OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

East Providence City Council Meeting - August 19, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, August 19, 2025
BodyEast Providence, Rhode Island
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, August 19, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:35:34

Transcript — Verbatim
0:45

Good evening.

0:46

Call the meeting to order of Tuesday, August 19th, 2025.

0:55

Madam Clerk, would you please call the role of the council?

0:58

Councilman Fogerty.

1:00

Yeah.

1:00

Councilman Lawson.

1:02

Yeah.

1:02

Council Vice President Rigo.

1:04

Yeah.

1:05

Councilwoman Susa.

1:07

Council President Rodericks.

1:09

Here.

1:09

The record show four members are present.

1:15

Please rise for the pledge.

1:27

I mean, I think of America and Children Public for which we can justice room.

1:37

Okay.

1:45

Welcome everyone.

1:46

Uh Madam Clerk, if you would bear with me, we're going to uh move around the uh gender a little bit to make make things go uh smoothly soon as uh council vp was picking up some paperwork as soon as he comes.

2:06

We we're going to move to page eight on the docket, the resolutions.

2:20

I uh before that I also w I want to uh thank everyone for their office I've received of sympathy, especially uh my colleagues here.

2:33

VP for stepping in and taking care of ceremonial duties.

2:39

Thank you all.

2:42

You're welcome, Bob.

2:43

So sorry for your loss.

2:45

With that, uh Madam Clerk, we'll start with the resolution's letter D on page eight, if you could read the heading of that first one.

2:57

Number one resolution requesting to name the basketball court at Kent Heights Park, the Vincent Vinny Remouli Memorial Basketball Court introduced by Councilman Fogerty.

3:11

Councilman Fogerty, would you like to introduce your idea?

3:16

Yes, do you have the uh resolution to be ready?

3:22

If you want to read the resolution while we're getting that ready to to um read, uh just wanna say that this is something that this council um I'm sure um never say never.

3:35

We haven't voted yet, but I'm sure we'll embrace unanimously.

3:39

Uh I don't think there is a person here who has not worked with um Vinny Spermuli through through the years.

3:51

If if you were a uh youth involved in athletics, name the sport, basketball, baseball, football, soccer, whatever, or just being a mentor.

4:05

Uh Vinny was the guy many of us know.

4:09

Being a little older, I go back with Vinny when we would um meet and discuss world events on Friday evenings.

4:16

We were slightly out of high school playing cards and um chief, not for money.

4:22

We were just um playing for for fun.

4:27

And especially baseball, such a baseball guy.

4:31

He was in basketball, and he sent many a little kid on to high school and college and uh uh even beyond.

4:40

But uh councilman, do you want to read the resolution?

4:43

Then anyone else can make comments.

4:45

Yes, I would love to.

4:46

Thank you very much.

4:48

Whereas Vincent Vinish Bamuli was a 1964 graduate of East Providence High School and a 1968 graduate of Providence College, and whereas Mr.

5:00

Spamooli was a special education teacher for 35 years.

5:04

Whereas Mr.

5:04

Spermoli coached middle school and high school basketball and was a longtime coach and director of the East Providence Central Little League and St.

5:13

Martha's CYO basketball and was known as Coach Vin.

5:17

Two decades of student athletes.

5:20

And whereas for many years, Mr.

5:22

Spamooley was also the assistant director at Crack Camp Ruggles, a camp for children with emotional and behavioral disabilities.

5:31

Although his teams won many championships, his strength was in teaching young people to be competitive and to do their best while building their character at the same time.

5:42

And whereas Mr.

5:43

Smooley was a legendary youth coach, mentor, volunteer, and an extraordinary family member.

5:51

He and his wife Peggy were the proud parents of two children and three grandchildren.

5:57

His son Michael is the detective crupper with the East Province Police Department.

6:01

And his daughter Sandra Ferrand is the East Providence Superintendent of Schools.

6:06

I'll therefore be it resolved that the City Council of East Providence hereby names the basketball court at Kent Heights Park as uh Vincent Vinny Spermoolie Memorial Basketball Court.

6:18

Second that motion.

6:19

So we'll take that as a motion by Councilman Frogerty, seconded by Council Vice President Weigo.

6:26

Before we vote on that, I would add that even though there are some relatives in the school department, including the superintendent of schools, uh Vincent.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Personnel Matters█████████████████17%
Public Safety██████████████14%
Procedural█████████████13%
Budget Equity Analysis███████████11%
Arts And Culture█████████9%
Public Engagement█████████9%
Water And Wastewater Management█████5%
Education Initiatives█████5%
Parks and Recreation████4%
Summary of Proceedings

East Providence City Council Meeting - August 19, 2025

The East Providence City Council met on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, with four members present (Council President Rodericks, Council Vice President Rigo, Councilmen Fogerty and Lawson; Councilwoman Susa was absent). The meeting covered a range of topics including naming a basketball court, refuse contract extension, flag protocols, community center funding, police station renovations, opioid settlement authority, budget scheduling, and several ordinances.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved council journal minutes from July 15, 2025, and tax abatements/cancellations totaling $26,847.68 for 26 Ruthven Avenue. Unanimous.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No public comments were made during the public hearing portions.

Discussion Items

  • Naming of Basketball Court at Kent Heights Park: Councilman Fogerty introduced a resolution to name the basketball court the Vincent "Vinny" Spermuli Memorial Basketball Court. He noted Spermuli's decades of service as a teacher, coach, and mentor. The council voted unanimously in favor. Family members present (wife Peggy, daughter Superintendent Sandy Ferrand, son Detective Mike Spermuli) spoke in appreciation.
  • Refuse/Recycling Contract Extension with MTG Disposal: Council Vice President Rigo introduced a resolution to extend the contract through 2028. Director Dan Borges detailed negotiations: original 8% first-year increase reduced to 4.5%, with subsequent increases of 6% and 5%. The city saved approximately $29,412 over three years. New on-vehicle technology will monitor contamination. Unanimous approval.
  • Flag Protocols at City Hall: Councilman Lawson proposed a resolution to display the American flag front and center on the center pole, with the state flag to the right and city or ceremonial flag on the left. Director noted that for foreign country flags during peacetime, they must fly at equal height per etiquette. Motion approved unanimously.
  • Community Center Contract Award: Council President Rodericks moved to authorize award of contracts to Bentley Companies LLC at a guaranteed maximum price. Unanimous approval.
  • Police Station Renovation Funding: An ordinance appropriated $275,000 for unanticipated costs. Chief expressed gratitude to staff and noted the project is about 90% complete. Public hearing held with no comments. Unanimous approval.
  • Opioid Litigation Settlement Authority: Solicitor Marcello requested authority to execute documents for the Purdue direct settlement and future settlements. The city has received or is scheduled to receive $488,000 total from prior settlements. Funds must be used for opioid-related programs. Motion to authorize solicitor passed unanimously.
  • Budget Hearing Schedule: The solicitor presented a calendar for the FY2025-2026 budget process, with workshops beginning September 18, 2025, and final adoption by October 25, 2025. The council discussed inviting department heads only when needed. Calendar approved unanimously.
  • Council Member Requests:
    • VP Rigo distributed bank account balances as of July 31, 2025.
    • VP Rigo requested complete inspection reports for nursing facilities, assisted living, high rises, etc., following the Fall River tragedy. Partial response received; more forthcoming.
    • President Rodericks raised traffic issues on Anthony Street (narrow street, parking congestion). Requested observation/study and potential neighborhood meeting.
    • Councilman Lawson requested capital budget items: preteen playground equipment at Venerev Playground and compost toilets at Crescent Park. Chief of staff noted a grant already includes compost toilets for the swim beach project.
    • Councilman Lawson stated opposition to housing on the Oldham property, reiterating support only for community center/business incubator.

Key Outcomes

  • Resolution to name basketball court: Approved 4-0.
  • Refuse contract extension: Approved 4-0.
  • Flag protocol resolution: Approved 4-0.
  • Community Center contract award: Approved 4-0.
  • Police station renovation funding ($275,000): Approved 4-0.
  • Solicitor authority to execute opioid settlements: Approved 4-0.
  • Consent calendar: Approved 4-0.
  • Licenses (non-public hearing bundle C1-11): Approved 4-0. Special event alcohol license for Rhode Island Folk Festival also approved.
  • Ordinance for Amy Tink Avenue sign (second passage): Public hearing held, approved 4-0.
  • Ordinance on red light camera revenue allocation: Withdrawn by sponsor Councilman Lawson; will be replaced with stop-arm camera revenue ordinance.
  • Ordinance prohibiting solicitation at fire scenes (second passage): Approved 4-0.
  • Ordinance adopting 2025-2035 Comprehensive Plan: Approved 4-0; final approval pending state planning office.
  • Residential handicap parking sign for 34 West Street: Approved 4-0.
  • Ordinance increasing council salary to $9,000 ($10,000 for president) effective 2027: Approved 4-0 after amendment to remove CPI adjustment (sponsor had proposed).
  • Ordinance establishing mayor's salary at $120,000 effective 2027: Approved for first passage 4-0 after amendment striking section 2 (cost-of-living adjustments).
  • Budget hearing calendar: Approved 4-0.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. Call the meeting to order of Tuesday, August 19th, 2025. Madam Clerk, would you please call the role of the council? Councilman Fogerty. Yeah. Councilman Lawson. Yeah. Council Vice President Rigo. Yeah. Councilwoman Susa. Council President Rodericks. Here. The record show four members are present. Please rise for the pledge. I mean, I think of America and Children Public for which we can justice room. Okay. Welcome everyone. Uh Madam Clerk, if you would bear with me, we're going to uh move around the uh gender a little bit to make make things go uh smoothly soon as uh council vp was picking up some paperwork as soon as he comes. We we're going to move to page eight on the docket, the resolutions. I uh before that I also w I want to uh thank everyone for their office I've received of sympathy, especially uh my colleagues here. VP for stepping in and taking care of ceremonial duties. Thank you all. You're welcome, Bob. So sorry for your loss. With that, uh Madam Clerk, we'll start with the resolution's letter D on page eight, if you could read the heading of that first one. Number one resolution requesting to name the basketball court at Kent Heights Park, the Vincent Vinny Remouli Memorial Basketball Court introduced by Councilman Fogerty. Councilman Fogerty, would you like to introduce your idea? Yes, do you have the uh resolution to be ready? If you want to read the resolution while we're getting that ready to to um read, uh just wanna say that this is something that this council um I'm sure um never say never. We haven't voted yet, but I'm sure we'll embrace unanimously. Uh I don't think there is a person here who has not worked with um Vinny Spermuli through through the years. If if you were a uh youth involved in athletics, name the sport, basketball, baseball, football, soccer, whatever, or just being a mentor. Uh Vinny was the guy many of us know. Being a little older, I go back with Vinny when we would um meet and discuss world events on Friday evenings. We were slightly out of high school playing cards and um chief, not for money. We were just um playing for for fun. And especially baseball, such a baseball guy. He was in basketball, and he sent many a little kid on to high school and college and uh uh even beyond. But uh councilman, do you want to read the resolution? Then anyone else can make comments. Yes, I would love to. Thank you very much. Whereas Vincent Vinish Bamuli was a 1964 graduate of East Providence High School and a 1968 graduate of Providence College, and whereas Mr. Spamooli was a special education teacher for 35 years. Whereas Mr. Spermoli coached middle school and high school basketball and was a longtime coach and director of the East Providence Central Little League and St. Martha's CYO basketball and was known as Coach Vin. Two decades of student athletes. And whereas for many years, Mr. Spamooley was also the assistant director at Crack Camp Ruggles, a camp for children with emotional and behavioral disabilities.

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