EAST PROVIDENCE — Although he remains open to dialogue on the matter, East Providence City Council member Tommy Rose said he remains steadfast is his opponent to a plan currently being backed by administrators and some of his peers which would seek some $19 million in bond monies aimed at fixing the city’s tired water system.
Mr. Rose reached out to discuss the topic further Friday afternoon, April 11, with the impending release of the upcoming Council meeting docket the same day where the proposal, prepared by Public Works Director Steve Coutu and Water Superintendent Jim Marvel, was expected to be resubmitted for review.
The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday night, April 15. The Council, by a slim 3-2 vote, rejected the proposal at its last meeting on April 1. Mr. Rose, of Ward 3, was joined in his opposition to plan by peers Helder Cunha of Ward 2 and Ward 4′s Chrissy Rossi. At-Large Councilor Tracy Capobianco and Ward 1′s Jim Briden, the Council president, voted to approve.
During a phone interview Friday, Mr. Rose said he does not believe the Council or experts outside the city have had the opportunity to properly vet the current plan, which is intended to replace an existing tank on the Kent Heights water site and build a new chlorination station as well replace an existing 48-inch main pipes and other older, smaller cast iron lines linking the area near the waterfront at the base of Warren Avenue.
Mr. Rose said upon further investigation on the topic and after consultation with the Providence Water Authority, through which East Providence buys its water, problems that can be remedied on a smaller scale have yet to be broached.
He said the city’s system hasn’t been thoroughly “flushed” or cleaned properly, which could be the reason for the uptick in bacteria levels. In addition, he said the water hasn’t been tested by an outside agency, other than Public Works, so as to compare the readings and results. And one last assertion made by Mr. Rose, which he claims is backed by his research through experts, is that the existing storage/holding tank on the Kent Heights grounds, albeit aging, could be ably repaired rather than be replaced completely.
Mr. Rose also believes the city could find other means on funding, such as in the form of federal grants and financing, rather than going out to bond.
“People say I’m doing this for political reasons. I’m not. I know we have to do something about the water system,” Mr. Rose added. “It’s just that $19 million is a lot of money. I’m not prepared at this time to put that burden on the backs of the taxpayers.”
