Cranston Public Works Committee and City Council Meeting - August 14, 2025
Cranston Public Works Committee and City Council Meeting - August 14, 2025
The meeting began as the Public Works Committee at 6:00 PM on August 14, 2025, and later transitioned into a City Council session. The committee approved two petitions from Narragansett Electric, discussed rodent issues at an apartment complex, received updates on the Budlong Pool and splash pad, and addressed citywide speeding concerns. The council portion approved two parking ordinances and previous meeting minutes. All votes were unanimous.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of minutes from the June 2, 2025 special meeting (motion carried).
- Approval of minutes from the June 12, 2025 meeting (motion carried).
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments were made in chambers or via Zoom. A remote participant, Pauline DeRosa, was unable to speak due to microphone issues.
Discussion Items
- Narragansett Electric Petitions: Two petitions were presented: one for installation of three new two-way manholes and approximately 1,690 feet of conduit on Wellington Avenue, and another for installation of new poles (P9015-50 and P9009-75) and a feeder at 2213 Wellington Avenue. Director Correo recommended approval and was present for questions. Both petitions were approved unanimously without further discussion.
- Rodent Issue at 45 Poplar Drive: Councilman Wall reported on ongoing rat problems at the apartment complex. He noted improvements at one building but persistent issues at a second building under the same ownership. The director stated that inspections had found substantial improvements and that some open rat holes were intentionally left for pest control. Councilman Wall expressed frustration and requested a written inspection report for the committee. The item was continued.
- Budlong Pool and Splash Pad Update: Director Correo provided an update on the Budlong Pool renovation. The building's lower level is on schedule to be completed by the end of September 2025. The pool structure is expected to be finished by the end of November 2025, with plastering and final work completed by late May 2026. The splash pad is proposed to be located adjacent to the Budlong Pool complex, leveraging existing restrooms and changing facilities. A community meeting will be scheduled for late August to gather public input.
- Citywide Speeding Concerns: Councilman Ritz and Councilman Andujar discussed speeding issues, particularly on Hope Road, Natick Avenue, and near schools. Proposed solutions included radar speed feedback signs, lane narrowing, rumble strips, center line buffers, and a community speed watch program. The council president requested that priorities be narrowed to facilitate administrative action.
- No Parking of Commercial Vehicles Ordinance (Sponsor: Councilwoman Graziano): The ordinance prohibits parking of commercial vehicles along Narragansett Boulevard in Ward One. Councilwoman Graziano cited complaints about 18-wheelers parked day and night, affecting residents and businesses. The ordinance was approved unanimously.
- No Parking on Certain Streets Ordinance (Sponsor: Councilwoman Graziano): The ordinance establishes no parking on the west side of Woodbury Road from Parkway to the bend, based on a resident's letter describing emergency vehicles unable to pass due to double parking. The Fire Marshal supported the request. The ordinance was approved unanimously after a letter from residents was entered into the record. Councilman Andujar co-sponsored.
Key Outcomes
- Approved Petitions: Narragansett Electric's two petitions were approved by roll call vote (5-0).
- Rodent Issue Continued: The committee will receive a written inspection report on 45 Poplar Drive; the matter remains open.
- Budlong Pool Timeline: Lower building by end of September 2025; pool structure by end of November 2025; final completion by late May 2026. A community meeting on the splash pad location will be held in late August 2025.
- Speeding Discussion: No formal action taken; council members to prioritize and submit specific requests.
- Parking Ordinances Approved: Both ordinances passed unanimously (5-0 each).
- Minutes Approved: Minutes from June 2 and June 12, 2025 meetings were approved by roll call votes.
Meeting Transcript
We're going to call the public works committee a uh meeting to order Thursday, August 14th at six PM. May I please get a roll call. Present. Yes. Yes. Yes. Next on the is committee matter carried over. Seeing none, we're going to move on to public comment in the chambers. I welcome the public to come up and comment on docketed matters only. Please state your name and address. And you'll have about four minutes to provide your comments. Please step up in an orderly fashion. Thank you. Okay, seeing none, I'm gonna go ahead and ask Tom if there's anybody on Zoom that would like to participate in. Pauline DeRosa. Pauline, you can go ahead. Pauline, please unmute or make sure your microphone is working. Tom, would it be okay for her to type into the chat? Please use the uh QA. Ms. DeRosa, if you could type into the question and answer box to confirm that you have microphone abilities. Yeah, Tom, can you type in to her? Okay, I apologize, Mr. We're not able to hear you. If you'd like to call back onto a phone or um type into the chat, I know I keep saying that, but I don't want to leave you hanging. Okay, I apologize. Um unfortunately, I'm going to have to move on, so I'm gonna have to go ahead and close public comment for this evening. Okay, um, new matters before the committee. Um we have a petition from Narragansett Electric for the installation of three new two-way manholes, approximately 1690 feet of conduit on Wellington Av. Um, I have received a letter from Director Correo stating that he's reviewed the application from Narragansett Electric and recommends approval. He is also here in the audience if you have any questions. Um, so I will entertain a motion to approve. So move. Second. Discussion. Councilman Anduhar. Uh Director, I have a question for you. Do you know the last time that street that part of the street was paved? Uh that work is part of that I 95 Route 10 interchange project with Rhode Island Department of Transportation. We had received plans a few months ago with them regarding getting a right of way permit to work within the city right of way in the end, madam chair. We have to, we're on for a poll. We we can't be talking about future plans to pay roads. Thank you. I appreciate that. I mean, madam chair, my only question was if they're gonna retrench it with asphalt or cement. That's where I was trying to get up. But I mean, if we can't talk about it, let's move on to something else. Is asphalt related to the poll? No. Not at this time.
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