Cranston City Council Public Works, Ordinance, and Special Council Meetings - October 16, 2025

The evening consisted of three consecutive meetings: a Public Works Committee meeting (6:04–6:27 p.m.), an Ordinance Committee meeting (6:33 p.m.–after 8:00 p.m.), and a Special City Council meeting (starting later, ending after 8:30 p.m.). All meetings took place on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at Cranston City Hall.

Consent Calendar

• Public Works Committee: Approved minutes from September 11, 2025.
• Ordinance Committee: Approved minutes from September 11, 2025.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Gun Range Resolution: Police Colonel Michael Winquist testified that the Cranston Police Department range (open since 1952) is used 65 days per year (17.8% of the year, 408 hours), and that mitigation efforts (suppressors, tree planting, baffling) have already been made. Sound test results from 2022 and 2025 were presented showing decibel levels near ambient noise. Lt. Joshua Daigon provided specific readings: at Cranston West High School, suppressed rifle fire measured 48 dB (ambient 44–47 dB). The Colonel argued that an indoor range would cost $3–5 million and annual maintenance of $150,000, and that neighboring schools have not received complaints. Resident and State Representative Chris Paplauskas spoke in support of the range, stating it is a vital asset and that complaints are limited. Former Councilwoman Nicole Renzuli opposed the resolution, arguing the police have already taken extensive measures and that a fiscal impact should be considered. Director of Administration Anthony Moretti stated the Mayor opposes the resolution as redundant and unfunded.
• Housing Court Ordinance: Attorney Robert Murray argued against the housing court, noting the fiscal note only covers part-time help and omits judge salaries (not payable until FY27), and raised concerns about creating 13 total judges (7 municipal + 6 housing) compared to other cities. He asked for a pause. Dominic Fusco, a School Committee member, spoke in favor of the no-right-turn-on-red ordinance at Gansett and Cranston Street.
• Rodent Ordinance: Attorney Murray also raised a technical concern that the term “premises” in the existing code primarily refers to buildings, and suggested clarifying language for exterior areas.

Discussion Items

Public Works Committee:

• Utility Pole Installations: Approved two new poles (P1-50 and P5-50) on Western Industrial Drive for Narragansett Electric/Verizon, recommended by the Public Works Director. Two additional poles (17 and 18) were noted but not on the agenda; they were continued to a future meeting.
• Rat Infestation at 45 Poplar Drive: Council President Wall reported ongoing rodent issues despite previous mitigation. The Public Works Director noted a cracked dumpster had been replaced, holes filled, and bait boxes deployed, but new holes appeared. Councilman Campiano observed the property appeared clean that morning. Councilman Bonano praised the cooperative effort between residents, council, and administration.
• Budlong Pool Update: Director Moretti provided a detailed update: the pool’s gunite application is to begin the following week (weather-dependent), the pump house electrical work is underway, and the pool house interior is nearly complete. Work is expected to finish around mid-December, then winterize and resume in March. The pool is anticipated to open by the first week of July 2026.

Ordinance Committee:

• Parking Ordinances (925-01 through 05):
  • 925-01: Two-hour parking on Woodbury Road on Saturdays and Sundays (6 a.m.–6 p.m.) – approved unanimously.
  • 925-02: No right turn on red at Gansett Avenue and Cranston Street during school crossing hours – approved unanimously; sponsor noted a traffic engineer supported it.
  • 925-03, 04, 05: No parking on Poppy Drive (both sides) and one-hour parking near St. Mark’s Church on weekends – approved unanimously. Councilman Bonano explained the need due to Garden City apartment residents parking permanently on residential streets.
• Cranston Police Gun Range Resolution (resolution sponsored by Councilman Trafficante): Councilman Trafficante withdrew the resolution after hearing the Police Department’s testimony, stating he would re-introduce it in a future meeting. Director Moretti disputed a claim of intimidation, calling it baseless.
• Housing Court Ordinance (825-01): Sponsored by Councilman Ander Hart, Councilwoman Graziano, and Councilman Bonano (with later addition of sponsors Councilman Trafficante and Councilwoman Heroyan). The ordinance creates a division of the Municipal Court focused on housing code violations, with part-time inspectors, a clerk, and judges receiving $1 (volunteer basis). Councilman Campiano opposed, citing insufficient time for review and that the inspections department is already overburdened. The committee voted 6–1 in favor (Campiano voting no). Later at the Special Council meeting, Councilman Ander Hart moved to table the ordinance for technical fixes, which was approved unanimously.
• Rodent Ordinance (825-02): An amendment to Title 8, Chapter 8.36, increasing fines for property owners failing to maintain rat-proof conditions after notice. A technical amendment was adopted to specify that “premises” includes exterior areas. Approved unanimously.

Special City Council Meeting:

• Appointment of Legal Counsel: Attorney Michael Marcello of Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith was appointed as legal counsel and litigation counsel for the Cranston City Council for a term ending January 1, 2027. Unanimously approved.
• Referral to Finance Committee: The letter of engagement for Attorney Marcello was referred to the Finance Committee for review, unanimously approved.

Key Outcomes

• Public Works: Approved two new utility poles; continued two additional poles to next meeting.
• Ordinance Committee: Passed five parking ordinances (925-01 through 05) unanimously.
• Gun Range Resolution: Withdrawn by sponsor; expected to be re-introduced.
• Housing Court Ordinance: Passed committee (6–1) but tabled by full council for technical revisions before final passage.
• Rodent Ordinance: Amended to clarify exterior coverage and passed unanimously.
• Special Council: Appointed Michael Marcello as City Council legal counsel (unanimous). Referred engagement letter to Finance Committee (unanimous).
• No other actions were taken on the Budlong Pool update (informational only) or the 45 Poplar Drive rodent issue (ongoing monitoring).