East Providence City Council Meeting - September 16, 2025
East Providence City Council Meeting - September 16, 2025
The East Providence City Council met on September 16, 2025, to address a range of topics including honorific street designations, school facility funding, a proposed chicken ordinance, police vehicle purchases, and the submission of the fiscal year 2025-2026 municipal budget. The meeting included public testimony, discussion on revenue projections, and votes on salary increases for the council and mayor.
Consent Calendar
- The council approved the consent calendar with the removal of one tax abatement item (55C Nyatt Point) for further clarification. The remainder of the calendar, including meeting minutes and abatements, passed unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Bethany White (resident of Rumford) spoke in favor of allowing backyard chickens, citing historical precedent, food security, equity, and the city's Portuguese heritage. She urged the council to schedule a vote on repealing the existing ban, arguing it is discriminatory and outdated.
- Alison Turbitt expressed support for the chicken ordinance, emphasizing the right to grow food and self-sufficiency, and noted double standards regarding other pets.
- Renee Ignacio questioned the process for the school bus camera contract, asking how the mayor could enter into an agreement without council approval. City Solicitor clarified the contract was handled by the school committee under state statute. She also urged that camera revenues be directed to the school building fund.
- Tony De Jesus (45-year resident) opposed allowing chickens, citing health risks from rats and flies, the cost of pest control, and potential damage to the city's reputation. He stressed that even responsible owners could lead to neighborhood problems.
Discussion Items
- Resolutions for Honorific Street Designations (Pages 1-3): The council unanimously approved a resolution recognizing Grove Avenue as Villa Franca du Camp Avenue to honor the sister city relationship. A second resolution recognized Carlton Avenue as Avelino Chappie Rose Way to honor World War II veteran and community pillar Avelino Rose. Both resolutions passed with applause.
- RIDE Stage Two School Facilities Submission (Pages 4-8): Superintendent Dr. Faran and consultants presented a $9 million funding request for school improvements over five years, including roof replacements, secure entrances, PA systems, and site work at elementary schools and Riverside Middle School. The current reimbursement rate is 47%, with potential bonuses up to 50% for safety/security projects. The council voted to approve the submission for RIDE, with discussion on using capital funds and prioritizing health/safety items.
- School Liaison Report (Pages 8-9): Councilman Lawson provided an update on Martin Middle School construction (on track to open middle school after Thanksgiving) and preschool build (spring 2027). He commended the school budget, noted enrollment increases, and urged continued funding of the school capital fund (currently $2.8 million).
- Revenue Projections and Budget (Pages 10-12): Councilman Lawson requested an update on FY25 actual vs. projected revenue. Finance data showed a negative variance of about $13 million in taxes, and speed camera revenue was $1.3 million below the $3.5 million projection. The council discussed the need for accurate projections.
- Community Choice Electricity Aggregation (Page 13): Council Vice President Rega introduced an information package on municipal aggregation, citing Narragansett's program. No immediate action; will be revisited after budget.
- Fire and Building Inspections (Page 14): Council Vice President Rega reported that the fire department is still working on a report from August 12. He stressed the importance of inspections for public safety.
- National Grid/Rhode Island Energy Paving (Page 15): Council members expressed frustration with Rhode Island Energy's failure to perform curb-to-curb paving after utility work. A draft letter to the company was discussed.
- Cold in Place Recycling Paving (Page 16): Councilwoman Sousa requested cost comparison and future use of this technique after Summit Street pilot. Information from administration pending.
- Solar Project at Police Station (Page 17): Councilwoman Sousa reported that a planned solar canopy project fell through due to tariff uncertainty and the developer backing out during due diligence. No breach of contract; city will seek another company.
- Police Vehicle Purchase (Pages 18-19): Chief presented a proposal to buy eight marked Ford Explorers and one canine Tahoe ($766,299.89) using DOJ asset forfeiture funds. The council approved unanimously, noting the need for fleet rotation.
- Ordinance Increasing Council Salary (Pages 20-21): Second passage of an ordinance raising council salary to $9,000 (president gets additional $1,000) effective January 1, 2027. Passed 4-1, with Councilwoman Sousa dissenting, citing unfilled city positions.
- Ordinance Establishing Mayor's Salary (Pages 22-23): Second passage setting mayor's salary at $120,000 plus benefits effective January 1, 2027. Passed 4-1, same dissent.
- Bitner Park Playground Improvements (Page 24): Council tabled an appropriation of $115,824.50 pending details on equipment specifications (ninja warrior style requested by neighborhood).
- Mayor's Communications (Page 25): Proclamations for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, National Veterans Small Business Week, Dyslexia Awareness Month, and Red Ribbon Week were accepted unanimously.
- Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget Submission (Pages 26-28): The council acknowledged receipt of the mayor's proposed budget (due by midnight) and set a public hearing for September 24, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. Discussion on scheduling workshops; council opted to start workshops after the public hearing.
- Basketball Court Improvements at Providence Avenue Park (Page 29): Resolution to contract with J.R. and Sons Construction Inc. approved unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Approved honorific street name designations for Grove Avenue and Carlton Avenue (unanimous).
- Approved submission of RIDE Stage Two school facilities funding application (unanimous).
- Approved police vehicle purchase of eight cruisers and one canine vehicle using federal forfeiture funds (unanimous).
- Approved basketball court improvements at Providence Avenue Park (unanimous).
- Passed council salary increase to $9,000 (4-1) and mayor's salary to $120,000 (4-1).
- Tabled Bitner Park playground appropriation pending equipment details.
- Set public hearing on the proposed municipal budget for September 24, 2025.
- In executive session, the council unanimously approved an amendment to the settlement agreement with Exxon Mobil (modifying payment schedule).
- No vote was taken on the chicken ordinance; the item remains in communication status.
Meeting Transcript
Members of the council, I will uh change the order a little bit as we normally do for courtesy. At this point, we would go to uh some of our resolutions. We go to page six in the agenda items uh number one and two. And I would ask uh if the councilwoman wants to uh introduce the resolution uh number one when you get organized there and you get it. This is a resolution to honor our sister city Villa Franca du Camp, recognizing Grove Avenue as Ville Franco du Camp Avenue. Um as many may remember or recall last year, um the council um approved us being uniting with Villa Franco du Camp in the island of St. Michael Azores as a sister city. That's our second sister city um in the Azores. Um the first being uh um with many of our residents with many of our residents um in the city being descendants and immigrants from uh Villa Franco du Camp, um, building on our relationship with that um town and city is really important not only to our residents but also to our economic growth in our city, state, and in our nation. Um we had the opportunity uh um myself and the mayor of going out with the president of the Villa Franco du Camp, um Villa Franco du Camp of Um East Providence, going to the Azores. I just happen to be there on vacation as I do annually to see my family and was joined joined the mayor to um have a placard uh dedicated to the city of East Providence. So in their main rotary, there is a beautiful uh placor that uh honors the city of East Providence made with homemade tiles by that village. So I'm just gonna read um the proclamation. I mean, I'm sorry, the um the resolution into the record. Whereas the Portuguese American community within the city of East Providence has maintained a close relationship with the country of Portugal, and whereas many Portuguese immigrants within the city of East Providence originated from the village of Vila Franco do Campu, located in the San Miguel Islands of the Azores off the coast of Portugal, and whereas a significant amount of the East Providence residents from Vila Franca, those immigrants come to the city from every um everything in East Providence and has to offer and have brought with them their traditions, cultures, and many of their worth ethics. And whereas Vila Franco offers its thousands of tourists that visit each year Great Beaches, its inlets, Senora de Page, and famous custard Quejades de Villa Dufranc, um, which are imported from the villa to Canada, Bermuda, and the United States. Local pay bakeries in the city also have them, so please check them out. They're delicious. Um we therefore um have become sister cities with East Providence on October 2024 to strengthen those relationships uh between the city of East Providence and the village of Vila Franco du Camp. Um so where it is the City of East Providence and the village of Villa Franco du Camp are committed to developing tourism, exchanging business practices, and creating opportunities for people to learn and experience the culture in a long-term relationship. Um we do hereby um in conjunction with the office of the mayor, proclaim Grove Avenue as Villa Franco du Camp Avenue in recognition of this partnership with our sister city. Thank you, Councilwoman. That's a motion by Councilwoman Susan. Second, seconded by Councilman Lawson. Any council discussion? All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Yeah, I have it. Thank you, Councilwoman. Thank you. And there will be a later date as to when we will have that ceremony putting the street sign up. Thank you. And for clarification, whenever these uh street designations are made, uh the legal street name remains, you know, Grove Avenue, and then this is a uh conjunctionary thing with with it, and it's an honorary designation. So no one has to worry about changing mailing addresses or anything. Uh Madam Clerk, could you read uh the heading for number two? Number two, resolution to honor Avelino Chappie Rose by recognizing Calton Avenue as Evelino Chappie Rose Way, introduced by Council President Roderics. Thank you, Madam Clerk. So Miss Mr. Rose, uh known affectionately by uh much of the community as as Chappie, was uh quite an individual. Um is quite an individual, reaching um 102, is it? No. 101 years of age. And along with uh Mayor DeSilver, uh, I visited with um Chappie Rose and a lot of his family and friends, many who are here tonight, and he was uh quite quite alert and quite aware of what was going on, and he is a member of the community who is known by many as uh sort of the the mayor of that community, uh, going way, way back as much as chasing the kids around who he thought weren't behaving well, and he'd go after them and straighten them out, uh, usually verbally, but they wouldn't challenge him. Um, they still don't challenge him, and and he uh he is every bit as vibrant these these days. Um he's um struggling a bit, you know. You can imagine when you reach a hundred and one years of life, um you you slow down a bit. And so he's he's still sharp, he's still slowed down, but the neighborhood uh and much of his providence that knew him rose up and said, This is a man we want to honor while he can understand it and and know what we're doing. And he was um very, very happy at the presentation uh the mayor made, and I was able to join with him. So I will read um much of this.
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