EAST PROVIDENCE — The East Providence Career and Technical Center Culinary Arts program hosted the annual “Good Faith Dinner” for members and coaches of the East Providence High School and LaSalle Academy football teams during the evening of Tuesday, Nov. 26.

The dinner brings together the Townies and Rams prior to their annual Thanksgiving Day contest. It was initiated to create a greater understanding between the teams and to promote good sportsmanship on the field of play.

The venue for the dinner alternates between the schools each year, 2013 being the Townies’ turn to host with the EPCTC culinary students under the direction of Chef Mary Ellen Hatch preparing the feast.

“We were so excited to be chosen to host this year’s event in our new dining room,” EPCTC Principal Karen Mellen said of the event.

East Providence Post and eastbayri.com photographer Alex Watrous chronicled the event through pictures.

EAST PROVIDENCE — The holiday tree lighting season and appearance by “Santa Claus” locally began in earnest last weekend with the annual Crescent Park/Looff Carousel event held Saturday, Nov. 30.
Santa arrived to the Carousel by escort of the East Providence Fire Department.

The Carousel Commission oversaw the event, which included the tree lighting and other decorative lighting around the famed city landmark, which will remained illuminated each evening throughout the season.

Holiday events continue this weekend with the third annual East Providence Recreation Department “Winterfest” Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Senior Center grounds located on Waterman Avenue. Santa will arrive by fire engine at 5 p.m. to light the winter landscape of trees that will remain illuminated from 5-9 p.m. through January 5.

The evening will feature a concert at 6 p.m. by the Swinglane Orchestra with East Providence vocalist Carroll Venable sponsored by Heritage Days Inc. Additionally there will be a variety of arts and crafts vendors, food, beverages and baked items from Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen. Children’s activities will include treats and photos with Santa as well as ornament making. This event is free and open to the public.

City Hall gets back into the holiday festivities with the return of a Christmas tree and decorations at City Hall Center. The tree lighting takes place Friday, Dec. 13, at 5 p.m. The Riverside Middle School Choir performs. Refreshments in the form of hot chocolate and cookies will be served. The interior of City Hall will also be decorated. Santa is expected to make an appearance. The event is free and open to the public.

EAST PROVIDENCE – In a move believed to bolster its tax rolls and to lure new businesses to East Providence, the City Council unanimously supported a resolution overhauling the Tax Stabilization ordinance for tangible property during its meeting Tuesday night, Dec. 3, at City Hall.

Introduced by Ward 3 Councilman Tommy Rose, the Council voted 5-0 to make significant changes to the provision, which has been on the books in the same form since its original implementation back in 1998. The amended ordinance will take full effect upon second passage, which is expected to happen at the Council’s Dec. 17 meeting.

“I commend Assistant Mayor Rose for his initiative, hard work and vision in revising our tax stabilization ordinance,” said Council President and Ward 1 rep Jim Briden. “2013 has been a good year for economic development in East Providence. The City Council has remained focused on important issues and has worked well together.”

City Planning Director Jeanne Boyle, citing the work done by Tax Assessor Steve Hazard and the advice of state-appointed Municipal Finance Advisor Paul Luba, led a read-through of the proposed changes.

Among the key addendums to the ordinance are:

• Adding the words “business tangible property.”
• Establishing an incremental tax exempt schedule over six years (100 percent exempt in Year 1 to 0 percent in Year 6) for qualified participants.
• Once denied participation in the process, apartments, condominium complexes and hotels ,which meet the qualifications established, are now eligible to participate.
• The minimum threshold of existing eligible tangible property to participate in the program is being raised from $50,000 to $150,000. Also, the minimum threshold for new businesses rises from $1 million to $5 million. And the terms of the program have been reduced from 20 years to 10 years.
• For those businesses which are currently using Tax Incremental Financing or may be endeavoring to do so, they will not be able to procure relief through Tax Stabilization concurrently. According to Ms. Boyle, it’s an either or proposition.
• In addition, prior to authorizing any property tax stabilization for the property, the property owner must obtain a Municipal Lien Certificate from the tax collector’s office, indicating that the applicant business and/or property owner is current on all payments owed to the city. Any payments that are in arrears on the property shall render the applicant ineligible for the incentives offered.

Ms. Boyle said the city’s current tangible tax rate of $56.25, which ranks as the fifth-highest in the state, is a “severe impediment to our competitiveness.” The Tax Stabilization changes should, therefore, put East Providence on par with the likes of Cranston and Warwick, two other main suitors for new and/or relocation businesses.

She continued, upping the thresholds would show those businesses which participate in the Tax Stabilization program are committed to the city for the long haul.

Mr. Rose, during his introduction of the amendments, said the changes to the ordinance would make it “more advantageous” for new businesses to come to the city and for existing ones to expand their operations.

In an interview following the meeting, Mr. Rose said he has been working on the matter for the last six months since he became aware two businesses currently operating in East Providence were being courted by Massachusetts state officials to relocate just across the border to Seekonk.

“This is important for the future of business in our city. We needed to do this to keep businesses here and to draw in new businesses,” Mr. Rose added.

Later in her remarks, Ms. Boyle said, “We expect hotels to be knocking down our door and at least two businesses have said they’d be interested in coming to the city if we did something about tangibles.”

Questioned specifically about two businesses by Councilors Helder Cunha (Ward 2) and Tracy Capobianco (At-Large), Ms. Boyle said she has had discussions with the Christmas Tree Shoppe and Dave’s Marketplace among others. Christmas Tree, long rumored to fill the old Shaw’s location across from East Providence High School, told Ms. Boyle the area’s demographics did not meet the company’s profile. Ms. Boyle said talks with Dave’s, a locally-owned supermarket chain, about opening up a storefront at a different spot in the city have been productive, though no formal agreement is imminent.

Ms. Boyle added the entire Taunton Avenue/Route 44 corridor should benefit from the changes, noting its central location and easy highway access should serve as enticements to business owners and property developers.

Ms. Boyle also said the Tax Stabilization amendments are expected to help the continued development of the city’s waterfront district as well as make other areas East Providence more amenable for use in the future.

Photos by Rich Dionne
East Providence Vo-Tech students from lower left, Nathan Wilkerson, Jordan Williams, Roberto Garcia, Mark Bianco, construction teacher Tom Galligan, row 2, Aidan Mota, James Ricci Jacob Otton, Brandon Kelly, Ty Ignacio and Pat Perry.

Two years after building a model replica of the Looff Carousel, the EPCTC pupils, under the direction of teacher Tom Galligan, have built a scale version of East Providence. The model measure eight feet long by four feet wide by three feet high.

The majority of the model was constructed during the 2012-13 school year as part of Mr. Galligan’s blue print tutorial. Students traveled to City Hall to measure the structure, including windows and doors. Public Works staff engineer Kevin Croke provided the actual blue prints of the building, which the students used to build a scale based on 5/8ths and one-inch measurements.

Mr. Galligan said about 12 students were primarily responsible for building the model, which took about a month’s worth of class time. Several others helped with odds and ends, including the final painting that has taken place since the start of the 2013-14 term.

School Committee member Tony Ferreira, who plies his trade in the construction industry, assisted the project by having the brick facade of the City Hall model made of bendable “Wacky Wood” used in the boat building cut by a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine, a high tech unit noted for its precision.

Mr. Galligan also tasked his students with conjuring ideas on what other materials they could use. Black foam home weatherstripping was used to form molding for the model windows. Imitation pearls were used to top the three flag poles that rest on the roof of the rounded shell of the Council Chamber.

“This was a pretty good project for the kids. There were a lot of small details they had to figure out. They had to get a little creative,” Mr. Galligan said of the intricacy of the project. “It’s the little things that make it cool. The kids really got into it.”

Looking ahead, Mr. Galligan said plans are already in the works for next year’s Winterfest submission. Scale models of either the Pomham Rocks Lighthouse or Pierce Memorial Stadium are being considered.

EAST PROVIDENCE – Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin and Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training Director Charles J. Fogarty announced Friday, Dec. 6, two plea agreements in unemployment insurance fraud cases, including one involving a city resident.

Anthony Amaral, 33,  with a last known address of 292 Pleasant Street, East Providence, pleaded nolo contendere yesterday before Providence Superior Court Justice Stephen P. Nugent to one count of obtaining money under false pretenses for collecting over $12,000 in unemployment benefits while he was employed.

Jaime Martin, 39, with a last known address of 2 Thorton Avenue, Smithfield, pleaded nolo contendere on Wednesday before Providence Superior Court Justice Daniel A. Procaccini to one count of obtaining money under false pretenses for collecting nearly $13,000 in unemployment insurance benefits while he was employed.

Mr. Martin was sentenced to three years probation and ordered to pay full restitution, in the amount of $12,869 to the State of Rhode Island, at the time of sentencing.

Had the case proceeded to trial, the State was prepared to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2011, Mr. Martin failed to report his weekly earnings to the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training (RIDLT) while he was working at various employers including Cardi Corporation, Capital Convention Contractors, Demers Exposition Services, Atlas Scaffolding, Spectacor Management Group/Rhode Island Convention Center, Global Experience Specialists, Freeman, Brede Exposition Services/Casey & Hayes, Special Event Rentals, Champion Exposition, Dame Associates and National Convention Exserv Inc. During this time period he was also collecting unemployment insurance.

Mr. Amaral was sentenced to five years probation and ordered to pay full restitution, in the amount of $12,363, to the State of Rhode Island.

Had the case proceeded to trial, the State was prepared to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that between June 10, 2006 and May 8, 2010, Mr. Amaral failed to report his weekly earnings to the RIDLT while he was employed for many weeks on a full-time basis at A.P. Leitao & Sons Landscaping, Inc.

Messrs. Martin and Amaral were required to report any earnings when they called the RIDLT Teleserve automated payment system each week to certify for their weekly unemployment insurance payments using their personal pin numbers.

The department discovered both defendants’ failure to report earnings by cross-matching its unemployment insurance database with RI wage records and the National Directory of New Hires. To combat fraud, RIDLT also maintains a tip line at (401) 462-1522 where the public can report benefits fraud anonymously.

“Rhode Island currently has one of the highest unemployment rates in the county, and unemployment insurance can be a lifeline for struggling families. It is imperative that these benefits are getting to the people who are entitled to them,” said Attorney General Kilmartin. “At the same time, we will not tolerate individuals who try to defraud the system. The Office Attorney General will continue to work closely with the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training and the Rhode Island State Police to ensure that those who try to cheat the system are held accountable.”

“Unemployment Insurance provides critical support to thousands of Rhode Islanders who are actively seeking work,” said Mr. Fogarty. ”We work diligently to root out those who are abusing this valuable program.”

Rhode Island State Police Detective Staci K. Shepherd of the Auto Theft and Insurance Fraud Unit led the investigation in the case of Jaime Martin, and Rhode Island State Police Detective John Alfred of the Computer Crimes Unit led the investigation in the case of Mr. Amaral.  Special Assistant Attorney General Genevieve Allaire Johnson prosecuted the cases on behalf of the Office of Attorney General and the State of Rhode Island.  Funded by RIDLT, Allaire Johnson prosecutes all unemployment insurance fraud, worker’s compensation fraud, prevailing wage violations and labor standards fraud cases on behalf of RIDLT.

EAST PROVIDENCE — Children’s Friend, a leader in improving the well-being and healthy development of Rhode Island’s most vulnerable young children, has launched its annual Spirit of Giving Holiday Drive in memory of noted East Providence resident Joseph Silva, who passed away earlier this year.

Thanks to Mr. Silva’s leadership, thousands of books, toys, clothing, and household goods have been donated to families in need for the past 20 years, greatly impacting the communities Children’s Friend serve.

For Rhode Island families living in poverty, the holiday season can be a difficult time of year. Many of our neighbors have been hit hard by the economy, so providing even the most basic necessities to small children can be a daily struggle. With your support, Children’s Friend can provide Rhode Island’s most vulnerable children and their families with holiday gifts and basic necessities during the season of giving.

Children’s Friend hopes to help 1,200 of Rhode Island’s families this holiday season, the biggest goal ever. To participate, please visit www.cfsri.org/spiritofgiving, call the Spirit of Giving Holiday line at 401-276-4346, or email holidaydrive@cfsri.org.

The family of Mr. Silva, a Children’s Friend board member for the annual holiday drive who passed away in February, has taken over for him this year in the hopes of supporting hundreds of families in need. Mr. Silva volunteered his time to this project for two decades and this year Children’s Friend will commemorate his work by holding the 2013 drive in his name.

Mr. Silva ran the very successful toy drive and Christmas Toy Drive Dinner with the support of the Knights of Columbus, local business, friends, family and supporters throughout the state. The drive is in need of new, unwrapped toys, books, gift cards, and or gift items for children ages 0-16-years-old for the toy drive. Any items of product or service provided by local businesses or monetary donations will also be accepted.

For more information on how to help or to arrange drop off or pick up of items locally please call Julie Silva at 401-434-3556 or email jas111677@aol.com or js7950@aol.com because your help is needed and no donation is too small.

In addition, the annual Christmas Toy Drive Dinner takes place Saturday, Dec. 14, at the Knights of Columbus Hall located at 3200 Pawtucket Ave. A reception starts at 6:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 7. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased by contacting Miss Silva at either the aforementioned phone number or email address.

CRANSTON — A city resident was one of two recent players to claim significant winnings from a Rhode Island Lottery game.

A gentleman from Riverside won $18,000 playing Keno Plus at Town Pub, 311 Taunton Ave., in city.  He wagered $1 on a 7-spot game and won $4,500.  However, since he opted to play Keno Plus, and the 4X multiplier came out, his prize turned into $18,000.

He said he was shaking and had the bartender read off the winning numbers to verify.  He plans on purchasing a new computer with some of the winnings.

A Coventry woman was thrilled when she scratched $20,000 off of the “Lucky Times 20″ Instant Ticket. She plans to pay bills. She purchased the lucky ticket at Cumberland Farms, 785 Tiogue Ave., Coventry.

Twenty-three more top prizes of $20,000 in the “Lucky Times 20″ Instant Game remain unclaimed.

Two intoxicated men caught the attention of Barrington police last week.

At about 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 3, police received a phone call from someone who spotted two men on the bike path; the caller told officers the men appeared to be quite drunk.

Officers confirmed that bit of information once they arrived on the scene — one of the two individuals was laying on the bike path near the intersection with County Road. One subject was a 56 year-old man from Pawtucket, while the other was a 55 year-old East Providence resident.

The East Providence man was reportedly uncooperative with officers and used vulgarity and curses when replying to requests to provide his ID.

Rescue personnel transported the men to an area hospital for detox.

Barrington Police Chief John LaCross said his officers did not arrest the men because Barrington does not have a law prohibiting public drunkenness.

CRANSTON — The Wednesday night, Dec. 11, PowerBall drawing for the $122 million  jackpot was hit by two winning tickets, one sold in Massachusetts and one sold in Nebraska.

In addition, a $10,000 winner came from Rhode Island with the ticket sold locally at the Cumberland Farms convenience story located at 350 North Broadway, East Providence.

The local ticket matched four numbers and the PowerBall number, for the standard payout of $10,000.  The winner did not purchase the Power Play feature for an additional dollar on the wager.  If the player had opted for Power Play, the $10,000 prize would have been increased to $40,000.

The Saturday, Dec. 14, estimated PowerBall jackpot is $40 million. Non-winning $10 or higher PowerBall tickets can be entered for a second chance to win a trip to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Ultimate Tailgate Party in Cleveland, Ohio.

PROVIDENCE — Count East Bay resident Ken Block and the state Republican Party as the latest to seek the firing of embattled WPRO radio host John DePetro.

Previously Governor Lincoln Chafee, Providence Mayor Angel Tavares and State Treasurer Gina Raimondo, all Democrats, called for the controversial yakker to be terminated for recent remarks he made on his show, which is broadcast daily from WPRO studios located on Wampanoag Trail in East Providence, about women and minorities.

Friday, Mr. Block, the Barrington resident seeking the Republican nomination for governor in 2014, and the Rhode Island GOP issued separate press releases indicating their support for Mr. DePetro’s removal from the airwaves.

Wrote, Mark Smiley,  the Chair of RIGOP, “The RIGOP recognizes that free speech is important for all our citizens however that is not a green light to Cumulus Media Inc under all circumstances. Although we don’t always agree politically and ideologically with Democrats in Rhode Island we fully agree on this matter.  The John Depetro (sic) Show is demeaning to women and minorities and this kind of behavior can’t be tolerated.  The Rhode Island Republican Party will be boycotting WPRO indefinitely until the John Depetro (sic) Show is terminated.  In addition, we call upon WPRO management and their parent company Cumulus Media Inc. to take action immediately.”

In his statement, Mr. Block wrote, “As a husband and father, I deplore the insensitivity and mean spirit displayed by John DePetro, and I believe he should have no place on the airwaves in Rhode Island. Therefore, I will decline to appear WPRO as long as John DePetro remains employed by the station.”

He added, “Helen Glover, Dan Yorke, Matt Allen and many others have delivered conservative viewpoints to their listeners without using vulgar words,” Block said. “You don’t need name-calling to make a compelling argument, and there is no place on the Rhode Island airwaves for discourse that disgusts.”

EAST PROVIDENCE — The first basketball game played in the refurbished East Providence High School gymnasium will go down as a loss for the Townies as visiting Barrington blew out the hosts, 62-47, in a non-league boys’ outing played Saturday afternoon, Dec. 14.

The Division II Eagles trailed early, but broke open the contest just past the mid-point of the first half. Matt Rota’s 3-pointer from the corner put Barrington on top (20-18) for what proved the rest of way. The visitors closed the opening 16 minutes on a 19-2 run to eventually take a comfortable 36-20 lead to intermission.

“We didn’t take care of the ball. We took poor shots. There were too many guys thinking about ‘me’ rather than the team. We got away from what we did earlier in the half,” East Providence head coach Alex Butler said of Barrington’s run before the break. “And defensively because we have so many new guys, they still don’t understand what it takes to play defense at this level and contain people.”

The Eagles’ advantage continued to grow at the beginning of the second half. Barrington’s outside-inside duo of superb junior guard Corey Daugherty and emerging sophomore forward Matt DeWolf each made a bucket at the start, raising the Eagles’ lead to 20 (40-20) just 45 seconds into the final stanza. The visitors’ largest margin of the afternoon (49-26) came a bit later when Kevin Mannix (9 points) drove the baseline for a layup.

Daugherty, Barrington’s 5-foot-10 floor leader, finished with a game-best 28 points, scoring 15 in the first and 13 in the second. DeWolf, at 6’7″ with the potential to become a real force on the interior for the Eagles, scored eight of his 14 points in the first half. His presence and rebounding in the paint, coupled with the tenacious work by his mates  defensively on the perimeter spurred Barrington’s first-half outburst. The Eagles turned the Townies over, got in passing lanes and contested just about every E.P. shot.

“I think obviously Corey was our catalyst. He knocked down a couple of 3s, got a few steals for us, got us out in transition,” said Barrington head coach Pat Sullivan. “But I think the key to the first half, which is what I said to them in the locker room, was that Matt DeWolf established the inside for us. He had eight first-half points. He started, took some time off on the bench, but was much aggressive when he went back in. I think that made a huge difference for us.”

East Providence senior standout guard Charlie Brown led the Division I Townies with 17 points, scoring seven early in the game before being silenced by the Eagles for the better part of the day. No other Townie reached double figures. E.P. did receive solid efforts from junior forward Franz Gabriel along with senior guards Brandon Rebollo (6 points) and Michael Lyles (6 points).

The Eagles improved to 2-0 in the preseason, coming off another victory over D-I Mt. Pleasant earlier in the week. East Providence slipped to 1-1, having defeated D-II Tiverton on the road to begin its schedule.

“Barrington is a very good team. That’s why I like playing against them early before we get into the league,” Coach Butler added. “Pat always has them prepared. They’re going to fight and scrap you both offensively and defensively. And the kid Daugherty is a heckuva ballplayer. Mannix is solid. And the big kid (DeWolf) is real good.”

Both teams begin their league slates next week. Barrington plays one more D-I opponent, LaSalle at home Tuesday night, Dec. 17, before tipping off against II-East foe Portsmouth Friday night, Dec. 20. The Townies play a pair of I-Central games against league rivals Hope, Dec. 17, at home and in Providence, Dec. 20, against Central. All games tip at 7 p.m.

“I couldn’t be happier with where we are right now after just two weeks. We’ve beaten two Division I teams in Mt. Pleasant and East Providence,” Coach Sullivan added. “And as I told Alex, I thought the team he put out there tonight was very impressive. They’re quick. They can shoot. They’ve got some size. So they gave us some challenges. We just have a good group of kids and one like Corey, who is going to play at the Division I (college) level, that really helps out a lot.”

Photos by Rich Dionne
Thaliah Resende, 8, her brother, Evan, 6, and sister, Aryanna, 4, speak with Santa Claus inside City Hall on Friday, during the first annual tree lighting.

Santa speaks to a children during the tree lighting.

Department of Public Works personnel and workers from Advance Tree Service based in neighboring Seekonk, Mass., put the behemoth into place a week prior to the lighting ceremony.

East Providence Post and eastbayri.com staff photographer Richard W. Dionne Jr. chronicled the event through pictures, a gallery of which follows below.

EAST PROVIDENCE — Snow Tuesday, Dec. 17, has led to another parking ban in the city, issued by the East Providence Police Department and to take effect as of 6 p.m.

In addition, all after-school activities in East Providence schools have been canceled. The Rhode Island Philharmonic School located in city has also canceled all Tuesday events.

MTTI and Local 37 Ironworkers have postponed evening classes.

EAST PROVIDENCE — The status quo regarding Paul Lemont’s tenure as interim city manager will remain the same for the time being after the City Council, at its meeting Tuesday night, Dec. 17, voted to delay implementing a  search for a permanent replacement to deposed former office holder Peter Graczykowski.

Mr. Graczykowski was relieved of his managerial duties back in early November. Some 10 days later, Mr. Lemont was chosen to fill the post on a temporary basis.

Tuesday, the Council, at the urging of Ward 3 rep Tommy Rose, voted 4-1 to refrain from starting the search process any time in the near future. Council President and Ward 1 rep Mayor James Briden cast the lone dissenting tally.

Mr. Briden initiated the discussion on the topic, requesting City Human Resources Director Kathleen Waterbury review the existing procedures. He asked that she come up with a guide for use by the Council be presented at its next meeting, the first of the new year on Tuesday night, Jan. 7.

It was at that time Mr. Rose interjected, expressing his reservations about proceeding any further.

“I’m not ready to move forward with the process yet,” said Mr. Rose, who voted in a 4-1 majority to remove Mr. Graczykowski from the position on November 5 and later was part of a similar 4-1 vote to bring Mr. Lemont in as the temporary replacement.

Mr. Briden voted to fire Mr. Graczykowski but did not immediately support Mr. Lemont’s hire. Ward 4 rep Chrissy Rossi was the only member to vote against getting rid of the former manager, but joined her other colleagues in bringing on Mr. Lemont, who previously spent 14 years in the same position from 1999-2003.

“We’re still trying to get settled here. Things are starting to work, move in the right direction,” Mr. Rose continued.

Ms. Waterbury noted the last time the Council searched for a new manager, eventually settling on Mr. Graczykowski in the fall of 2011, the process took about six months and included a committee with members of the community at large. She recommended not following the same practice this time around.

Mr. Rose agreed with Ms. Waterbury’s position, saying he, as the only remaining member from the previous Council, was involved in that process and that it took “too long.”

In backing the status quo, Mr. Rose added, that going outside East Providence for potential candidates creates problems because they “don’t know the city” as someone like Mr. Lemont, a life-long resident, does.

Prior to the vote, At-Large Councilor Tracy Capobianco signaled her support for postponing any decision as did Ward 2 rep Helder Cunha, who not only sponsored the resolution to remove Mr. Graczykowski but also that of bringing Mr. Lemont on board.

Mr. Cunha highlighted Mr. Lemont is saving the city money because he is not taking health insurance and that the interim manager, as Mr. Rose illuded to previously, was starting to tackle some of the more pressing issues the city currently faces.

Added Mr. Rose, “I know we eventually have to look at the process, but I don’t think this is the right time. I’m happy with the way things are working right now.”

Mr. Briden was careful to say his stance was not a reflection on Mr. Lemont’s performance to date nor how we look at the situation down the line. However, he said residents would like to have some sort of certainty in regard to who would man the top administrative post in the city going forward.

“I think the public would expect us to do the process sooner rather than later,” he added.

The Council President and Mayor asked if Mrs. Rossi, to that point quiet on the matter, had anything to add. She noted the possibility of an impending charter change to a strong mayor form of government being placed on the 2014 ballot as well as the continued state of flux with the position as being detrimental.

“I don’t know if having an interim city manager for an extended period of time is good for the city,” Mrs. Rossi said. Adding later, “We need stability. This city needs someone to stay for a while.”

Mr. Lemont has previously voiced his desire to remain as the city manager on a permanent basis, saying he probably need some two to three years in the job to remedy the existing problems and create a path forward.

Tuesday’s vote did not bring complete clarity to his status. The resolution that passed Tuesday had no specific time table included, though it was insinuated the Council would eventually revisit the topic by the spring of next year. City Solicitor Tim Chapman was also asked to determine if there are any parameters in the Charter that would dictate time sensitivity on the matter.

EAST PROVIDENCE — The East Providence Fire Department helped to quell two potentially significant situations that occurred concurrently Thursday morning, Dec. 19, in city.

At the Aspen Aerogels station located on Dexter Road, the EPFD joined the Clean Harbors company, representatives from the state Department of Environmental Management and the U.S. Coast Guard in making sure an ethanol spill was kept contained on the grounds.

According to EPFD Lieutenant James Bellamy, the city’s deputy fire marshal, a tanker truck believed to be empty was overfilled at the Aspen location. The truck actually had room for just 1,000 gallons of ethanol, meaning some 4,000 gallons spilled onto the property.

A tanker truck at the Aspen Aerogels fuel plant on Dexter Road was overfilled Thursday, Dec. 19, allowing some 4,000 gallons of ethanol to escape. Several public safety groups, including the East Providence Fire Department, quelled the situation without harm.

“They were very luck in that respect,” Lt. Bellamy said, referring to the blocked storm drains and the fuel not reaching the Seekonk River.

The firefighters weren’t done. At roughly the same time, approximately 10:30 a.m. Thursday, EPFD units responded to the U-Haul grounds on North Broadway after a car knocked over a propane fuel pump.

Lt. Bellamy said the situation there was “touchy” because it occurred simultaneously with what was happening about a mile up the road at Aspen, but that the department quickly contained and managed the spill.

The noxious odor of the fuel, however, penetrated the main building at the site. Lt. Bellamy said the structure was evacuated and needed a few hours for the air to be cleared and deemed safe for occupancy.

PROVIDENCE — Narragansett Beer has released its limited-edition Autocrat Coffee Milk Stout, a unique collaboration between two iconic Rhode Island companies; a custom blend of Narragansett’s bittersweet milk stout with dark, delicious Autocrat Coffee.

Since the 1890’s, Narragansett Beer and Autocrat Coffee have been home-grown Rhode Island favorites. With more than 100 years of shared heritage, the two local legends joined forces to celebrate the art of craft brewing and bring New England an emblematic brew that pays homage to their history.

“I’ve been a big fan of Autocrat since my Little League days, so I’m especially excited to introduce this brew to the market,” said Mark Hellendrung, president of Narragansett Beer and a native of East Providence who played in the Rumford Little League at the former Thompson School playground now known as the Kimberly Rock complex.

Mr. Hellendrung continued: “My Little League coach (Tony DeCristofaro) worked at Autocrat and drove one of the big delivery trucks. We would try to aim homers toward the truck in hopes of hitting the big Autocrat swallow.”

The full-bodied milk stout is enriched with the robust flavor of Autocrat Coffee to achieve an extraordinary taste experience. Brewed under the supervision of award-winning Brewmaster Sean Larkin, Narragansett’s Autocrat Coffee Milk Stout delivers a flavorful, smooth, dark brew with notes of roasted barley, chocolate malt and rich crystal malt. The exacting touch of hops provides just the right amount of bitterness to balance the sweet notes of the malts and milk sugar.

“Having been on retailers’ shelves for more than 100 years, Autocrat is proud to partner with another iconic brand to support Narragansett Beer in the development of Coffee Milk Stout,” said Richard M. Field, Jr., Autocrat partner. “This is the perfect collaboration between two long standing Rhode Island traditions.”

Narragansett’s Autocrat Coffee Milk Stout is currently available in six packs of 16-ounce “tallboy” cans throughout Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut. The beer is 5.3 percent Alcohol By Volume and 30 IBUs (International Bitterness Units).

For further information on the Narragansett’s Autocrat Coffee Milk Stout or to find a retailer near you, visit www.narragansettbeer.com.

EAST PROVIDENCE — The East Providence Department of Public Works has announced its schedule for holiday trash and tree collections.

Due to the Christmas Holiday, rubbish collection for Wednesday, Dec. 25, will be delayed one day and collected on Thursday, Dec. 26, Thursday collection will be on Friday, Dec. 27, and Friday collection will be on Saturday, Dec. 28.

The New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, collection of rubbish and recycling will be delayed one day and collected on Thursday, Jan. 2, Thursday collection will be on Friday, Jan. 3, and Friday’s collection will be on Saturday, Jan. 4.

Residents are asked to have all material at the curb by 6 a.m.  Regular collections will resume on Monday, Jan. 6.

Public Works will be collecting and chipping Christmas Trees for use as mulch for City projects.  Drop off your tree Dec. 26 – Jan. 17 at the following locations: Agawam Field, Hull St. Playground, Pierce Field, Central Avenue Playground, Silver Spring Playground, Kent Field, Riverside Rec Field Grassy Plain Park, Sabin Point, Park Carousel Parking Lot Curbside collection will be available January 6 – January 17.

Please place trees at the curb on the same day as your Rubbish collection day for pickup. Trees will not be collected with your rubbish, they will be collected separately by city crews for chipping. Please remove all ornaments, lights & stands. TREES ONLY! No wreaths, garland, roping, or artificial trees.

For more information contact the Public Works office at 435-7710.

EAST PROVIDENCE — On the eve of a new session, State Representative Helio Melo (D-Dist. 64) discussed some of the most pressing matters the General Assembly and his House Committee on Finance, specifically, faces as the year 2014 looms.

“The No. 1 thing we’re going to be looking at are jobs and the economy in the State of Rhode Island. Those things have to be the No. 1 issues,” the five-term East Providence state rep and House Finance chairman said during a recent interview.

“Last year we made significant changes to how the state approaches understanding and growing the economy and the Economic Development Corporation itself, which I think will help businesses. And we need to continue to work at reducing our the structural budget deficit. We need to tackle that issue so that we are more stable and not always in crisis mode,” he continued. “And we need to make Rhode Island more business friendly. We make owning and operating a business in State of Rhode Island too complicated.

“I’ve heard from many different business people that our regulations need to become more uniform in this state. We still need to be sensitive to the needs of our cities and towns, but we have to make departments like the DEM (Department of Environmental Management) and the CRMC (Coastal Resource Management Council) more uniform in how they function. It will make it much easier in the long run.”

A continuing discussion in the short term is the effort by some in the Assembly, including Barrington-Warren pol Jan Malik, to not just reduce but completely eliminate the state’s seven-percent sales tax. Mr. Malik helped similar legislation prevail last session, which set up a pilot program ridding Rhode Island of most alcohol sales taxes. To accomplish the former, Mr. Malik and others of like mind would have find ways of filling a gaping gap in the state’s annual budget, according to the chairman.

“That’s $900 million in losses, one-third of our total tax revenues,” Rep. Melo said. “Without saying whether or not I would support it, those who do need to come up with a way to meet that shortfall in the budget. And if they do, what programs are they going to cut? We need to be reasonable and realistic. The Assembly has looked at the sales tax in recent years and did enact a reduction that would lower the rate to 6.5 percent if the Marketplace Fairness Act becomes law, making it budget neutral.”

As co-chairman of a legislative commission with his counterpart across the hall and fellow E.P. pol Daniel DaPonte, the Senate Finance chair, Rep. Melo is attempting to find reality-based solutions to Rhode Island’s long-standing need to fix its dilapidated roads and bridges. To date, a resolution on the issue has proven elusive.

“We hear so much about the deficiencies of our bridges and roads, and we understand how that affects our economy,” Rep. Melo said. “The big question becomes how do we finance the necessary repairs? How and where do we find the money to do it? We already have one of the highest gas taxes in the country, so that’s probably not an area where we can go. As we know, tolls on bridges have become an issue. We continue to work on that issue. The General Assembly has already gone out of its way to put more money from (car) registration fees into funding transportation needs. It remains a difficult issue to resolve.”

Another difficult and pressing matter the Assembly faces immediately upon return to session New Year’s Day is a sizable anticipated shortfall in the 2014-15 budget, effective July 1.

“Unfortunately we’re once again starting with a projected deficit of about $140 million. There are many reasons for that, but the biggest reason is our expenditures continue to outgrow our revenues. Revenues are growing at two, two-and-a-half percent, but expenditures are increasing at four or five percent and even six percent in a given year,” Rep. Melo said.

Again, finding a fix is no easy task, though the House Finance chair remains reluctant to introduce any tax increases, sensing there is no need or desire on the part of Rhode Islanders to do so.

“Nothing is off the table as far as revenues go, but increasing the income tax or the sales tax is definitely a last resort. We need to come up with other creative ways to increase revenue and control spending before we increase taxes…period.”

A sub-text to the workings on Smith Hill this session is the fact that 2014 is an election year. All 113 representatives and senators in both chambers are up for re-election. The state will also elect a new governor in the wake of incumbent Lincoln Chafee’s decision not to seek a second term, a race that should be quite hotly contested.

“It is an election year, but I personally hope it doesn’t affect how we go about our business,” Rep. Melo said. “We have a job to do whether it’s an election year or not. We face too many important issues to let politics get in the way. We need to continue the job we were elected to do, which is represent the citizens and taxpayers of the State of Rhode Island.”

EAST PROVIDENCE — Area churches have set their Christmas Eve service schedule, including the Haven Methodist Church located at 200 Taunton Ave.

The Haven service is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 24, in the chapel. For more information call 438-4911. Come worship.

Regularly scheduled worship services take place on Sundays at 10 a.m.
Sunday School will resume on January 12.

In addition, the First United Methodist Church of Warren/Bristol, 27 Church St. in Warren, invites the community to their Christmas Eve Cantata Service on Tuesday, December 24th from 4:30-5:30 p.m.  Free will offering.

The Barrington United Methodist Church, 230 Washington Road, Barrington, invites the community to a Christmas Eve Service on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. featuring scripture, an inspiring message by Rev. Byungmoo Lee, candles, poinsettias, and special music showcasing world renowned classical guitarist Joseph Halajko.

EAST PROVIDENCE — On the exact one-year anniversary of taking office, East Providence City Council President Jim Briden took time out of a recent meeting of the body to reflect upon the year that was in city.

Mr. Briden, the city’s mayor and representative from Ward 1, did so at the Council’s December 3 meeting, claiming “2013 has been a really good year for the City of East Providence.”

The city, he continued, emerged from state oversight with an improved bond rating from the two most frequently quoted agencies, Standard and Poor’s and Moody’s, and much improved financial footing. East Providence ended Fiscal Year 2012-13 with an $8 million-plus surplus and having secured new, viable long-term contracts with much of its unionized workforce.

Mr. Briden referenced the $60 million in asset forfeiture money the city collected from the federal government’s prescription drug lawsuit against Google. Over $49 million those dollars, earned through the efforts of the East Providence Police Department during the investigation, was eventually cleared by the United State Justice Department for use to help offset the gaping hole in the city’s pension obligation to its law enforcement officers. That single development alone, but also coupled with the work done by the Budget Commission, sent the city on a path towards the type of fiscal stability expect by the agencies.

Mr. Briden called the $50-plus million dollar “Tockwotten on the Waterfront” eldercare facility, which opened earlier this calendar year, “a beautiful building and a great operation.” Tockwotten is expected to be an anchor to future development on the city’s shoreline.

Mr. Briden also spoke of the CME Energy and Hecate Energy-backed solar power field built at the site of the city’s former landfill off Forbes Street.

Calling it the “highlight” of the year for East Providence, Mr. Briden recognized Eaton Aerospace’s addition to the city. He noted the some 200 high-paying manufacturing jobs the company brought to East Providence from Warwick and its investment in the community, donating about $100,000 to refurbishing the Oldham Elementary School at the site of the former Meadowcrest Learning Center.

“Over the course of the year we’ve seen one great project after the next happen in the city,” Mr. Briden added.

The Council President also acknowledged some smaller scale accomplishments, including the reestablishment of live-streaming of Council meetings, improvement of the city’s website and needed repairs at the Crescent Park/Looff Carousel.