EAST PROVIDENCE - For the first time in recent memory the doors to the East Providence City Council chamber were left closed during a regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday night. Though the meeting was still open to the public, Mayor Joseph Larisa Jr. said the doors were left shut to avoid disruptions and other outbursts similar to ones that dominated a city council meeting earlier this month. Should this type of behavior occur again, Mayor Larisa said, audience members would be given one warning before being escorted out of the meeting by a city sergeant.

While there were no audience outbursts this week, there was one similarity between the meeting Tuesday night, the one earlier this month and multiple sessions this year – Mayor Larisa hammering local members of the General Assembly.

As has been the case recently, Mayor Larisa was critical of almost the entire East Providence General Assembly delegation for “undermining” efforts by the city and school department to stay within a 3.5 percent tax cap while balancing the city’s budget.

Two weeks ago, almost the entire local General Assembly contingent was on hand when Mayor Larisa and City Councilman Robert Cusack entered into a heated debate with Senator Daniel DaPonte, an argument that covered a variety of topics. This past Tuesday night, Mayor Larisa continued his criticism of Sen. DaPonte for offering no “solutions” as to how the city could better absorb a multi-million dollar reduction in state aid or deal with a possible loss in a legal battle with the city’s teachers’ union that has been underway for almost a year. He also said Sen. DaPonte was playing politics when he appeared before the council and his remarks were merely “empty rhetoric.”

These remarks by Mayor Larisa came despite a request from city councilman Bruce DiTraglia that debates like the one from earlier this month be conducted either in closed door meetings or through e-mails going forward.

“I’ve been getting a lot of calls about these debates,” Mr. DiTraglia said. “I think people have had enough of hearing this. I know I’ve had enough.”

City councilman Brian Coogan didn’t even stick around to hear Mayor Larisa speak. He got up and left the city council chamber.

“I wasn’t going to sit here and let him beat up the senators and representatives when they weren’t here to defend themselves. Any debate he wanted to do, he should have done it when they were here,” Mr. Coogan said. “I think enough is enough and I’m glad councilman DiTraglia brought it up. When I went out and helped get councilman Larisa’s signatures, we were supposed to do different things, good things for the city. This is not good things. This is a lot of fighting, a power struggle as far as I’m concerned.”

Additionally, Mr. Coogan said he’s had his own debates with state representatives and senators in the past. Instead of hashing out problems in public, however, Mr. Coogan said he either met with these individuals in person or picked up the phone.

“I don’t think councilman Larisa knows how to get his message across,” Mr. Coogan said. “He doesn’t have that finesse.”

But Mayor Larisa didn’t see things the same way.

“One of the great things here in East Providence is everyone gets their turn at the microphone,” Mayor Larisa said. “As far as e-mails and closed door meetings, I prefer as one not to sweep things under the rug but rather let the public know through columns, e-mails and talks and at this city council meeting exactly what is going on with the city at all times.”

Sen. DaPonte, who was not in attendance Tuesday night, agreed with DiTraglia and Coogan.

“What happened tonight, it’s getting old,” Sen. DaPonte said. “We all represent the same people and they need our help. Tonight’s demonstration doesn’t help anybody but Joe Larisa.”

As for talking things out, Sen. DaPonte said his “door is open” and the legislative delegation is willing to listen and work with the city council, but in the last two weeks no one from the city has reached out to him.

In other business …

- The city council unanimously approved a Secondhand Miscellaneous license for Cheryl DiLorenzo, doing business as Carousel Consignment at 287 Bullocks Point Ave. Ms. DiLorenzo said the shop will be her first business and will specialize in childrens and maternity clothes with most items priced under $10.

- The city council unanimously renewed a Private detective licensed for Kenneth M. Vierra, of 474 Maple Ave., Barrington. Recently, all of the other Private Detective licenses were renewed, by Mr. Vierra was unable to make it to this meeting because of medical issues.

- A Vict/Not over 25 license was approved for Chelsey’s General Store LLC, 332 Bullocks Point Ave. The store was also approved for a Holiday Sales license.