Cranston City Council and School Committee Joint Meeting on School Facilities - March 4, 2026

This evening's proceedings consisted of three consecutive meetings: a Public Works Committee meeting (6:08 PM to 6:46 PM), an Ordinance Committee meeting (6:46 PM to 6:51 PM), and a Special Joint Meeting of the City Council and the Cranston School Committee (7:04 PM to adjournment). The primary focus was the joint meeting, during which the school administration presented a detailed assessment of critical building infrastructure needs and requested a repair and renovation bond for the November 2026 ballot.

Public Works Committee Meeting (6:08 PM – 6:46 PM)

Consent Calendar

• Minutes: Approved the February 4, 2026 meeting minutes as drafted (unanimous voice vote).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comment was offered, either in person or online.

Discussion Items

• Blizzard of 2026 Update: Directors John Renzuli and Joseph Correo reported on the record-breaking storm that dropped approximately 37 inches of snow. The storm began Sunday evening, intensified Monday, and caused whiteout conditions with 2–4 inches per hour. The city deployed 40 of its own trucks and 65 vendor vehicles, but many vehicles (including six-wheel dump trucks) became stuck, forcing a temporary halt to operations. Mutual aid arrived from Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and the Maine National Guard. Main roads were kept passable for emergency vehicles, but neighborhood streets were initially only one lane. By Wednesday/Thursday, all streets were opened to at least one lane, and by the time of the meeting, two lanes were available except for large piles. The DPW also coordinated with the school bus company for dry runs. Pothole repair crews were already active.
• Council Comments: Council members praised communication (videos, Google spreadsheet for tracking complaints) and the administration's efforts. Councilman Ritz highlighted the mayor's updates and the phased plowing document. Council President Wall questioned whether it was policy to prioritize main roads before neighborhoods – Director Correo confirmed that is the policy. Councilman Traficante asked about the city's fleet composition (4–6 ten-wheelers, rest six-wheel and pickup trucks) and suggested adding more ten-wheelers for future storms. He also raised concerns about visibility at intersections due to high snow piles. Councilman Capobianco asked whether redirecting plows to individual complaints was inefficient; Director Correo agreed it was.
• Councilman Anduhar’s Strong Criticism: Councilman Anduhar stated that his ward (Ward 3) was left with 8-foot snow mountains in the middle of streets for 48–72 hours, creating a public safety hazard for senior citizens. He called the operation "horrible, uncoordinated, and biased" and demanded that someone be fired. Director Correo reiterated that the priority was main roads and emergency vehicles, and that the city lacked resources to do more.
• Positive Feedback on Google Sheet: Several council members noted that the Google spreadsheet for tracking complaints was a game-changer. Director Renzuli said the administration is exploring software to improve this system, including a resident-facing map.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes were taken on the blizzard response. The committee heard the update and discussion. The administration will continue pothole repairs and consider software improvements.

Ordinance Committee Meeting (6:46 PM – 6:51 PM)

Consent Calendar

• Minutes: Approved the February 4, 2026 meeting minutes as drafted (unanimous voice vote).

New Matters

• Ordinance 2-2601 (Multi-way Stop at Intersections): Sponsored by Councilman Traficante. The original request for a roundabout on Lake Garden Drive was deemed too costly and time-consuming; the sponsor instead requested a three-way stop sign at a specific intersection. Motion to approve passed unanimously.
• Ordinance 2-2602 (Right Turns Prohibited): Sponsored by Councilwoman Graziano. This ordinance removes a right-turn-only restriction on Chiswick Road from 4–6 PM, as recommended by the traffic engineer after the council passed a local-access-only ordinance for that street. Motion to approve passed unanimously.
• Ordinance 2-2603 (Through Trucking Prohibited): Sponsored by Councilwoman Graziano. The sponsor moved to withdraw the ordinance; motion passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Three ordinances were disposed of (two approved, one withdrawn).

Special City Council/School Committee Joint Meeting (7:04 PM – adjournment)

Presentation by Superintendent Janine Notamasi and Chief of Facilities Chris Jetson

• Overview: Superintendent Notamasi described daily classroom conditions: freezing temperatures, extreme heat, ceilings leaking, and failing boilers. She emphasized that the district cannot wait until 2028 for a large-scale bond, as the 2017 Jacobs report identified hundreds of millions in needs that have only worsened. The 74% state reimbursement rate is now 54%.
• Facility Data: Chris Jetson presented slides showing that 21 of 27 active school buildings are over 50 years old, totaling 1.8 million square feet. Immediate critical needs (roofs and HVAC) total $31.9 million, with a broader deferred maintenance backlog of $265 million. Rebuilding all schools would cost approximately $1 billion at current rates.
• Specific Needs: Roofs at Dew Temple ($935,000), Arlington ($1.3 million), Peters ($2.75 million), Stadium ($225,000), Park View ($2 million), Edgewood Highlands ($1.8 million), and others. HVAC systems at Cranston West ($6.5 million), Park View ($2 million), Hugh B. Bain ($2.5 million), Hope Highlands ($775,000), stadium ($1.7 million), and Cranston East ($4 million). Additional issues: elevators, sidewalks, ADA compliance, fire suppression (only one school lacks sprinklers), lighting, electrical panels, and structural problems.
• Immediate Bond Request: The administration asked for a $31.9 million repair and renovation bond (plus West envelope facade) to be placed on the November 2026 ballot. They have already submitted initial paperwork to the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE).

Council Discussion

• Councilman Traficante: Supported a repair and renovation bond, noting that no such bond has been passed in 20 years. He asked if the $31.9 million figure includes escalation—Mr. Jetson said it is based on current quotes but costs may rise. Traficante questioned the need for a $100,000 consultant; the superintendent said some external support is required for the RIDE process.
• Councilman Anduhar: Declared he would not support a $31.9 million bond, calling it insufficient. He advocated for a much larger bond (up to $265 million or more) to address all needs, citing Cranstonians' pride in schools. He noted that the city should have started this process months earlier.
• Councilwoman Graziano: Asked about a long-term plan and whether the $31.9 million is a band-aid. She raised concerns about cost escalation, suggested using energy-efficiency incentives, and advocated for net-zero new buildings. She also questioned the necessity of replacing pavement at Cranston West.
• Council President Wall: Emphasized the urgency and the need to work together. He noted that the timeline is tight to get a bond on the November ballot.
• Councilman Ritz: Asked about the accuracy of the $31.9 million figure and whether some schools (like Orchard Farms) need replacement rather than repair. The superintendent said a five-year master plan is needed.
• Councilman Capobianco: Inquired about conversion to hot water systems and cost per square foot for new construction ($850–$900). He also noted that the 40 million bond from 2024 was insufficient.
• Councilwoman Vaziri: Asked what would happen if a school must close; the superintendent said smaller schools can be relocated, but a high school closure would be catastrophic.
• Councilman Ritz (again): Asked about the fate of Orchard Farms roof; it was not on the immediate list but is in the next round.

School Committee Comments

• Chairman Fusco: Emphasized that reimbursement from RIDE comes only after project completion, so the city must front the debt. He cautioned against a very large bond that would take 10–15 years to complete, suggesting bonds every two years.
• Vice Chairman Melillo: Called for including escalation costs in bond estimates. He noted that the 2026 building assessment already includes an 11% annual escalation. He praised the joint meeting as a long-needed step.
• Committee Member Crowley: Supported the immediate bond but also wants a larger bond in 2028 for major projects like elevators at Bain and Park View.
• Committee Member Catone: Expressed frustration that only $40 million was allocated two years ago when needs were clear. He asked for an analysis of energy-efficiency savings that could offset costs.
• Committee Member Madeiras: Called the situation "terrifying" and questioned the pool at Park View, which is a "nice to have" compared to roofs and boilers.

Public Comment

• Lizbeth Larkin, President of the Cranston Teachers Alliance, stated that teachers and students endure freezing, flooding, and unsafe conditions daily. She urged the council to find immediate money for the most dangerous schools, especially Arlington, where she described ceiling tiles ballooning with water. She thanked the bodies for the joint meeting.

Key Outcomes

• No formal vote was taken, but there was broad consensus among council members to advance a bond proposal for the November 2026 ballot. The administration will provide thumb drives of the presentation to all council members. The school committee will work with the city on the bond amount and timeline. The building committee will play a key role in developing the plan.