Cranston City Council Multiple Committee Meetings and Special Council Session - June 9, 2026

The Cranston City Council convened a series of meetings on June 9, 2026, including a special city council meeting, a finance committee meeting, a public works committee meeting, an ordinance committee meeting, and a final special city council session. The meetings addressed bonding authority, public safety, infrastructure, zoning changes, waste management, and a collective bargaining agreement. Key speakers included city officials, department directors, planning commission members, and residents.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Anthony Melillo (Vice Chairman, Cranston Public School Committee) urged support for a school facilities bond, detailing critical infrastructure failures: roof systems at multiple schools (Dew Temple, Arlington, George J. Peters, Hub Bain, Parkview, Edgewood Highlands, Cranston West Auditorium) with leaks and structural concerns; boilers at Hub Bain (1971), Stadium (1965), and Dew Temple (1933) with unavailable replacement parts; and a heating system at Cranston West operating at 9% efficiency requiring $6.5 million replacement. He emphasized fiscal responsibility and urgency for nearly 11,000 students.
• Kevin Essington (60 Chiswick Road) reported that local access only signage for Chiswick Road was incomplete: a 'local traffic only' sign was installed for southbound traffic on Broad Street, but no 'no right turn' sign for northbound Broad Street traffic turning onto Chiswick, and existing 'no right turn' signs from 4-6 PM should have been removed.
• Marsha Fowler (35 Milton Avenue, landlord for 25 years) opposed zoning ordinance 4-2603 and 4-2604, arguing they would strain drainage, traffic, and parking on small lots, would not create affordable housing, and that the city should focus on senior housing and enforcing permits for existing properties like the 39-unit complex at 1890 Broad Street.
• Annette Bourne (51 Community Drive) supported both zoning ordinances, stating they increase the supply of modest homes on small lots near transit, citing a Pew Charitable Trust report and noting that Cranston lost federal vouchers and affordable units in 2025.
• Christina Brown (217 Armington Street) supported the ordinances, arguing they legalize existing non-conforming duplexes (85% of duplexes in wards 1-3), return property rights to homeowners, and allow building small homes on unmerged lots, noting high construction costs and the median home price ($525,000) far exceeding average household income ($87,000).
• Charlotte Toolin (37 Harmon Ave) supported the ordinances, explaining that the current petition process for zoning changes is costly (thousands of dollars) and uncertain, while these ordinances allow families to build for elderly relatives without expensive legal fees.
• James Murray (address not given in transcript, but appeared as a speaker against) opposed ordinances 4-2603 and 4-2604, calling them a "seismic shift" in land use policy, arguing they benefit speculators, not affordable housing, and would lead to overcrowding, parking issues, and loss of neighborhood character, citing a newly constructed home on a 3,200 sq ft lot that sold for $515,000.
• Kathleen Lanphear (95 Shaw Avenue, Cranston Planning Commission member) presented the commission's unanimous negative recommendation, stating that 3,000 sq ft lots are too small for single-family homes and 4,000 sq ft for two-family homes, that case-by-case review allows neighborhood-specific consideration, and that the ordinances are inconsistent with the city's comprehensive plan density requirements.
• Emily Zall (102 Moreland Ave) supported the ordinances, acknowledging risks but urging gradual density increases rather than inaction.
• Dr. Nalkushivisao (Sefton Drive, Cranston) supported the ordinances, stating she changed from skeptic to supporter after hearing housing experts, and argued that opposition based on density fears is classist and potentially racist, and that the ordinances provide middle-class housing, not affordable housing for those below median income.
• Monica Texera de Souza (1921 Broad Street) supported the ordinances, sharing personal experience that owning a two-family allowed her to care for her mother-in-law and build wealth, and noting that small lots already exist in the historic fabric of these neighborhoods.
• Peter Friedrichs (150 Virgin Street, Providence, certified planner) supported the ordinances, stating they could create housing at a lower price point and improve the city's tax base, and questioned the planning board's density claims.

Discussion Items

• Finance Committee (Bonding Authority): Director Bob Strom presented six bonding resolutions totaling $51 million: $25 million for schools (subject to state housing aid at ≥35% reimbursement), $8 million for fire/police, $2 million for public buildings, $4 million for parks and recreation, $8 million for highway/streets/sidewalks, and $4 million for storm drains. He clarified that this only authorizes bonding; actual issuance requires council approval and voter approval in November 2026. Councilman Banano confirmed the process: finance committee -> city council -> general assembly -> ballot -> council approval for specific projects. Councilman Wall noted that debt service is declining (from $13.8M in FY26 to $10.4M by 2031), allowing new bonding. The resolutions were passed as amended (language changed from "including but not limited to" to "in an amount not to exceed").
• Finance Committee (Collective Bargaining): The committee went into executive session to discuss an amendment to the IAFF Local 1363 (firefighters) contract. Later, the full council approved the amendment, which resulted in savings of $664,400 for fiscal year 2027 (year two of a three-year contract) and an increase of $372,000 for year three, netting a benefit of ~$300,000 over two years. A fourth-year extension at 3.75% was also approved, but Director Strom noted it was a wash over the full period.
• Public Works Committee - Verizon Conduit: Approved a permit for Verizon to install 4,035 feet of conduit and 19 hand holes along Camden Lane, as recommended by the Public Works Director.
• Public Works Committee - RIDOT Cemetery Permit: Tabled a request from RIDOT for excavation near State Farm Cemetery #1 to allow RIDOT to present at the next meeting.
• Public Works Committee - 243 Deerfield Road: Council President Wall raised concerns about a bank-owned property with overgrown grass (10 inches to 1 foot) posing health and safety issues. Councilman Banano suggested contacting the servicing company posted on the property. Director Moretti said the inspections department will follow up. Discussion included potential fines (currently $50/day, pending a future $500/day fine).
• Public Works Committee - Chiswick Road Traffic: Councilwoman Graziano sought an update on signage and enforcement for the recently passed local access only ordinance. Director Renzuli reported that signs were installed on Narragansett Parkway but not on Broad Street northbound. He had contacted MapQuest and Waze for GPS updates. Councilman Andujar suggested police enforcement to identify non-local vehicles. The matter was referred to Director Crayo and Director Moretti for follow-up.
• Public Works Committee - Recycling Grant: Councilwoman Graziano, Councilman Ritz, and Councilman Campabiano discussed a potential $100,000 grant from Rhode Island Resource Recovery for lid-flipping and recycling education. Councilman Trafficanti noted that Waste Management should also contribute to education. Councilman Banano raised concerns about wet cardboard rejection and the lack of transparency. The grant application deadline is June 18, 2026, and the matter was referred to the grant writer.
• Public Works Committee - Recycling in Parks: Councilwoman Graziano proposed a pilot recycling program at parks. Director Moretti cited widespread illegal dumping and contamination as barriers, but offered to explore a pilot at select locations. Councilman Banano linked the issue to the city's inadequate garbage collection contract (no curbside bulk pickup), and requested a future discussion on the waste management contract.
• Public Works Committee - Waste Management Issues: Council Vice President Heroyan complained about broken trash bins and missing lids, stating that Waste Management is not replacing parts timely. Director Renzuli explained that the city pays for bins, but Waste Management provides replacement parts upon request. Councilman Banano called for a meeting with Waste Management representatives. The council agreed to invite Waste Management to a future meeting.
• Ordinance Committee - Liquor License Resolution: Approved a resolution supporting House Bill 2026-H-8483 for a liquor license at 1814 Broad Street, with a letter from Edgewood Congregational Church stating no opposition. Passed.
• Ordinance Committee - Outdoor Fire Pit Ordinance: Approved an amendment to Title 8, Chapter 8, Section 200 to allow gas and propane fire pits subject to fire department inspection. Councilman Banano raised concerns about