Cranston Public Works & Ordinance Committee Meeting - January 7, 2026

The Cranston Public Works Committee and Ordinance Committee met jointly on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at approximately 6:08 PM. The meeting addressed a petition for a utility pole, snow and ice removal procedures, ice rink conditions, street striping recommendations, zoning amendments, the sale of city-owned property, and proposed noise limits for the police gun range. The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:48 PM.

Consent Calendar

• No consent calendar was identified.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Gun Range Ordinance (Ordinance 122501S):
  • Antonella Pascarello (2072 Cranston Street) expressed alarm and fear from hearing gunfire in her backyard near the bike path and schools. She stated that the sound desensitizes children and could delay critical response in a real emergency. She emphasized that when the range was built, mass shootings were less frequent, and argued the location is no longer appropriate.
  • Peter Sabinsky (60 Meslin Drive), a life member of the Rhode Island Troopers Association and pro-police, argued that an indoor range is the only way to stop the noise. He claimed that past testimony by city representatives stating an indoor range would not stop the noise is inaccurate. He recalled that the mayor had previously agreed an indoor range was needed but no progress has been made.
  • Harvey Flanders (25 Clarion Street), a 57-year resident, stated he can hear the range but it never affected him or his children while attending Western Hills and Machanic Park schools. He expressed support for an indoor range but noted rifles cannot be fired in one.
  • Naoko Shibusawa (96 Softon Drive, Edgewood), an instructor at Brown University, reported that two of her freshmen were in the class that was shot at Brown. She emphasized that the current time requires a sense of safety and that hearing guns in backyards or at school is unfair.
  • Dr. Patricia Richie (161 Albert Avenue), a psychiatrist with training in PTSD and a history of working at the Providence VA Hospital, testified that chronic gunshot noise causes documented harmful health effects, including depression, anxiety, PTSD exacerbation, and cardiovascular issues. She implored the council to act with moral integrity.
  • Kimberly Bagoshin (45 Mount View Drive), a former student at Cranston West, stated that as a tennis player she heard gunshots during practice. She noted that former Mayor Trafficante had said he was being intimidated by the administration and walked away from chambers. She urged the council not to adopt the ordinance as-is and to be a good neighbor.
  • David Stirnik (2270 Cranston Street), a newer resident, shared his experience of an active shooter scare in his middle school and warned that if a real incident occurs at Cranston West, the town would never forget that students were desensitized to gunfire. He urged the council to be proactive.
  • Jeannie Thomason (231 Wayland Avenue), a 60-year resident near the high school and gun range, stated that despite past promises of a $50,000 soundproofing grant, no solution has been implemented. She reported gunfire occurs in the summer after dark and that visitors are astounded by the noise.
  • Laura Fusco (13 Carpathia Road) played an audio recording of gunfire heard from her backyard. She expressed concern that her children no longer react to the sound, stating that conditioning children to ignore gunfire erases the most basic early warning system. She urged the council to be proactive, not reactive.
  • Alfred Schoninger (Scotland Road), a 50-year resident and business owner, stated that gunfire has become drastically louder in the last 10 years. He accused the city of false promises (grants, land to move the range) and said that nearly everyone admits they would not call the police if they heard a gunshot because they would assume it's the range—a safety hazard.
  • Roberta Judge (18 Laconia Road), a 23-year resident who raised three children attending local schools, expressed support for the ordinance.
  • Patricia Schoeninger, a longtime resident, argued that the neighborhood should not function as a regional shooting facility. She requested clarification on outside agency use, rifle training, and suppressor requirements.
  • Unnamed speaker (last public comment in person) asked why his councilman was not allowed to do a presentation, stating it was "prejudice." He noted that East Greenwich and New Haven solved similar problems. He questioned why the police colonel signed an ARPA grant application calling the noise a public health crisis but later reversed course. He urged the council to vote yes.
• Online Public Comments on Gun Range:
  • Sherry Izzy (12 Midland Drive), a self-described strong supporter of the police, Second Amendment, and NRA, stated the issue is noise, not policing. She reported that during a recent walk, the sound of gunfire made her knees buckle and she couldn't tell if it was a real shooter. She played an audio clip of the noise.
  • Dr. Erica Walker (300 Front Street, Pogtuckett), an assistant professor of epidemiology at Brown University School of Public Health, presented data from the Community Noise Lab showing peak sound levels over 100 decibels (equivalent to a loud rock concert). She noted that sound levels rival large cities and that noise perception triggers stress responses harmful to health. She offered to work with the city.
  • Trisha Glass (240 Center Park South, New York), executive director of Quiet Communities, urged passage of the amendment. She cited research linking chronic noise to hearing damage, mental and physical health harms, and reduced academic performance in children.
  • Jamie Banks, founder and president of Quiet Communities, explained the physiological stress response to high-impulse noise, including activation of the amygdala and release of stress hormones leading to inflammation, oxidative stress, and increased risk of cardiovascular and mental health conditions. She noted a sensitization effect with repeated exposure.
  • Brittany Barber (104 Auberry Street) expressed support for the police but urged passage of the ordinance, stating that normalizing gunfire prevents children and staff from recognizing a real danger. She emphasized that every second counts in an emergency.
• Zoning Ordinance (122501):
  • Steven Frias (107 Garden Hills Drive), chairman of the City Plan Commission, stated the zoning amendment reflects state law mandates, most of which are non-discretionary. He noted that a few areas, such as changing notification from certified to first-class mail, are discretionary and were included after discussion.
• Cardinal Road Property Sale:
  • No public comment was offered.

Discussion Items

• Utility Pole Petition (Public Works): The committee considered two petitions. The first petition (Narragansett Electric/Verizon for a stub pole on Hayward Street and Park Avenue) was recommended for denial by Director Correo due to conflict with Main Street enhancement. The committee unanimously voted to deny. The second petition (Narragansett Electric/Verizon for a new pole on Park Avenue and Southern Street) received Director Correo's recommendation for approval, and the committee unanimously voted to approve.
• Snow and Ice Operations Review: Chairwoman reported a structural communication problem where resident complaints about unplowed streets take hours to reach DPW because they go through council members' offices. She emphasized that the issue is not staffing but the process, and offered to meet with administration and DPW. A representative from the administration responded that this was the first they had heard of a problem, noting past successful cooperation with previous councils. The council president and several members proposed a collaborative meeting to improve communication, with administration and DPW open to receiving specific proposals. Councilman Bonano and others praised the department's overall performance.
• Ice Rink Operations and Conditions: Chairwoman and Council President Wall presented photos and described clutter, unclean locker rooms, broken sound system, lack of storage, and ADA compliance concerns (front door locked). Two members stated the rink is "on its last leg" and understaffed. Director Moretti confirmed the rink has a limited lifespan due to structural issues (including freon leaks) and that the mayor has directed the finance director to evaluate alternatives. Several council members agreed to meet with administration to address immediate cleanliness and operational issues.
• Safe Street Recommendations: Chairwoman indicated that some questions were answered and she will work with administration, planning, and DPW. The item was continued for further discussion.
• Zoning Ordinance Amendment (122501): Councilman Ritz, as sponsor, explained that the amendment updates the city code to reflect state law changes, including doubling the notification radius for new development projects (from 200 to 400 feet) and changing mailed notice from certified mail to first-class mail with an affidavit. Several council members discussed the notification method, with Councilwoman Graziano expressing preference for certified mail, while others cited cost savings and reduced inconvenience. The committee unanimously approved the amendment.
• Ordinance Authorizing Sale of Cardinal Road Property (122503): Councilwoman Graziano requested additional information (site map, rationale for parcel selection, comparison to other city-owned parcels, and potential value for recreation, affordable housing, or open space) before the final vote on January 20. The director agreed to provide the information within 48 business hours (four days). The committee approved sending the ordinance to the full council, with the understanding that members needed the information in time to review before the final vote.
• Gun Range Ordinance (122501S): The proposed ordinance seeks to codify noise limits (75 decibels daytime, 70 decibels evening) and restrict hours (excluding holidays and weekends) for the Cranston Police Department's outdoor gun range near Western Hills Middle School and Cranston High School West. Councilman Trafficante presented a detailed history, including prior statements from the mayor, administration, and police chief acknowledging the noise problem and seeking grants for noise mitigation or relocation (including an ARPA application citing a "public health crisis"). He argued that the ordinance is a quality-of-life issue, not anti-police.
  • Police Chief Winquist testified that suppressors on pistols would create officer safety risks (weapon length, accuracy, malfunction, heat blowback), estimated a cost of $237,150, and noted that rifle suppressors are already in use. He stated that Providence Police cannot accommodate Cranston officers at their range. He also cited a state law (R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-47-62) that exempts certified shooting ranges from noise ordinances. City Solicitor argued the statute prohibits only third-party liability, not local regulation. Deputy Solicitor argued it prohibits any decibel-based regulation.
  • Multiple council members expressed concern that the ordinance would hinder police training and safety. Councilman Bonano noted potential impairment of training; Councilman Ritz stated he supports the police and does not find the noise personally disturbing; Councilwoman Vice President O'Reilly and Councilwoman Graziano both stated they cannot support the ordinance as written, citing the need for flexible training and officer safety. The committee did not take a vote on the ordinance.

Key Outcomes

• Utility Pole Petitions: Committee unanimously denied the first petition (conflict with Main Street enhancement) and unanimously approved the second petition.
• Snow Operations: Committee and administration agreed to schedule a meeting to discuss process improvements.
• Ice Rink: Committee members and administration will meet on Friday, January 9, 2026, to discuss operations, cleanliness, and maintenance.
• Safe Streets: Item continued indefinitely; Chairwoman will coordinate with administration and DPW.
• Zoning Amendment (122501): Committee unanimously approved the ordinance (7-0). It will proceed to the full council.
• Cardinal Road Property Sale (122503): Committee voted to approve sending the ordinance to the full council with the understanding that additional supporting information (site map, rationale) will be provided within four business days.
• Gun Range Ordinance (122501S): No vote was taken. Multiple committee members indicated they cannot support the ordinance in its current form due to concerns about officer training and safety. The administration and police chief expressed willingness to continue discussions.