East Providence Council reviews Waterfront Commission composition, increases ‘lock box’ program

New EPHS project finances, fiscal budget matters are discussed

By Mike Rego
Posted 3/11/19

EAST PROVIDENCE — Following up on a discussion started at its previous meeting on the composition of the city’s boards and commissions, the council once again took up the topic at its …

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East Providence Council reviews Waterfront Commission composition, increases ‘lock box’ program

New EPHS project finances, fiscal budget matters are discussed

Posted

EAST PROVIDENCE — Following up on a discussion started at its previous meeting on the composition of the city’s boards and commissions, the council once again took up the topic at its March 5 gathering by reviewing the all-important Waterfront Commission.
Led by Ward 3 Councilor Nate Cahoon with the input of City Clerk Samantha Burnett, the council received an update on the terms and status of the Waterfront Commission members. No action was taken on the matter.
Mrs. Burnett told the council she’s been working with Waterfront Commission executive director Pam Sherrill on “some disconnects we need to update.”
Former City Manager William Fazioli was noted as its chairperson, having only been appointed to that role by the previous council and the office of Governor Gina Raimondo last year. Mr. Fazioli’s term expires on March 31, 2022. The vice chair slot is currently vacant. The treasurer is Stephen Hardcastle and the secretary is Paul Moura, whose term ends on March 14, 2020. Other appointed members include Jay Kern, Roy Coulombe, Tim Conley, David Sluter, Luis Torrado and Peter Willey.
Mrs. Burnett noted Mr. Kern, the former owner of Lucky’s Tavern in city, no longer has business ties to East Providence and does not live here. His term is officially set to expire in less than a month on April 6, 2019. She also reiterated requirements to receive an appointment by the council to sit on the commission include being a resident of or having a business interest in East Providence.
City Solicitor Michael Marcello, reminding the council of the commission’s status as a quasi-state body, added to the discussion the point that there is a not a requirement for an appointee to come from a specific ward. It is open to all residents/business owners in the city. In the past, each of the councilors from the city’s four wards have traditionally each been afforded the opportunity to nominate a commission member. Currently, there are no appointees that were designated by a Ward 2 or 3 councilor.
Of the dual oversight/appointing authority of the Waterfront Commission, Mr. Marcello said, “It’s a little odd, but I understand because it’s your river, your waterfront.”
At-Large representative Bob Rodericks said the council should take advantage of its opportunity to fill out the commission, citing its importance to future economic growth in the city.
“This is a critical area we should not slip by us,” Mr. Rodericks said. “It’s very timely to get on top of this with everything that is going on with that waterfront area.”
Mr. Cahoon suggested corresponding with Mr. Fazioli to determine “if there are any specific skill sets of possible candidates the commission would need.” He added, “If we’re going to appoint somebody, I’m interested in giving him the people he needs to pull it off.”
Near the conclusion of the discussion, Mrs. Burnett said it has been suggested one of the objectives for the council might be to help diversify the members of the commission. As an example, currently there are no female voting members of the body.
Lock boxes
Spurred on by Ward 4 Councilman Ricardo Mourato, a Bristol Police officer by profession, and with the assistance of the East Providence/Seekonk Rotary Club and the firefighters union, the East Providence Fire Department will soon be offering dozens more “lock boxes” to residents in need.
EPFD Chief Oscar Elmasian said at last week’s council meeting the program, started a few years ago, has “become very successful.” His department has installed some 27 boxes, which allow easy access to the homes of elderly and incapacitated residents. The boxes, which cost in the range of $30 per unit, hold a key to the residence that can only be opened with a master key held by fire personnel in the case of an emergency.
To date, Chief Elmasian said the EPFD has responded and utilized 10 of the boxes. Emergency Medical Services coordinator John Potvin oversees the program, which included the installation of the boxes.
“When we don’t have to use forcible entry it expedites process of gaining entry and minimizes damage (to the home) and expedites care for that patient,” Chief Elmasian said of the boxes.
In addition, the chief said the Local 850 firefighters union will soon be donating more boxes to the program while, at last week’s meeting, Rotary board of director Valerie Perry presented the EPFD with 14 donations and a promise of more in the future.
“I just want to thank the rotary, Chief Elmasian and the union for taking this on to help our citizens,” Mr. Mourato said. The councilman, professionally, has been part of a similar program in Bristol.
Finance update
City side Finance Director Malcolm Moore provided the council with an update on several aspects of his department, including that of bonding out monies to keep the $189.5 million new East Providence High School project on schedule for a summer 2019 start to construction.
Mr. Moore told the council depending on some variables, like the schedule of reimbursement from the Rhode Department of Education, if the monies can be procured from the Rhode Island Infrastructure bank and interest rates at the time, the city could save significantly on when it seeks bonds, possibly as much as $4 million under a best case scenario. It remains the expectation the city should receive reimbursement from RIDE of at least 54.5 percent and possibly up to 74.5 percent on approximately $135 million of the project.
As well, Mr. Moore provided the council with the first of a requested twice-monthly review of the city’s budget. Mr. Cahoon said he appreciated the detail included in the submission, noting the mid-point of the fiscal year was already fast approaching.
In addition, at the behest of Mr. Mourato, Mr. Moore told the council he continues to seek an improved budget compilation program so as to make the viewing of it more readily legible for both councilors and the general public.

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Mike Rego

Mike Rego has worked at East Bay Newspapers since 2001, helping the company launch The Westport Shorelines. He soon after became a Sports Editor, spending the next 10-plus years in that role before taking over as editor of The East Providence Post in February of 2012. To contact Mike about The Post or to submit information, suggest story ideas or photo opportunities, etc. in East Providence, email mrego@eastbaymediagroup.com.