Photos by Rich Dionne
Schoolhouse Road resident John Saviano questioned the town’s wisdom in selling old Liberty Street School to a private theater group for a price, he said, that was low and wouldn’t offer repeated returns.

When Warren Fire Chief Al Galinelli walked down the Kickemuit Middle School auditorium aisle at roughly 7:20 p.m. and called out, “We have a quorum,” the 128 voters who had showed up starting at 7 p.m. let out a collective cheer. The turnout was three more than was needed to constitute a quorum, and gave those on hand the right to vote on the year’s financial issues.

Chief among them to most in the audience was the sale of two properties, the old Liberty Street School and the former VFW hall on Metacom Avenue. Town officials sought to sell the old school for $100,000 to 2nd Story Theatre, and the old hall to the owner of the Cutler Mill for $52,561. Though the eventual votes were nearly unanimous, one did not come without some small measure of dissent.

Schoolhouse Road resident John Saviano questioned the town’s wisdom in selling the 1847 school building to a private theater group for a price, he said, that was low and wouldn’t offer repeated returns. The town would do much better, he argued, to sell to the likes of Brito Enterprises in Bristol, which several years ago offered the town $250,000 for the building and had a plan to put in upwards of 20 residential units in the school and a new building that would have been built next to it.

“The value of property is going up rapidly,” he said. “This property, if you sell it tonight, this property will probably be tax exempt. I don’t know that, but it will be at a very low value.”

The Brito plan, he said, would have brought $60,000 in taxes in each year.

“My question is, would you, because the values of properties are going up, consider going out to bid again and get someone in like the Brito family or someone else?”

Apparently not, as other taxpayers said the sale makes fine sense. Two followed Mr. Saviano and argued that the building would go to a locally owned theater company that brings a lot of business to Warren.

“This building has been on the market for a number of years, and 2nd Story is a major asset here in town,” said Cutler Street resident Andy Asselin. “If we hold off on it, it’s going to cost us $20,000 a year just to maintain it. My suggestion is to sell it now.”

His short speech received a hearty round of applause from the audience, as did a plea by King Street resident Thomas Padwa, who also favored selling.

The eventual vote appeared unanimous, or close to it, as nobody could be heard speaking when the moderator asked who was opposed. Such was the case when the sale of the old VFW hall next to Tinker’s Nest went to a vote. That building will sell to Sigourney LLC, a company formed by Cutler Mills owner and AVTECH founder Michael Sigourney.

Also on the agenda was the approval of the town’s total operating budget, listed in documents as $22.07 million. That budget includes a tax rate of $18.64 per $1,000.

The quorum is the second straight quorum at a Warren Financial Town Meeting. More than 400 voters showed up at a special town meeting held last August to vote on the sale of the old Main Street School to the Hope and Main kitchen incubator outfit. That sale passed overwhelmingly.

A “Campaign School” will be held in early June, geared toward helping members of the Student Government who are interested in running for a leadership role understand the ins and outs of the process and running an effective campaign.

Planned speakers include Brendan Doherty, who recently challenged Representative David Cicilline for his RI-1 congressional seat; Ken Block, Moderate Party head and recent gubernatorial candidate; political consultant Patrick Sweeney; Cool Moose party founder Bob Healey; and Bristol Town Councilman Tim Sweeney.
Treasurer Raimondo encouraged the students to run for office and gave them some advice from her own experience. “ When I started the campaign, sometimes I worried that I would not succeed,” she said.

“Run the best campaign you can, work hard and you will come away from the experience stronger and smarter than you were before—whether you win or lose. And don’t be afraid to lose.”

Colt Andrews Student Government is alive and well today, thanks to the efforts of parents, faculty advisor and music teacher Elizabeth Vincze, and community advisor and School Committee member Paul Silva. Though typically dealing with age-appropriate issues like access to playground equipment, the Student Government effectively mirrors “grown up” legislative bodies: participants follow Robert’s Rules of Order, record the minutes of their meetings, and break into subcommittees to hash out compromises. They also fundraise, this year earning nearly $1500 for Hasbro Children’s Hospital, a “grown-up” sum by any measure.
Reached after the event, Raimondo had high praise for the Colt Andrews students. “I was so impressed with the questions from the students and excited to hear about the student government program at Colt-Andrews.  Being involved in the community and in government is rewarding for me and I hope that some of these children will also go into public service.”
Raimondo joked, “I wouldn’t want to run against them any time soon. The competition looks strong.”

Bucking the trend   

The Colt Andrews student government in unique in one notable way: this year, its executive committee is an exclusive girls’ club. That makes Treasurer Raimondo a uniquely appropriate role model. Nationally, female candidates are woefully underrepresented in the halls of power. According to Jennifer Lawless, Associate Professor of Government at American University and author of “It Still Takes a Candidate: Why Women Don’t Run For Office,” there are seven key reasons hindering gender parity:
•    Women are more likely to perceive the electoral environment as competitive and biased.
•    Hilary Clinton and Sarah Palin’s candidacies aggravated women’s perceptions of gender bias.
•    Women are less likely than men to perceive themselves as qualified.
•     Potential female candidates are less competitive and confident, and more risk-averse than men.
•    Women react more negatively than men to modern political campaigns.
•    Women are less likely than men to receive a suggestion that they run for office.
•    Women remain responsible for the majority of childcare and household responsibilities.
Of course, those distinctions between men and women are meaningless to the power-brokers at Colt Andrews, who just know that they are having fun with their friends and learning some interesting things about how the world works. Their parents appreciate the experience as well. “Student government has been a great experience for Kaleigh,” says Mary Ann Quinn, mother of the Vice President. “It has provided her with the opportunity to gain experience in public speaking, one-on-one interaction with teachers and school administrators, and the ability to work as a team with her peers. I think that she had gained a lot of self confidence from it.”
At one point during her visit to Colt Andrews, treasurer Raimondo addressed the all-girl executive committee, which which she shared the stage, directly. “I’m the first female democrat to serve as treasurer in Rhode Island, a state that has had no female governors or senators and only one female congressman,” she said. “And I have to say, it’s pretty cool to see four girls up here. You make me so happy and proud.”

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One of these will be in Tiverton, this Thursday, May 23, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Sandywoods Farm, 73 Muse Way.

Workshops will focus on programs designed to improve natural resource quality while enhancing agricultural and forest production on land through the Environmental Quaility Incentives Program (EQIP).

NRCS programs enable landowners to solve resource issues from soil erosion to irrigation to simply conserving open space.

The workshop format will present special interests stations (including forestry, agriculture, livestock, wildlife, easements  and greenhouse operations) and allow for focus on specific programs and practices.

Space is limited. Contact your Conservation District to make a reservation (recommended) at 816-5667 .

Monday, May 13

Jay A. Catalan, 50, of 34 Hillside Road, was charged with driving while intoxicated (second offense) and refusal to submit to a chemical test, following an accident on East Main Road at Sprague Street at about 6 p.m. The car had struck a light pole and was leaning on its passenger side against a tree that was in the entrance to Cumberland Farms, said police, who added they arrived to find Mr. Catalan awake but lying on the passenger door. Rescue workers arrived and cut the front windshield to remove Mr. Catalan, who was taken to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment of injuries.

Wednesday, May 15

Dean Jr. Harrington, 18, of 15 East Terrace, was charged with felony assault with a dangerous weapon or substance following an incident that took place on May 11. Police said that on May 14, a 19-year-old man entered the police station to report he had been assaulted by Mr. Harrington three days earlier in the parking lot of Irving Gas Station at about 8 p.m. According to the man, he was exiting the store when Mr. Harrington approached and cut his neck with a box cutter. Police said they observed a “very small superficial cut” on the victim’s neck. The victim was able to wrestle the box cutter from Mr. Harrington and threw it behind a dumpster, at which time Mr. Harrington left the area in a blue car with an unknown driver, police said.

Thursday, May 16

Police said a a car driven by Jennifer Arruda of Portsmouth hit another car driven by Bonnie Brake East Main Road near Patriots Drive around 7:20 a.m. The Brake vehicle sustained disabling damage to its front fender and passenger side, while the other car was also disabled, sustaining damage to its front fender and driver’s side fender. A passenger in the Brake vehicle was treated for minor injuries to his eye. Both cars were towed from the scene.

Richard E. Mendonsa, 37, of 3277 East Main Road, was charged with domestic assault and refusal to relinquish a telephone. Police responded to Mr. Mendonsa’s home around 9:20 p.m. for a reported domestic disturbance. Police said they found three shotguns and two rifles inside the residence, which were seized.

Tait G. Geoffrey, 26, of 66 Gormley Ave., was arrested at his home around 11:45 p.m. on two active bench warrants from Second District Court.

Sunday, May 19

Patrick J. Sullivan, 53, of 11 Colony Drive, Middletown, was charged with driving while intoxicated (first offense) and refusal to submit to a chemical test after police responded to Ferreira’s Package Store for a “suspicious vehicle” call around 12:40 a.m. Police said they arrived to find Mr, Sullivan asleep in the driver’s side seat of the vehicle.

Pricing options are $200 per golfer for the package, with the special price of $125 for Little Compton Community Center members. (Not a LCCC member yet? Join for $15.00 yearly)  The golf outing proceeds benefit the Little Compton Community Center’s many programs and services.

To join the fun and golf, contact LCCC at 635-2400 as soon as possible since spots are filling up quickly! Not a golfer? Come and enjoy dinner and music at 6 p.m. for $40 per person, or $25 per LCCC member.

Portsmouth (England) City Council member Hugh Mason (center, with light-gray sweater) gave the local delegation a walking tour of the old section of the city on Saturday. From left are Doug Smith, chairman of the Portsmouth 375th Steering Committee; Town Council member Elizabeth Pedro; Gary Gump and Bob Hamilton of the steering committee; Mr. Mason; School Committee member Andrew Kelly; Town Administrator John Klimm; and Rich Talipsky of the steering committee. Portsmouth Harbour’s 560-foot Spinnaker Tower is in the background.

That would be Portsmouth, England, where a contingent of local residents are visiting through Wednesday. Their common goal: To invite the port city’s future Lord Mayor designee, Lynn Stagg, back here to help the town celebrate its 375th anniversary Labor Day weekend.

Private funds are paying for the trip at no cost to taxpayers.

The group left Friday for a six-and-a-half-hour trip to London before taking a 90-minute van ride to the sister city.

“Most of us got little or no sleep on the British Airways flight, which was fully booked,” said Mr. Smith, the chairman of the Portsmouth 375th Steering Committee.

After resting up, members of group were met by Portsmouth City Council member Hugh Mason, who took them on a walking tour of the old section of the city, which dates from the 11th century. “A short stop at Hugh’s favorite pub, the Hole in the Wall, and then the walking tour continued along the waterfront, eventually arriving at the Spice Island Inn for dinner within sight of Portsmouth’s Spinnaker Tower,” said Mr. Smith, adding that the group is being shown “a very impressive level of hospitality by the Portsmouth City Council.”

On Sunday the delegation accepted an invitation by the Very Rev. David Brindley, the dean of Portsmouth, to attend a special Pentecost service at Portsmouth Cathedral, which dates back to the 12th century.

“The cathedral was rebuilt after World War II to the original specifications and hosts a highly diverse and enthusiastic congregation. The service itself was followed by the release of red balloons in honor of the Pentacost holiday,” said Mr. Smith. “After the service, we were invited to the dean’s home, where we met his wife, Gill, and then were taken to the oldest pub in Portsmouth, The Dolphin, for lunch. This pub was founded in 1528, predating the foundering of Portsmouth, R.I. by 110 years, and may have been patronized by some of our founders who sailed from Portsmouth enroute to the New World in the 1630s.”

The future Portsmouth (England) Lord Mayor designee, Lynn Stagg, dines with the group Sunday. At left is Andrew Kelly of the School Committee.

Monday ceremony

On Monday the visitors planned on attending the Lord Mayor “making” ceremony at the Portsmouth Guild Hall, followed by the annual council meeting where they’ll make their formal invitation to Ms. Stagg.

Tonight, the group will dine in the Lord Mayor’s banquet room, and Mr. Smith will give a short speech of greetings to the council and Lord Mayor, along with the delegations from Portsmouth’s sister cities from France, Germany and Japan.

Red balloons are released in honor of the Pentacost holiday Sunday outside the 12th-century Portsmouth Cathedral.

Patricia was born in Fall River, the daughter of the late Manuel and Mary (Cabral) Souza. She was a graduate of BMC Durfee High School, Class of 1959.

Patricia then went to graduate from the Truesdale Hospital School of Nursing as a registered nurse in 1965. Mrs. McLane worked in the operating room at Truesdale Hospital for a few years. Patricia then worked as the bookkeeper for the family farrier business in Somerset for many years.

Mrs. McLane traveled extensively with her husband. They wintered in Lauderdale by the Sea in Florida and summered at East Beach in Westport for many years. She cherished the time she spent with her family and friends, especially her grandchildren.

Survivors besides her husband are a daughter, Amy E. McLane Fitzgerald of Somerset, Mass.,, and two grandchildren, Sarah and Julia.

Her funeral service will be held on Thursday at 9 a.m. from the Hathaway Community Home for Funerals, 900 Buffinton St., Somerset, followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 10 in Saint Patrick Church, 306 South Street, Somerset. Burial will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery, Fall River.

To light a candle, sign guest book, facility or church directions go to www.hathawayfunerals.com or call 508 672-3572. Memorial donations in her memory may be made to Saint Jude Children’s Hospital 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Calling hours are Wednesday from 4-7 p.m.

Joseph Anthony “Nonni” Charette, 72, of Land O’ Lakes, Fla., passed away Thursday, May 16, 2013. He was born in Warren, RI and moved to Florida in 1976.

Joe was a retired United States Air Force Vietnam veteran.  He was also retired from the United States Postal Service and enjoyed working as a starter at Rocky Point Golf Course.  Joe was a member of Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church and was a member of the Knights of Columbus, 4th degree.

He leaves his wife of 46 years, JoAnn; two daughters, Toni Marie Charette (David RuLon) of Land O’ Lakes and his “tallest daughter,” Laurie Hiatt of Denver, CO; two grandchildren, Hannah Marie and Skylar Marie; a brother, Oscar Charette; his sister-in-law, Gloria Charette; a niece, Tiffany Jestes (Bryan); his great-nephew, Cody James; and many extended family members.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 am Friday, May 31 at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church in Land O’ Lakes. A military honors ceremony will follow at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Fla.

Words of comfort may be expressed at LoylessFuneralHome.com.