(The following is not a verbatim transcript of comments or discussion that occurred during the meeting, but rather a summarization intended for general informational purposes.  All motions and votes are the official records).

SPECIAL MEETING – CITY COUNCIL

-APRIL 8, 2024-

Special meeting of the City Council was held on Monday, April 8, 2024 in the Council Chambers, City Hall, Cranston, Rhode Island.

III.             PUBLIC HEARING AND PUBLIC COMMENT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2024 –  2025 BUDGET

Michael Traficante, Chair of Cranston School Committee, appeared to speak and stated that he is present to address two issues.  On behalf of the School Committee, he thanked all the Council Members for their support for the Cranston $40 million Bond Referendum.  The other issue he addressed was the economic corridors that the City Council has addressed in the past and wants to address in the future.  The Pawtuxet Village project and the Rolfe St. project have revitalized the entire neighborhood and economic growth has taken place over the years.  As far as the Knightsville project, when he was first elected to the Cranston School Committee in 1979, the Mayor at the time, Ed DiPrete, addressed that particular corridor, however, we addressed it from Knightsville Itri Square to the Church. Sidewalks uplifting the trees had to be replaced and road has to be repaved.  That was over forty-five years ago so that particular corridor needs attention in the immediate future.  Phase 1 was done from Vervena St. to Randall St.  Phase 2 is crucial as well because that was never addressed for the Church down to the Sprague Mansion in that particular time.  He is present this evening to support all three phases of the Knightsville project and hopefully will be addressed in the immediate future.

Louis Umberto, owner of Umberto’s Italian Kitchen, appeared to speak and support the finishing of Phase 3 in Knightsville.  He stated that Mayor Traficante brings a lot of history and he believes what he brings is a lot of future.  He has been open for seven years and he has made it his home and he thinks that as far as businesses go, during the day, he thinks they bring the most traffic foot in the area.  He really hopes to stay there for a very long time and grow his business and what he has encountered is a lot of issue of street parking.  He has had a lot of older and younger people fall on the sidewalks.  As far as the revitalization, he thinks it has been amazing, but he thinks the core of the neighborhood of Knightsville is from the Church to Randall and hopefully with everything happening at the Printworks, it just continues and we invite a walkable little town that people can enjoy.

Ray Sinapi, 65 Calvary St., appeared to speak and stated that there are people that walk the streets and sidewalks from the Manor to the Church to the area businesses and he thinks this last Phase should be done.

Councilman Paplauskas stated that he had been sent some emails and correspondence that were sent to him for testimony for today.  He asked if they could be added for the record.

On motion by Councilman Paplauskas, seconded by Councilman Campopiano, it was voted to put on the record the emails for public testimony that were sent today that were forwarded to the City Council Members from Ed Pennachini of Solitro Bakery, Father Sisco of St. Mary’s Church, Knightsville Neighborhood Group, Tom DeSaio, Joseph Agresti, Greg Spremulli of Caffe Itri and Ryan Nardolillo.  Motion passed on a vote of 8-0.  The following being recorded as voting “aye”: Councilman Ferri, Councilwomen Renzulli, Germain, Councilmen Donegan, Campopiano, Paplauskas, Wall and Council President Marino -8.