East Providence City Council Meeting – March 17, 2026
East Providence City Council Meeting – March 17, 2026
The East Providence City Council met on March 17, 2026, with all five members present. The meeting covered a range of topics including approval of a reorganized police contract, recognitions, public comments on development projects, discussion of inclusionary zoning, updates on infrastructure and public safety, and several proclamations.
Consent Calendar
- The council approved a reorganized police contract (no substantive changes) that was previously approved on January 27, 2026. Vote: 5-0.
- Consent calendar items were approved with the exception of the March 3, 2026 council journal, which was tabled due to not being included in the packet.
- Tax abatements totaling $19,349.59 were approved.
- New addresses at 69 and 73 Locust Street were approved.
Proclamations & Presentations
- Councilman Lawson honored three lifelong East Providence residents for their contributions to hip-hop: Paul "P. Funk" Moss (graffiti artist), Scotty "DJ Finesse" Santos (DJ), and Donnie Senna (breakdancer and founder of the Rhode Island Hip Hop Hall of Fame). Each received a citation. Speakers requested a designated public art wall and more hip-hop programming in schools.
- Proclamations were read honoring Detective Corporal Kevin Feeney upon his retirement after 37 years with the East Providence Police Department, Stuart "Stu" Morin as the 2026 St. Patrick's Day honoree, and April as Autism Awareness Month.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Nancy Hale (889 Bullocks Point Avenue) expressed strong opposition to housing on the Oldham School property, urging the city to keep the land green. She also questioned the use of ARPA funds allocated for Oldham ($1 million allocated, $600,000 spent) and requested a town hall meeting for Riverside residents. She later presented the council with goose-themed gifts.
- Candy Seal (125 South Rowest Street) pointed out an error in the comprehensive plan that incorrectly listed a hotel as allowed in the Metacomet district; the council confirmed the error will be corrected. He also raised concerns about unmet conditions for the Metacomet development, specifically the conveyance of 9.6 acres and a perpetual golf course/green space restriction. Solicitor Marcello’s email response stated the developer assured conditions would be met, but the deed and restriction have not yet been recorded. Council President Rodericks expressed frustration and sought enforcement options.
- Hannah (of Keep Metacomet Green) asked about environmental testing (arsenic, soil sampling), archaeological review, and intended use of the 9.6-acre parcel before acceptance. The solicitor confirmed it would be designated open space and that environmental checks would be completed.
- Renee Ignacio (15 Madeline Drive) submitted a copy of the school bus stop camera contract, noting that the school year is 122 days old (excluding snow days, holidays, and vacations) and asked the council to review the contract.
- Billy Jean LaRoach (102 Evergreen Drive) spoke on existing affordable housing properties, noting that many units have reverted to market rate after affordability restrictions expired. She expressed concern that new inclusionary zoning requirements could lead to displacement and more red tape.
Discussion Items
- Police Contract Reorganization: The solicitor explained that the contract was reorganized for clarity, with no substantive changes. The union had approved the tentative agreement earlier. The council approved unanimously.
- Pedestrian Crossing Signal Devices (Councilwoman Sousa): Andrea Herrera, Director of Policy, reported that the city is waiting on two additional pricing quotes for the Warren at 7th intersection before procurement. Councilwoman Sousa requested the consultant’s full report, which she has not received.
- Crescent Park Projects (Councilman Lawson): Answered by Andrea Herrera – mechanical drawings for the bathroom/storage building and event tent are complete, and New England Construction is finalizing pricing. The contract is still not signed. Councilman Lawson noted this is the fourth time he has asked for an update.
- Hometown Hero Banner & Website Information (Councilman Lawson): Andrea Herrera confirmed the city is working with its website provider (Catalyst) to add a link for the Hometown Hero banner form and conservation commission/veterans advisory information under the community tab. Councilman Lawson requested a static resource rather than social media.
- Speeding and Racing in Ward One (Council Vice President Rigo): Chief of Police reported that the department handled over 37,000 calls for service in 2025, with a 10% decrease in traffic accidents. Over 79,000 tickets were issued last year, including camera and officer-written tickets. New police vehicles will be equipped with moving radar units (similar to state police). The chief emphasized that officers prioritize speed enforcement based on crash data and citizen complaints.
- Ward Two Community Meeting (Councilwoman Sousa): Announced for March 21, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. in City Hall chambers.
- Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance (Public Hearing & Final Passage): Director of Planning Keith Burns explained that the ordinance requires any residential development of 10 or more units to set aside 15% as affordable units. It is needed to retain local control over development (state law otherwise subjects the city to comprehensive permit applications). The waterfront district would require 20% for projects using TIF financing. The fee-in-lieu option was eliminated. The planning board and waterfront commission both recommended approval. Councilman Lawson opposed, arguing it would increase market-rate rents, disincentivize development, and create administrative burdens. Council Vice President Rigo, Councilman Fogarty, and Council President Rodericks supported it as a measured approach to ensure affordable housing and maintain local control. Councilwoman Sousa acknowledged it as a starting point that can be amended later. The ordinance passed 4-1 (Lawson opposed).
- School Committee Liaison Report (Councilman Lawson): The school committee voted to rename the former Oldham building back to Meadowcrest. The pre-K program will move to the new Martin building next school year, after which a community meeting (scheduled for March 19 at Riverside Middle School, 6 p.m. – date may have been adjusted due to snow) will discuss the building’s future. Councilman Lawson also suggested the city and school department jointly assess snow removal equipment needs to avoid cutting teacher positions.
- Resolution Supporting House Bill H8151 (Blue Wave Bond for Coastal Preparedness): Introduced by Council President Rodericks. The resolution supports a state bond issue for shoreline protection. Approved unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Police contract reorganized and approved (5-0).
- Consent calendar approved with exception of March 3 minutes.
- Tax abatements and new addresses approved.
- Licenses B1-B6 bundled and approved unanimously.
- Inclusionary zoning ordinance passed 4-1 (final passage).
- Resolution supporting Blue Wave Bond approved unanimously.
- Council will follow up on Metacomet development conditions (land conveyance and golf course restriction) with the solicitor.
- Councilman Lawson will work with the school department on potential equipment sharing.
- Pedestrian crossing signal updates and Crescent Park contract updates are pending.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. We'll call the meeting of March seventeenth, twenty twenty six to order for the East Providence uh City Council. Um Madam Clerk, could you please call the role of the council? Councilman Fogerty. Councilman Lawson? Here. Council Vice President Regal. Yeah. Councilwoman Sousa. Yeah. Council President Rodericks. Here, the records show that um attendance is all five members present. And please rise for the pledge. Thank you. Happy St. Patrick Stato, everyone. Madam Clerk, could you please begin the reading of the agenda? Number two, executive session. The City Council of East Providence may meet in executive session pursuant to the Wood Island General Laws. Yes. No, we're not. We are we're staying here. I just want to have the solicitor explain it. Um as you know, uh back on January twenty-seventh, twenty twenty-six the this council approved all the tentative agreements that were subject uh to the bargaining and changes within the contract over the last uh since January twenty-seventh, uh the HR department, myself, and the union and the coun and the uh president excuse me, and the chief of police have been working diligently to incorporate those changes and HR decided that the contract was so poorly organized that he basically wanted to uh reorganize it and um and and re um and put headings where they weren't headings before. So um no substantive changes are in this document other than that. It's a much easier to administer, and hopefully it's a much easier to execute. So and we actually cut down by about a third of the pages by changing the fund. So it's a smaller, it's a smaller contract, and hopefully it's a more readable and more understandable contract, but there are no substantive changes to it um other than what you have already approved on that date on January twenty-seventh, twenty twenty-six. Thank you. Thank you. And the the tentative agreement has been approved by both the union, the council previously. Yes, I make a motion to accept the contract. Motion by Council Vice President Rigo to accept the contract and seconded by Councilman Lawson. All in favor? Aye. Are there any opposed? The ayes have it. Five zero. Number four, proclamation and presentation. Thank you, Madam Clerk. At this time, I'm going to defer to Councilman Lawson to introduce some special guests that we have with us this evening. All right, how's everybody doing? Could I please ask Paul Morse, Donnie Senna, and Scotty Santos to come forward, please. So we're honoring these gentlemen because recently the Rhode Island Hip Hop Hall of Fame had its inaugural class. And two of these gentlemen were among the inductees. And one was the um creator behind making it a reality. Um years ago, I was asked to start Knott's council, and I got this firm belief that the city of East Providence can utilize the arts as an economic driver, has a way to brand this city to make it an amazing place to live. It already is, but there's so much more. So when I saw this was happening, I thought it would be a good idea to bring them forward, honor them for what they did, and also bring some awareness that you know we do very well in the city with the rocking blues, you know. But there's many other forms of music that are amazing and awesome.
openpublica.com