The Cranston City Council held its regular meeting on March 16, 2026, in the council chambers. The meeting included resolutions honoring a former council president, celebrating St. Joseph's Day, St. Patrick's Day, and Women's History Month, along with committee reports, public comment, and discussions on charter school funding and DOT projects. All votes were unanimous.
This time I'd like to call this meeting to order. The regular city council meeting, March sixteenth, two thousand and sixteen. If you would all please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. First item on the agenda would be a resolution in memory of the former council president Carlos Spirito. This was sponsored by Councilwoman Graziano and Councilman Councilman Benano and myself. I asked Councilman Benano and Councilwoman Graziano to please step up to the podium. Good evening, Council members and Council President. Um it's with great sadness this evening that um we have heard of the passing of Carlos Spiro Jr. Um we set forth a resolution in his honor. So I would love to read that resolution um before the chambers. So it is resolved that it is a with profound sadness that the members of the city council, Cranston City Council have learned of the passing of the former council president Carlos Spirodo Jr., a respectful public servant, educator, and dedicated member of the Cranston community, who passed away, sadly, on February 12th, 2026, at the beautiful age of 94. And Carlos Spirodo Jr. was born and raised in a family deeply rooted in the values of community service, faith, and values that he carried throughout his long and meaningful life. And Mr. Spiro devoted much of his professional life to education, serving as a mathematics teacher and the department chair of Western Hills Junior High School, where he guided generations of students with patience, integrity, and commitment to learning. In addition to his career in education, Carlos Spero Jr. generously gave his time and talents to public service, serving the residents of the city of Cranston as a member of the Cranston City Council for five non-consecutive terms from 1968 to 1983, and rising to the position of council president from 1979 to 1981, always advocating for the best interests of the people of Cranston. And beyond his public service, Mr. Spiro was a man of many talents and passions, known as a skilled drummer, craftsman who built and remodeled homes, and a familiar presence in his neighborhood as a barber, giving crew cuts when long hair was in fashion. And he was also a man of deep faith and community spirit, serving as a charter member of the St. Mary's Feast Society, and proudly participating in the annual Madonna della Civita procession for many decades. Thank you. Carlos Spirodo Jr. leaves behind a loving family where the center of his life, including his beloved wife of over 70 years, Florence, his sons, Stephen and Michael, his daughter-in-law Nancy, and his granddaughter Anya, for whom he was poppy, and many extended family members, friends, former students, and colleagues who will forever cherish his memory. And the life of Carlos Spirodo Jr. was defined by service, humility, and devotion to his community, and his legacy will remain a lasting part of history and spirit of the city of Cranston. So now, therefore, it will be resolved by the honorable city of Cranston City Council hereby expresses its deepest condolences to the family of Carlos Spirodo Jr. and honors his many years and dedicated service to the city of Cranston as its residents. But words are a futile tool in a situation where we've experienced profound loss. Uh, and he always let you know what his opinion was. But at the end of the day, uh you knew where you stood, and you knew where you stood um with love behind it. At this time, I want to bring up um Stephen and Nancy Spirito, my cousins. Please come forward. And I want to read the citation from all of us on the Cranston City Council. Be it hereby known to all that the Cranston City Council hereby extends its sincerest condolences and expressions of sympathy to the family of former council president Carlos Spirito Jr. on his passing February 12th, 2026. May he be remembered. Umia his granddaughter did a wonderful, uh, a wonderful thing at at his uh wake. Carlo, if you if Carlo, you know, uh had had an issue or uh had a difference of opinion with you, he wouldn't go too crazy, at least in his later years, but he called you a chooch. And uh at the wake, there were little little uh cards that said, always keep your pencil sharpened with a pencil in it, and don't be a chooch. So if there's a lesson today, always keep your pencil sharpened and don't be a chooch. Stephen Nancy, please accept this. Um from the Cranston City Council in memory of Colo. Is there a motion to approve this resolution? So moved. Second. The motion second. Any any further discussion? I know I speak on behalf of the council, the rest of the council. My deepest condolences on behalf of the council.