Warwick, RI – The Warwick City Council meets tonight at 7 p.m. to discuss, among other topics, adding $800,000 to the paving budget and restricting open fires to recreational use.
Though the Council’s original plan to add $800,000 for paving made their own cuts to the budget to come up with the funds, Mayor Scott Avedesian successfully vetoed it, citing the move of $607,931 from healthcare to boost paving and schools as his main objection. The transfer would have created a structural deficit, he said.
A resolution before the council tonight, sponsored by Councilman Edgar Ladouceur however, requests $800,000 be moved to the paving budget again, increasing it to $1.25 million, this time with the funds moved left to Avedisian’s discretion.
A $5 million bond for paving roads has received criticism from Ladouceur and other council members because it will not have any effect until July of 2017.
Also on the evening’s agenda is an ordinance restricting open fires in the city  to recreational use only, proposed by Councilwoman Camille Vella-Wilkinson.
According to the ordinance, no fire is allowed during air pollution warnings, alerts or emergencies. Recreational fires are the only open fires allowed under the ordinance, and fires in a chimnea or fire pit may be no more than 3 ft. wide by 2 ft. high. No flammable liquids may be used to ignite the fire; only a small quantity of paper is allowed.
Also on the agenda:
- A resolution for the city to enter into an agreement with Sun Pacific Power Corp. to receive recycling bins from the company with solar-powered advertisements on them free of charge, with ad revenue going to SPPC.
- A resolution authorizing Avedisian to lease Rhodes School to Gateway to Change, Inc., to be used for visual and performing arts activities and summer art camps.
- A resolution to place stop signs and speed limit signs on Algonquin Drive.
For more detail on the resolutions and tonight’s meeting, consult the attached .pdf of the City Council Docket. The City Council meets in Council Chambers, Warwick City Hall, 3275 Post Road.
Author: Rob Borkowski
Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at [email protected] with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.
This is a test
If we get new recycling bins, I hope we can finally participate in RecycleBank!