Cranston City Council Meeting – November 17, 2025

The Cranston City Council met on November 17, 2025, at 7:00 PM. The meeting began with a recognition of the CLCF Chiefs 10U football team for winning the Super Bowl championship and included public comments on a business complaint, advertising of special meetings, and a proposed housing court. The council approved several routine items, discussed the Rescue Five staffing, debated an ordinance on advertising special meetings, and voted to continue consideration of the city's safety action plan.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from the October 27, 2025 regular meeting and the November 6, 2025 special meeting.
• Approved a Class B liquor license for Alexis Pizza Impasta, LLC (Campanellas) subject to receiving a letter of good standing.
• Approved a Class B liquor license for Cafe Rose LLC (Cafe E Tree) subject to receiving a letter of good standing.
• Approved a resolution authorizing real estate tax abatement as requested by the tax assessor.
• Approved an ordinance amendment permitting right turns at certain red lights (Ordinance 92502).
• Approved an ordinance amendment for no parking on certain streets (Ordinance 92503), with a note that the traffic engineer did not require a full warrant analysis.
• Approved an ordinance amendment for the Department of Law to update the title of Assistant City Solicitor (no new hires).
• Approved a resolution supporting an application for a 2026 Green Space Outdoor Recreation Grant for Friendly Parade Ground improvements.
• Appointed Mario Carlino to the Tax Assessment Board of Review (alternate #2).
• Appointed Richard Santa Maria to the Board of Contracts and Purchases (Citizen #3).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Carol Cooney (8 Eva Lane) expressed concerns about ongoing safety issues at Lawn Beauticians following a fire a year ago, citing pile height and proximity to the tree line. She suggested an ordinance on safe distance from tree lines. Photographs were entered into the record.
• David Moyo (460 Natick Ave, Lawn Beauticians) stated the business has a DEM composting permit, piles are 10–12 feet high, and operations are legal and grandfathered.
• Joy Fox (411 Fair St, Warwick) spoke in favor of increased transparency for special meeting advertising, urging retention of print options and noting confusion about the ordinance's origin.
• Marsha Fowler (35 Melton Av) raised concerns about the unknown cost of a proposed housing court, particularly during school budget season, and questioned the data behind the proposal.
• Drake Patton (684 Natick Av) echoed concerns about the housing court, urging a pause for data collection, and supported retaining print newspaper notice for special meetings.
• Sue Kelly (199 Jordan Ave) spoke on homelessness in Cranston, requesting a centralized resource page with shelter capacity and food pantry information.

Discussion Items

• Lawn Beauticians Update: Councilman Ritz noted public safety concerns and requests to lower mulch piles and move them away from the tree line. Councilwoman Graziano questioned compliance with DEM regulations, stating piles appear higher than 12 feet based on aerial photography. The city's representative stated the property is in compliance with inspections.
• Ordinance on Advertising Special Meetings: The council debated a proposal (Ordinance 102503) to allow online posting of special meeting notices instead of newspaper print. Councilman Campa Piano and others expressed concerns about transparency for residents without computer access. Councilman Banano suggested adding language like "if time permits" for print publication. The council voted 7-2 to return the ordinance to committee for further refinement.
• Rescue Five Staffing: Director Moretti reported a recommendation to staff Rescue Five full-time, converting from part-time voluntary staffing. The move is expected to reduce overtime and improve response times. The administration is working on an MOU and companion ordinance; a formal proposal is expected within days or weeks.

Key Outcomes

• The ordinance on advertising special meetings (Ordinance 102503) was sent back to committee for further discussion on language (7-2 vote).
• The resolution adopting the city's safety action plan was continued to the next meeting without adverse impact on funding.
• New business item 112501 (affordable housing) was withdrawn; 112502 and a resolution requesting the General Assembly were referred to appropriate committees.
• The council closed public comments on both docketed and undocketed matters.
• The open meeting complaint (Patten v. Cranston City Council) was resolved with no violation found; Attorney Marcella provided an update.