CITY OF CENTRAL FALLS
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CENTRAL FALLS JUNIOR/SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM
PUBLIC FORUM
TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 1995
A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CENTRAL FALLS CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD ON THE ABOVE DATE AT THE CENTRAL FALLS HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM AT 7:43 P.M.
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS
COUNCILMAN GOES
COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE
COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU
COUNCILMAN CANAVAN
QUORUM PRESENT.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT ROBERT CANAVAN PRESIDED AND LED THE ASSEMBLY IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
CONDITION OF CENTRAL FALLS RECREATION FIELDS
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN EXPLAINED THAT THE MEETING IS CALLED AT THE REQUEST OF COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU AND
COUNCILMAN GOES TO DISCUSS THE CONDITION OF THE FIELDS. HE STATED THAT THE HIGH SCHOOL WAS USED FOR THIS MEETING BECAUSE OF THE POTENTIAL FOR A LARGER GROUP OF PEOPLE THAN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS COULD HOLD.
COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU RELATED WHO WAS INVITED TO THIS MEETING.
ED HEROUX, RECREATION DIRECTOR WAS PRESENT.
CHIEF SASSO SENT A LETTER READ BY THE CLERK WHO IS UNABLE TO ATTEND DUE TO LAW CONFERENCE.
MR. HEROUX INDICATED THAT MR. RODRIGUES HAS BEEN SICK FOR THE LAST TWO DAYS. HE ALSO INDICATED THAT MAYOR RELATED TO HIM THAT HE HAD ANOTHER ENGAGEMENT AND THAT ANYONE WITH A QUESTION CAN CALL HIM OR SET UP AN
APPOINTMENT.
ROBERT WEBBER, LITTLE LEAGUE ADDRESS THE COUNCIL TO RELATE THE CONDITION OF PLAYING FIELDS. HE STATED THAT THEY HAVE BEEN NEGLECTED FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS AND SOMEONE MAY BE HURT. HE STATED THAT HE IS NOT HAPPY WITH THE CROWD AROUND HIGGINSON AVENUE AND THAT MOST ARE PROBABLY NOT FROM CENTRAL FALLS. HE STATED THAT POLICEMEN ARE NOT PATROLLING THE AREA AND TOO MANY OUT OF TOWNERS ARE HANGING AROUND THE AREA. HE COMMENTED ON THE ADULT SOFTBALL LEAGUES. HE SAID THE FIELDS HAVE NO STRIPING, AND ARE SELDOM RAKED.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN COMMENTED. HE SAID THE COUNCIL DID NOT CUT THE RECREATION DEPARTMENT BUDGET.
COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE AGREED AND SAID THE BUDGET WAS INCREASED BY THE COUNCIL BY $30,000.00 LAST YEAR.
MR.WEBBER ASKED WHERE MONEY IS BEING SPENT HE SAID NOT ON FIELDS. HE SAID HE HAD NO PROBLEM WITH SOCCER LEAGUES USING FIELDS. THEY ARE WILLING TO RAKE FIELDS BEFORE GAMES.
VICTOR (SOCCER) ASKED HOW LONG FIELD WILL BE KEPT FROM THEM BECAUSE OF THE WORK BEING PERFORMED ON THE FIELDS.
COUNCIL MEMBERS RESPONDED THAT ABOUT $250,000.00 SPENT SINCE FIELD WAS CONSTRUCTED. THE FIELD WAS BUILT ON A SWAMP.
MR. HEROUX RESPONDED THAT HIGGINSON BACK FIELD HAS BEEN FERTILIZED, SEEDED, TOPSOILS, ETC. HE ASKED THEM TO KEEP OFF FIELD UNTIL MID AUGUST, EXCEPT LITTLE SOCCER PLAYERS. LUSITANA FIELD SECURED FOR SATURDAYS, LINCOLN WOODS FOR SUNDAY. FIELD HAS TO GERMINATE. ASKED TO STAY OFF UNTIL START OF NEXT SOCCER SEASON. ONCE SEEDS GROW, WATER IN PLACE, BOBCAT ATTACHMENT, THEY WILL TAKE CARE OF THIS. HE SAID FIELD IS NOT BEING ABUSED. ONE FIELD HAS NUMEROUS USERS, AND REQUESTS.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN ASKED IF THEY KNEW LAST YEAR IF FIELD WAS BEING SEEDED.
MR. HEROUX RESPONDED THAT NO WATER WAS AVAILABLE THEN, WATER WHEEL IS IN PLACE. HE IS LOOKING FOR ANOTHER.
MR. HEROUX QUESTIONED ON HIGGINSON FIELD TENNIS COURTS.
MR. HEROUX WANTS TENNIS COURTS RESURFACED AND IT TENDS TO CRACK WITH TOO MANY RESURFACING. GRANTS APPLIED FOR THAT WAS TURNED DOWN BECAUSE IT WAS TOO EXPENSIVE FOR SOCCER FACILITY. LIGHTS, BLEACHERS, FIELD DRAINAGE, REDO MACOMBER FIELD, ETC. NEEDED. LIST READ BY HEROUX.
CANAVAN INTERRUPTED AND SUGGESTED THAT THE ITEMS SHOULD BE COVERED AT BUDGET TIME.
VICTOR SUGGESTED THAT MORE FIELDS ARE NEEDED, AND JUST USE MAIN FIELDS FOR GAMES. BUY SOME LOTS AND USE FOR PRACTICE.
MR. HEROUX INDICATED THAT HE HAS SOME IDEAS ON THIS.
DAN CESARIO, BOARD MEMBERS TOO MUCH ACTION ON ONE FIELD. WE CANNOT DO THIS, WE BADLY NEED ANOTHER FIELD. SUGGESTED CROSSMAN ST. PLAYGROUND FOR ANOTHER FIELD.
BOB MARCHAND BOYS SOCCER COACH AT HIGH SCHOOL. SYSTEMS OVERLOADED FOR FIELDS USAGE. HE ASKED THE COUNCIL TO GO DOWN TO HIGGINSON, 40 GUYS WAITING TO PLAY. GLASS, SPLINTERS, ETC. IT IS DISGUSTING. KIDS AND PEOPLE READY TO COME TOGETHER, BUT FIELDS NOT. YESTERDAY HE SAW PAYLOADERS ON FIELDS. AFRAID THAT THIS IS TEMPORARY. MACOMBER IS A JEWEL, BUT OVERUSED. HIGGINSON IS A ROCKPILE, IN NEED OF WORK. LONG TERM PLAN IS NEEDED.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN COMMENTED AND STATED THE COUNCIL WILL SEARCH OUT ADDITIONAL SPACE FOR FIELD.
MR. RUBEN SPOKE REGARDING SOCCER.
COLLEEN BEAULIEU AGAIN SPOKE RE: PURCHASING ADDITIONAL LOTS FOR PLAY.
COUNCILMAN GOES COMMENTED SPOKE RECALLED ADDITIONAL PLAYGROUNDS OF THE CITY AND THE CONDITIONS OF THE FIELDS.
PAUL CASAVANT WANTS TO KEEP ANTIQUE CAR SHOW OFF FIELDS.
OLGA ASKED IF SOCCER COULD BE PLAYED ON MACOMBER FIELD.
GOAL POSTS CANNOT BE PUT UP. IT WOULD BE DANGEROUS AND INTERFERE WITH THE GAMES. PORTABLE POLES AVAILABLE, BUT PROBLEM IS SCHEDULING EXPLAINED THE RECREATION DIRECTOR MR. HEROUX. THEY HAVE USE OF LUSITANIA CLUB IN CUMBERLAND.
TYRONE JARIMILLO SPOKE REGARDING LUSITANIA. MR. HEROUX RESPONDED THAT NO ONE ASKED HIM. THEY CAN USE IT ON SATURDAYS, JUST TO LET THEM KNOW.
MR. HEROUX WILLING TO MEET AND DISCUSS.
PAT HAMILTON LITTLE LEAGUE PRESIDENT CENTRAL FALLS QUESTIONED MR. HEROUX.
MR. HEROUX RESPONDED.
COUNCILMAN GOES COMMENTED.
MR. HEROUX COMMENTED THAT HE DID NOT HAVE MANY SCHEDULES UNTIL TONIGHT.
POSSIBLE USE OF PORTABLE GOALS. USE OF LINCOLN WOODS WAS TURNED DOWN.
LUSITANIA WAS A COMMUNICATIONS PROBLEM. OTHER OPTIONS THAT HE IS LOOKING AT IF NEW GRANT GOES THROUGH, OTHER POSSIBILITIES.
MR. HAMILTON ASKED QUESTIONS.
COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE SAID 250,000 WAS OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS. BUILT WITH FEDERAL FUNDS, COURTS BUILT, OVER THE YEARS, CHANGES TO FIELDS AND USAGE, WATER PIPES PUT IN AND TAKEN OUT. IT COULD BE FAR LESS MONEY. DIFFERENT REPAIRS, MONEY SPENT IS NOT PROBLEM. MONEY NOT SPENT ON MAINTENANCE IS THE PROBLEM. CONSTANT WORK FORCE AND EYE ON THESE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES NEEDED. WHEN YOU SEE A PROBLEM WITH A FIELD, ADDRESS IT WITH THE
ADMINISTRATION. KEEP ON TOP OF IT. RECREATION BUDGET $81,000.00.
MR. HEROUX RESPONDED HE HAS ALWAYS MET WITH THE COUNCIL AND ANY GROUP WHEN ASKED TO ATTEND A MEETING AND HE HAS NEVER REFUSED WHEN REQUESTED.
MANNY MACEDO SPOKE COMMENTED AND RELATED THAT HE IS A MEMBER OF THE RECREATION BOARD, COMMUNITY BOARD, CYO, COMMUNITY OUTREACH BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION, LITTLE LEAGUE, ETC. ETC. HE SAID THESE PARKS ARE FOR THE PUBLIC. ALL THE PUBLIC. SOCCER HAS GROWN TREMENDOUSLY AND STILL IS GROWING. POLICE LEAGUE GROWING AND DOUBLING. LITTLE LEAGUE DISCUSSED. DON'T BLAME KIDS FROM OTHER CITIES, SOFTBALL PLAYED EIGHT AT NIGHT. YOUTH PROGRAMS ARE GROWING, BUT RESPONSE IS MUCH TOO SLOW. BATHROOMS ARE VANDALIZED. KEEP THEM UP WITH POLICE SECURITY.
DONNA OLDMIXON ASKED MR. HEROUX QUESTIONS.
JAY LEGER, BOARD OF CENTRAL FALLS LITTLE LEAGUE COMMENTED ON MACOMBER. HE IS NOT HAPPY WITH ITS CONDITION.
LEO BONILLA COMMENTED ON THE MAYOR AND MR. LEFRANCOIS.
MAUREEN CHEVRETTE, SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS IN CENTRAL FALLS STATED THAT SHE IS CONCERNED ABOUT OUR PRESENT RECREATIONAL FACILITY. SHE STATED THAT THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT IS PAYING 20,000.00 TO THE CITY FOR USE AND UPKEEP OF FIELDS. SHE SAID THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT WILL NOT CONTINUE TO PAY IF THE FIELDS ARE NOT IMPROVED. THEY CANNOT USE MONEY TO DO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO FIELDS. WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THE MONEY IS BEING USED FOR.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN GAVE HISTORY OF CITY REIMBURSEMENT FOR SCHOOL EXPENDITURES.
TONY RAINONE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL COACH COMMENTED ON THE SAFETY FACTOR ON THE FIELD. HE SAID THE CITY HAS BEEN LUCKY THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NO ACCIDENTS. HE ADDRESSED MR. HEROUX. HE STATED THAT THIS IS ONE REASON THE IMAGE OF THIS CITY AND ITS FACILITIES DO NOT PROJECT GOOD IMAGE TO OTHER COMMUNITIES. HE COMMENTED ON THE SNOW FENCE AS AN EXAMPLE THAT HAS BEEN UP THERE FOR SEVERAL YEARS. WE MUST ACT QUICKLY. SHOULD HAVE ONE PERSON IN CHARGE OF THE FIELD. MANNY MIGUEL HAS TAKEN EXCELLENT CARE OF THE FIELD.
JAMES MARTIN CENTRAL FALLS SCHOOL DEPARTMENT STATED THAT HE PROBLEMS ARE NOTHING NEW, AND ARE NOT JUST WITH THIS ADMINISTRATION. HE STATED THAT 12 YEARS AGO, THERE WAS A CLAY PROBLEM AT ONE OF THE FIELDS AND ABOUT 50 PEOPLE HELPING WITH WHEEL BARRELS, SHOVELS, ETC. ESTIMATED THAT 4 OR 5 RENOVATIONS TO THESE FIELDS, AT COSTS CLOSER TO ONE HALF MILLION OVER THE LAST TWENTY YEARS. THERE NEEDS TO BE A LONG TERM PLAN TO MAINTAIN THE FIELDS, AND ON A REGULAR BASIS. THERE IS TOO MUCH USE. YOU CAN NOT WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEARS BUDGET. GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH MR. HEROUX AND MR. RODRIGUES THEY DO THE BEST WITH WHAT THEY HAVE, BLEACHERS NEED TO BE FIXED, NO HURRY TO PREPARE FIELDS FOR GAMES. SCHOOLS ARE NOT GETTING THEIR MONEYS WORTH FROM 20,000.00.
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS QUESTIONED MR. MARTIN. WHO STATED THAT THE PAYMENT BEING WITHHELD ON FIELD.
COUNCILMAN CANAVAN QUESTIONED DEED FOR MACOMBER FIELD. SAID SCHOOL COULD SPEND MONEY ON ITS OWN FIELD.
ORLANDO LOPEZ READ STATEMENT FROM SOCCER ASSOCIATION. INTERESTED IN CHANGING THE IMAGE OF THE CITY. CURFEW MENTIONED. STATED THAT ONLY ACTION AT HIGGINSON IS PREPARATION FOR THE CAR SHOW. WOULD LIKE INCREASED NUMBER OF FIELDS AVAILABLE.
DONNA OLDMIXON ASKED ABOUT SURPLUS IN SNOW REMOVAL ACCOUNT WOULD LIKE MONEY TRANSFERRED TO THE RECREATION DEPARTMENT.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN RESPONDED.
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS EXPLAINED.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN COMMENTED.
COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU SPOKE.
ROBERT WEBER OF HUNT ST. ASKED COUNCIL WHAT THEY INTEND TO DO.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN INDICATED THAT COUNCIL HAS MADE RECOMMENDATIONS TO MAYOR. HE WILL ASK FOR A MEETING WITH THE MAYOR TO INFORM HIM OF THE CONCERNS. MAYBE A DEMONSTRATION IS IN ORDER TO MAKE THE POINT.
KEVIN MARCHAND, LITTLE LEAGUE. WITH GIRLS NO FACILITIES TO GO TO BATHROOM. CONDUIT STREET A POSSIBILITY.
CHARLES MOREAU LONSDALE AVE. COMMENTED ON MAYORS PROMISE TO FREE UP PUBLIC WORKS FOR FIELD WORK. WHY ISN'T HE HERE AS A PARENT IF NOT MAYOR.
DAN CESARIO, T BALL COORDINATOR. SENIORS COULD HURT A SMALL CHILD WITH THE LONG FLY BALL. MAJOR NEED FOR SPORTS COMPLEX. MORE FIELDS NEEDED. VANDALISM IS A PROBLEM, PUT CAMERAS ON LIGHTS.
MANNY MACEDO COMPLIMENTED ON THE JOBS HE HAS DONE.
AL LAROCHE CENTRAL ST., COMMENTED ON SURPLUS AND WHY ISN'T IT PUT TO USE.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN COMMENTED THAT IT IS KEPT IN A SURPLUS ACCOUNT AND CAN'T BE TOUCHED.
MR. LAROCHE DOESN'T WANT HIS TAX DOLLARS GOING INTO A BANK ACCOUNT. HE WANTS THE CITY TO USE IT. RUBEN IF FIELDS CAN'T BE USED, CAN TRANSPORTATION IS A PROBLEM FOR SPORTS PLAYERS.
SCOTT ASKED WHY ACTION ISN'T BEING TAKEN INSTEAD OF TALK.
MANNY MACEDO SPOKE.
DONNA OLDMIXON SAID SCHOOLS ARE EXCELLENT. HELP WITH RECREATION.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN SUMMED UP.
MOTION TO ADJOURN WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN GOES AND SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU . ALL AGREED. SO VOTED. TIME 9:33 P.M.
______________________________
DANIEL J. ISSA, CITY CLERK