Cranston City Council Special Meeting - May 20, 2026: Fire Chief Appointment and New Business Referral
Cranston City Council Special Meeting - May 20, 2026
The Cranston City Council held a special meeting on May 20, 2026, to consider the appointment of a new fire chief and to introduce a resolution regarding a liquor license exemption. After public comment and committee reports, the council unanimously approved the appointment of Assistant Chief Richard Mancini as the next fire chief. A resolution supporting state legislation to exempt a property at 1814 Broad Street from a Prohibition-era liquor license restriction was introduced and referred to the ordinance committee.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Jonathan Francis (35 Fifth Avenue, Local 1363 fire president) spoke in support of the appointment of new Fire Chief Rick Mancini, citing confidence in his leadership, experience, and commitment to the department and community. He requested the council advise and consent to the appointment.
Discussion Items
- Appointment of Fire Chief: Mayor Ken Hopkins' nomination of Assistant Chief Richard Mancini to succeed retiring Chief Daniel Marcinko was presented by Director Nicole Renzuli. She highlighted Mancini's 30+ years of service, rise through all ranks, and role in modernizing the department through battalion restructuring and regulation updates. Council members praised Mancini's experience, patience, and ability to work with labor and administration. Vice President Heroyan noted his familiarity with the department's operations and cost-saving efforts.
- New Business – Resolution H 8483 / S 3288: Councilwoman Graziano sponsored a resolution supporting state legislation (House Bill 6 H 8483 by Rep. McNamara and Senate companion S 3288 by Sen. Lamas Vargas) to allow a liquor license application at 1814 Broad Street (formerly the Daily Mart) despite its proximity to Edgewood Congregational Church (within 200 feet, currently prohibited by a 100-year-old law). Owner Al DeAndre (Edgewood Group) described plans for an upscale pizzeria to build on recent neighborhood revitalization. Attorney Matthew Jerzik stated the resolution would allow the applicant to apply for a license; the church pastor had expressed informal support. The item was referred to the ordinance committee for further discussion.
Key Outcomes
- Appointment of Fire Chief Richard Mancini: Approved unanimously by a roll call vote: Council members Graziano, Anduhar, Ritz, Trafficanti (no response recorded, but motion carried), Vaziri, Campabiano, Banano, Vice President Heroyan, and President Wall all voted yes. Mancini thanked the council and noted his 38-year career, stating he plans to serve for three more years before mandatory retirement at age 65.
- Referral of Resolution to Ordinance Committee: The council voted to introduce and refer the resolution (supporting liquor license exemption for 1814 Broad Street) to the ordinance committee. The roll call showed all present members voting in favor.
- Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned after the journal was approved.
Meeting Transcript
Call tonight safety services to order. Clerk, please take a roll call. Councilwoman Graziano, present. Councilman Anduar. Present. Councilman Ritz. Present. Councilman Trafficante. Councilwoman Vazierin. Yes. I'm also here. Then we're going to have public comment and agenda items only. Is there anyone here from the public that would like to comment? Excellent. Is the victory in license? This is a new license for dinner on Elmwood, located at sixteen seventeen Elmwood Avenue. Good evening. Good evening and welcome to this special city council meeting this evening, May 20th, 2026. I ask, uh I want to call this meeting to our I ask the clerk to please call a roll. Councilwoman Graziano, present. Councilman Anduar. Present. Councilman Ritz. Present. Councilman Traficanti. Councilwoman Vaziri, present. Councilman Campo Piano. Present. Councilman Banano. Present. Council Vice President Heroyan. Present. Councilman Wall. I mean President Wall. Here. Thank you. Um first let me just start by thanking publicly thanking uh Director Nicole Renzuli for once again again coming in and pinch hitting. Um our clerk, the city clerk is at home clerking, but she was not able to be here, so she's taking some of the records. But I do once again appreciate your efforts and thank you so much, Director. Okay. The first item of business will be public comment on docketed matters. Anyone is in the chamber who would like to make public comment on documented matters only, please step up to the microphone, state your name and address for the record, and you'll have four minutes to speak. Jonathan Francis, uh 35 Fifth Avenue, uh local 1363 fire president. I come here on behalf of the membership. Um I rise in support of the appointment of our new fire chief, Rick Mancini. Uh our members are confident in his leadership, experience and commitment to the department as well as the community of the city of Cranston. Public safety works best when leadership and labor can work hand in hand towards the same mission. We look forward to continuing that partnership with Chief Mancini. The local, myself, and the members of the Cranston Fire Department. We res we respectfully ask you to advise and consent and vote, Chief Mancini for the next chief of the Cranston Fire Department.
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