EAST PROVIDENCE — Like most other cities and towns in the state and the region, the winter of 2013-14 has been a drain on the snow removal budget for East Providence.

Department of Public Works Director Steve Coutu, Highway Supervisor Rob Walker and crew have been extremely active over the last few months. To date, the city’s DPW staff has responded to 13 so-called “winter storm events, according to Mr. Coutu, including the one that hit the area Tuesday morning, Feb. 18,

“It certainly has been a pretty busy winter season,” Mr. Coutu said Tuesday.  “The snow plow crews and all involved have been doing a really good job keeping up with ‘Mother Nature.’”

The DPW director said two main factors drive East Providence’s snow removal budget each winter: overtime and material costs. Overtime for plow and sanding drivers was set for $101,500 in 2013-14. Materials, mostly salt sands, was approximated to be at $100,000.

“We updated our numbers last week, so it does not include this past weekend’s storm, but as of last week, we were about three-quarters through the OT budget and just over the materials budget by $5,000,” Mr. Coutu added. “Those numbers will certainly change when we figure in this past weekend, and we still have about a month to go before the first day of spring, which can’t come soon enough.”

EAST PROVIDENCE —Most in the general public likely don’t truly know what heroin and related painkillers are or what are their intended purposes. The following is a list terms and definitions to help better know what these drug are about.

From drugs.com, the following are definitions of heroin, percoset and opiate:

What is Heroin?
Heroin (diacetylmorphine) is derived from the morphine alkaloid found in opium and is roughly 2-3 times more potent. A highly addictive drug, heroin exhibits euphoric (“rush”), anxiolytic and analgesic central nervous system properties. Heroin is classified as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 and as such has no acceptable medical use in the United States. Pure heroin is a white powder with a bitter taste. Most illicit heroin is sold as a white or brownish powder and is usually “cut” with other drugs or with substances such as sugar, starch, powdered milk, or quinine. It can also be cut with strychnine or other poisons. Because heroin abusers do not know the actual strength of the drug or its true contents, they are at risk of overdose or death. Another form of heroin known as “black tar” may be sticky, like roofing tar, or hard, like coal. Its color may vary from dark brown to black.

What is Percocet?
Percocet contains a combination of acetaminophen and oxycodone. Oxycodone is an opioid pain medication. An opioid is sometimes called a narcotic. Acetaminophen is a less potent pain reliever that increases the effects of oxycodone. Percocet is used to relieve moderate to severe pain. Percocet may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is an Opiate?
A drug (as morphine or codeine) containing or derived from opium and tending to induce sleep and alleviate pain.

From about.com, the following is a list of 10 of the most addictive pain killers on the market today. They are all synthetic or semi-synthetic opiates. Most are usually prescribed for the treatment of chronic pain. Note, this is not a complete list, and many more addictive pain killers and other prescription medications are on the market:

1. Fentanyl: Available as a lozenge, injectable solution, or skin patch.
2. Stadol: Available as a nasal spray or injectable solution.
3. OxyContin: Available as a tablet.
4. Demerol: Available as an oral solution, injectable solution and oral tablet.
5. Hydrocodone: Available as an oral syrup and oral tablet.
6. MS Contin: Available as injectable solution, capsule, tablet, and suppository.
7. Percocet: Available as capsule, tablet, and oral solution.
8. Lorcet: Available as a tablet, capsule, and oral solution.
9. Dilaudid: Available as an oral solution, injectable solution, tablet, and suppository.
10. Zydone: Available as an oral solution, capsule, and tablet.

Editor’s note: This is the third in a week-long series of stories attempting to understand the growing heroin epidemic locally and nationally

Part Four Thursday, An addict’s perspective

EAST PROVIDENCE — He swears up and down this time is different, that he’s on the straight and narrow, that he wants to understand and control his addiction.

One of the East Providence Police Vice Squad’s Confidential Informants said recently his reliance on heroin, the worst of all his addictions, has brought it all to a head. It was time to stop or die, plain and simple.

An addict for over 30 years, heroin has been his drug of choice for the last 10. He’s been in and out of rehabilitation programs, five according to his latest count, but felt the urge to get high almost immediately upon stepping foot back into everyday life.

“I don’t know why I did. I’m still trying to figure it out myself,” the CI said. His name was withheld at his request and that of the EPPD.

For most of his teenage years, he said he never touched a drug. He came from a good family, had money and was an athlete. That all began to change when the thrill-seeker side of him crossed the line into criminal activity. His addiction began once he was incarcerated for the first time, using prison painkillers known as “delotas” then moving on to others.

“I never did drugs and then when I went to prison I never wanted to shoot up. But then one day I said, @$!# it, I’ll do it, and it went from there,” the CI explained. “A lot of people start off by using pills to get off, but then you can’t get them no more. You need stronger juice, so a lot of people go to heroin.”

His story of heroin addiction is much like the countless others who have come under the drug’s spell. The “partying” as he called it would last deep into the night. The next day at some point, he awoke, struggled to get out of bed and readied to find the next fix. Unable to maintain a job and after monetary support from family ended, he turned back to crime, usually break-ins. He’d take whatever money or possessions he stole to his dealer, got the heroin and started the whole process over.

“You’re always anxious. You’re always worried how you’re going to get the stuff and you’ll do just about anything to get it. It’s bad. You scam, you hustle. I’d do a quick B&E and take the stuff right to my dealer,” he said. “You spend the whole day either getting high or thinking about getting high. If you don’t get it, you’re as sick as a dog. You throw up. You have diarrhea. You’re bones are aching. It’s the worst feeling I’ve ever had in my life.

“But then you do your fix and almost immediately you’re ready to go again. You do anything you can to stay ahead of your next fix, but it doesn’t always work out,” the CI said.

Like the police, the CI believes increased dependence on prescription pills is one of the leading factors to the spike in heroin use locally and nationally.

“I see it all the time. Doctors start people off with vics, perks, oxy (vicodin, percoset, oxycodone). The doctors stop writing the scrips and they realize they’re hooked. They need to get off,” he said. “I see the doctors and the lawyers and the cops, the firemen, all of them in the meetings I go to. It affects everybody.”

Having suffered a number of life-threatening health scares because of his addiction, the CI over the last year decided it was time to seek treatment once more and finally take it seriously.

“I’m married. I’ve got kids. There was no other way. I was going to die if I kept going,” he said. “It’s a living nightmare. No one asks to be a junkie. No one wants to be an addict. It takes over your life. I finally had to stop. I couldn’t do it for anyone else. I had to do it for me first. I truly believe if you want the treatment to work, you can make it work. You can try to get someone sober. You can tell a junkie anything, but they’ve got to want to do it for themselves.”

To stay clean, he goes to meetings, tries to avoid the pitfalls of former acquaintances and situations that may lead to a relapse. So far, at least for the better part of the last six months, what he’s doing works.

“You’ve got to go to the meetings. You’ve got to see the people and hear what they’re going through. You’ve got to see how good life can be,” the CI said. “You’ve got accept yourself for who you are. You can be sober and have a good time. It’s all about getting that second chance, but a lot times with your addiction you don’t get no second chance. But it’s definitely better to be alive, I can tell you that.”

Editor’s note: This if the fourth installment of a week-long series of stories pertaining to the recent increase of heroin use in East Providence and nationally.

Part Five, Friday, Narcan and treatment

The following is a list of local outpatient drug rehabilitation centers:

East Providence
CODAC Behavioral Healthcare
(401) 434-4999
850 Waterman Avenue

East Bay Center
(401) 431-9870
610 Wampanoag Trail

Providence
Family Service Inc
(401) 331-1350
55 Hope Street

Butler Hospital
(401) 455-6214
345 Blackstone Boulevard

Discovery House
(401) 461-9110
66 Pavillion Avenue

Providence Metro Treatment Center
(401) 941-4488
160 Narragansett Avenue

MAP Behavioral Health Services Inc
(401) 785-0050
66 Burnett Street

EAST PROVIDENCE — The St. Mary Academy-Bay View community recognizes those students who demonstrate above average scholastic achievement on a quarterly basis via the Honor Roll.

Students in grades six through twelve who achieve all A’s for the quarter grading period are given “high honors.” Those who achieve A’s and B’s for the quarter grading period are recognized as “honors.”

The following is the list of students who achieved placement on the Bay View Academy Honor Roll for the second quarter of the 2013-2014 school year. Students are listed by name, hometown, grade and honor level.

Massachusetts

Sonia Dady, Attleboro, 7, Honors; Christina DesVergnes, Attleboro, 11, Honors; Carlee Sincavage, Foxboro, 12, Honors; Gabriella D’Attilio, Franklin, 11, Honors; Giovanna Sgalia, Hopedale, 7, Honors; Laura Rubino, Mansfield, 9, High Honors Kathleen Rubino, Mansfield, 8, Honors; Tory Bauer, Mendon, 11, Honors; Brooke Nyman,, North Attleboro, 7, High Honors Casey David, Rehoboth, 7, High Honors Hannah Nadeau, Rehoboth, 7, High Honors Samantha Crausman, Rehoboth, 11, High Honors Shelley Hobson, Rehoboth, 12, High Honors Gabriella Moreira, Rehoboth, 6, Honors; Lily Gucfa, Rehoboth, 7, Honors; Catherine Donnelly, Rehoboth, 9, Honors; Jael Zipporah Cade White, Rehoboth, 9, Honors; Abigail Tidwell, Rehoboth, 10, Honors; Emma Tremont, Rehoboth, 10, Honors; Andrea Haddad, Rehoboth, 12, Honors; Paige Monk, Rehoboth, 12, Honors; Elizabeth Cooney, Rehoboth, 7, Honors; Melina Cabral, Seekonk, 6, High Honors Katherine Kerr, Seekonk, 7, High Honors Amelia Brown, Seekonk, 9, High Honors Hailey Campatelli, Seekonk, 9, High Honors Daniella Olivares, Seekonk, 6, Honors; Lindsay Dalton, Seekonk, 10, Honors; Patricia Gauthier, Seekonk, 12, Honors; Stephanie Labib, Swansea, 12, High Honors Laura McCann, Swansea, 10, Honors; Shalyn Shorter Swansea, 11, Honors; Laura Poulton, Westport, 12, High Honors; Abigail Swift, Westport, 6, Honors

Rhode Island

Sonia Wessen, Barrington, 7, High Honors Julia Plumb, Barrington, 10, High Honors Julia Wessen, Barrington, 12, High Honors Caitlin Cummings, Barrington, 6, Honors; Margaret Greene, Barrington, 7, Honors; Julia Mogavero, Barrington, 7, Honors; Julia McMahon, Barrington, 9, Honors; Megan, Johnstone, Barrington, 10, Honors; Taylor Morris, Barrington, 10, Honors; Madeline Chrupcala, Barrington, 11, Honors; Yeonkyung (Anna) Kim, Barrington, 12, Honors
Alana McGuinness, Bristol, 8, High Honors Kathryn Miller, Bristol, 9, High Honors Yaewon (Brittany) Ha, Bristol, 11, High Honors Abigail Mello, Bristol, 6, Honors; Elizabeth Morris, Bristol, 6, Honors; Claire Egan, Bristol, 7, Honors; Jalynne Ovalles-Cardany, Bristol, 8, Honors; Olivia Abreu, Bristol, 9, Honors; Tiffany Brooks, Bristol, 9, Honors; Caitlyn Federico, Bristol, 9, Honors; Jillian Federico, Bristol, 9, Honors; Chloe Headrick, Bristol, 9, Honors; Maddison Mello, Bristol, 9, Honors; Hope Morency, Bristol, 9, Honors; Christina Conley, Bristol, 10, Honors; Madison Beck, Bristol, 11, Honors; Sofia Cabral, Bristol, 11, Honors; Erin Devin, Bristol, 11, Honors; Sarah Elizabeth Healy, Bristol, 11, Honors; Colleen Miller, Bristol, 11, Honors; Marguerite Moran, Bristol, 11, Honors; Emily Geoffroy, Bristol, 12, Honors; Xinyan (Stephanie) Li, Bristol, 12, Honors; Devan Miller, Bristol, 12, Honors; Alia Trefrey, Bristol, 12, Honors
Anne Madeiros, Carolina, 10, Honors
Loreal Moniz, Central Falls, 10, Honors
Nicolette Theroux, Charlestown, 11, Honors
Isabella DiSalvo, Chepachet, 6, Honors; Elizabeth Kolakowski, Chepachet, 10, Honors
Autumn Houghton, Clayville, 12, High Honors
Sophia Javid, Coventry, 7, High Honors Chloe Michalopoulos, Coventry, 8, High Honors Cashel Koski, Coventry, 10, High Honors Juliana Kohler, Coventry, 11, High Honors Rachel Simoneau, Coventry, 12, High Honors Dakota Grenier, Coventry, 10, Honors; Danielle Pulvie, Coventry, 10, Honors; Alison Guilmette, Coventry, 11, Honors; Rylee Leonard, Coventry, 11, Honors; Kathryn O’Connor, Coventry, 11, Honors; Kristine McCann, Coventry, 12, Honors; Cortney Morris, Coventry, 12, Honors
Gabriella Maggiacomo, Cranston, 8, High Honors Lauren Moonan, Cranston, 8, High Honors Cassandra Gendron, Cranston, 9, High Honors Gabrielle Grieco, Cranston, 10, High Honors Melanie Morales, Cranston, 10, High Honors Marcella Mazzenga, Cranston, 11, High Honors Stephanie Jackvony, Cranston, 12, High Honors Alison Sherman, Cranston, 12, High Honors Emily Sulanowski, Cranston, 12, High Honors Lauren Cerullo, Cranston, 6, Honors; Claire Kirk, Cranston, 7, Honors; Lauren Tetreault, Cranston, 7, Honors; Caitlyn Bowles, Cranston, 8, Honors; Arianna Corso, Cranston, 8, Honors; Emme Grenier, Cranston, 8, Honors; Grace Hagberg, Cranston, 8, Honors; Alexa Brooks Major, Cranston, 9, Honors; Alexandra Howe, Cranston, 9, Honors; Corinne Krajewski, Cranston, 9, Honors; Jazzlyn Kwapong, Cranston, 9, Honors; Jaclyn Levesque, Cranston, 9, Honors; Marisa Mobilia, Cranston, 9, Honors; Michaela Vieira, Cranston, 9, Honors; Yihan (Christy) Feng, Cranston, 10, Honors; Catarina Girardi, Cranston, 10, Honors; Rose Mahoney, Cranston, 10, Honors; Ashley Omigie, Cranston, 10, Honors; Gianna Quillen, Cranston, 10, Honors; Yangyan (Angela) Sun, Cranston, 10, Honors; Nicole Bowman, Cranston, 11, Honors; Gabriella Coppa, Cranston, 11, Honors; Sophia Culpo, Cranston, 11, Honors; Amelia Goclowski, Cranston, 11, Honors; Alexa Quillen, Cranston, 11, Honors; Ashley Stone, Cranston, 11, Honors; Brianna Almonte, Cranston, 12, Honors; Gabriela DiNobile, Cranston, 12, Honors; Allissondra Dutra, Cranston, 12, Honors; Stephanie Mattiello, Cranston, 12, Honors; Emily Nunez, Cranston, 12, Honors; Caitlin Ponko, Cranston, 12, Honors; Stephanie Ricci, Cranston, 12, Honors; Sara Therrien, Cranston, 12, Honors; Shannon Vallande, Cranston, 12, Honors
Amelia Larson, Cumberland, 9, High Honors Sofia Rossi, Cumberland, 9, Honors; Olesya Tamburro, Cumberland, 7, High Honors
Sydney Ellis, East Greenwich, 8, High Honors Kirsten Hanlon, East Greenwich, 11, High Honors Isabella DeNuccio, East Greenwich, 7, Honors; Taylor DeNuccio, East Greenwich, 8, Honors; Claire Hanlon, East Greenwich, 9, Honors; Kelly Fischer, East Greenwich, 10, Honors; Catherine Amoriggi, East Greenwich, 11, Honors; Abigail Burke, East Greenwich, 11, Honors; Morgan Burke, East Greenwich, 11, Honors; Jacklyn Wilson, East Greenwich, 11, Honors; Molly Burke, East Greenwich, 12, Honors; Amelia Lusi, East Greenwich, 12, Honors; Lexi Santurri, East Greenwich, 12, Honors
Taylor Couto, East Providence, 7, High Honors Sarah Curran, East Providence, 7, High Honors Grace Holden, East Providence, 7, High Honors Caroline Mahoney, East Providence, 7, High Honors Allison Dillon, East Providence, 8, High Honors Kailey Williams, East Providence, 8, High Honors Zheyu (Ruby) Jin, East Providence, 10, High Honors Riley Medeiros, East Providence, 10, High Honors Sydnie-Grace Merlino, East Providence, 11, High Honors Stephanie Brown, East Providence, 12, High Honors Danielle Grace, East Providence, 12, High Honors Alexandra Scala, East Providence, 12, High Honors Meaghan Whittum, East Providence, 12, High Honors Xinyi (Serena) Wu, East Providence, 12, High Honors Rachel Bettencourt, East Providence, 6, Honors; Rylee Marin, East Providence, 6, Honors; Virginia Abbruzzi, East Providence, 7, Honors; Isabelle Booth, East Providence, 7, Honors; Kaylee Duquette, East Providence, 7, Honors; Elizabeth Killian, East Providence, 7, Honors; Madison Manuel, East Providence, 7, Honors; Jaime Sousa, East Providence, 7, Honors; Hope Briden, East Providence, 8, Honors; Bryanna Clement, East Providence, 8, Honors; Alexis DaSilva, East Providence, 8, Honors; Kelsea Dawson, East Providence, 8, Honors; Olivia Dumon, East Providence, 9, Honors; Olympia Good, East Providence, 9, Honors; Siyu (Angel) Liu, East Providence, 9, Honors; Cyanne Mitchell, East Providence, 9, Honors; Leah Sirmalis, East Providence, 9, Honors; Zoe Dowgiala, East Providence, 10, Honors; Ophelia Fernandes, East Providence, 10, Honors; Emily Machado, East Providence, 10, Honors; Taylor Moravec, East Providence, 10, Honors; Megan Niederberger, East Providence, 10, Honors; Soraya Pierre-Louis, East Providence, 10, Honors; Sarah Underwood, East Providence, 10, Honors; Leanne White, East Providence, 10, Honors; Tracy Bettencourt, East Providence, 11, Honors; Shannon Briden, East Providence, 11, Honors; Delia Sosa, East Providence, 11, Honors; Rachelle Faria, East Providence, 12, Honors; Victoria Furtado, East Providence, 12, Honors; Samantha Healy, East Providence, 12, Honors; Alexandra Krause, East Providence, 12, Honors; Tatianna Medina, East Providence, 12, Honors
Virginia Liberto Exeter, 12, Honors
Krystyna Kula, Greenville, 9, High Honors Angelica McAfee, Greenville, 8, Honors; Bianca McAfee, Greenville, 11, Honors
Vanessa Krause, Harrisville, 8, High Honors
Madeline Papitto, Hope, 9, Honors; Camilla Macera, Hope, 10, Honors
Isabella Zainyeh, Jamestown, 9, Honors
Michelle Saliba, Johnston, 10, High Honors Bianca Saliba, Johnston, 12, High Honors Victoria Allienello, Johnston, 9, Honors; Victoria Arpander, Johnston, 9, Honors; Angelica Provost, Johnston, 9, Honors; Jane Benum-Paolantonio, Johnston, 10, Honors; Marissa Chapkounian, Johnston, 10, Honors; Abigail Duffy, Johnston, 10, Honors; Ariana Cambio, Johnston, 11, Honors; Francesca Corsinetti, Johnston, 11, Honors; Samantha D’Arpino, Johnston, 11, Honors; Brittany Lizotte, Johnston, 11, Honors; Julia Pezzullo, Johnston, 11, Honors; Joanna Carlino, Johnston, 12, Honors; Olivia O’Connor, Johnston, 12, Honors; Sydney San Antonio, Johnston, 12, Honors
Grace Hamel, Lincoln, 8, Honors; Gabrielle Kumar, Lincoln, 8, Honors; Morgan Gabriele-Bucki, Lincoln, 10, Honors; Erin Azar, Lincoln, 11, Honors; Rebecca Ortiz, Lincoln, 12, Honors
Abigail MacKenzie, Middletown, 12, Honors
Victoria Hampton Narragansett, 8, Honors; Katherine McCann Narragansett, 12, Honors
Elizabeth Morisseau, North Kingstown, 11, High Honors Alexandra Indeglia, North Kingstown, 12, High Honors Megan Nadeau, North Kingstown, 10, Honors; Abigail Dolan, North Kingstown, 11, Honors; Elizabeth Moretti, North Kingstown, 11, Honors; Alexandra Roberti, North Kingstown, 11, Honors; Erin Dolan, North Kingstown, 12, Honors; Christiana Layman, North Kingstown, 12, Honors
Blaine Lynch-Gadaleta, North Providence, 8, High Honors Rebekah Pendrak, North Providence, 8, High Honors Allison Cross, North Providence, 10, High Honors Sokhna-Binta Gueye, North Providence, 6, Honors; Celia Macari, North Providence, 7, Honors; Elizabeth Lynch-Gadaleta, North Providence, 8, Honors; JoAnne Henry, North Providence, 9, Honors; Angela Xu, North Providence, 9, Honors; Jeweliana Moore, North Providence, 10, Honors; Eva Macari, North Providence, 11, Honors; Audrey Moroni, North Providence, 11, Honors; Marianna Bailey, North Providence, 12, Honors; Meghan Cross, North Providence, 12, Honors; Lisa Landolfi, North Providence, 12, Honors
Elizabeth Ng, North Scituate, 6, Honors; Caroline Ng, North Scituate, 7, Honors
Jillian Lee, North Scituate, 9, Honors; Mikaela Lee, North Scituate, 10, Honors; Cristina Marsocci, North Scituate, 12, Honors; Kara Mitola, North Scituate, 12, Honors
Britney Evangelista, North Smithfield, 12, Honors; Moriah Garzone, North Smithfield, 12, Honors
Gabriella DeFaria, Pawtucket, 8, High Honors Tess Rossi, Pawtucket, 10, High Honors Anna Tanalski, Pawtucket, 12, High Honors Nicole Baalbaki, Pawtucket, 6, Honors; Molly Donovan, Pawtucket, 7, Honors; Maite Cezario, Pawtucket, 9, Honors; Jazlyn Contreras, Pawtucket, 9, Honors; Hope, Lincoln, Pawtucket, 9, Honors; Jasmin Blackiston, Pawtucket, 10, Honors; Mackenzie DeFaria, Pawtucket, 10, Honors; Azzurra Catucci, Pawtucket, 12, Honors; Elyse Dunbar, Pawtucket, 12, Honors
Victoria Castano Portsmouth, 10, Honors
Jeanna Bateman, Providence, 6, High Honors Marisa Lee, Providence, 6, High Honors Grace Farrow, Providence, 7, High Honors Sophia Brooks-Randall, Providence, 9, High Honors Lily Sneesby, Providence, 9, High Honors Kaili (Kerry) Li, Providence, 10, High Honors Yining (Avy) Liu, Providence, 10, High Honors Qiongsha Luo, Providence, 10, High Honors Ruoxi Zhang, Providence, 10, High Honors Oyeyemi Kolawole, Providence, 11, High Honors Grace Sneesby, Providence, 11, High Honors Sara Akhtar, Providence, 6, Honors; Zoey Martin, Providence, 6, Honors; Karisma Verma, Providence, 6, Honors; Siena Negash, Providence, 7, Honors; Makayla Shine, Providence, 7, Honors; Claire Collins, Providence, 8, Honors; Emma Hancox, Providence, 8, Honors; Emily Kane, Providence, 8, Honors; Arianna Angeloni, Providence, 9, Honors; Meaghan Gillis, Providence, 10, Honors; Sophia Millard, Providence, 10, Honors; Ashlee Reyes, Providence, 10, Honors; Jenna Krapf, Providence, 11, Honors; Siyan (Lucia) Lu, Providence, 11, Honors; Isabella Millard, Providence, 11, Honors; Christine Sainterlien, Providence, 11, Honors; Merci-Pauline Ujeneza, Providence, 11, Honors; Marilyn VanErp, Providence, 11, Honors; Betzabel Vasquez, Providence, 11, Honors; Binxin (Heather) Yan, Providence, 11, Honors; HuiLun (Helen) Yang, Providence, 11, Honors; Siqi (Dara) Zhong, Providence, 11, Honors; Anne Schreck, Providence, 12, Honors; LiliLan Visgilio, Providence, 12, Honors; Dingying (Dolly) Zhao, Providence, 12, Honors; Samantha Collins Providence , 6, High Honors
Alexia Mattos, Saunderstown, 10, Honors
Gabrielle Smith, Smithfield, 12, High Honors Sarah Bain, Smithfield, 9, Honors; Jacqueline DiFilippo, Smithfield, 10, Honors; Megan Bain, Smithfield, 11, Honors; Maki Ikai, Smithfield, 11, Honors
Erin Gardiner South Kingstown, 11, Honors
Hannah Cabral, Tiverton, 9, High Honors Jessica McDonald, Tiverton, 9, High Honors Emily Gleason, Tiverton, 11, High Honors Sarah Garrity, Tiverton, 12, High Honors Lily Murray, Tiverton, 8, Honors; Molly Gleason, Tiverton, 9, Honors; Keri Murray, Tiverton, 11, Honors; Elizabeth Paradis, Tiverton, 12, Honors; Cori Sullivan, Tiverton, 12, Honors
Olivia Murray, Wakefield, 6, Honors
Alexa Dicomitis, Warren, 10, Honors; Emma Alfred, Warren, 12, Honors
Madeline Brannon, Warwick, 9, High Honors MacKenzie Grenier, Warwick, 9, High Honors Isabelle Lucente, Warwick, 9, High Honors Natalie Sangkagalo, Warwick, 9, High Honors Jenna Costantino, Warwick, 10, High Honors Dana Hackett, Warwick, 10, High Honors Lynandrea Mejia, Warwick, 10, High Honors Shannon Coffey, Warwick, 12, High Honors Kaitlin Brannon, Warwick, 7, Honors; Isabella Colapietro, Warwick, 9, Honors; Faith Maloney, Warwick, 9, Honors; Katie Paparelli, Warwick, 9, Honors; Camryn Raposo, Warwick, 9, Honors; Bismah Siddiqui, Warwick, 9, Honors; Natalie Turner, Warwick, 9, Honors; Melissa Beattie, Warwick, 11, Honors; Nicole Boucher, Warwick, 11, Honors; Vanessa Bundy, Warwick, 11, Honors; Isabella Carroll, Warwick, 11, Honors; Julianna Fielding, Warwick, 11, Honors; Caitlin Galamaga, Warwick, 11, Honors; Caroline Letendre, Warwick, 11, Honors; Mia Maggiacomo, Warwick, 11, Honors; Phoebe Belmore, Warwick, 12, Honors; Catherine Caldwell, Warwick, 12, Honors; Taylor Coffey, Warwick, 12, Honors; Danielle Hattoy, Warwick, 12, Honors; Hannah Shea, Warwick, 12, Honors; Michelle Taraian, Warwick, 12, Honors; Alexandra Weimar, Warwick, 12, Honors
Haley Lecomte, West Greenwich, 10, High Honors Lauren Della Grotta, West Greenwich, 12, High Honors
Jamie Tebeau West Warwick, 10, High Honors

PROVIDENCE — Providence County Grand Jury reported out an indictment charging Julius Durant with one count of first degree sexual assault Thursday, Feb. 20.

It is alleged that on or about October 26, 2013, Mr. Durant sexually assaulted a female. The alleged assault took place in East Providence and the East Providence Police conducted the investigation.

Durant is scheduled to be arraigned in Providence County Superior Court on March 12.

EAST PROVIDENCE — While Narcan is effective, it’s carried and used by many law enforcement and public safety personnel, it’s not a cure-all, doesn’t replace necessary treatment methods and will ultimately not save lives in the end. That’s the message East Providence Police want the public to understand.

According to the Overdose Prevention and Education Network, Narcan is a drug that can reverse an opioid overdose and is available over-the-counter. It blocks opioids from attaching to opioid receptors in the brain. The generic name of Narcan is naloxone — they are the same thing.  Narcan has no other effects and cannot be used to get high. Someone cannot overdose on Narcan. Narcan has no potential for abuse.

Narcan is active for about 30 to 90 minutes in the body. If you give someone Narcan to reverse an opioid overdose, the Narcan may wear off before the effects of the opioids wear off. The person could overdose again.  This depends on several things, including: the person’s metabolism (how quickly the body processes things); how much drug the person used in the first place; how well the liver works to process things; and if the person uses again

Because Narcan blocks opioids from acting in the brain, it is possible that it can cause withdrawal symptoms in someone that has a habit.  After giving someone Narcan, the person may feel dope sick and want to use again right away. Do not let them use again for a couple of hours. If they use, they can overdose again once the Narcan wears off.  If the person uses when there is still Narcan in the system, they will not feel it at all. Narcan will knock the drug out of the opioid receptors in the brain.

“It’s a resource we use, but it’s an emergency response. It works, but it will be harder the next time, and it may be too late. Families and friends think they’re helping with Narcan, but they should be seeking treatment. Eventually their number will be up,” East Providence Police Chief Joseph Tavares. “Heroin addicts are dying. They’re being saved temporarily by hospital and rescue personnel, but their loved ones need to get them help, get them into recovery programs.”

Editor’s note: This is the fifth and last story in a week-long series highlighting the growing heroin epidemic in East Providence and around the country.

John J. McNamara Jr., 89, formerly of Burton Avenue, Riverside, died on February 18, 2014.  He was the husband of the late Catherine M. (Healy) McNamara. Born in Providence, a son of the late John J. and Margaret (Rose) McNamara, he lived in Riverside for 50 years.

Mr. McNamara was a lineman and meter diversion specialist for the former Narragansett Electric Co. for 35 years before retiring in 1986. He also was the owner & operator of J.J. McNamara & Son Inc. for 44 years.

Mr. McNamara was a United States Marine Corps Veteran serving as a Corporal in the 5th Division during World War II and was an Iwo Jima survivor.

He is survived by five sons; John J. McNamara III and his wife Linda of West Warwick, Stephen P. McNamara of Plainfield, Conn., David M. McNamara and his wife Nancy of North Attleboro, Mass., Thomas M. McNamara and his wife Karen of North Attleboro, Mass., and Robert J. McNamara and his wife Michele of North Dighton, Mass., a sister; Margaret Brennan of Warwick, 13 grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

His funeral was held on Saturday, Feb. 22, from the W. Raymond Watson Funeral Home, 350 Willett Ave., Riverside with a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Brendan Church, Turner Avenue, Riverside. Burial with Military Honors followed in Mt. St. Mary Cemetery, Pawtucket.

Rocco Pompei, 90, of Read Street, Riverside, died peacefully on February 22, 2014.  He was the beloved husband of Barbara (Bruseny) Pompei. Born in Barrington, a son of the late Rocco R. and Theresa (Ferri) Pompei, he lived in Riverside for 65 years.

Mr. Pompei was a United States Army Veteran serving during World War II.

Besides his wife of 65 years, he is survived by two sons; Richard F. Pompei and his wife Christine of Riverside and Stephen R. Pompei and his partner Christopher Utter of Providence, four grandchildren; Richard F. Pompei Jr., Amy E. Desorcy, Jason Fournier and Benjamin Fournier and six great grandchildren. He was the brother of the late Mary Vallenti, Helen Arico, Angelina Sousa, Albert, Philip and Guerino Pompei.

His funeral service will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 25, in the W. Raymond Watson Funeral Home, 350 Willett Ave., Riverside, at 10 a.m.. Calling hours and flowers were respectfully omitted. Contributions in Rocco’s memory to the RISPCA, 186 Amaral Street, Riverside, R.I., 02915, would be deeply appreciated.

EAST PROVIDENCE — The East Providence Office of Affirmative Action/EEO presents a Black History Month Celebration On Tuesday, Feb. 25, from 6-8 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, East Providence City Hall, 145 Taunton Ave.

Among the items of interest will be artwork by local students, singing and dance performances and an appearance by 2014 Miss Rhode Island, Also, don’t miss an opportunity to see Onna Moniz-John’s “Roll out the Black” Mobile Museum, which will be on display from 5 -6 p.m. in the City Hall Parking lot.

This event is free and family friendly and all ages are welcome to attend to attend.

EAST PROVIDENCE — The Narragansett Terrace Realty Association, a community group in the Riverside section of the city, holds its annual meeting and a gathering of local politicians Thursday night, Feb. 27, at the Riverside Library located on Bullocks Point Avenue.

Those pols invited to attend include State Senator David Bates, State Representative Gregg Amore, Council President and Mayor James Briden, Ward 4 Council member Christine Rossi, Councilor At-Large Tracy Capobianco, Ward 4 School Committee member Timothy Conley and At-Large member and School Committee chairman Joel Monteiro.

The NTRA annual meeting for members only begins at 6 p.m. The meeting open to the public with political leaders starts at 7 p.m.

CRANSTON — Another $10,000 winning PowerBall ticket was sold in East Providence following the Wednesday, Feb. 26, drawing, the Rhode Island Lottery announced the following morning.

The winning ticket was purchased at Total Market, 970 Willett Ave., Riverside. The $10,000 prize has yet to be claimed. It is the sixth $10,000 PowerBall ticket sold in Rhode Island in just seven days. The ticket matched four numbers and the PowerBall number.

The standard payout for this type of win is $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 multiplied by two, last night’s Power Play number, to equal $20,000.

EAST PROVIDENCE — The interests of local businesses and the overall economic development in East Providence converged a bit Wednesday night, Feb. 26, during a special City Council session.

Phil Tirrell, the well-known area realtor speaking on behalf of the East Providence Chamber of Commerce, asked the Council to delve into the possibility of decreasing the city’s tangible tax rate from its current $56.25 per $1,000 to something more in line with similar sized municipalities and competitors for businesses like Warwick and Cranston.

Saying he wanted East Providence to “become the entrepreneurial capital of Rhode Island,” Mr. Tirrell said in his capacity as a real estate salesman and on the Chamber he has had heard from prospective business owners that the relatively high rate, which is second on the list of Rhode Island cities and fifth overall, is seen as a deterrent to moving or opening new branches in East Providence.

Only financially-stressed Central Falls, among cities in Rhode Island, has a higher tangible rate ($73.11) than East Providence. Three towns have higher rates as well. North Providence follows Central Falls overall at $69.41, Smithfield’s is $61.06 and Johnston comes in at $59.22.

The potential loss in revenue to East Providence due to the decrease in the tangible rate would have to be made up for somehow in the current city budget, Mr. Tirrell conceded.

After crunching some numbers with City Assessor Steve Hazard, Mr. Tirrell said if certain small businesses, for instance, were given a tax exemption up to the first $25,000 of its tangible property then it would create a hole of some $400,000 in the budget as it is currently constituted. Allowing for all businesses to have the same exemption would create a roughly $1.5 million shortfall.

Mr. Tirrell stressed, though, the possible increase in property taxes accrued through an influx of new or relocated businesses, as well as the potential boon to the housing market and ancillary spending of employees around the city, could offset any gaps in the budget.

For the sake of comparison, Providence’s tangible tax rate is $55.80 per $1,000, Warwick’s is $39.58 per, Cranston’s $34.26 per and Pawtucket’s is $52.09.

It should be noted each of those municipalities has higher or significantly high residential rates than East Providence’s current $25.21 per $1,000. Providence’s is $36.75, Warwick’s $29.68, Cranston’s $34.26 and Pawtucket’s $30.88.

A bit later in the meeting, City Planner Jeanne Boyle and the City’s Economic Development Planner Jim Moran acknowledged hearing similar sentiments from business owners about East Providence’s tangible tax rate and agreed the Council, city manager and finance director should research the matter further.

Ms. Boyle and Mr. Moran did so as they offered the Council an updated economic development presentation.

Mr. Moran told the Council the city’s unemployment rate, which in recent years reached a high of 14.3 percent, has dropped to 8.9 percent, below that of the state, according to the latest figures released by the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training and is likely to dropped even further with reasonable job growth anticipated for the rest of 2014.

Ms. Boyle said a new and improved website for the city is expected to come on-line soon after her department worked with City Information Technology Director Kelly Ahrens and its service provider. Ms. Boyle expressed her confidence East Providence “is going to have one of the best websites in the state when we’re through.” The new site is modeled after other municipal internet locations, Ms. Boyle specifically pointing to that of Boulder, Colo.

In addition, Ms. Boyle said the city has received good feedback from monthly forums it holds with business leaders and expects those to only grow in their importance. She said she continues to hear appreciative words about the sense of cooperation between the departments in the city, which gives comfort to owners and operators. She also expressed her desire to do more outreach with minority business owners, one of the fastest growing and most untapped segments of the economy.

Ms. Boyle also briefed the Council on the status of some significant construction projects in the city. Work on Wampanoag Meadows, the former site of a sand-and-gravel pit off Wampanoag Trail, is expected to commence in late spring. Some 300 apartments, grouped among 15 separate three-story buildings, would be rented at market rates.

Also of note, Ms. Boyle said the first phase of construction at the Kettle Point site on the waterfront is moving towards a late 2014 start date. Some 200 housing units along with commercial space would be the first to be built.

Irene Frances (Gilligan) Roberts, 92 of Riverside, passed away peacefully in the company of family at the Newport Hospital, Tuesday, January 28, 2014, following a brief illness. She was the beloved wife of Kenneth E. Roberts.

Irene was born in Pawtucket, a daughter of the late Martin and Gertrude (Horbert) Gilligan. After graduating with honors from Pawtucket High School, Class of 1939, Irene worked at the Cumberland Engineering and W.H. Haskell Mfg. Companies before marrying Ken in 1950. She devoted the rest of her life to nurturing her four daughters and maintaining a loving and creative home life, where friends and strangers were welcomed. Her words of wisdom were always a comforting influence. She will be missed a great deal.

Mrs. Roberts was predeceased by her beloved daughter Christine, sisters Gertrude and Madelyn and brother Martin Jr. Irene is survived by her husband, Kenneth; her children Karen Santolupo of Bristol, Lisa Roberts of Seekonk, Louise Richter of Wickford, R.I.; 10 grandchildren;  two sisters, Carol Broll of Santa Rosa, Calif., and Mary Parseghian of Shrewsbury, Mass.

NORTH SCITUATE — Rhode Island State Police identified city resident Sheng Zhou as the fatality and one of the victims in a wrong-way driving accident which occurred on Interstate 95 in Pawtucket in the early morning hours of Friday morning, Feb. 28.

A passenger in the rear operator’s side of the vehicle struck State Police Saturday, March 1, announced the deceased as Ms. Zhou, 27, of 3044 Pawtucket Ave., Riverside. As a result of injuries sustained in the accident, Ms. Zhou was pronounced dead at Rhode Island Hospital at 4:05 a.m. Friday morning. The accident took place on Route 95 South at approximately 3 a.m.

The operator of the vehicle traveling the wrong way was identified as Estefani Almanzar, 21, of 17 Spicer St., Providence. Ms. Almanzar remains in critical condition as a result of injuries sustained from the accident. Ms. Almanzar was the lone occupant of her vehicle.

Two other victims were injured in the accident.

The operator of the vehicle traveling the correct way on Route 95 South and consequently struck by Ms. Almanzar’s vehicle was Weiming Chien, 30, of 3040 Pawtucket Ave., Riverside. As of Saturday morning, March 1, Mr. Chien was listed in stable condition at Rhode Island Hospital.

The front seat passenger of Mr. Chien’s vehicle was identified as Jean Liu, 20, of 333 Atwells Ave., Providence. Ms. Liu was also listed Saturday as being in stable condition at Rhode Island Hospital.

The investigation is ongoing and as of March 1, no charges have been filed.

State Police released initial details of the accident late Friday morning.

According to the report, at approximately 2:56 a.m., multiple 911 calls were received at the State Police Lincoln Woods Barracks reporting a vehicle was traveling on Route 95 northbound in the southbound lanes. A witness observed this vehicle strike the median barrier in the area of the Route 95 and Route 195 before continuing north.

At approximately 3:04 a.m., additional 911 calls were received reporting a vehicle with the same description had struck a second vehicle head on which was traveling Route 95 south. The collision occurred south of Lonsdale Avenue in Pawtucket.

Troopers responded to the scene and were assisted by members of the Pawtucket Fire Department and Pawtucket Police Department. The operator of the vehicle traveling the wrong way was transported to Rhode Island Hospital.

Three individuals in the second vehicle were also transported to Rhode Island Hospital. The driver and front seat passenger sustained non-life threatening injuries as the result of the crash and are in stable condition. The rear seat passenger later succumbed to her injuries at Rhode Island Hospital.

PROVIDENCE — The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited Inferno Wood Pellet Inc. after an investigation into the East Providence business for a fire last summer.

On Aug. 20, 2013, a combustible wood dust explosion and fire occurred at Inferno Wood Pellet Inc., injuring a worker and partially demolishing the building. The ignition of wood dust in the plant’s production room migrated to a retention bin, resulting in an explosion that spread through the building.

“While no one was killed, the potential for death and serious injury was real, present and preventable. The lack of safeguards allowed the initial fire and explosion to occur and spread in a chain reaction to other equipment and through the plant,” said Patrick Griffin, OSHA’s area director for Rhode Island. “If this employer had adhered to applicable OSHA and National Fire Protection Association standards, that would have helped prevent the fire and explosion from occurring and spreading.”

An investigation by the Providence Area Office of OSHA found that employees at the plant were exposed to wood dust explosions, deflagrations, or rapid combustion, and other fire hazards due to inadequate or absent preventive and protective measures in the wood pellet processing system and its equipment.

Specifically, OSHA found that the retention bin lacked spark detection, explosion suppression, fire/explosion isolation and explosion venting devices; conveyor systems carrying combustible wood products lacked spark detection, fire suppression and/or fire isolation devices; dust collection systems and dust segregation barriers were not maintained to minimize fire sources; and an opening in the fire wall between the plant’s production room and chip room allowed a fireball to enter the chip room and spread the fire.

OSHA identified additional fire hazards at the 275 Ferris Ave. plant, such as the accumulation of combustible wood dust on various locations and surfaces within the plant, an incomplete and inadequate fire prevention plan and lack of dust-tight electrical equipment where combustible wood dust accumulated.

Other hazards included an incomplete respiratory protection program; lack of noise monitoring; inadequate chemical hazard communication and training; excess amounts of liquefied petroleum gas stored in the building; an untrained forklift operator; and lack of procedures and training to ensure that all equipment was properly deenergized to prevent unintended activation.

Because of these and other hazards, OSHA has cited Inferno for 11 serious violations of workplace safety standards and has proposed $43,400 in fines. A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

“Combustible wood dust is a byproduct of the manufacturing process, and it is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that proper and effective safeguards are in place and in use at all times, so that incidents like this fire and explosion do not occur,” said Mr. Griffin.

Detailed information on wood dust hazards and safeguards is available at http://www.osha.gov/dsg/combustibledust/index.html.

Inferno has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, meet informally with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint or report workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA’s toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency’s Providence Area Office at 401-528-4669.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

EAST PROVIDENCE — Ward 2 Councilman Helder Cunha has signaled his intention to seek re-election in November 2014, doing so in a press release Wednesday, March 5.

“I am proud to announce my candidacy for re-election to the East Providence City Council. I want to thank all of those for placing their trust in me and allowing me to serve the residents of Ward 2,” Mr. Cunha stated.

A political novice when he threw his hat in the ring back in 2012, Mr. Cunha unseated veteran pol and then Council President/ceremonial mayor Bruce Rogers by a considerable sum in the general election that fall.

“I first ran for office because I was concerned with the direction our city was taking. Someone had to speak up for the residents of Ward 2, and I was willing. Today, I am confident in saying that East Providence has bounced back since then and the future looks bright,” Mr. Cunha added.

Mr. Cunha cited the city’s improved fiscal outlook, bolstered by moves the former Budget Commission completed and subsequently followed mostly by the council, as one of the achievements made during his first term. He also noted the Council’s decisions on taxes of as two other examples of accomplishments over the last two years.

“Working alongside (Ward 1 Councilman) Mayor (Jim) Briden and the council, we’ve overcome our most pressing fiscal challenges. We’ve kept taxes down, froze homestead exemption phase-out, passed a balanced budget, and made sure our pensions got back on a sustainable path. As a result of getting our finances back in order, East Providence regained the confidence of both credit rating agencies and incoming businesses,” Mr. Cunha said.

If elected a second time, which would be the first for the council since voters approved four-year terms, Mr. Cunha said his aims would be continuing to improve the city’s financial picture and its infrastructure.

“We still face many challenges that must be addressed,” he concluded. “Revitalizing our city as place that’s easier to do business, fixing our schools, and ensuring residents get the most out of their tax dollars has been and will remain my focus for East Providence. I respectfully ask the voters of Ward 2 to stand with me in continuing to move our city toward a more prosperous and positive future.”

Photos by Rich Dionne
Townies guard Angela Leonardo (middle) is stripped of the ball by Tiverton guard Avery Pacheco (left).

Sam Sando led three Tiverton players in double figures, scoring a game-best 17 points. Avery Pacheco and Sarah Barboza chipped in 12 and 10 points for the Tigers, who raced to a commanding 38-15 lead by halftime.

Angela Leonardo was the lone East Providence player to reach double digits, netting a team-high 15 points. Julia Andrade added six.

The win gave the Tigers an even 8-8 record in league play. Tiverton is assured of a spot in next week’s Division II championship tournament. For the Townies, the loss dropped East Providence to 5-11. Despite the setback, the Townies remain in contention for one of the last of the 16 berths into the playoffs.

EAST PROVIDENCE — Department of Public Works Director Steve Coutu gave the City Council another update on the status of East Providence’s drinking water system Tuesday night, March 4, a detailed analysis of needed fixes and the anticipated costs of the improvements.

Mr. Coutu, speaking to the Council about the system for the second week in a row, said the cost of the proposed projects would be approximately $17 million. The improvements include: water main rehabilitation in the Watchemoket District, $6 million; a new transmission main pipeline $4.5 million; a new storage tank at the current Kent Height location $5 million; and a new chlorination station at the Kent Heights site $1.5 million.

To fund the system upgrades, Mr. Coutu said the city would seek money through the Rhode Island Clean Water Authority. The city would pay for the upgrades through an enterprise fund, that cash being derived from an increase in commercial and residential rates as well as the implementation of a flat quarterly fee.

An enterprise fund is one in which money taken in goes directly back into the construction and maintenance of the project. Specifically related to this proposal, the city’s water system is fully funded by water sales and fees to its 15,000 customers.

Though he did not directly quote the percentage of the increase, Mr. Coutu noted the city’s current water rate of $2.85 per HCF (hundred cubic feet) with minimum in advance of $31.66 per quarter for the first 1,111 cubic feet used has not increased since 2008. The added quarterly surcharge, $20 for residential customers, establishes a fixed meter charge.

Councilman Chrissy Rossi holds up a piece of pipe, like that which would be repaired, during a presentation on needed improvements to East Providence’s water system at a meeting March 4.

The new chlorination station would reduce the amount of the chemical in the water and help remove harmful DBPs (Disinfection Byproduct Concentrations) in the system. DBPs are created when natural organic matter in the water interacts with chlorine. Since 2005 the City has been required by the state Department of Health to add Chlorine to the drinking water following a boil water order due to the presence of fecal coliform bacteria detected through routine sampling.

In addition, Mr. Coutu suggested the city should look into changing the source of its water system from Providence to the Pawtucket Water Interconnection.

A preliminary design has been completed for new water main connection with Pawtucket to serve East Providence and the Bristol County Water Authority (BCWA), which serves the rest of the East Bay. The project’s cost is estimated at $27 million, which would be shared by the state, East Providence, the BCWA and Pawtucket. E.P.’s share would be approximately $8 million.

The Fiscal Year 2015 state budget bill being considered by the General Assembly includes a $13.5 million water supply bond for the project. It needs both legislative and voter approval.

Mr. Coutu’s presentation also included some other interesting historical tidbits.

Prior to 1970, the City’s drinking water was supplied by the Turner Reservoir and four wells along the reservoir property. The water received basic treatment at the Hunts Mills Water Treatment Facility. Water pollution caused by industrial discharges and runoff into the Ten Mile River upstream of the Turner Reservoir, rendered the reservoir unsuitable for drinking water supply.

In 1970, after years of planning and construction, East Providence connected to the Providence Water System which is supplied by the Scituate Reservoir.

About the Kent Heights storage tanks, the one-million gallon standpipe was built in 1997 and the eight-million gallon tank built was in the mid 1960s

To read the update Mr. Coutu provided to the Council click here…

Photos by Rich Dionne
Myron Francis first grader Greyson Baldizar points out his art work, an Asian dragon, on the wall of the community room at the Weaver Library during a reception for Youth Art Month on Thursday night.

The show will remain open throughout the month of March. The gallery features the artistic expressions of some 50 students from Orlo Avenue, Silver Spring and Myron Francis elementary schools as well those from Martin Middle and East Providence High School. All grade levels are displayed in a variety of media such as painting, drawing, collage and sculpture.

The works were instructed and supervised by system art teachers, Amanda Rapoza at Martin, Michelle Colicci and Ashley Singleton for the elementary schools and Tricia Barry, Ali Robat, Amy Rudis, Jade Sisti and Jen Cahoon at EPHS.

Weaver Library is located at 41 Grove Ave. The exhibit can be viewed during its hours of operation, Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday-Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

EAST PROVIDENCE — In need of significant upgrades, the City Council at its meeting Tuesday night, March 4, cleared the way for the Carousel Commission to finalize a contract with Blount Seafood to repair and continue to operate the seasonal clam shack on the Looff Carousel grounds.

The renovations are necessary mainly for the structure to meet Rhode Island Health Department codes, City Manager Paul Lemont told the Council in his presentation before the vote. The Council, by a unanimous 5-0 count, eventually allowed for the process to continue having been told Blount would be responsible for fully funding the project.

The Carousel Commission ironed out the final details of the deal. In return for its investment, Blount is initially seeking a 10-year contract to continue to operate the clam shack on seasonal basis, April to Columbus Day in October annually.

The contract must also receive approval from the office of City Solicitor Tim Chapman and from Mr. Lemont before it must be returned to the Council for final ratification.

Besides meeting structural and health standards, the repairs will also make the building “function able and the grounds more appealing,” according to a written proposal presented to the manager and the Council by Carousel Park Commission Chairman Stephen Costa.

The estimated cost of the project is $50,000 and will be paid for entirely by Blount, which is headquartered on 335 Water St., Warren.

According to Mr. Costa’s proposal, the scope of the work to be completed includes the gutting of the existing shack, repainting of the interior and exterior of the structure, installation of new windows, the hanging of new Fiber-Reinforced Plastic walls, updating the drainage system, updating the fire system (if needed), updates to be approved by health department and the installation of all stainless steel shelving. In addition, if money remains, the covered seating area outside the shack will be updated and made larger.

Other aesthetic improvements include the installation of a portable fence in the rear of the shack and installation of a new sign at road side. The proposed lease would also allow Blount to maintain a portable full-service kitchen trailer on the grounds during the season of operation.

An artist’s rendering of the renovated clam shack operated by Blount Seafood on the Looff Carousel grounds.