Okay, good evening.

And welcome to this uh species special city council meeting regarding the splash pad location.

It is September 10th, 2025.

I'd like to call this meeting to order, and I asked the clerk to please call a roll.

Councilman Papiano.

President.

Councilman.

Here.

Councilman Raziano.

Councilman Heroyan.

President Councilman.

President.

Councilman Rentz.

Present.

Councilman Traff Conti.

Council President Wall.

Here.

Thank you.

Okay, before we start, a little bit of a programming note.

Um, I'm gonna open up the meeting by just explaining a couple of ground rules for those who are here this evening.

This meeting is only concerning the splash pad and the uh various location options that people may come up with.

That's what it was designed for.

I believe it was at the request, if I recall in the meeting, uh the administration, Director Maretti mentioned that about a month ago during a council meeting.

We thought it was a good idea.

So before we even go to if you want to introduce it a little bit, Director, that would be fine, and then I'll take public comment.

Sure.

Uh uh thank you, Council President Raw.

Thanks for calling the meeting on uh at the request of Mayor Hopkins um to be specific.

And thank you for those who are attending and those people that may be online.

Um as as uh indicated the uh the mayor uh is soliciting input from the city council uh and the public uh as to any input or suggestions as to where the next uh city splash pad should be located um you know before before the final decisions are made to do so.

Um the city has uh uh approximately 250,000 dollars of approved opera funds available and uh uh designated uh for construction uh of a splash pad.

Um this is on top of uh funds that have already been expended uh to purchase the water uh water park features and electronics um that were procured using opera funds.

So there's uh I'll make the statement that there was uh no expense to the taxpayers.

It's part of your federal dollars, I'm sure in some fashion paid for it throughout every resident, every taxpayer in the country, but it's probably a pretty good deal uh by using the OPA funds and not any direct uh funds from this uh directly from the city of Cranston.

Um just want to make a note, um, as I mentioned, it's approximately 250,000.

Uh judge you know, from the past, regardless of projects, whether the w whatever they are that there's construction project projects, when they go out to bid, they may not be exactly what we're the dollar amount where we're uh uh allowed or authorized.

Um there could be a possibility that uh the administration could be coming back if the if the construction bids uh exceed that amount of money.

Um but uh either way we believe that it probably wouldn't be or wouldn't be that much more.

We wouldn't expect it to be all that much more.

Um and uh we believe that there are uh some excess opera funds that could be available that were designated for other similar POCs and recreation facility projects uh where there are excess funds that that that came in uh under budget.

So we have a perfect world.

So I just want to put that little asterisk to this that there is that possibility.

Can't be guaranteed, depending on what uh what the what the bids uh come in at.

Um the we don't want to bias this discussion, certainly uh the administration is looking for objective input uh as to where uh uh uh uh the next splash pad should go.

But in order to stir uh a bit of thought, the um the administration uh has met with uh the the director of Pox Rec, Steve Piscopello, who's here this evening, along with uh Director Correo uh from Public Works to basically search out or evaluate, you know, to give you a little uh thought process to other potential to various uh location potential locations throughout the city.

So Mr.

Piscopello will share with you some ideas, but please don't take it to the bank, but it's just met for discussion, and I can tell you what our thought process was, and certainly welcome any input.

And again, we are soliciting uh objective uh suggestions um uh from both the the public here and online and most uh certainly uh with the city council.

Um with that um uh director Piscapello uh can share, I believe, some an image of the splash pad, the final product once it's completed, and then he has uh um a slide, uh handouts that he could share to again the three sites, potential sites um that the administration has identified as potential.

Um, but as I keep stressing, uh any other uh uh areas and justifications would be more than uh welcome.

So with that, uh if it's okay to defer to the uh director, please.

The floor is yours, Director.

Thank you, Council President.

Um thank you, Anthony, for uh the introduction.

Um if you can put up the slide of the uh the actual uh splash pad uh rendering.

Um this is the rendering that we um have already in place and the design um that goes with it uh for a specific uh um size uh splash pad.

The the beauty of this splash pad um will be that uh it's for all ages.

It can go from as early as three or four years old all the way up to 12, 13 years old.

So you're hitting pretty much the whole population of our youth that would um would conjugate at a place uh such as this.

Uh we looked at uh some sites around the city, and we basically felt as though um we would throw our a couple of uh ideas to the to the council and to the general public as to what we feel would be um locations that could potentially work.

Obviously, um the Doric Avenue uh location was one that we we airmarked um pretty pretty quickly after um we understood the about the uh blood loan project.

Um so that is one location that we did look at um as part of this whole process.

Uh the second location would be uh Cranston Stadium.

Uh Cranston Stadium has a vast uh amount of um land uh in certain places, especially near the tennis courts, where it's not really um it's not really uh restored um as of right now.

And then we looked at the the Budloan complex uh itself.

Um that has a lot of positives, and it gives you a um it gives you a little bit of everything when it comes to a family-friendly uh complex, where um if if a family has uh a variety of ages of children, they can uh they have the opportunity to pretty much spread their wings at a complex that has pretty much everything.

So there's pros and cons to uh each site.

Um I mean, obviously we would like to have uh the general plumbing that's available um on site.

Uh we'd like to have it to be a place where it would be at you know uh enough parking um for a crowd to conjugate.

Um we obviously need restrooms um uh at the location and preferably changing rooms because um some kids will um and families will come maybe from work or from school and and they don't have time to change um at their home and they're looking for a place to change.

Uh these all factor into it.

Uh another big factor uh that we have to weigh in this whole situation is you have if you have a freestanding building, uh the staffing is going to be different compared to uh facility that has a complex.

I mean, I'm just throwing that out there, not making a recommendation.

I'm just saying that uh freestanding building would definitely um would definitely need its own staff, where um you know we would have to take that into consideration budgetarily as well.

Um I mean, those are the basic points I wanted to bring out.

I mean, obviously, these are just three sites that we um we basically brainstormed about and and thought they made some sense.

Um there might be other sites out there that the general public or the council would like to to look at, but keep those factors in mind, especially the uh the service of the plumbing and and and bringing in the the water to the existing building and obviously facilities uh of the utmost importance as well.

Thank you, Director.

Um I'm gonna open the floor to members of the council before I open the floor to the members of the public.

Um I just may say say beforehand, looking at your information and your renderings.

I mean from what you've given us, and early on when the director uh mentioned the Budlong Complex, uh I for one thought that was the perfect fit.

And seeing your you know the data that you have before me, perhaps you know, that that also supports that.

Um I do, and I appreciate coming soliciting the opinions here.

I realize and it's good to hear the you know, the input of the council.

I realize the council doesn't have a formal vote on this matter, but I I appreciate the opportunity to give our feedback.

Um I'm gonna go right around in a counterclockwise motion for the members of the council if they have any comments, and then I'm gonna open the floor to the public.

Um Councilwoman Ryan, yeah.

I would not be myself if I didn't advocate for this in Ward 2.

Um, I knocked on doors when it was gonna go at dark.

Many residents would like this in Ward 2.

We've had a long time of bad press about the Budlong Pool.

I feel like this is something that could be very positive.

If we made this a whole complex, a pool, a splash pad, a walk-in track.

Um, I really wish more people came tonight.

There's six constituents here, but at the meetings for Budlong Pool to complain, there was many people.

Now that everyone's working together, no one's here.

Um, I do like it that it would be for all age groups.

So if someone does have a toddler or a newborn, they can still go to the complex and use the splash pad.

So I would like it at Bud Long Pool Complex.

I think it'd be very positive.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman.

Councilman Ritz.

Yep, I'll echo kind of the same statements there.

Looking at these three uh choices on here, uh Bud Long does definitely look like the best option.

These are relatively close together, it has the most options um for the residents there too.

I did have one question.

If you did go with Doric out of a Cranston Stadium, would you foresee building changing rooms there, or is that just something we wouldn't offer?

You would have to build um standalone buildings, which would add to the cost of the installation in of the entire project.

Um Dorick, not as much, but definitely Cranston Stadium.

Yeah, I think I think that's even more reason why looking at this budlong is probably the best choice for this.

Um that's all my comments.

Thank you, Councilman.

Councilman Endor.

Although um Budlong does seem like a good choice, my ward is the bit divided into two sections and stadium really could use it.

So my one of my questions would be is there any way we could split this one gigantic um splash pad into two?

If not, um we do have a I think there's a concession stand that's not being used at the stadium uh near the tennis courts that we could also convert into bathrooms.

So I would definitely um like to advocate for my constituents in the stadium area for this, but I also understand the need and the cost effectiveness if we keep it at Budlong Pool, but I just want to be on the record that my constituency would like it at stadium as well.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman.

Uh Councilman Kepniano.

Thank you very much, President.

Well, I love the idea of a complex.

Uh I pass um the Chaffee Complex every day, and I see it's absolutely the star of the city of Cranston.

It's beautiful, and I see people playing all different types of activities in that in that complex.

So it it draws people of many ages in the many facets of what they want to do, can go there.

So I picture I picture the Budlong Complex the same way being one of the crown jewels of Cranston.

And it really needs a class splash pad to accompany the pool because there people families have all different age groups, and you might have a teenager that wants to swim, and you might have someone who's younger that not comfortable swimming, and they would be in the splash pad.

So uh it would be it wouldn't be right to go back into construction once you already finish that complex and then go back and try to put a comp uh put a splash pattern in, it wouldn't make any sense to do that.

And and that doesn't mean we can't put other ones each year in different wards in different areas.

So I would like to see one in every ward because I mean, being the grandfather of four grandchildren, I love watching them in the splash pattern and enjoying themselves, and it's a nice safe way to um cool off during the summer.

So I just can't wait to see that complex completed with its splash pad in its pool.

So thank you.

Thank you, Councilman.

Councilman Bonato.

Thank you, Council President.

Um, I don't have too much more.

I kind of agree with, you know, it seems like we got some consensus up here on the stage, which is which is refreshing.

Um and it's also, you know, we have consensus with the administration, which is which is great.

I think this splash pads in general, I think are our recreation of the future.

Uh I think that more and more communities, especially uh bigger cities with denser um uh population density are moving towards a splash pad just because it's cost effective, it's it's safer than a pool, you don't necessarily need lifeguards.

So this is really a wave of the future.

So I think this frankly is the first step of many when it comes to splash pads in Cranston.

And I agree with my my colleagues, uh Councilman Royan, Councilman Campo Piano.

Um I think this complex is gonna be one of the great complexes in Cranston for years to come.

And the splash pad only augments that.

I have two little girls, uh they have five and nine, I hope.

I think and uh no, they're five and nine.

And um, you know, they love the pool, they love a pool, but when we went on vacation, they they really enjoyed the splash pad.

And I I can just hear them giggling and laughing and splashing each other, and uh they really enjoyed the splash pad, I think more than the pool.

Um, so you know, to have the ability to do both within walking distance, uh, you know, essentially, you know, very very close proximity is great.

And with all the amenities that are already there, it's gonna be quite a splash pad and pool complex.

So I'm I'm hopeful that uh uh and optimistic that um this is gonna be great for the city.

So that being said, um thank you.

Thank you, Councilman.

Just one more round if anybody has any comments, any other councilman comments.

Um do you have anything to say, Director, before I uh let the public speak.

Uh no, I I actually prefer doing less speaking than more.

I'd rather have my ears open.

Point well taken.

Thank you.

Okay.

So at this time we'll move on to public comment.

Um there was a couple of people did sign up, a couple of young ladies are gonna be first.

I see Frankie and Jojo Martins.

If you would like to step up to the microphone, you have four minutes.

And girls, please state your name and address for the record.

Joe Ball.

We live at Cranston, Rhode Island, 64, Massachusetts, and we think the new splash pad should be near the Bud Long Pool.

We think that because we go to camp and recreation, and we think that it would be so much more funner if we get to go there and have the pool and the splash pad, because all our friends would love it.

Also, if you have children of all ages, they can play at the splash pad and at the pool.

People from all over the city will get to go there and not just having it in a whole in a random place and having people around the neighborhood.

The whole city gets to enjoy it.

Also, um, the butt long pool has lifeguards.

So it will be watching the pool.

And when you have the splash pad, they will need no lifeguards.

It'll just be a safety environment.

Um thank you for listening.

Bye.

Thank you, girls.

Okay, next speaker would be uh Kimberly Bagosian.

Kimberly, please state your name and address for the record.

Kimberly Bagosian 45 Mount View Drive, Cranston, Rhode Island, 02920.

Cranston does not need a splash pad.

Please open up the budlong pool.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Now that's all that those are the only speakers we have who signed up uh prior to the meeting starting.

If anybody's come in and would like to make public comment on this issue, and I want to remind people this is on just the splash pad location.

Please step up to the microphone.

Hello, Justin McCarthy, uh Chestnut Avenue, Cranston, Rhode Island.

My apologies, I hadn't um planned on speaking before tonight, but uh I actually have some experience that lends me uh a decent perspective on this.

I was a lifeguard for eight years in my youth.

So I can tell you that uh to be a lifeguard in Rhode Island, you essentially have three certifications.

You have um a rescuing certification, which counts for you know diving into the pool and rescuing people, putting them on backboard, stuff like that.

You also have a first aid certification and a CPR and AED certification.

So this is important because if we're gonna have a splash pad at the Budlong Pool, which I think is the obvious choice here, you're gonna have kids who are running around, they're falling, scraping their knees, getting cuts, maybe some sort of medical emergency happens.

You're gonna have a staff at the bud long pool ready to go, your lifeguard staff, which will be able to respond to these you know potential emergencies.

And I think it makes a lot of sense to um to take advantage of that infrastructure, whereas you wouldn't have that at the other two locations.

Also, obviously having the the changing rooms and the plumbing infrastructure in place um saves a lot of money.

So I think that's uh an important thing to take advantage of.

Thank you.

Thank you, sir.

Is there anyone else in chamber?

I'm sorry, in the auditorium, rather, who would like to speak on this agenda matter only?

Seeing no one else.

Um, is there anyone online who would like to make public comment on this agenda matter?

There is no public comment online.

Okay.

So at this time I'm going to close public comment.

And that would really be all that we have on the agenda this evening.

So I thank everyone for coming out.

Um I thank the director, um both directors for giving us this information, and members of the public for coming in and not having nothing more before this uh body this evening.

I asked for a motion to adjourn.

Is there a second?

All in favor, please signify by saying aye.

Aye oppose, signify by saying nay.

Thank you very much and good night.