EAST PROVIDENCE — The former home to the Rumford Library Branch on Pawtucket Avenue will soon be home to a single-family residence after the East Providence City Council approved the sale of the property during its Tuesday, July 16, meeting.

The Rumford Library, closed and put on the market by the East Providence Budget Commission last year during its consolidation of city finances and structure, is the third city-owned property to be sold in recent weeks.

Previously, the Council agreed to sell two vacant parcels of land located on Harding Avenue in the Riverside section of the city.

Tuesday, the Council, by a 5-0 vote, agreed to sell the Rumford Library at 1392 Pawtucket Ave. for $230,000 to a resident from Riverside who plans to convert the 108-year-old building into a single-family dwelling. The sale was approved with a deed restriction, making sure the structure is not converted into commercial space any time in the near future.

Ordinances

The Council passed revisions to two ordinances and tabled another Tuesday.

The legislators approved changes to snow removal guidelines. Violators will receive a written warning for a first offense, a fine of $25 for a second offense and a $75 fine for third and subsequent offenses. The old ordinance called for an immediate $25 fine followed by fines of $50 and $100 for corresponding second and third offenses.

The Council also gave its consent to post a stop sign at the intersection of Hawthorne Avenue (westbound traffic) at Intervale Avenue. Public Works reviewed the request, noting there weren't any traffic control measures previously in place at the three-way intersection.

The Council, at the request of Ward 3 representative Thomas Rose Jr., tabled proposed changes to an ordinance dealing with water consumption charges. The changes would alter the appeals process for residents who have a dispute over their bills.

More business

In other bits of business, the Council granted a request from Public Works Director Stephen Coutu to create a handicap parking space for a residence located at 44 Orchard St.

The Council unanimously gave its consent to Dean Ventre and Roger Morrell, representing residents seeking approval to conduct their Seventh Annual Neighborhood Block Party, Aug. 17, on Outlook Avenue from Hawthorne Avenue to Brightridge Avenue. The event runs from 4 to 11 p.m.

Per a request from 9 Cozzens Ave. resident and community activist Freddy Rybka during public comment, the road repair situation on Sutton Avenue will be addressed at the next Council meeting scheduled for Aug. 20. Mr. Rybka asked why the fixes haven't been made by National Grid, which created the problem after recent work done on the street, despite several overtures by residents during the last year. City Manager Peter Graczykowski instructed Mr. Coutu to prepare a report on the matter and have it ready to present to the Council at its August gathering.

Finally, the Council approved the Community Development Block Grant Budget for Fiscal Year 2013-14. Some $770,000 is available to the city, the bulk of which ($692,000) comes from current grants. Another roughly $80,000 comes from a surplus carried over the previous year as well as income earned for public services.