these people said the EPA said
[1:19:01] you can do that.
[1:19:03] So, I contacted the person that I
[1:19:05] normally speak to. We started the
[1:19:07] process of the technical correction. It
[1:19:10] looks like it's going to be
[1:19:13] I can't speak prematurely. That wouldn't
[1:19:14] be right, but it's going in the right
[1:19:16] direction. Let's just say it's really
[1:19:18] going in the right direction. I spoke to
[1:19:19] her again today. Not only can we
[1:19:22] probably get a technical correction that
[1:19:24] will allow us to use the funds for the
[1:19:27] Brook Farm Road Bridge and the larger
[1:19:29] area's stormwater issues,
[1:19:32] but it's looking like we will be exempt
[1:19:34] from the environmental review and any
[1:19:37] match requirements. So, I've been
[1:19:38] working on that with them as well. So,
[1:19:41] if this goes through, it looks like it
[1:19:44] could be another two or three months. Um
[1:19:47] but, yeah, nothing gets done quickly. It
[1:19:48] does take a very long time. Um I can't
[1:19:52] speak to anything else in the budget
[1:19:54] because I just deal with the grants, but
[1:19:56] I can tell you I've been working very
[1:19:57] hard to see if we can get some funds in
[1:20:01] our hands much sooner than, you know,
[1:20:04] the year to two years it would take if
[1:20:06] we went through the entire formal
[1:20:09] earmark process.
[1:20:13] » Any questions for Sherry? Dana, I have
[1:20:14] one.
[1:20:15] >> Councilman?
[1:20:15] » Councilman?
[1:20:15] >> Sherry, when we apply for these grants,
[1:20:17] » Sherry, when we apply for these grants,
[1:20:17] and and thank you for go moving forward
[1:20:19] on this.
[1:20:20] >> Yeah.
[1:20:21] » Yeah.
[1:20:21] >> Are they
[1:20:23] » Are they
[1:20:23] When we apply, should it be shovel
[1:20:25] ready? In other words, we get approved
[1:20:26] and we go to work on it.
[1:20:28] >> There's a process. So,
[1:20:31] » There's a process. So,
[1:20:31] in the beginning, you're alerted to the
[1:20:33] fact that there's earmarked money for
[1:20:35] you, and you're told that you can
[1:20:37] propose a general idea, a general
[1:20:40] budget. It's not a very detailed
[1:20:42] application.
[1:20:43] You submit that, and it goes through the
[1:20:46] steps of General Assembly, then to, you
[1:20:48] know, on and on and on and on.
[1:20:50] If your project is approved, that does
[1:20:53] not mean that you should be
[1:20:55] shovel-ready. That's just the beginning.
[1:20:58] What you have to do next is obligate the
[1:21:00] money.
[1:21:01] And that's where you sort of go through
[1:21:03] the conversations of, "Okay, well, we
[1:21:05] said that we were going to do this
[1:21:06] project, but now let's talk about it in
[1:21:09] specifics."
[1:21:11] Once you get the specifics of that
[1:21:13] project, you get the specific budget of
[1:21:15] that project, you can obligate the
[1:21:18] money, you submit that final
[1:21:20] application, and then the project gets
[1:21:23] moving. So, it's multi-tiered in what
[1:21:26] you have to do.
[1:21:28] Um I'm at the point right now where
[1:21:29] several of the earmarks that were
[1:21:31] approved now have to be obligated, and
[1:21:34] the full applications have to be
[1:21:36] written. And I'll talk to you more about
[1:21:38] that when you call me up for my my item,
[1:21:41] but that's pretty much what I'm in the
[1:21:42] process of doing. So, there's multiple
[1:21:45] grants.
[1:21:46] >> So, so my question is kind of
[1:21:48] » So, so my question is kind of
[1:21:48] double.
[1:21:49] >> Uh-huh.
[1:21:49] » Uh-huh.
[1:21:49] >> It's two.
[1:21:52] » It's two.
[1:21:52] I understand, great explanation. Do we
[1:21:54] have a plan? Do we know what we're going
[1:21:56] to do to this bridge?
[1:21:57] >> For Brook Farm Bridge? We're in the
[1:21:59] » For Brook Farm Bridge? We're in the
[1:22:00] middle of discussing different options,
[1:22:02] but I haven't really been involved in
[1:22:03] the discussions for the specific types
[1:22:06] of, you know,
[1:22:07] We are going to We're going to have to
[1:22:09] go back to bid
[1:22:10] >> Yep.
[1:22:11] » Yep.
[1:22:11] >> if we are allowed to do this technical
[1:22:13] » if we are allowed to do this technical
[1:22:13] correction, and it's going to have to be
[1:22:15] for structural design. Um there's
[1:22:19] possibilities of saving money in certain
[1:22:23] ways that we've been talking about. Um
[1:22:27] but the specific plan as of yet kind of
[1:22:30] hinges on whether or not we get the
[1:22:32] technical correction and how much we
[1:22:34] have to incorporate of the surrounding
[1:22:35] area. But we are working on definitely
[1:22:39] working on ideas to getting this bridge
[1:22:41] done as quickly as possible.
[1:22:43] >> Thank you.
[1:22:44] » Thank you.
[1:22:44] >> Yeah.
[1:22:44] » Yeah.
[1:22:44] >> Thank you.
[1:22:46] » Thank you.
[1:22:46] Any other questions?
[1:22:48] May.
[1:22:51] » The only thing I The only thing I
[1:22:53] [clears throat] can guarantee everyone
[1:22:54] here, and especially Mr. Conti,
[1:22:57] that's safe.
[1:22:59] It's not an issue where it's not safe.
[1:23:03] I'll clear that up with you.
[1:23:05] And
[1:23:07] the discussion now is whether that
[1:23:10] bridge is going to be built on site
[1:23:14] or because of the size of it not being
[1:23:16] that built big,
[1:23:18] if it's going to be built
[1:23:21] in someone's
[1:23:24] welding yard.
[1:23:26] And once it's built,
[1:23:29] just dropped in place.
[1:23:32] Which would mean that that road won't be
[1:23:36] closed for that long.
[1:23:38] Because if the bridge is built on site,
[1:23:41] it's going to take
[1:23:43] considerably longer time.
[1:23:45] These are all all the discussions at
[1:23:47] this point in time.
[1:23:50] Now, I will tell you this,
[1:23:52] if we can't
[1:23:54] get that transfer of the funds,
[1:23:57] then we will be back to you
[1:24:00] uh asking for
[1:24:03] the money.
[1:24:04] But at this point in time, being that
[1:24:06] it's safe and it's not an issue
[1:24:09] uh of safety, uh we feel we're moving in
[1:24:12] in the right direction. And that's what
[1:24:14] I got to report to you at this time.
[1:24:16] >> Thank you.
[1:24:17] » Thank you.
[1:24:17] >> May, do we have any price on it a
[1:24:19] » May, do we have any price on it a
[1:24:19] ballpark on how much that the
[1:24:22] >> The last [clears throat] I was told
[1:24:25] » The last [clears throat] I was told
[1:24:25] Steve is somewhere around 6-700,000
[1:24:28] dollars which is hard to believe because
[1:24:31] a bridge is not that big but
[1:24:35] That's what it is.
[1:24:36] >> Thank you.
[1:24:36] » Thank you.
[1:24:36] >> Okay. Any other questions?
[1:24:39] » Okay. Any other questions?
[1:24:39] >> Can I
[1:24:40] » Can I
[1:24:40] talk a little bit?
[1:24:41] >> Yeah.
[1:24:42] » Yeah.
[1:24:42] >> First of all, I appreciate again the
[1:24:43] » First of all, I appreciate again the
[1:24:43] mayor giving us that update.
[1:24:46] Um
[1:24:47] but quite frankly, the fact that
[1:24:50] take your word if you're
[1:24:53] certain things but you're telling me
[1:24:54] it's safe but there's a reason why those
[1:24:56] plates are there. It must not be safe.
[1:24:58] That's my opinion. Okay, it's my
[1:25:00] opinion. Mayor has his own opinion.
[1:25:03] >> wanted to make sure it was safer than
[1:25:06] » wanted to make sure it was safer than
[1:25:06] what was there.
[1:25:08] >> Are we renting those?
[1:25:09] » Are we renting those?
[1:25:09] >> Yes, we are.
[1:25:10] » Yes, we are.
[1:25:10] >> From from DOT? Is that
[1:25:12] » From from DOT? Is that
[1:25:12] >> I want to say it's
[1:25:13] » I want to say it's
[1:25:13] uh the company of
[1:25:16] >> That's all right. You
[1:25:21] » The point is I really don't know what
[1:25:23] the issue is. I From what I understand
[1:25:25] there's some substandard concrete that
[1:25:26] was
[1:25:27] uh poured that was used that was not
[1:25:30] um
[1:25:31] sufficient for that type of use. Is that
[1:25:35] Oh, yeah. It was before the mayor.
[1:25:37] Yeah, I have nothing to do with it. It's
[1:25:38] his job to fix the problem,
[1:25:40] unfortunately.
[1:25:41] Um I I just think that at this point we
[1:25:45] should go out for at least the design
[1:25:46] and have a concrete idea of how it's
[1:25:49] going to be corrected. Right now, I From
[1:25:51] what I understand, I don't doesn't sound
[1:25:52] like
[1:25:53] there's no one working on a design. We
[1:25:55] don't have a structural engineer.
[1:25:56] There's hasn't been a survey made
[1:25:58] uh performed on it. Um you know, we need
[1:26:00] all those things done now so that if the
[1:26:03] money does get allocated, it can be done
[1:26:06] a little bit quicker.
[1:26:07] Um yeah, that's all I I would ask that
[1:26:09] the council consider trying to at least
[1:26:12] coordinate with the mayor. If he does
[1:26:13] have to come and ask you for money, I'm
[1:26:15] sure you're going to want to see a
[1:26:16] design. So, at least let's try and get
[1:26:19] that on a little bit further. It's not a
[1:26:20] lot of money, I don't think, to do that,
[1:26:23] personally.
[1:26:24] >> It's a good Okay.
[1:26:25] » It's a good Okay.
[1:26:25] All right. I think, you know, Councilman
[1:26:27] Bacalao put in the form of a motion to
[1:26:28] start working on a to send a letter to
[1:26:30] the mayor.
[1:26:31] >> May as well just start working on
[1:26:33] » May as well just start working on
[1:26:33] >> the conceptual design.
[1:26:34] » the conceptual design.
[1:26:34] >> Conceptual design and see where we're
[1:26:35] » Conceptual design and see where we're
[1:26:35] going to go from and start getting some
[1:26:37] cost. Did Did you want to say something,
[1:26:38] Lori?
[1:26:41] The motion has been made by Councilman
[1:26:42] Councilman Bacalao, seconded by
[1:26:43] Councilman LaPorte.
[1:26:46] >> Hi, I'm Lori Conti.
[1:26:48] » Hi, I'm Lori Conti.
[1:26:48] I um live in Lees Farm.
[1:26:52] So,
[1:26:53] >> Do you know the address?
[1:26:54] » Do you know the address?
[1:26:54] >> Yeah.
[1:26:54] » Yeah.
[1:26:54] >> Okay.
[1:26:55] » Okay.
[1:26:55] >> Nine Carriage.
[1:26:57] » Nine Carriage.
[1:26:57] So, just to give you an example of
[1:27:00] I mean, even maintenance of this
[1:27:04] This is
[1:27:05] currently what it looks like. Not even
[1:27:08] like the DPW is keeping the bridge free
[1:27:12] of debris, garbage, all along the sides,
[1:27:15] and the other side as well. This is what
[1:27:17] it looks like.
[1:27:19] Um
[1:27:21] just disgusting. Like I was in downtown
[1:27:23] Providence and driving around in the
[1:27:25] hood. That's how I feel for the amount
[1:27:28] of taxes and the amount that my home is
[1:27:32] assessed at.
[1:27:33] I feel like this is
[1:27:36] This is not
[1:27:39] up to my standards and I don't think
[1:27:41] it's up to everybody's standards that
[1:27:43] drives in
[1:27:44] to their
[1:27:46] house in Lees Farm. And I'm sure
[1:27:49] multiple people would agree. So, and I'd
[1:27:52] like to maybe get an idea of what we're
[1:27:54] spending on those plates, too, because
[1:27:57] I'm sure those are not cheap to rent.
[1:27:59] So, at some point, I will be back again.
[1:28:02] We will be back, right? I'd like to know
[1:28:05] what charge is for these plates.
[1:28:09] So,
[1:28:10] but um
[1:28:12] No.
[1:28:13] Uh and and secondly, it's a giant speed
[1:28:16] bump. So, vehicles coming in and out
[1:28:20] are taking
[1:28:22] a hit, you know, every time you go over
[1:28:24] it back and forth. I'm in and out of the
[1:28:26] plot every
[1:28:27] But, to me, you know, like I said,
[1:28:30] the neighborhood in North Providence,
[1:28:32] highest taxes we pay, we're third in the
[1:28:34] state, second or third in the state.
[1:28:36] This is
[1:28:39] no.
[1:28:40] Not good. It's just
[1:28:43] just not
[1:28:44] doesn't sit with me.
[1:28:46] Um
[1:28:47] and that's basically,
[1:28:49] you know, and I'm sure
[1:28:51] other people in the neighborhood,
[1:28:53] whatever, I got the I have a big mouth.
[1:28:56] I'll speak and say the truth, but um
[1:29:05] that's basically anything else that
[1:29:08] Yeah. No.
[1:29:10] >> Thank you.
[1:29:12] » Thank you.
[1:29:12] >> I mean, houses in the plot are going 7,
[1:29:15] » I mean, houses in the plot are going 7,
[1:29:15] 800,000 dollars. Does that look like
[1:29:17] what you want to drive into?
[1:29:19] Does that look like what you want to
[1:29:20] drive into your neighborhood and look at
[1:29:22] every day?
[1:29:23] That's
[1:29:24] ticks me off.
[1:29:26] And I don't think,
[1:29:28] you know,
[1:29:31] » Okay, thank you. Any other councilman
[1:29:33] >> I mean, action. It's been 2 years. The
[1:29:35] » I mean, action. It's been 2 years. The
[1:29:35] problem should have been addressed from
[1:29:37] day one.
[1:29:39] Should have been
[1:29:40] found out what was structurally wrong
[1:29:42] and then go on from there. But, we
[1:29:44] kicked the can down the road like we did
[1:29:48] with the other situation and the other
[1:29:50] bridge. Now, we're in the junior stage.
[1:29:54] So, thank you.
[1:29:55] >> Thank you. Councilman
[1:29:57] » Thank you. Councilman
[1:29:57] >> Make a motion we just uh
[1:30:00] » Make a motion we just uh
[1:30:00] send a request to DPW to go down and
[1:30:03] clean around those uh
[1:30:04] barriers and just kind of
[1:30:07] continue to maintain around that.
[1:30:08] >> Okay, a motion has been made by
[1:30:09] » Okay, a motion has been made by
[1:30:09] Councilman Is there a second?
[1:30:11] >> Second.
[1:30:12] » Second.
[1:30:12] >> Seconded by Councilman Baccala. All
[1:30:13] » Seconded by Councilman Baccala. All
[1:30:13] those in favor?
[1:30:14] >> Aye.
[1:30:14] » Aye.
[1:30:14] >> All those opposed, the ayes have it.
[1:30:16] » All those opposed, the ayes have it.
[1:30:16] Item number 17, Centredale petition
[1:30:19] petition on Centredale streetscape
[1:30:20] bypass. Hector
[1:30:22] Benacar.
[1:30:24] I'd like to present a petition in
[1:30:25] opposition to this issue.
[1:30:27] Hector.
[1:30:36] » Good evening, council.
[1:30:39] I have Joyce here that is going to read
[1:30:41] my petition of 269
[1:30:45] citizens.
[1:30:56] » Hello.
[1:30:56] >> Hi. Could you state your name, please?
[1:30:58] » Hi. Could you state your name, please?
[1:30:58] >> My name is Joyce Casiba.
[1:30:59] » My name is Joyce Casiba.
[1:30:59] >> Thank you.
[1:31:04] » All right. I am reading here a petition
[1:31:08] um that Hector Boo Can Butanker
[1:31:12] um put together and had 269 people uh
[1:31:16] sign.
[1:31:17] Uh it's called the Centredale bypass
[1:31:19] petition
[1:31:20] May 23rd, 2026.
[1:31:24] North Providence Mayor Charles Lombardi
[1:31:27] is in the process of negotiating a
[1:31:29] change to Centredale bypass.
[1:31:32] He is proposing a project in conjunction
[1:31:35] with the Rhode Island Department of
[1:31:37] Transportation
[1:31:38] to create a two-way street in front of
[1:31:41] the town hall
[1:31:43] as opposed to keeping the current
[1:31:45] one-way street.
[1:31:47] The plan encompasses eliminating parking
[1:31:50] on one side of the street to accommodate
[1:31:53] the new central flow lane.
[1:31:57] To this end
[1:32:02] a federal grant of 1.7 million dollars
[1:32:05] has been approved in 2024.
[1:32:08] Grants manager Sherry Lepore
[1:32:11] explained that the town of North
[1:32:13] Providence would have to provide a 20%
[1:32:16] match that equaling $425,000.
[1:32:22] Mayor Lombardi and Councilman Mayor
[1:32:25] Martone expressed hesitation in a May
[1:32:28] town hall meeting
[1:32:30] about going forward with the project
[1:32:33] because their personal goal is to reduce
[1:32:35] the town budget, not put added stress on
[1:32:38] it with the 20% match.
[1:32:43] I Hector
[1:32:44] Betancourt
[1:32:46] believe there are secret ulterior
[1:32:49] motives behind the project that have not
[1:32:52] been disclosed at this time.
[1:32:55] I'll explain this in a town meeting.
[1:32:58] We residents disagree with this project
[1:33:01] because it does not help us. It would
[1:33:03] benefit only a few businesses in
[1:33:05] Centerdale
[1:33:06] while putting the financial burden
[1:33:09] on us municipal and federal taxpayers.
[1:33:13] Hector Betancourt
[1:33:16] » Thank you. Um
[1:33:18] can you
[1:33:19] >> Thank you.
[1:33:19] » Thank you.
[1:33:19] >> Can you submit that petition? Can we
[1:33:22] » Can you submit that petition? Can we
[1:33:22] have a or a copy of it? Um
[1:33:24] >> I I
[1:33:25] » I I
[1:33:25] >> I We have it. We have it. I'm sorry.
[1:33:26] » I We have it. We have it. I'm sorry.
[1:33:26] >> And then I bring I actually I email some
[1:33:29] » And then I bring I actually I email some
[1:33:29] of the councilman
[1:33:31] the last three things.
[1:33:32] >> Okay.
[1:33:33] » Okay.
[1:33:33] >> Which I try to make a call to you. I
[1:33:34] » Which I try to make a call to you. I
[1:33:34] like to get this park and then
[1:33:37] be with my mayor.
[1:33:38] >> Yeah.
[1:33:39] » Yeah.
[1:33:39] I I
[1:33:41] But I I will say thank you and
[1:33:44] Yes. Yeah. Thank you and I think
[1:33:47] I think most of the council agree that
[1:33:50] we do not want that as a two-way street.
[1:33:52] So and I and I know and the mayor stated
[1:33:54] too that he he that was just mentioned
[1:33:56] in an article as part of a project, but
[1:33:58] that was never There's no working with
[1:34:00] the DOT or anything like that. So, we'll
[1:34:03] keep an eye out on it for it, and thank
[1:34:05] you for presenting that.
[1:34:11] I know.
[1:35:21] Thank you.
[1:35:22] >> Can I
[1:35:23] » Can I
[1:35:23] Can I just say something?
[1:35:24] >> Sure.
[1:35:25] » Sure.
[1:35:25] >> I would just like to point out that like
[1:35:27] » I would just like to point out that like
[1:35:27] in these meetings, which I'm very new
[1:35:29] to, this is something very new to me,
[1:35:31] but I think everybody all the taxpayers
[1:35:33] should really open their eyes because
[1:35:35] just in this one meeting alone, you guys
[1:35:37] are planning discussing like I don't
[1:35:40] know, like $6 million at least. He said
[1:35:43] $4 million. This project's $2.4 million.
[1:35:46] You got one meeting, you're talking
[1:35:47] about $6 million, you know? It's a lot
[1:35:49] of money, and everybody really needs to
[1:35:51] pay attention, you know, to make sure
[1:35:53] you know, everybody needs to be
[1:35:55] accountable and everybody needs to pay
[1:35:56] attention to who we put in office.
[1:35:59] Although you guys all seem very nice.
[1:36:01] Nothing personal. I just mean, you know,
[1:36:02] I'd like to see more diversity on the
[1:36:04] stage a little here. You know, it's
[1:36:06] looks like all white, maybe all white
[1:36:08] Italian men, I'm not quite sure. But I'm
[1:36:10] just saying if there were women out
[1:36:12] there,
[1:36:13] um people of color, I think it would
[1:36:14] more represent our community.
[1:36:17] And also I just noticed and I've only
[1:36:19] been to two meetings. I've noticed that
[1:36:21] there's people coming up here like, "Oh
[1:36:23] my god, this is going wrong and we've
[1:36:25] complained and we've complained and why
[1:36:27] is it being pushed back and why is this
[1:36:29] being pushed back?" And they're right.
[1:36:31] Our taxes are like the highest. They're
[1:36:33] so high. On a middle class community,
[1:36:36] it's even more of a burden because we're
[1:36:37] not East Greenwich. This isn't East
[1:36:38] Greenwich. This is like North
[1:36:40] Providence.
[1:36:41] Um
[1:36:43] and I just think people really need to
[1:36:45] pay attention to who they vote for. They
[1:36:47] need to get out for elections and vote.
[1:36:50] And put people in here that represent
[1:36:52] all of us, you know? And you're you
[1:36:55] know, you have people in here begging
[1:36:56] for little things, but yet I've only
[1:36:59] been here and you guys are talking about
[1:37:00] project after project after project of
[1:37:02] new things to be installed.
[1:37:05] You know, it's just like your home. If
[1:37:07] you don't If you can't keep up with your
[1:37:09] current bills, don't make more bills
[1:37:11] worth millions and millions of dollars.
[1:37:14] And that's all.
[1:37:15] >> Thank you very much. I do have a motion
[1:37:17] » Thank you very much. I do have a motion
[1:37:17] to accept the petition. After that's it.
[1:37:21] >> So moved.
[1:37:21] » So moved.
[1:37:21] >> Motion been made by Councilman Baccari,
[1:37:23] » Motion been made by Councilman Baccari,
[1:37:23] seconded by Councilman Matone. All those
[1:37:24] in favor?
[1:37:25] >> I.
[1:37:25] » I.
[1:37:25] >> All those opposed? The eyes have it.
[1:37:27] » All those opposed? The eyes have it.
[1:37:27] Item number 19, speed bumps on Baird
[1:37:28] Avenue. John Heckelman would like to
[1:37:30] address the Town Council
[1:37:33] regarding speed bumps on Baird Avenue.
[1:37:44] » Good Good evening. John Heckelman, 49
[1:37:47] Baird Avenue.
[1:37:48] >> Thank you.
[1:37:48] » Thank you.
[1:37:48] >> Um
[1:37:48] » Um
[1:37:48] >> initiated this petition along Baird
[1:37:51] » initiated this petition along Baird
[1:37:52] Avenue.
[1:37:53] The logistics are pretty simple.
[1:37:56] When you start at Ward Avenue going
[1:37:58] toward Mineral Spring,
[1:38:00] you got Ward, Anderton, Atwood, Mineral
[1:38:04] Spring. It's about a third of a mile.
[1:38:06] And there's no impetus for any reduction
[1:38:10] in speed for that third of a mile.
[1:38:13] There are stop signs on Anderton and
[1:38:15] Atwood and Ward, but once you get on
[1:38:18] Baird, it's a straight shot, and you can
[1:38:21] go, well, too fast, which is why we've
[1:38:24] got this here. So, I wanted to bring
[1:38:28] this to the attention of the council.
[1:38:30] Spoke with uh
[1:38:32] everybody I possibly could on Baird
[1:38:34] Avenue. For all the eligible households
[1:38:38] on Baird Avenue, we have about 86, 87%
[1:38:41] that have signed for this.
[1:38:44] So, when I was doing the
[1:38:47] signatures July 25th, 26th, 27th, I was
[1:38:50] doing sort of a a quick head count of
[1:38:53] children that I saw on Baird Avenue.
[1:38:57] 10 to 15 that I saw during my times. So,
[1:39:01] I think that's very important that we
[1:39:02] get some sort of structure in there to
[1:39:05] keep the speed down from the cars and
[1:39:07] the mini bikes,
[1:39:09] which are just zipping up and down like
[1:39:11] crazy.
[1:39:13] Along with that, we also have the
[1:39:15] commercial structure that's going up on
[1:39:17] the end of Baird Avenue,
[1:39:20] which is only going to increase traffic
[1:39:22] even more.
[1:39:24] So, this is something that I feel is
[1:39:26] very important for Baird Avenue to get
[1:39:29] the speed down to keep it to
[1:39:31] a safe level, because right now it's
[1:39:33] really not between the cars and the mini
[1:39:35] bikes that are going up and
[1:39:38] and so they they use and so they they
[1:39:42] use
[1:39:43] one of the ways to do that.
[1:39:45] >> Okay. So, you have the petition?
[1:39:47] » Okay. So, you have the petition?
[1:39:47] >> Uh yeah, that was
[1:39:48] » Uh yeah, that was
[1:39:48] >> No, no, no, I know. So, you have the
[1:39:50] » No, no, no, I know. So, you have the
[1:39:50] petition.
[1:39:51] >> Yeah.
[1:39:52] » Yeah.
[1:39:52] >> There's always a second step. See, we
[1:39:54] » There's always a second step. See, we
[1:39:54] we're the vehicle to get the
[1:39:56] conversation started. However, it is our
[1:39:58] police department that has to actually
[1:40:00] enforce the whether people are using,
[1:40:03] you know, using the street, speeding
[1:40:04] down the street, if the speed bump is
[1:40:06] effective. So,
[1:40:08] um
[1:40:09] our police
[1:40:11] do have a little bit of an issue with
[1:40:12] putting a speed bump there. They did two
[1:40:15] or three traffic studies, and so I think
[1:40:18] this is something we have to discuss.
[1:40:20] And I'll let you hear from the
[1:40:22] lieutenant as to what their findings
[1:40:24] were.
[1:40:25] >> Okay.
[1:40:29] » Hi.
[1:40:31] All right. Back in March,
[1:40:33] um
[1:40:34] over a 10-day period, we did do conduct
[1:40:36] a
[1:40:37] traffic study. We had our trailers out
[1:40:40] there. And over that 10-day period,
[1:40:43] there was 4,157
[1:40:45] vehicles that went down that street.
[1:40:48] >> Yeah.
[1:40:48] » Yeah.
[1:40:48] >> Over 10 days.
[1:40:50] » Over 10 days.
[1:40:50] Um there was about four 415 cars going
[1:40:54] down that street per day.
[1:40:56] Um the average speed
[1:40:58] was 17.13
[1:41:01] mph. Um 50% of that people going down
[1:41:05] the street were doing 16
[1:41:07] mph.
[1:41:09] 85% of the people were doing 21
[1:41:12] mph.
[1:41:14] Um
[1:41:15] I think it's something that we have to
[1:41:16] take a look at. There may have been um
[1:41:19] some construction during this period on
[1:41:21] Lowe Spring Ave. that may have sent some
[1:41:23] people down and slowed people down.
[1:41:26] Um
[1:41:26] but I'm open to revisiting it and uh
[1:41:30] conducting another study.
[1:41:32] >> What's the legal speed limit on Baird
[1:41:34] » What's the legal speed limit on Baird
[1:41:34] Ave.?
[1:41:34] >> It's 20 25 mph.
[1:41:36] » It's 20 25 mph.
[1:41:36] >> 25?
[1:41:36] » 25?
[1:41:36] >> Yes.
[1:41:38] » Yes.
[1:41:38] There was a maximum speed.
[1:41:40] There was one person who drove down 54
[1:41:43] mph, which obviously is dangerous. Um
[1:41:47] but like I said, the average speed was
[1:41:50] about 16 mph.
[1:41:52] >> Mr. Mr. Hinkelman.
[1:41:54] » Mr. Mr. Hinkelman.
[1:41:54] I know how are you.
[1:41:57] So, I know we talked a little bit and
[1:41:58] you had mentioned about the the
[1:42:01] I don't want to say motorcycles, but
[1:42:02] those bikes and whatnot. Yeah, this so
[1:42:05] you're aware and I know the lieutenant
[1:42:07] they're in the process of trying to
[1:42:09] look into the issue of town-wide maybe
[1:42:11] with ordinances to enforce that. That's
[1:42:13] not just an issue on that street. I can
[1:42:15] assure you that's an issue all over
[1:42:17] town.
[1:42:18] So, the
[1:42:19] police department is working to try to
[1:42:21] give them some
[1:42:22] legal backbones to, you know, to enforce
[1:42:25] that.
[1:42:25] Also, that's that is one step.
[1:42:27] >> What does enforcing look like though?
[1:42:29] » What does enforcing look like though?
[1:42:29] What would enforcement look like for
[1:42:31] >> Well, the difficulties that we have now
[1:42:33] » Well, the difficulties that we have now
[1:42:33] is that they've created these e-bikes,
[1:42:35] which don't fall under our current laws.
[1:42:38] Uh our statutes are limited with that.
[1:42:41] So, we have to revisit it. Um the town
[1:42:43] of East Providence developed a an
[1:42:46] ordinance that addressed most of those
[1:42:47] concerns.
[1:42:49] We have that ordinance in hand. We're
[1:42:51] working on it. We're going to try to
[1:42:52] address it.
[1:42:55] » To eliminate
[1:42:56] >> Not to enforce it, to give us more teeth
[1:42:58] » Not to enforce it, to give us more teeth
[1:42:58] to enforce. Um anything
[1:43:01] >> Right now, is that considered like a
[1:43:02] » Right now, is that considered like a
[1:43:02] bicycle?
[1:43:03] >> Yes.
[1:43:03] » Yes.
[1:43:03] >> So, it doesn't matter how fast he's
[1:43:05] » So, it doesn't matter how fast he's
[1:43:05] going. It doesn't have a registered
[1:43:06] vehicle and it's not He could be doing
[1:43:07] 50 on his e-bike. And there's nothing to
[1:43:10] stop him. He's well, he don't have an
[1:43:11] engine on it, so
[1:43:12] >> Right.
[1:43:13] » Right.
[1:43:13] >> And it's not registered, so what are you
[1:43:14] » And it's not registered, so what are you
[1:43:14] going to do? I'm telling him slow down.
[1:43:15] Basically,
[1:43:15] >> He's got to follow the traffic laws.
[1:43:17] » He's got to follow the traffic laws.
[1:43:17] We'd have to issue tickets like we would
[1:43:19] somebody driving a bicycle. And we don't
[1:43:21] do it that often.
[1:43:23] But it it's it's obviously becoming an
[1:43:25] issue. It's a statewide issue. It's a
[1:43:27] country issue. They developed this these
[1:43:29] e-bikes that go very fast and there's no
[1:43:32] regulations on them.
[1:43:34] >> And then they leave them places.
[1:43:35] » And then they leave them places.
[1:43:35] >> They leave them places and that's a
[1:43:36] » They leave them places and that's a
[1:43:36] whole other
[1:43:39] Um it's something that we know, we're
[1:43:42] aware of.
[1:43:43] Um
[1:43:44] we're enforcing what we can.
[1:43:46] Uh
[1:43:46] we have issues in our parks where
[1:43:49] we have an ordinance that that says they
[1:43:50] obviously can't ride them in the parks
[1:43:51] and we're addressing that.
[1:43:53] But on the streets,
[1:43:55] if they're following traffic,
[1:43:57] they're hard hard things for us to
[1:43:58] enforce.
[1:44:01] » But I think you're
[1:44:02] you're sort of inviting
[1:44:05] problems, especially on Bear Ridge,
[1:44:07] you've got this straight shot, 3/8 of a
[1:44:08] mile long,
[1:44:10] with no impetus, no hindrance
[1:44:13] uh to you slow down.
[1:44:15] >> Yeah. No, it's We have several streets
[1:44:17] » Yeah. No, it's We have several streets
[1:44:17] like that, unfortunately.
[1:44:20] Right.
[1:44:20] >> And the children, like I said, there's
[1:44:22] » And the children, like I said, there's
[1:44:22] going to be increased traffic with the
[1:44:24] commercial business that's going up at
[1:44:26] the end of Bear.
[1:44:29] » I think it's something that we'd like to
[1:44:30] conduct another study
[1:44:32] to see if it was
[1:44:34] because of the time that we the period
[1:44:35] that we conducted it, maybe
[1:44:38] um
[1:44:38] maybe things have changed.
[1:44:40] So, it was back in March.
[1:44:42] Um
[1:44:43] definitely do another study and see
[1:44:45] where we're at.
[1:44:46] >> March of this
[1:44:47] » March of this
[1:44:47] >> Yes.
[1:44:48] » Yes.
[1:44:48] I'd like to entertain a motion uh to if
[1:44:51] anyone would mind send this to ordinance
[1:44:53] so we can
[1:44:54] keep it on there, we can see something,
[1:44:56] but also maybe the police doing them
[1:44:59] make sure we make a motion just they do
[1:45:00] another study for it for a month or
[1:45:02] 6 weeks anyway, whatever we can do to
[1:45:03] get more data, just so we know what
[1:45:05] we're dealing with.
[1:45:06] >> Also, Lieutenant, could you uh possibly
[1:45:08] » Also, Lieutenant, could you uh possibly
[1:45:08] just You know, you guys are busy as it
[1:45:10] is, but
[1:45:12] in the meantime, try to increase the
[1:45:13] enforcement in the area a little bit.
[1:45:15] >> Yeah, we'll make sure we uh have some
[1:45:17] » Yeah, we'll make sure we uh have some
[1:45:17] nice posts up down there.
[1:45:19] >> Talk to them on the weekends.
[1:45:21] » Talk to them on the weekends.
[1:45:21] >> Weekends. I'll second Councilman Carlos'
[1:45:23] » Weekends. I'll second Councilman Carlos'
[1:45:23] motion.
[1:45:24] >> I'm I'm President Rinaldi, so I'm
[1:45:26] » I'm I'm President Rinaldi, so I'm
[1:45:26] >> Sorry, excuse me.
[1:45:27] » Sorry, excuse me.
[1:45:27] >> President I need someone to make the
[1:45:28] » President I need someone to make the
[1:45:28] motion.
[1:45:29] >> Make the motion.
[1:45:29] » Make the motion.
[1:45:29] >> I'll make the motion.
[1:45:30] » I'll make the motion.
[1:45:30] >> Okay, motion's been made by Councilman
[1:45:32] » Okay, motion's been made by Councilman
[1:45:32] Field and seconded by Councilman
[1:45:33] All in favor?
[1:45:34] All right, the eyes have it.
[1:45:37] >> I'll be happy to share this with you.
[1:45:40] » I'll be happy to share this with you.
[1:45:40] >> Welcome now.
[1:45:40] » Welcome now.
[1:45:40] >> Yeah.
[1:45:41] » Yeah.
[1:45:41] >> Take a look at it.
[1:45:43] » Take a look at it.
[1:45:43] >> Mr. Hagler, this I'm sorry Mr.
[1:45:44] » Mr. Hagler, this I'm sorry Mr.
[1:45:44] President.
[1:45:45] If there's an issue in that neighborhood
[1:45:47] and you get one of these bikes or
[1:45:49] somebody's speeding up and down the
[1:45:50] street, by all means call the police
[1:45:52] department so they can get out there
[1:45:54] right away.
[1:45:57] » I'm good.
[1:45:58] >> Good.
[1:45:59] » Good.
[1:45:59] Thank you.
[1:46:01] Yeah.
[1:46:06] » Hi, my name is James Piccolo. I also
[1:46:08] live on Baird Ave, 47 Baird Ave, which
[1:46:11] is right in the middle.
[1:46:12] Um
[1:46:13] about a year and a half ago
[1:46:16] I woke up at 4:00 to go to work. So, I'm
[1:46:18] getting ready and a police officer
[1:46:20] knocks on my door because somebody
[1:46:22] totaled my fiance's car right in front
[1:46:24] of my house. They were speeding. They
[1:46:26] fell asleep.
[1:46:28] So, right there that's the damage which
[1:46:30] is on the insurance companies, of
[1:46:31] course, but it could have been avoided
[1:46:34] if we do put in a speed bump, um
[1:46:36] particularly at Atwood Ave
[1:46:39] where it crosses from Baird.
[1:46:41] Um there's a ice cream parlor at the end
[1:46:44] of the street and there's tons of
[1:46:46] families that walk to the ice cream
[1:46:48] parlor every night in the summertime and
[1:46:50] that is also a public safety risk if
[1:46:53] somebody gets hit by a car.
[1:46:55] Um
[1:46:56] those are my two concerns. I walk my
[1:46:59] dogs through the neighborhood all the
[1:47:00] time and I have to pull them off the
[1:47:02] road, so.
[1:47:03] >> We're going to have the police conduct
[1:47:04] » We're going to have the police conduct
[1:47:04] another study. We're going to continue
[1:47:06] this but not just going to
[1:47:07] >> No, I understand.
[1:47:08] » No, I understand.
[1:47:08] >> We're not going to just say no. We're
[1:47:09] » We're not going to just say no. We're
[1:47:09] just going to
[1:47:10] >> With all due respect to the um traffic
[1:47:12] » With all due respect to the um traffic
[1:47:13] study, if you see a big white metal
[1:47:16] frame with something telling you how
[1:47:17] fast you're going, you are going to slow
[1:47:19] down.
[1:47:20] And for 4,300 cars to go by in a week
[1:47:24] uh or 10 days, I'm sorry. I leave my
[1:47:26] house and I come home. I travel down
[1:47:29] that street twice a day, so that's 100
[1:47:31] times
[1:47:32] uh
[1:47:34] more than it should be for the whole
[1:47:35] street.
[1:47:36] There's only 40 units on the street.
[1:47:38] All right.
[1:47:39] >> Thank you.
[1:47:39] » Thank you.
[1:47:39] >> Thank you.
[1:47:41] » Thank you.
[1:47:41] >> Okay, item number 20, Senadale
[1:47:43] » Okay, item number 20, Senadale
[1:47:43] Streetscape and Revitalization Project,
[1:47:46] Sherri LaPointe, Grants Manager,
[1:47:47] requests discussion and possible vote
[1:47:49] regarding authorization
[1:47:51] to enter into an agreement with DOT
[1:47:53] regarding the Senadale Streetscape and
[1:47:55] Revitalization Project. This item was
[1:47:57] continued from the May Town Council
[1:47:59] meeting.
[1:47:59] >> Mr.
[1:48:00] » Mr.
[1:48:00] >> Mr. President, if I may. I have to
[1:48:02] » Mr. President, if I may. I have to
[1:48:02] recuse myself from this one.
[1:48:03] >> note for the record, Councilman Failor
[1:48:04] » note for the record, Councilman Failor
[1:48:04] is recusing.
[1:48:05] >> You get a deduction.
[1:48:09] » Good evening. So, um picking up where we
[1:48:12] left off a couple months ago,
[1:48:14] a lot has developed. So, I'd like to
[1:48:17] fill you in and hopefully get this
[1:48:19] approved. Um
[1:48:21] First of all, I'd like to clarify
[1:48:23] anything that is still out there that
[1:48:26] has to do with that contraflow lane that
[1:48:29] we were discussing.
[1:48:30] This is a $1.7 million grant. It would
[1:48:33] never, ever cover the cost of removing
[1:48:37] the bypass and creating a two-way
[1:48:39] traffic pattern. What the conversation
[1:48:42] had been was perhaps we could use some
[1:48:45] of
[1:48:46] the funding to do a feasibility study
[1:48:49] and see what would make sense to make
[1:48:51] the bypass area safer.
[1:48:54] The reason this came up was because we
[1:48:56] had done a revision of our
[1:48:59] um
[1:49:01] safety action plan in 2025.
[1:49:04] And although it wasn't specifically
[1:49:06] advised for us to change the traffic
[1:49:08] pattern, it was noted that the bypass is
[1:49:11] a high injury network. And it was
[1:49:14] recommended, and this is public
[1:49:16] information. You can find our
[1:49:19] the whole document is on the RIPTA
[1:49:22] website under Safe Streets for All. So,
[1:49:24] it's public. It's there for everyone. Um
[1:49:26] they did recommend that we look into
[1:49:28] ways of making that area safer,
[1:49:30] particularly for pedestrians. And so, it
[1:49:33] was simply an idea that had come up in
[1:49:34] discussion with DOT that maybe we could
[1:49:37] see if it was feasible.
[1:49:39] Based on the reaction that we got when
[1:49:42] it was kind of mentioned just in
[1:49:44] passing, I went back to the funder and
[1:49:46] said it looks like at this point we're
[1:49:48] going to stick to just the
[1:49:50] beautification aspect of it, the
[1:49:51] streetscape aspect of it. We're not
[1:49:54] going to be doing anything with the
[1:49:55] traffic patterns for now. So, it is back
[1:49:58] to its original form. We're looking to
[1:50:01] obligate the money so that we can do the
[1:50:03] beautification projects.
[1:50:05] The second concern that we had was
[1:50:08] obviously the match. $425,000
[1:50:12] is a big match.
[1:50:15] Um since then, obviously, you've dealt
[1:50:18] with the budget, and I've dealt with
[1:50:19] things on my end.
[1:50:22] I couldn't really tell you this at the
[1:50:24] last meeting because the decision had
[1:50:25] not been made yet, but I was able to get
[1:50:29] grants that will cover the match. Um I
[1:50:33] was given a $392,000
[1:50:35] grant from Rhode Island Commerce, which
[1:50:38] will allow us to do all of the uh
[1:50:41] lighting in Centredale,
[1:50:44] and that will serve as the match to the
[1:50:48] $1.7 million. That combined with um
[1:50:52] studies we have from Crossman
[1:50:55] Engineering that we paid for several
[1:50:57] years back when the project began.
[1:51:00] It's covered. So, knowing that and
[1:51:03] knowing that it's just back to a
[1:51:05] beautification project, I would like to
[1:51:08] request that the council sign to let us
[1:51:12] progress with the project.
[1:51:20] Sure, sure. Um as an added bonus,
[1:51:24] the lighting that we are going to remove
[1:51:26] from Centerdale so that we can replace
[1:51:28] it with new lighting, many of those
[1:51:29] lights are still functional and in very
[1:51:32] good condition.
[1:51:34] So, we're going to take those and we're
[1:51:36] in in combination with another Rhode
[1:51:39] Island Commerce Grant that was before my
[1:51:42] time for Maryville,
[1:51:44] we're going to actually be able to move
[1:51:46] some of the lights we had from
[1:51:47] Centerdale into Maryville.
[1:51:50] And then we're actually also going to be
[1:51:51] able to use some tree grants to plant
[1:51:53] trees in Maryville. So,
[1:51:55] we kind of have multiple projects that
[1:51:57] are all going to be able to stem from
[1:51:59] this sort of one larger project and we
[1:52:03] can definitely utilize grant funding to
[1:52:07] match each other. We've got a strategy
[1:52:10] in place. So, um it looks like if we can
[1:52:13] get one area done, we can start moving
[1:52:16] into the next area.
[1:52:17] >> I just have one question.
[1:52:20] » I just have one question.
[1:52:20] As far as the lighting in Centerdale, as
[1:52:21] far as what we're looking at,
[1:52:22] >> Yes.
[1:52:23] » Yes.
[1:52:23] >> do we have cuz before we go out and ask
[1:52:25] » do we have cuz before we go out and ask
[1:52:25] for money, we got to know what we're
[1:52:26] spending what we're spending it on. And
[1:52:28] like I think I made the comment of
[1:52:30] doesn't need to be Paris, but also I
[1:52:32] don't need it to be Beirut, either.
[1:52:34] >> That's right.
[1:52:35] » That's right.
[1:52:35] >> So,
[1:52:35] » So,
[1:52:35] >> That's right. Um so,
[1:52:37] » That's right. Um so,
[1:52:37] >> Sorry to be blunt, but that's just the
[1:52:39] » Sorry to be blunt, but that's just the
[1:52:39] way I look at it.
[1:52:39] >> But, you know, I don't I don't have any
[1:52:41] » But, you know, I don't I don't have any
[1:52:41] skin in the game, right? I just get I
[1:52:43] get told the numbers and I get told what
[1:52:44] we want. So, I can tell you that um
[1:52:47] essentially our communications team is
[1:52:51] the team that is in charge of the lights
[1:52:53] lighting as well. They were able to give
[1:52:54] me costs based on what they had recently
[1:52:57] gotten quotes for.
[1:52:59] Um and there were 101 lights in
[1:53:03] Centerdale that need to be replaced. The
[1:53:05] entire grant was for the replacement of
[1:53:07] the lights plus whatever the cost would
[1:53:11] be for our folks to Yeah, exactly.
[1:53:15] >> Any way we can get a look at those or
[1:53:17] » Any way we can get a look at those or
[1:53:17] no?
[1:53:19] >> Um I'm sure that I could see the
[1:53:22] » Um I'm sure that I could see the
[1:53:22] lighting that you know, I'm sure they
[1:53:24] must have a catalog or something of some
[1:53:26] sort. I don't have it on me, but I can
[1:53:28] reach out and I can get it.
[1:53:29] >> Thank you.
[1:53:30] » Thank you.
[1:53:30] >> Yeah, sure.
[1:53:31] » Yeah, sure.
[1:53:31] >> Any other questions?
[1:53:33] » Any other questions?
[1:53:33] Councilman
[1:53:34] >> Yeah, so I know we saw the design
[1:53:37] » Yeah, so I know we saw the design
[1:53:37] last meeting. Was that design
[1:53:40] um
[1:53:40] created with that number in mind?
[1:53:44] With with the with the grant number with
[1:53:45] >> With the 1.7 million?
[1:53:47] » With the 1.7 million?
[1:53:47] This design that I have was created many
[1:53:51] many many years ago. I don't know if it
[1:53:54] was done in tandem with that idea. I'm
[1:53:56] sure it informed the ask. Um I'm again,
[1:54:00] I have to write the complete
[1:54:02] application. If it's approved, then I
[1:54:04] have to go in and say this is
[1:54:05] specifically what we're doing with it.
[1:54:07] Um I'm happy to share the binder with
[1:54:09] you. It's got everything in it for the
[1:54:12] grant and it's got the designs as well
[1:54:14] and I think the date on them is from
[1:54:16] 2021.
[1:54:18] >> Yeah, no I I mean I'm just saying what
[1:54:20] » Yeah, no I I mean I'm just saying what
[1:54:20] if that design comes in at
[1:54:22] you know,
[1:54:23] 1.2 or what if it comes in at 2.5? You
[1:54:27] know
[1:54:28] >> Make sure that
[1:54:29] » Make sure that
[1:54:29] we have it funded and not
[1:54:32] get out of hand so to say.
[1:54:33] And
[1:54:34] that was
[1:54:35] portion of the
[1:54:37] data.
[1:54:38] So we'll
[1:54:44] » Any other questions?
[1:54:46] >> Can I ask a question?
[1:54:47] » Can I ask a question?
[1:54:47] >> Sure.
[1:54:48] » Sure.
[1:54:48] >> What's going to happen
[1:54:49] » What's going to happen
[1:54:49] >> George, you're supposed to ask it.
[1:54:50] » George, you're supposed to ask it.
[1:54:50] >> Oh.
[1:54:58] I was just wondering what's going to
[1:54:58] happen to the clock? What's going to
[1:55:02] Nothing, it's just going to stay there?
[1:55:04] That's that's cool.
[1:55:08] Yeah, that's a
[1:55:13] Are they going to be topiary?
[1:55:16] You don't know.
[1:55:18] Okay, well you seem to know a lot of
[1:55:20] like all the numbers cuz you had to
[1:55:21] present them to the government.
[1:55:24] Do you know the annual maintenance
[1:55:25] costs?
[1:55:28] You don't have that? Oh my god. That's
[1:55:30] important. That's very important.
[1:55:39] Well, no, I'm just shocked that there's
[1:55:40] not somebody here to talk about the
[1:55:41] maintenance costs.
[1:55:44] Does anybody have the maintenance costs?
[1:55:47] Or know who would have the maintenance
[1:55:48] costs?
[1:55:49] >> Well,
[1:55:50] » Well,
[1:55:50] with all due respect, we don't know what
[1:55:51] we picked yet, so you don't know what
[1:55:52] the maintenance is going to be if we
[1:55:54] don't even know what we're having.
[1:55:55] >> each plan pitched should show the
[1:55:57] » each plan pitched should show the
[1:55:57] maintenance costs. I mean, you wouldn't
[1:55:58] make a decision without knowing the
[1:56:00] maintenance costs.
[1:56:00] >> We'll probably have to take that into
[1:56:02] » We'll probably have to take that into
[1:56:02] consideration when we find out find out
[1:56:03] >> Once we finalize
[1:56:04] » Once we finalize
[1:56:04] >> and we can
[1:56:05] » and we can
[1:56:05] >> Okay, I was just there were yeah, one of
[1:56:07] » Okay, I was just there were yeah, one of
[1:56:07] the reasons that like like I'm just
[1:56:09] wondering like is the
[1:56:11] changing it to the streetscape,
[1:56:13] how much is that going to increase our
[1:56:15] annual maintenance costs, you know? And
[1:56:18] also if topiary are put out because I
[1:56:21] think I saw a plan that had topiary. I
[1:56:23] don't know if it's the same plan you
[1:56:24] have there now cuz you're saying you
[1:56:26] have a different plan than that was
[1:56:27] presented from the lady in the purple
[1:56:29] suit. Um is that a Do you know the lady
[1:56:32] from the last meeting in the purple
[1:56:33] suit? What was her name?
[1:56:35] >> Once the decision's made, Mr. Chairman,
[1:56:37] » Once the decision's made, Mr. Chairman,
[1:56:37] from the council, then we'll know
[1:56:39] what the maintenance costs would be.
[1:56:41] >> So, you make a you make a decision
[1:56:42] » So, you make a you make a decision
[1:56:42] without knowing the maintenance costs?
[1:56:44] >> We haven't made the decision yet. Made
[1:56:45] » We haven't made the decision yet. Made
[1:56:46] the decision
[1:56:48] >> And will the public know about the
[1:56:49] » And will the public know about the
[1:56:49] maintenance costs before you make that
[1:56:50] decision?
[1:56:51] >> It's all here. It Yeah, we're ready to
[1:56:53] » It's all here. It Yeah, we're ready to
[1:56:53] >> It's all here?
[1:56:53] » It's all here?
[1:56:53] >> Yeah.
[1:56:54] » Yeah.
[1:56:54] >> Where?
[1:56:55] » Where?
[1:56:55] >> It it be once we once we Yeah, once they
[1:56:57] » It it be once we once we Yeah, once they
[1:56:57] once they have
[1:56:58] >> At another meeting, you'll discuss the
[1:56:59] » At another meeting, you'll discuss the
[1:56:59] maintenance cost prior to
[1:57:01] >> Before we make a decision about
[1:57:02] » Before we make a decision about
[1:57:02] >> make a decision. I'm just curious about
[1:57:04] » make a decision. I'm just curious about
[1:57:04] that.
[1:57:04] >> Just to address your concern, excuse me.
[1:57:07] » Just to address your concern, excuse me.
[1:57:07] Every single meeting we have is public.
[1:57:09] >> As well.
[1:57:10] » As well.
[1:57:10] >> So, every meeting we've had we have is
[1:57:13] » So, every meeting we've had we have is
[1:57:13] public.
[1:57:13] >> Yeah, I know. I know. I saw it on
[1:57:14] » Yeah, I know. I know. I saw it on
[1:57:14] YouTube.
[1:57:15] >> about costs. So, like every cost of
[1:57:17] » about costs. So, like every cost of
[1:57:17] projects that
[1:57:19] were brought up tonight have been
[1:57:20] discussed in a public forum. I would say
[1:57:22] close to 30 times prior to tonight.
[1:57:25] >> Okay, but I don't think any maintenance
[1:57:26] » Okay, but I don't think any maintenance
[1:57:26] costs
[1:57:27] >> No, no, no. We're talking about other
[1:57:29] » No, no, no. We're talking about other
[1:57:29] I'm saying other projects
[1:57:30] >> talking about maintenance costs. That's
[1:57:31] » talking about maintenance costs. That's
[1:57:31] all.
[1:57:32] >> We're I'm You keep saying that we're
[1:57:34] » We're I'm You keep saying that we're
[1:57:34] throwing around big numbers, but the
[1:57:36] >> Well, no. In general, like millions and
[1:57:38] » Well, no. In general, like millions and
[1:57:38] millions of dollars.
[1:57:39] >> You're You're right. Okay.
[1:57:40] » You're You're right. Okay.
[1:57:40] >> Yeah, that's a lot of money.
[1:57:41] » Yeah, that's a lot of money.
[1:57:41] >> We make all the plastic flowers. We
[1:57:43] » We make all the plastic flowers. We
[1:57:43] won't need anything.
[1:57:44] >> Well.
[1:57:45] » Well.
[1:57:45] It's an option. Perfect. I'm for it now.
[1:57:49] >> Anyways.
[1:57:50] » Anyways.
[1:57:50] >> Anyway, that's all I have.
[1:57:51] » Anyway, that's all I have.
[1:57:51] >> Thank you, Sherry. Okay, is there a
[1:57:53] » Thank you, Sherry. Okay, is there a
[1:57:53] motion to enter into an agreement for
[1:57:54] the revitalization?
[1:57:57] >> So moved.
[1:57:57] » So moved.
[1:57:57] >> Motion has been made by Councilman
[1:57:59] » Motion has been made by Councilman
[1:57:59] Martone, seconded by Councilman Bacalla.
[1:58:00] All those in favor?
[1:58:02] All those opposed? The eyes have it.
[1:58:04] Thank you.
[1:58:05] Item number 21, green infrastructure
[1:58:07] center.
[1:58:12] » Sherry.
[1:58:13] Sherry, I'm sorry.
[1:58:15] I want to thank you for putting this
[1:58:17] this piece out for us.
[1:58:21] Yeah, I just have one question if we
[1:58:23] could Can we touch on that? Do you know
[1:58:24] at all?
[1:58:25] >> Yeah.
[1:58:26] » Yeah.
[1:58:26] >> Thank you.
[1:58:28] The Fruit Hill.
[1:58:30] >> Fruit Hill, yes.
[1:58:32] » Fruit Hill, yes.
[1:58:32] >> Um it says that
[1:58:33] » Um it says that
[1:58:33] you met with Dave
[1:58:35] and the grant uh
[1:58:37] the grant won't be extended any further.
[1:58:41] >> That's correct. We got I think already
[1:58:43] » That's correct. We got I think already
[1:58:43] one extension and they are giving us
[1:58:46] until December of this year, the end of
[1:58:49] December of this year to get the final
[1:58:51] designs. We've spoken to the DEM.
[1:58:56] They approached us because there was an
[1:58:59] opportunity for them to provide us with
[1:59:02] technical assistance. I believe one of
[1:59:04] the reasons why the design process has
[1:59:07] slowed down is because there were
[1:59:08] certain storm water elements that they
[1:59:10] were trying to figure out without
[1:59:14] excessive cost or without disruption to
[1:59:17] the residents around them.
[1:59:19] If we are awarded this technical
[1:59:21] assistance, then DEM is going to help us
[1:59:24] to design the rest of Fruit Hill. We
[1:59:27] should know that within the next couple
[1:59:29] of weeks or so if we are awarded that,
[1:59:31] and then that way we can finish the
[1:59:34] design and we can move on to the federal
[1:59:37] portion of it.
[1:59:38] >> Okay, and who's doing the design?
[1:59:40] » Okay, and who's doing the design?
[1:59:40] >> Um David DeMico.
[1:59:41] » Um David DeMico.
[1:59:41] >> David, okay. So, he knows this that we
[1:59:44] » David, okay. So, he knows this that we
[1:59:44] have to have this because this thing has
[1:59:45] been around for a while.
[1:59:47] >> Yes.
[1:59:48] » Yes.
[1:59:48] >> And I still get calls from the residents
[1:59:50] » And I still get calls from the residents
[1:59:50] constantly.
[1:59:51] >> Yeah.
[1:59:52] » Yeah.
[1:59:52] >> And
[1:59:53] » And
[1:59:53] we we keep on putting it
[1:59:55] let's move it forward, move it forward,
[1:59:57] and it stalls.
[1:59:58] >> Yeah.
[1:59:58] » Yeah.
[1:59:58] >> Now, we've got $639,000
[2:00:01] » Now, we've got $639,000
[2:00:01] >> Yeah.
[2:00:01] » Yeah.
[2:00:01] >> plus another 80,000
[2:00:03] » plus another 80,000
[2:00:03] >> Yeah.
[2:00:03] » Yeah.
[2:00:03] >> that we potentially can just wash our
[2:00:05] » that we potentially can just wash our
[2:00:05] hands with unless we have everything
[2:00:06] done.
[2:00:07] >> That's right.
[2:00:08] » That's right.
[2:00:08] >> on David to get these designs ready for
[2:00:10] » on David to get these designs ready for
[2:00:10] these people.
[2:00:11] >> That's correct.
[2:00:12] » That's correct.
[2:00:12] >> be done by the end of the year.
[2:00:13] » be done by the end of the year.
[2:00:13] >> Yes.
[2:00:14] » Yes.
[2:00:14] >> Okay, I just wanted to wanted that said
[2:00:16] » Okay, I just wanted to wanted that said
[2:00:16] because I thank you very much for all
[2:00:18] this.
[2:00:18] >> You're welcome. Anytime.
[2:00:19] » You're welcome. Anytime.
[2:00:19] >> Thank you.
[2:00:21] » Thank you.
[2:00:21] Item number 21, Green Infrastructure
[2:00:22] Center.
[2:00:24] Right Wagon and Molly Henry, Community
[2:00:26] Forestry Planner of Green Infrastructure
[2:00:28] Center, request to appear before the
[2:00:29] Council to present findings of the RIDEM
[2:00:33] Urban Forestry Technical Assistance
[2:00:35] Program. Brent.
[2:00:36] >> So, as part of that technical assistance
[2:00:38] » So, as part of that technical assistance
[2:00:38] program, the Green Infrastructure Bank
[2:00:41] was uh
[2:00:42] >> Center.
[2:00:43] » Center.
[2:00:43] >> Center, sorry. Center, but not bank. Um
[2:00:46] » Center, sorry. Center, but not bank. Um
[2:00:46] was uh hired by the It was It was
[2:00:50] >> I can explain everything.
[2:00:51] » I can explain everything.
[2:00:51] >> Yeah, if you want.
[2:00:53] » Yeah, if you want.
[2:00:53] >> It's kind of confusing. Hi everybody,
[2:00:55] » It's kind of confusing. Hi everybody,
[2:00:55] good evening. I'm going to try to make
[2:00:56] this fast because you all had a packed
[2:00:58] agenda. Oh, look, there's a presentation
[2:01:01] there.
[2:01:02] So, originally Inflation Reduction Act
[2:01:06] funding, so federal funding came through
[2:01:08] filtered into the state, went to the
[2:01:10] Department of Environmental Management.
[2:01:12] They hired us, the Green Infrastructure
[2:01:13] Center. I live in Pawtucket, I'm local,
[2:01:15] been working in
[2:01:17] 12 different municipalities now. We've
[2:01:19] been providing free technical assistance
[2:01:22] around urban forestry and related things
[2:01:25] like stormwater and urban heat.
[2:01:28] And
[2:01:29] the town of North Providence was one of
[2:01:32] those many communities, thanks to Brent
[2:01:34] and the mayor actually for sitting down
[2:01:37] with us and realizing the value of the
[2:01:38] program. We are a non-profit. We do a
[2:01:41] lot of mapping, spatial analysis, and we
[2:01:44] do some outreach engagement. We also
[2:01:46] have free money for trees, and I want to
[2:01:48] mention that um
[2:01:50] trees are great traffic calming
[2:01:52] mechanism, too. So, the speed bumps,
[2:01:54] that conversation, there's definitely
[2:01:56] connection, and I was looking at Baird,
[2:01:57] and I was like, there's a lot of
[2:01:59] plantable space down there. So, if we
[2:02:01] could get some of those front yards
[2:02:02] planted, that would really help. Um if
[2:02:05] you can advance to the next one,
[2:02:07] this is the process that what we went
[2:02:09] through. It's about 10-month process. We
[2:02:11] had a ad hoc committee. It was
[2:02:14] town staff and land trust members and
[2:02:17] who else was it? Um
[2:02:19] >> We had some public works, Peter GIS
[2:02:21] » We had some public works, Peter GIS
[2:02:21] >> Yes.
[2:02:21] » Yes.
[2:02:21] >> coordinator
[2:02:22] » coordinator
[2:02:22] >> public safety
[2:02:23] » public safety
[2:02:23] Yes, and so kind of we went through, and
[2:02:25] they gave us feedback on projects that
[2:02:27] were, you know, happening, what would
[2:02:29] affect the the current landscape. We
[2:02:31] were actually able to assess the the
[2:02:34] land cover for the entire town, which
[2:02:36] I'm going to share with you, and we did
[2:02:37] a code and ordinance review looking at
[2:02:39] everything that impacts stormwater and
[2:02:40] tree canopy, and um came up with a goal
[2:02:44] because before this, there was no data
[2:02:47] on what the canopy cover looked like.
[2:02:49] So, that helped inform a goal and the
[2:02:51] strategies that would support that. And
[2:02:53] then, we're kind of at the phase where
[2:02:55] we completed all the technical
[2:02:56] assistance and we're going to be
[2:02:58] publishing a report in the
[2:03:00] I don't want to promise a timeline. In
[2:03:02] the coming year, um there's some other
[2:03:03] communities that had to view. Um but,
[2:03:05] before that is published, I want to make
[2:03:07] sure you all are aware of this and the
[2:03:09] findings and recommendations um
[2:03:12] before, you know, that goes into
[2:03:13] publication. So, if you can advance to
[2:03:14] the next one, this is your tree canopy
[2:03:17] cover, your land cover. Um you are 27%
[2:03:20] tree canopy cover. So, if you're bird
[2:03:21] flying over, 27% of the land area is
[2:03:25] covered by um tree canopy.
[2:03:28] Pretty significant amount of
[2:03:29] imperviousness. That's all of your
[2:03:30] pavement, hardscape. That's where water
[2:03:32] has nowhere to go. So, you're going to
[2:03:35] ask me, where does North Providence
[2:03:37] stack up compared to other Rhode Island
[2:03:39] communities? If you go to the next one,
[2:03:41] this is a comparison. So, you're kind of
[2:03:43] on the lower end of the 12 or so
[2:03:46] communities that we have um done a land
[2:03:48] cover analysis for. And um you also have
[2:03:52] pretty significant imperviousness
[2:03:53] relative to other communities that we
[2:03:55] have analyzed. So, um just something to
[2:03:57] consider because I know in Rhode Island,
[2:03:59] we all like to compare um what our
[2:04:01] neighbors are doing and maybe a little
[2:04:03] healthy competition is good. But, with
[2:04:05] that, um I will advance if you can
[2:04:07] advance. We did develop a goal. Um so,
[2:04:10] this ad hoc committee, the tree canopy
[2:04:12] advisory committee is what we called it,
[2:04:14] um wanted to increase canopy by 2% over
[2:04:17] the next 10 years. And that includes
[2:04:19] maintaining the trees that we currently
[2:04:21] have, making sure we're saving them
[2:04:23] through policy, um and then also trying
[2:04:26] to create programs to add tree canopy
[2:04:29] because you're going to need to do both
[2:04:30] in order to really add. The numbers look
[2:04:32] big and they are big because if you want
[2:04:35] to increase by 2%, you're looking at
[2:04:37] somewhere around 700 trees annually. But
[2:04:40] this is public and private property. So
[2:04:44] we need to have programs that encourage
[2:04:46] and then educate
[2:04:48] residents and property owners to plant
[2:04:50] trees in their front yard. So bear that
[2:04:52] great example. You can get trees in that
[2:04:54] front yard, you can get traffic calming,
[2:04:56] you can get cooling effects and you can
[2:04:59] have it contributing to the goal. So if
[2:05:01] you go to the next one,
[2:05:03] we have a lot of maps. They're all going
[2:05:05] to be in the report. This is just the
[2:05:07] goal broken down by neighborhood. The
[2:05:09] the darker colors of orange are the
[2:05:11] areas that need to be prioritized more.
[2:05:14] When you break down that
[2:05:16] overall canopy goal
[2:05:19] and then if you go to the next one, I
[2:05:20] just like to point this out. Really
[2:05:22] stark
[2:05:23] imagery here. So all of your commercial
[2:05:25] corridors have really high heat zones.
[2:05:29] Maybe
[2:05:30] not news to you. We drive down Mineral
[2:05:32] Spring. It feels hot, it looks hot. But
[2:05:35] the data is really showing us there's a
[2:05:37] huge heat disparity
[2:05:40] in in those areas. And just something to
[2:05:43] think about is that trees take a long
[2:05:44] time to establish and to grow. So if you
[2:05:47] want to get all those great health
[2:05:48] benefits that we know that they provide
[2:05:50] of air quality and heat reduction
[2:05:53] and storm water mitigation, you have to
[2:05:55] plant them now. And we're looking at in
[2:05:57] the mid-century we're going to have up
[2:05:59] to 12 days over 100°. So if we don't do
[2:06:03] those measures now, we don't have a way
[2:06:06] to protect people and combat some of the
[2:06:08] the heat that we know that we're going
[2:06:10] to experience.
[2:06:12] Next one,
[2:06:13] storm water just because it's a big
[2:06:15] issue in North Providence.
[2:06:17] Take away here is your trees right now.
[2:06:19] All of the trees that we have
[2:06:21] analyzed and
[2:06:23] figured out kind of in terms of the
[2:06:26] value that they're bringing to North
[2:06:28] Providence, into your storm water
[2:06:30] infrastructure and to the health of your
[2:06:32] ecosystem. All of the nitrogen,
[2:06:34] phosphorus, sediment, we have all those
[2:06:36] numbers for you on what your trees are
[2:06:38] doing right now. So, if you lose them or
[2:06:40] if you add, that number is going to
[2:06:42] change. Also, the volume of storm water.
[2:06:45] We even the last few days had a ton of
[2:06:46] storm water or ton of, you know, water
[2:06:49] in general. Maybe not up to the 1-year
[2:06:51] 24-hour
[2:06:53] rainfall event, but it's doing a
[2:06:55] tremendous amount to reduce storm water,
[2:06:58] right? And so, just thinking about that,
[2:07:00] that how important these trees are. It's
[2:07:02] not just like they're pretty to look at.
[2:07:04] They're doing a lot of work. They are a
[2:07:05] part of the the town's infrastructure.
[2:07:08] Um and then the next one, um I mentioned
[2:07:11] we're doing a canopy plan. This is just
[2:07:13] Pawtucket's um because we published it.
[2:07:16] So, that's an example if you want to
[2:07:17] look and see what the plan might look
[2:07:19] like. That's a good example. And then
[2:07:21] these are the top five strategies.
[2:07:23] Again, we engaged the Tree Canopy
[2:07:25] Advisory Committee and residents. We had
[2:07:27] over 100 residents um through a virtual
[2:07:30] survey and in-person give us feedback on
[2:07:33] what they wanted to see for strategies.
[2:07:35] Um so, those are the top five. I'll let
[2:07:37] you read those on your leisure. And I
[2:07:39] just want to end with this takeaway,
[2:07:41] which is that for Town Council, things
[2:07:44] you can do, I don't want to talk about
[2:07:45] money because I feel like that's a sore
[2:07:47] subject right now. But there's a lot of
[2:07:49] great financing mechanisms to pay for um
[2:07:52] planting and maintenance of trees.
[2:07:55] Brandon has already come up with some
[2:07:56] really interesting ideas that were one
[2:07:58] of the top five. So, building permits,
[2:08:01] having that go toward dedicated fund.
[2:08:02] There's also tree bonds. There's ways of
[2:08:04] having dedicated funding for planting
[2:08:07] and um maintenance of trees. I also
[2:08:10] would love to see a 10% minimum for all
[2:08:13] of your streets, town streets, um in the
[2:08:16] comprehensive plan. And also, um
[2:08:20] I'll just point out that uh you don't
[2:08:21] have a way to really protect any of the
[2:08:24] trees right now um that are standing and
[2:08:27] we just talked about all the work that
[2:08:29] they're doing. And um I recognize that
[2:08:32] it's going to take baby steps, right? To
[2:08:33] have any sort of you know, significant
[2:08:35] tree policy where you're protecting it
[2:08:38] on private property. That would be like
[2:08:39] the end goal potentially.
[2:08:42] But one thing you could consider is the
[2:08:45] town of Warren does this, they have a
[2:08:46] voluntary program where if there is a
[2:08:49] significant tree and you would have to
[2:08:50] identify what that would look like in
[2:08:52] the the ordinance.
[2:08:54] Um you would then be able to protect
[2:08:57] that tree through an easement um and
[2:08:59] that would be, you know, saved in
[2:09:00] perpetuity. And so that's a really good
[2:09:03] easy strategy just to start like, you
[2:09:06] know, really trying to protect your
[2:09:08] existing trees. So, that's all I have
[2:09:10] for you. Um I blew through that pretty
[2:09:12] quickly. This is my contact information.
[2:09:14] My colleague AJ Elton is also um our
[2:09:17] community forester and arborist and
[2:09:19] we've been working also with the tree
[2:09:21] warden really closely. So, Tim Thorpe
[2:09:23] has been finding projects left and right
[2:09:25] for us. Um we'd love to get, you know,
[2:09:28] your support. If you have constituents
[2:09:30] who are really looking for for trees or
[2:09:33] issues around flooding or heat,
[2:09:36] please, you know, let let Brent know um
[2:09:39] and thank you so much for for having us.
[2:09:41] >> Great presentation.
[2:09:42] » Great presentation.
[2:09:42] >> Thank you.
[2:09:43] » Thank you.
[2:09:43] >> This is great. Thank you.
[2:09:44] » This is great. Thank you.
[2:09:44] >> I'd like to add that we just got a grant
[2:09:46] » I'd like to add that we just got a grant
[2:09:46] to um get Tim a GPS device to map out
[2:09:50] locations of new trees. So, if you have
[2:09:52] any ideas of locations of tree
[2:09:55] plantings.
[2:09:56] Uh we also have many trees that we
[2:09:58] received from the Green Infrastructure
[2:10:00] Bank
[2:10:01] and several other uh resources. So,
[2:10:04] >> Brent, can any of this be incorporated
[2:10:05] » Brent, can any of this be incorporated
[2:10:05] in when somebody's going to has a
[2:10:07] building permit, they're building a
[2:10:08] house, they're building a commercial
[2:10:10] property, whatever. I know we talked
[2:10:12] about at some point having so much
[2:10:13] greenery
[2:10:14] and not so much of parking lots. Can any
[2:10:17] of that money be used if we tell
[2:10:18] somebody that's
[2:10:20] you know, they're going to put the
[2:10:20] project up. Oh, by the way, if you put
[2:10:22] some trees in there, we have
[2:10:24] you know, money for things up there that
[2:10:26] make sure we have that green space and
[2:10:28] adding the trees in it at no expense to
[2:10:30] >> We can certainly develop a program like
[2:10:32] » We can certainly develop a program like
[2:10:32] that. Um we are discussing um raising
[2:10:35] the
[2:10:37] I think we it was from 5 to 15
[2:10:40] landscape requirements for commercial.
[2:10:42] So,
[2:10:43] uh since it's a requirement, we can
[2:10:45] certainly assist
[2:10:46] >> Okay.
[2:10:46] » Okay.
[2:10:46] >> businesses, uh property owners to plant
[2:10:49] » businesses, uh property owners to plant
[2:10:49] them.
[2:10:50] >> Great.
[2:10:50] » Great.
[2:10:50] And also, I'll just mention that Sherrie
[2:10:52] has been great at um getting grants with
[2:10:55] DEM. Um there's a lot of money out there
[2:10:57] for things like just programmatic
[2:10:59] things, also physical trees um because
[2:11:02] in the next year this grant is going to
[2:11:03] expire that I'm working under. Um but
[2:11:06] for the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank
[2:11:08] also has lots of grants. We have other
[2:11:09] communities that have literally used
[2:11:10] this data and these reports to apply for
[2:11:13] grants um that have been successful.
[2:11:16] >> When you talk about maintenance, really
[2:11:17] » When you talk about maintenance, really
[2:11:17] it's just trimming them and keeping them
[2:11:19] like neat.
[2:11:19] >> So,
[2:11:19] » So,
[2:11:19] >> It's not We don't have to fertilize
[2:11:21] » It's not We don't have to fertilize
[2:11:21] them. We're not putting fertilizer on
[2:11:23] them. We just need to fix
[2:11:23] >> I mean, maintenance really in the first
[2:11:25] » I mean, maintenance really in the first
[2:11:25] 2 years is the most important. So,
[2:11:27] making sure that they're getting watered
[2:11:29] cuz an urban tree, they struggle.
[2:11:31] >> Got you.
[2:11:32] » Got you.
[2:11:32] >> So, yeah.
[2:11:33] » So, yeah.
[2:11:33] >> But I'm going to take horticulture next
[2:11:34] » But I'm going to take horticulture next
[2:11:35] week.
[2:11:35] >> This is where Brent the Encompass Park
[2:11:37] » This is where Brent the Encompass Park
[2:11:37] you mentioned that was green the Green
[2:11:39] Infrastructure Bank also.
[2:11:40] >> So,
[2:11:41] » So,
[2:11:41] we were going to use trees from the
[2:11:43] Green Infrastructure Bank and they were
[2:11:45] involved, but that was you or I that was
[2:11:49] really
[2:11:49] >> Yeah, I did.
[2:11:49] » Yeah, I did.
[2:11:49] >> No, I was just going to compliment cuz
[2:11:51] » No, I was just going to compliment cuz
[2:11:51] the mayor explained it and gave me what
[2:11:52] was going to be there tonight. I was
[2:11:54] just was going to thank you cuz I know
[2:11:56] at one point you had mentioned Green
[2:11:57] Infrastructure.
[2:11:58] >> The lead um designer, Stephanie Nordoff,
[2:12:01] » The lead um designer, Stephanie Nordoff,
[2:12:01] um does work for us. She's taking a
[2:12:03] break and working for the lab over the
[2:12:05] summer. Um but we've been talking about
[2:12:07] that plan and um possibility of
[2:12:09] investing some of our trees if there was
[2:12:11] interest in implementing a phase of that
[2:12:13] project.
[2:12:13] >> Yeah, that's the mayor explained that
[2:12:14] » Yeah, that's the mayor explained that
[2:12:15] tonight. I was going to say thank you
[2:12:16] because there was a lot of
[2:12:17] misconceptions with some of the
[2:12:18] neighbors down there what was going
[2:12:19] there.
[2:12:20] >> Yeah.
[2:12:20] » Yeah.
[2:12:20] >> So.
[2:12:21] » So.
[2:12:21] >> Yeah, a little of that was just uh
[2:12:22] » Yeah, a little of that was just uh
[2:12:22] >> Yeah, no. No, I I wanted to thank you.
[2:12:25] » Yeah, no. No, I I wanted to thank you.
[2:12:25] The mayor had explained it to me
[2:12:27] tonight, so.
[2:12:29] >> If I may, Mr. Chairman.
[2:12:31] » If I may, Mr. Chairman.
[2:12:31] The biggest One [clears throat] of the
[2:12:33] biggest problems we have now is
[2:12:36] addressing the calls that we're getting
[2:12:38] from
[2:12:39] residents that want trees taken down.
[2:12:43] And I can tell you that, you know, we're
[2:12:45] in a debate daily. You know, we'll go
[2:12:48] out, take a look at them, and then we
[2:12:50] have to call Northeast cuz they're uh
[2:12:53] the company that provides the service to
[2:12:55] us. And I can tell you that we're doing
[2:12:57] our best
[2:13:00] to try to convince them which trim it
[2:13:03] instead of take it down. Oh, I just want
[2:13:06] to take it down supposing it falls. So,
[2:13:08] now Tim will go out. Trees like this not
[2:13:11] going to fall.
[2:13:12] But I I just don't want it there
[2:13:14] anymore.
[2:13:15] That's another issue that we're trying
[2:13:17] to fix.
[2:13:18] We'll handle right now. People that are
[2:13:20] requesting
[2:13:22] the trees to be taken down, and we're
[2:13:24] doing our best not to take down many
[2:13:26] trees. First of all, it's costly.
[2:13:30] And second of all, you know, talking
[2:13:32] with Tim, and we take him out there, you
[2:13:34] know, we're trying to stay here as nice
[2:13:36] as green as possible. So, that's that's
[2:13:40] becoming a little a little issue with us
[2:13:42] now.
[2:13:43] >> May I make one comment?
[2:13:45] » May I make one comment?
[2:13:45] Um I we talked about this in our
[2:13:47] meeting. So, Tim, you're tree warden, um
[2:13:49] I would recommend um having the tree
[2:13:52] risk assessment qualified. It's track.
[2:13:54] It's a International Society of
[2:13:56] Arboriculture certification. And the
[2:13:58] reason I say that is because having him
[2:14:00] go out there and assess um those trees
[2:14:02] for possible risk, and then having it
[2:14:05] that put in in any sort of inventory,
[2:14:07] which, you know, is we've been talking
[2:14:08] about with that that DEM grant, um
[2:14:11] reduces the liability for the town. It
[2:14:14] shows you've been here, you checked the
[2:14:16] tree, he's certified, he says that it
[2:14:19] did not have risk, um, and so the town
[2:14:22] is then reducing its liability. So, I
[2:14:24] would definitely highly recommend, um,
[2:14:27] encouraging He's also very enthusiastic.
[2:14:30] >> [laughter]
[2:14:32] » [laughter]
[2:14:32] >> Yes.
[2:14:34] » Yes.
[2:14:34] >> I'm glad you brought up liability cuz I
[2:14:36] » I'm glad you brought up liability cuz I
[2:14:36] had a question.
[2:14:37] So,
[2:14:38] um, and and and I'm in favor of this as
[2:14:41] a as a practical matter. So, if you walk
[2:14:43] around Providence, the amount of,
[2:14:46] uh, sidewalks that are uplifted roots.
[2:14:49] >> [laughter]
[2:14:50] » [laughter]
[2:14:50] >> Um, so, is there something you're doing
[2:14:52] » Um, so, is there something you're doing
[2:14:52] differently when you plant trees or is
[2:14:54] there something because, you know, from
[2:14:56] a liability perspective, I worked for
[2:14:57] the city.
[2:14:58] Half of our slip and falls were as a
[2:15:00] result of tree roots that came up.
[2:15:01] >> Absolutely. So, um, it's what we call
[2:15:04] » Absolutely. So, um, it's what we call
[2:15:04] the the field right tree right place.
[2:15:07] And one of the issues with, um, the
[2:15:10] trees probably that you're seeing, I
[2:15:11] just looked at the tree inventory that
[2:15:13] DEM did last year it was technically or
[2:15:16] it was like early this year. Half of
[2:15:19] your trees are maple. First of all,
[2:15:20] that's problematic cuz of species
[2:15:22] diversification, but if you look at it,
[2:15:24] most of those are Norway maple. And if
[2:15:26] you're familiar with Norway maple,
[2:15:28] they're one of the like fastest growing
[2:15:30] most crumbly trees and they've become
[2:15:34] your prominent street tree that like to
[2:15:36] pull up sidewalks. And so, when you
[2:15:39] don't have right tree right place and
[2:15:41] yes, they're not properly planted and
[2:15:43] planted in a good location and there's
[2:15:45] not enough soil volume and I can nerd
[2:15:46] out and talk about all that stuff. But,
[2:15:49] there's a lot of thought that goes into
[2:15:50] making sure the pit size is large
[2:15:52] enough, it's the right size tree.
[2:15:54] There's, you know, AJ, my colleague
[2:15:56] who's our, you know, forester and
[2:15:57] arborist.
[2:15:58] He's adamant about making sure right
[2:16:00] tree right place happens. So, yeah.
[2:16:03] >> Thank you.
[2:16:06] And
[2:16:07] the reason The reason that is, you know,
[2:16:09] to to my
[2:16:12] Give an example
[2:16:13] of power lines
[2:16:15] and the poles.
[2:16:16] I was 35 years ago. It was a big
[2:16:19] program.
[2:16:20] All new
[2:16:21] utilities,
[2:16:22] new sidewalks, gorgeous.
[2:16:25] You know what's happening today?
[2:16:27] >> Looks like nothing. I go down power all
[2:16:28] » Looks like nothing. I go down power all
[2:16:28] the time.
[2:16:28] >> No, no. You know what's happening today?
[2:16:31] » No, no. You know what's happening today?
[2:16:31] Trees have lifted up the sidewalks.
[2:16:33] And so, what I'm concerned is that if we
[2:16:36] plant some new trees here, make sure the
[2:16:39] arborist or whoever is going to make
[2:16:41] that decision that that tree, when it
[2:16:43] grows, it's not going to stop growing
[2:16:45] and you know,
[2:16:46] the sidewalks up and they say, "Well,
[2:16:48] those guys didn't know what they were
[2:16:49] doing." So, it's it's another issue when
[2:16:52] we're planting trees and all
[2:16:54] all the trees.
[2:16:56] You got to plant them.
[2:16:57] Got to I don't know. But,
[2:17:00] we're worrying about that now, but down
[2:17:01] the road.
[2:17:03] >> We're also taking into account now
[2:17:05] » We're also taking into account now
[2:17:05] utilities, structures, and that kind of
[2:17:07] thing. So, that you don't want large
[2:17:09] canopies in narrow areas and that's what
[2:17:11] >> Yeah, overhead wires are underground. We
[2:17:13] » Yeah, overhead wires are underground. We
[2:17:13] need to think safety overall.
[2:17:16] So, yeah.
[2:17:18] » Everybody all set?
[2:17:20] Thank you.
[2:17:21] >> Thank you.
[2:17:21] » Thank you.
[2:17:21] >> Thank you.
[2:17:22] » Thank you.
[2:17:22] >> Very much.
[2:17:23] » Very much.
[2:17:23] >> Item number 23, ordinance introduction,
[2:17:25] » Item number 23, ordinance introduction,
[2:17:25] discussion, and possible vote on the
[2:17:26] introduction of ordinance 26-014
[2:17:29] relating to an amendment to the flood
[2:17:31] hazard district ordinance.
[2:17:33] Do I have a motion to introduce?
[2:17:36] >> I'll move.
[2:17:37] » I'll move.
[2:17:37] >> Is there a second?
[2:17:38] » Is there a second?
[2:17:38] >> Second.
[2:17:39] » Second.
[2:17:39] >> Motion been made by Councilman Mattoon,
[2:17:40] » Motion been made by Councilman Mattoon,
[2:17:40] seconded by Councilman Bacalla. All
[2:17:42] those Now, Brent, this has to be passed
[2:17:44] by August 27th?
[2:17:45] >> 27th, yes.
[2:17:46] » 27th, yes.
[2:17:46] >> 27th?
[2:17:47] » 27th?
[2:17:47] >> 27th.
[2:17:50] So, that's essentially just um a minor
[2:17:52] typo. A letter H has to be changed to a
[2:17:54] J or vice versa. And uh two dates have
[2:17:57] to be changed uh to the end of June.
[2:18:00] >> Okay.
[2:18:02] » Okay.
[2:18:02] All right. So, we're going to
[2:18:03] have a meeting before the 27th to pass
[2:18:06] this for insurance purposes.
[2:18:08] So, tomorrow
[2:18:09] send an email out, get everyone's
[2:18:11] availability.
[2:18:13] Thank you. Okay, motion's been made and
[2:18:14] seconded. All those in favor? All those
[2:18:16] opposed? The eyes have it.
[2:18:19] Item number 24, Woodhaven Elementary
[2:18:21] School. Council President Odiello
[2:18:22] requests discussion and possible vote on
[2:18:23] privacy concerns for Woodhaven
[2:18:25] Elementary students and residents on
[2:18:27] Jacksonia Drive. Myself, Councilman
[2:18:30] LaPorchio, and Councilman Bacalla
[2:18:32] attended
[2:18:33] >> [clears throat]
[2:18:33] » [clears throat]
[2:18:33] >> a neighborhood gathering at a resident's
[2:18:35] » a neighborhood gathering at a resident's
[2:18:35] house.
[2:18:37] All the residents on Jacksonia Drive's
[2:18:39] properties are completely wide open and
[2:18:41] exposed to the side of Greystone School.
[2:18:44] They were told in several building
[2:18:46] hearing meetings that there would be a
[2:18:48] privacy barrier put up for them
[2:18:51] with trees,
[2:18:52] arborvitaes, or whatever, and that has
[2:18:54] not been done.
[2:18:56] Those students that are on the second
[2:18:57] floor can literally look down into their
[2:18:59] house, and the and the people in those
[2:19:00] houses can look up into the classroom
[2:19:02] windows.
[2:19:04] So, I'd like to send a letter on behalf
[2:19:05] of this Town Council to our
[2:19:08] finance director to instruct the
[2:19:09] building committee
[2:19:11] with to use any leftover funds from the
[2:19:13] bond to go towards creating that barrier
[2:19:16] that these residents were told.
[2:19:23] I can't see it.
[2:19:24] >> the view from the room?
[2:19:36] » Okay. Um
[2:19:38] I I will say that um the
[2:19:39] superintendent's been very helpful with
[2:19:40] communicating back and forth, but um
[2:19:43] this is a concern, and I they also need
[2:19:45] to go and look at it when it's
[2:19:47] the winter and the leaves aren't on the
[2:19:49] several the the few trees that are
[2:19:51] there. So, that's the form of a motion.
[2:19:54] Motion's been made by Councilman
[2:19:55] LaPorchio, seconded by Councilman
[2:19:57] Bacalla. All those in favor? Aye. All
[2:19:59] those opposed? The ayes have it. Thank
[2:20:01] you.
[2:20:04] Item number 25, dash light installation.
[2:20:07] Council President O'Loughlin requests
[2:20:09] discussion and possible vote on a dash
[2:20:11] light installation for Father T.J.
[2:20:13] Barges' vehicle. This item is going to
[2:20:14] be removed from the agenda.
[2:20:17] Item number 27, property at 995 through
[2:20:20] 1
[2:20:21] 005 Mineral Spring Avenue. Councilman
[2:20:24] requests discussion and possible
[2:20:25] vote on debris and garbage in lots at
[2:20:28] 995
[2:20:30] to 1005
[2:20:32] Mineral Spring Avenue. Councilman
[2:20:33] nice work on this matter. I
[2:20:35] know it's been addressed already.
[2:20:36] Therefore, I was under the assumption it
[2:20:38] was being moved off the agenda.
[2:20:40] I know the victualing license, the town
[2:20:42] clerk has spoke to them. They're coming
[2:20:44] in and fill out the paperwork.
[2:20:46] If there's anything else you'd like to
[2:20:48] add, I thought this was being removed
[2:20:50] off the agenda, but apparently not.
[2:20:52] >> Not.
[2:20:53] » Not.
[2:20:53] As long as they're coming in, we're
[2:20:54] good.
[2:20:55] >> Okay. Thank you.
[2:20:57] » Okay. Thank you.
[2:20:57] Item number 29,
[2:21:00] board appointment, town council
[2:21:01] discussion and action with regard to the
[2:21:02] board appointment to be made to the
[2:21:04] following board. New appointment, Board
[2:21:06] of Canvassers, Republican alternate,
[2:21:08] Michael Chomak. Do I have a motion to
[2:21:10] appoint Michael Chomak?
[2:21:11] >> So moved.
[2:21:11] » So moved.
[2:21:11] >> Motion been made by Councilman Baccala.
[2:21:13] » Motion been made by Councilman Baccala.
[2:21:13] Is there a second?
[2:21:14] >> Second.
[2:21:14] » Second.
[2:21:14] >> Seconded by Councilman Fiola. Item
[2:21:16] » Seconded by Councilman Fiola. Item
[2:21:16] number The uh
[2:21:17] >> 30.
[2:21:17] » 30.
[2:21:18] >> Motion's been approved. Item number 30,
[2:21:20] » Motion's been approved. Item number 30,
[2:21:20] claim submitted, Town Council discussion
[2:21:22] and possible vote with regard to claims
[2:21:23] received from the following.
[2:21:25] Albert Santinello, 22 Cushing Street,
[2:21:28] North Providence, Rhode Island. Horizon
[2:21:30] Sierra CMR Claims Department, P.O. Box
[2:21:33] 60770,
[2:21:37] Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
[2:21:42] Nicholas Pezzey, 32 Andover Street,
[2:21:44] North Providence, Rhode Island.
[2:21:47] Audra Cornell, 31 Justice Street, North
[2:21:49] Providence, Rhode Island. Michael
[2:21:50] Marino, 172 Pleasant View Avenue,
[2:21:53] Smithfield, Rhode Island. Denise
[2:21:55] Defenzi,
[2:21:56] 203 Obed Avenue, North Providence, Rhode
[2:21:59] Island. Do you have a motion to send
[2:22:00] this to claims committee?
[2:22:01] Motion has been made by Councilman
[2:22:02] Macaluso, seconded by Seconded by
[2:22:05] Councilman Fio- Fiola. All those in
[2:22:07] favor?
[2:22:08] All those opposed? The eyes have it.