Council gives first approval to amended East Providence snow removal ordinance

Backs request to name Pierce softball field in Amaral’s honor

By Mike Rego
Posted 6/19/19

EAST PROVIDENCE — Though the official start of summer was only a few days away, the City Council, at its June 18 meeting, gave first passage to an amended ordinance dealing with winter snow …

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Council gives first approval to amended East Providence snow removal ordinance

Backs request to name Pierce softball field in Amaral’s honor

Posted

EAST PROVIDENCE — Though the official start of summer was only a few days away, the City Council, at its June 18 meeting, gave first passage to an amended ordinance co-sponsored by Ward 2 representative Anna Sousa and Ward 3’s Nate Cahoon dealing with winter snow removal.
In introducing the changes, Mr. Cahoon said after deliberating, “I wanted to make sure there was real teeth in the ordinance.”
Among the updates (see attachment for proposed full ordinance) are the creation of a so-called school pedestrian zone of 500 feet around both public and private places of learning. Fines are eventually doubled for failing to remove snow from sidewalks, which mandate a three-foot path be cleared. Also included are snow removal from cutouts at crosswalks and handicap access to sidewalks.
The fine for a first offense does not change. It remains $25. If not shoveled within 48 hours, the fine increases to $75. Beyond the 48-hour period, fines increase $25 per day. For those violators within the school pedestrian area, the fines would be immediately doubled.
“You can wait for it to melt, but it gets expensive pretty quickly,” Mr. Cahoon said.
The amended ordinance does include exemptions referred to as “hardships” for the elderly, disabled and other constituencies.
“We want to make sure people fulfill their responsibility, but we want to be compassionate,” Mr. Cahoon added.
“I think it came out real well. I think it’s a real wholesome piece of legislation,” Ms. Sousa said.
City Solicitor Michael Marcello expressed reservations about subsection “F” of the amended ordinance on enforcement, saying there’s only limited circumstances under state law where the city has the power to put a lien on a piece of property without holding a hearing.
The council took his recommendation to strike the revised section while giving it the first of two necessary approvals before it becomes law.
“I think we’re dealing with a small minorities of residents and businesses,” Mr. Cahoon said. “But I want to make sure we have the ability to target those people who don’t.”
Zoning notes
At the request of At-Large Councilor Bob Rodericks, city inspector and Zoning Board chairman Gene Saveory led the body through a minimum housing violation discussion.
Mr. Saveory noted the Zoning Department’s powers are to some extent limited by state law. Much of its enforcement pertains to grass height and debris. If matters become more serious, they move into the realm of law enforcement or the judiciary. He credited Mayor Bob DaSilva with what he said was a much-needed attempt to amend the work flow between all of the permitting and oversight entities in the city as well as the municipal court system.
Naming honor
The council approved a resolution, sponsored by Councilor Rodericks, requesting to dedicate the unnamed field at Pierce Field in the honor of Robert F. Amaral, who is acknowledged as the point person in the creation of a softball division for East Providence Central Little League.
“I want to thank the council for this great honor,” Mr. Amaral said last week. “It was a pleasure to have these girls play softball. It wasn’t fair that just the boys could play and not the girls. I found that out really the hard way eating dinner one night, my daughter said to me, how come we don’t play, you spend all your time with the boys. And I said, that isn’t true, and then I looked over at my wife giving me the eye. So I said to my daughter, Robin, if you get enough girls to play I’ll take them to the field. I turn the corner the next night from work and there were at least 16 girls waiting for me.”
“I saw the laughter and enjoyment these girls were having and I said I had to bring it to the attention of the rest of East Providence Central Little League,” he continued.
Mr. Amaral explained after conducting a few meetings and soliciting businesses for money, the softball division was up and running and it eventually led to a field specifically being built for softball.
“It’s an honor for me to have this done,” Mr. Amaral added. “And I appreciate all the memories I have.”
Mayoral appointments
Mayor Bob DaSilva’s Director of Policy, Marc Furtado, presented the council with a pair of recent appointments made by the executive.
Michael Sullo is being put forth for the Personnel Hearing Board. Mr. Sullo is an International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) member and official as well as a volunteer with East Providence AYSO among other credentials.
“All these experiences have provided Mike with a set of skills that will make him an invaluable member for the Hearing Board,” Mr. Furtado quoted from the mayor’s letter of recommendation.
Mr. Furtado also told the council about the appointment of Victor Santos as new city Human Resources director.

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