CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE

DOCKET-REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

October 7, 2025

CALL TO ORDER: 6:30 P.M.

145 TAUNTON AVENUE-CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND

EXECUTIVE SESSION: CONFERENCE ROOM A

 

OPEN SESSION WILL IMMEDIATELY FOLLOW EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

Notice: The meeting will also be viewable live at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0YEW6s1RpjcKR47VMil1LA

 

City Council:

Council President, Bob Rodericks – At Large

Council Vice-President: Frank Rego – Ward 1

Councilwoman Anna Sousa - Ward 2

Councilman Frank Fogarty - Ward 3

Councilman Rick Lawson - Ward 4

 

City Solicitor, Michael J. Marcello

City Clerk, Andreza (Andy) Skipworth

 

 

I.          CALL TO ORDER

            Roll Call

 

Fogarty   X      Lawson   X   Rego   X    Sousa    X      Rodericks   X

 

II.        EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

The City Council of East Providence may meet in Executive Session,

            pursuant to RIGL §42-46-5 (a)(2)

 

MOTION TO MOVE INTO EXECTUVE SESSION

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty	Seconded
Lawson	X
Rego	Motion
Sousa	X
Rodericks	X

 

1.      Claims & Sewer Charge Abatements

a.       William C. Maaia, RM No. 25-047, Claim No. 25-029 -  $637.00

b.      Maria Perreira, RM No. 25-045, Claim No. 25-027 - $775.00

c.       Timothy J. Chapman, RM No. 25-051, Claim No. 25-030 - $625.00

d.      Anthony Bevilacqua, Sr., RM No. 25-053, Claim No. 25-026 - $395.00

e.       Mary Lou Hill, Sewer charge abatement - $634.61

f.        Bernadette Furtado, Sewer charge abatement - $413.74

g.      Carlos Bento, Sewer charge abatement, $312.97

h.      Richard Greco, Sewer charge abatement, $320.51

i.        Jane Dennison, Sewer charge abatement, $958.63

j.        Lana Ferreira, Sewer charge abatement, $1,124.78

k.      Leigh-Anne Mosco, Sewer charge abatement, $259.74

l.        Kathy Ann Gallant, Sewer charge abatement, $399.70

m.    Chris Delderfield, Sewer charge abatement, $2325.49

 

Assistant City Solicitor Joel Votolato updated the council on proposed agreement  regarding payment schedule changes.     

 

RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty	Seconded
Lawson	X
Rego	Motion
Sousa	X
Rodericks	X

 

MOTION TO SEAL EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty	X
Lawson	X
Rego	Motion
Sousa	Seconded
Rodericks	X

 

III.       SALUTE TO THE FLAG

 

IV.       PROCLAMATIONS & PRESENTATIONS

 

V.        CONSENT CALENDAR - For discussion and possible vote

 

            A. COUNCIL JOURNALS:

                 1. Regular Council Meeting September 16, 2025

                 2. Budget hearing meeting September 24, 2025

 

B. LETTERS: NEW PROPERTY NUMBERS

 

1.      99 Walnut Street, E. Providence, RI, 02914, MAP 105, Block 08, Parcel 039.00

2.      51 Dunbar Street, Rumford, RI, 02916, MAP 404, Block 22, Parcel 022.10

           

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

C. TAX ABATEMENTS: – Cancellations/Abatements

 

YEAR	AMOUNT
2024 Non-Utilization	$38,260.00
2925 Tax Roll	$85,100.00
TOTAL	$123,360.00

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty	X
Lawson	Motion
Rego	X
Sousa	Seconded
Rodericks	X

 

VI.       LICENSES - For discussion and possible vote

 

A. Motion to bundle licenses

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty	Seconded
Lawson	Motion
Rego	X
Sousa	X
Rodericks	X

 

B. Motion to approve licenses

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty	Seconded
Lawson	Motion
Rego	X
Sousa	X
Rodericks	X

 

            C. NON-PUBLIC HEARING

 

1.      Special Event – One Day Entertainment License (Bingo Night)

Applicant: Fr. Peri Anandarayar

Business Name: Sacred Heart Church

Event Address: 118 Taunton Avenue, East Providence

Entertainment: DJ

Date: 12/13/2025        Time: 6:30pm – 10:30pm

                

                   2.  Special Event – One Day Entertainment License (Halloween Party)

                        Applicant: Janna Espada

                        Event Address: 40 Oak Avenue, Riverside (Residence)

                        Date: 10/24/2025        Time: 7pm – 11pm

 

                   3.  Special Event – One Day Entertainment License (Anniversary Party)

                        Applicant: Melissa McNeil

                        Event Address: 33 Linden Street, East Providence

                        Date: 11/01/2025        Time: 4pm – 11pm

 

                   4.  Special Event – One Day Alcoholic License F1 (Fall Dinner)

                        Applicant: Fr. Peri Anandrarayar

                        Event Address: 118 Taunton Avenue, East Providence

                        Date: 10/25/2025        Time: 6:30pm – 11:00pm

 

                   5.  Special Event – One Day Alcoholic License F1 (Witches Parade)

                        Applicant: Bryan Benedict

                        Event Address: 684 & 700 Bullocks Point Avenue, East Providence

                        Date: 10/18/2025        Time: 11am – 4pm

 

                   6.  Business License: New (Auto Body)

                        Applicant: Phillip Drukker

Business Name: Philip Drukker dba PD Autobody

Business Address: 55 Hall Street, East Providence

 

                   7. Business License: Renewal (Solicit)

                       Applicant: Raymond S. Laurent

                       Business Name: Power Home Remodeling

                       Business Address: 2000 Chapel View Blvd #420, Cranston, RI

                       

                   8.  Business License: New (Mobile Food Truck) READ IN ONLY

                        Applicant: Jeffrey Farrell

                        Owner’s Address 505 Point Judith Road, Narragansett

 

D. PUBLIC HEARING

 

VII.     COMMUNICATIONS

Any person who submits a communication to the Council and wishes to speak on it must indicate this in writing no later than 4:00 p.m. the Thursday prior to the next regularly scheduled Council meeting.  A person who lists more than one topic on their communication will be allowed to speak on the first one listed.

 

XIII.    PUBLIC COMMENT

All persons wishing to make public comment shall sign a public comment sheet stating their name, address and the subject of their comments.  Each speaker will be limited to three (3) minutes.  The order of speakers will be on a first come, first serve basis and the maximum time for public comment shall by limited to thirty (30) minutes per meeting.

 

1.      Nancy Hale – Acknowledge the great work from Department of Public Works. Budget is reflection of priorities but would like to see what reflects energy bills, respecting the bay etc.  Council President Rodericks stated there isn’t a special line for those bills to be placed in the budget book.

 

IX.       APPOINTMENTS

 

X.        COUNCIL MEMBERS

 

1.      Discussion and possible vote on changes or amendments to the Mayor’s FY26  proposed budget.  A copy of the proposed budget is available on-line at  https://stories.opengov.com/eastprovidenceri/published/XxwJuzw3k6 and in the City Clerk’s office

           1. City Government

·         City Council

·         Mayor’s Office

·         City Clerk

·         Law

·         Canvassing

 

2. City Operations

·         Finance Controls & Accounts

·         Tax Collection

·         Tax Assessment

·         Human Resources

·         EEOC/Affirmative Action

·         Information Technology

·         Miscellaneous

·         Debt Service

·         Capital

 

3.  Community Development

·         Planning & Economic Development

 

4. Community Services

·         Recreation

·         Pierce Stadium

·         Carousel

·         Library

·         Senior Center

 

5. Public Works

·         Public Works Director

·         Building Inspection

·         Engineering

·         Highway/Parks

·         Streetlights

·         Refuse Disposal

·         Public Buildings

·         Central Garage

 

6. Public Safety

·         Police Department

·         Animal Shelter

·         Harbormaster

·         Fire Department

·         Public Safety Communications

 

7. Enterprise Fund

·         Wastewater Pollution Control

·         Water Utilities

 

XI.       PUBLIC HEARINGS – Ordinance for first and final passage and second passage - For discussion and possible vote

 

1.      An ordinance in amendment of chapter 18 of the revised ordinances of the City of East Providence, Rhode Island, 1998, as amended, entitled “vehicles and traffic” SECTION I.  Subsection (b) of Sec. 18-269 entitled “Stop and yield intersections designated; when stops required” is amended by adding thereto the following: Providence Avenue (northbound traffic) at Sunset Avenue; Providence Avenue (southbound traffic) at Sunset Avenue. Sponsored by Council President Rodericks

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty	Motion
Lawson	Seconded
Rego	X
Sousa	X
Rodericks	X

 

2.      An ordinance in amendment of chapter 18 of the revised ordinances of the City of East, Rhode Island, 1998, as amended, entitled “vehicles and traffic”.  is amended by adding thereto the following: Sec. 18-307 No Parking Lincoln Avenue (north side), from Crescent Ave westerly 175 feet. Sponsored by Council President Rodericks

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty	Seconded
Lawson	Motion
Rego	X
Sousa	X
Rodericks	X

 

3.      Ordinance of the Council of the City of East Providence appropriating $115,824.50 for improvements at Vintner Avenue Park. Introduced by Council President Roderick, Councilman Lawson Motion to amend the resolution total $150,032.40 to include the  kids’ equipment requested by the residents.

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty	Seconded
Lawson	Motion
Rego	X
Sousa	X
Rodericks	X

 

Motion passed unanimously 5-0

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty	X
Lawson	Motion
Rego	Seconded
Sousa	X
Rodericks	X

 

4.      Ordinance of the council of the City of East Providence appropriating $233,613,991 for the support of the city government for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2026. Introduced by Council President Rodericks. Councilwoman Sousa asked if the total amount include the Capital budget as well.  The answer was affirmative. Motion passed

 4 -1

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty	Motion
Lawson		X
Rego	Seconded
Sousa	X
Rodericks	X

 

XII.     CONTINUED BUSINESS

 

XIII.    NEW BUSINESS

 

A.    MAYOR COMMUNICATIONS – Chief of Staff, Patricia Resende

           

1.      Appointment/Reappointment requiring Council Confirmation

·         NONE

2.      Appointment/Reappointment not requiring Council Confirmation

·         Libby Merrill, new appointment, Appointment No. 3, Historic District Commission: Term 9/17/23-9/16/26

·         Jerome Spinola, reappointment, Seat 2, Affirmative Action Committee, Term 10/2/24-10/1/26

·         Tom Warzeka, reappointment, Appointment No. 1, Historic District Commission: Term 5/23/35 – 5/2/28

·         Janel Walker, reappointment, Seat 9, Affirmative Action Committee, Term 10/2/24-10/1/26

3.      Items for announcement/discussion

·         Proclamation celebrating the 125^th anniversary of the Holy Ghost Brotherhood

·         Plan for Vitner Avenue Playground

 

B.     REPORTS OF OTHER CITY OFFICIALS – City Solicitor, Michael Marcello  

 

1.      Informed the public that the city council voted to approve all the claims and sewer charge abatements unanimously.

 

2.      City Solicitor Michael Marcello read the following into record on behalf of Assistant City Solicitor Joel Votolato.  The council voted to approved the updated settlement agreement between Bank of America NA vs. Sarah Frew, in her capacity as Tax Assessor for the City of East Providence.

 

C.    REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE LIAISON

 

D.    RESOLUTIONS - For discussion and possible vote

 

1.      Resolution amending resolution no. 195 adopted April 1, 2025, to reflect a change in the total cost of the purchase of Two police vehicles in amount of $130,820.  Introduced by Council Vice President Rego

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty	Seconded
Lawson	X
Rego	Motion
Sousa	X
Rodericks	X

 

2.      Resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a cooperative agreement between the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and the City of East Providence to operate an air monitoring station at 64 Bourne Avenue. Introduced by Council President Rodericks and Council Vice President Rego.

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty	X
Lawson	Motion
Rego	Seconded
Sousa	X
Rodericks	X

 

3.      Resolution authorizing approval for the additional cost of utility bodies and plows for pickup trucks for the department of public works. Introduced by Council President Rodericks

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty	X
Lawson	Motion
Rego	Seconded
Sousa	X
Rodericks	X

 

D.    INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES - For discussion and possible vote

 

1.      An ordinance authorizing the Director of Finance to borrow funds in anticipation of taxes for FY 2026.

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty	X
Lawson	Motion
Rego	Seconded
Sousa	Motion
Rodericks	X

 

2.      An ordinance in amendment of chapter 11 of the revised ordinances of the City of East Providence, Rhode Island, 1998, as amended, entitled “personnel, pensions and retirement” the council of the city of east providence amends: Sec. 11-252 (1) Death of a retired participant related to eligibility requirements for a surviving spouse of a deceased member.  Introduced by Council Fogarty

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty	Motion
Lawson	Seconded
Rego	X
Sousa	X
Rodericks	X

 

3.      Ordinance of the Council of the City of East Providence appropriating $134,795 from the East Providence School Department Capital Improvement Revolving Fund.  Introduced by Councilman Fogarty <

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty	Motion
Lawson	Seconded
Rego	X
Sousa	X
Rodericks	X

 

4.      Ordinance of the Council of the City of East Providence ordering the assessment and collection of property tax on the ratable real estate and tangible personal property. Introduced by Council President Rodericks

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty	X
Lawson	Motion
Rego	X
Sousa	Seconded
Rodericks	X

 

XVII.  ADJOURNMENT

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty	X
Lawson	Seconded
Rego	Motion
Sousa	X
Rodericks	X

 

If communication assistance is needed or any other accommodations to ensure equal participation, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 401.435.7596 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting date.

 

 

POSTED: 10/2/2025