EAST PROVIDENCE — The administration of Mayor Bob DaSilva, through his Planning Department, submitted a Capital Improvement proposal as part of the city's draft Fiscal Year 23-24 budget that was made up heavily on purchases and extremely light on any new projects (updated, 2 p.m., September 28, 2023).

In fact, the only earmark that could even be considered in the "project" category is a $50,000 appropriation towards the Parks Division's now annual tree planting effort.

The FY23-24 Capital Budget sits in stark contrasts to others in the recent past when appropriations were proposed for maintenance of city buildings or upgrades to parks and other infrastructure.

Planner Domenic Leonardo represented his department in front of the City Council during a discussion on the FY23-24 draft at the body's September 19 gathering.

That evening, Leonardo said the Capital proposal was focused on buying products because the administration was already overseeing some "100" projects either on-going or in the works.

Leonardo also referenced an appearance he made before the Council back at a meeting last winter, the body's February 21 forum, which was just the third for the current incarnation of the body since it had been inaugurated the first week of 2023. Then, he provided the Council with an update on the Capital spending it inherited from its predecessor.

Leonardo said the city was involved in projects totally some $58 million, funded through previous Capital expenditures as well as state and federal grants.

He informed the Council about the existence of 177 projects, 66 of which were still active in some fashion at the time, while he said 111 were complete. Back to the most recent discussion,

Leonardo ran through the 20 proposals the administration included in next year's Capital budget, the total of which is $1.826 million.

Planning and Economic Development formulated the list, he said, after consultation with its fellow departments then gained affirmative guidance from the East Providence Planning Board.

The Council took no action. Per City Charter, the body has the authority to address proposed Capital expenditures at any time, not just during the annual budget season each fall.

The proposed FY23-24 Capital Improvement Budget is as follows:

Fire Department
Final Lease Payments for Ladder Truck-$209,775, for the final lease payment for the new ladder truck which is due in 2024; Replacement of Rescue 3-$450,000, to replace the current frontline Rescue 3 which was purchased in 2004. The existing rescue is 19-years old and has exceeded both industry standard frontline and reserve timelines and is beyond its serviceable life.

Department of Planning & Economic Development
Public Art-$50,000, to be used for public art improvements and installations as well as the cost of pieces of art from artists.

Department Of Public Works
Highway Division
Bucket Truck-$90,000, to replace the existing bucket truck which is over 20 years old and has aged past its useful life, this truck is used for improvements throughout the city including installation of flags, painting and repair of city buildings, and traffic light repairs; JetVac Truck-$140,000, to replace the existing JetVac truck that is beyond repair. The cost of repairing the existing truck would be more than purchasing a pre-owned truck, this truck maintains the city storm water system by cleaning underground utility pipes and removing debris within the storm water collection system; Roll Off Truck-$130,000, to replace the existing roll off truck that is used to transport large dumpsters of scrap metal, recycled plastic, and yard debris to Rhode Island Resource Recovery; Salt Brine System-$70,000. For salt brine storage inserts for the existing city dump truck fleet. These tanks will supplement prior years salt brine system capital equipment to enable salt brine application; Equipment Trailer-$25,000, to replace the existing equipment trailer used to transport the Highway Department bobcat and mini excavator. The existing trailer is over 15 years old and consistently requires repair.

Parks Division
Tree Planting-$50,000, to purchase and install trees for city-wide tree planting initiatives to meet the City’s goal of planting 200 trees per year; 3500 Dump Truck-$75,000, this purchase replaces an existing dump truck that is beyond repair and is past its useful life.

Public Buildings Division
Plow Truck with Sander-$90,000, this purchase will add a vehicle to the Public Buildings fleet to assist in snow removal events and for use in day to day maintenance operations; Van-$35,000, to replace the existing van used by the custodians. The existing vehicle used by custodians to transport trash and equipment is in disrepair and past its useful life; Council Chamber Upgrades-$65,000, this project will make maintenance repairs to the City Council chamber inside City Hall. Improvements for this project include repairs to the back wall, repairing water damage, and replacing the carpet and upgrading the public seating; Conference Room Upgrades-$30,000, to upgrade the audio-visual equipment in conference rooms throughout City Hall.

Refuse Recycling Division
Trash Compaction Units-$80,000, to purchase trash compaction units that will be added to heavily frequented public parks to eliminate loose litter and collect trash more efficiently; Roll Off Container-$15,000, to replace the existing roll off container used for electronic recycling. The existing roll off container can no longer be repaired.

Senior Center
14 Passenger Bus-$110,000, to purchase a 14-seat vehicle for transporting seniors to and from the senior center. The vehicle will include a wheelchair lift.

Recreation Department
20 Passenger Mini Bus-$70,000, to replace a current recreation mini bus that is aging out of its useful life; Storage Unit-$2,079, to purchase a storage unit to provide a secure location for recreation supplies, this new storage unit will also free up space inside the recreation center for programming.

Information Technology
Cybersecurity Audit-$40,000, to complete the required forensic Cybersecurity Audit, this cybersecurity audit will include all city services.