Town Council - Regular Meeting

I will call the December 3rd, 2025 North Providence Town Council meeting to order. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance and remain standing for a moment of silence.

Algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Okay. Item number one, acceptance of meeting minutes. Discussion and possible vote with regard to the acceptance of meeting minutes for the meetings of November 5th, 2025. Do I have a motion to approve? So move.

Motion's been made by Councilman Bala, seconded by Councilman Dorenzo. All those in favor. All those opposed? The eyes have it. Item number two, good energy. Mayor Lombardi requests discussion and possible vote on community choice electricity from good energy. Mayor, Mr. Chairman, members of the council, we've been discussing this issue uh number of times and uh tonight we have uh Mr. Oac and Mr. Dina Tao from and [clears throat] the community choice electricity from good energy to address the council maybe just to uh listen to see if there's any uh savings that we could provide to our taxpayers and um so when they came to visit me I asked them if they would come before the council to answer any questions that this council may have or maybe at uh a future ordinance committee meeting, Mr. Chairman. So, if I may, so Rock, Mr. Dina, thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

Council President, uh members of the council, uh Madame Town Clerk, thank you for letting us come before you tonight. We have a brief presentation to tell you about uh community choice electricity and about good energy. We're the consultants that do this. That first slide, that first slide is our New England customerf facing team. Uh here tonight, myself, John Oor, and and Steve Dataly. Uh Steve used to be mayor of uh Pittsburgh and also a state representative. So he's familiar with uh with town matters. I used to be a selectman so I'm pretty familiar with them too. Uh again this is our customerf facing team in New England. Behind us we have 40 individuals uh analysts uh administrative people service people uh and professionals supporting us. We've got 20 years of experience at uh what is known as aggregation or community electricity. Uh right now we have uh in Massachusetts uh we have 71 clients. Uh here in Rhode Island we have seven. Uh and we we serve a total in those two states of um almost 1.9 million residents. Uh as a national company, we're involved in every state that has uh community electricity. Uh and again uh we bring uh national expertise here to the local level. We have in Massachusetts a 25 municipality aggregation that recently

became recognized as the largest of its kind in the country. We do all the heavy lifting on aggregations uh with the guidance of municipal officials. Uh again uh we've been active in Rhode Island. We have seven clients here wrote in Rhode Island including the city of Providence uh and also um all those uh towns on Aquidnik Island. Uh we've got uh Newport, Middletown and uh uh Port Smith. We have 65 active aggregations in Massachusetts. The discrepancy between that 71 in the last slide and a 65 is because those six are launching by the end of this year. They'll be launching this month. This next uh visual is just a map showing uh our clients relative to uh North Providence. Uh you can see we have most of Bristol County in Massachusetts which borders uh Rhode Island and you can see the uh those in Rhode Island that are currently our clients and we're in discussions with another three or four uh municipalities here in Rhode Island. the goals of community electricity, more competitive electricity choices, uh more longerterm stable pricing, uh potentially lower electricity rates, uh more renewable energy depending upon, uh

what the sentiment is of your residents here in North Providence. uh increase consumer protection. In terms of uh once a a municipality gets on to uh community electricity, uh those phone calls and solicitations usually get greatly reduced from those suppliers that contact residents directly. Participation in these uh plans is voluntary. participants can go uh leave the plan at any time they want um without any penalties or termination fees. Community electricity only affects the supply side uh of the bill. The relationship with Rhode Island uh energy would stay exactly the same, including all programs that are currently in place with them. The only thing that changes is the name of the supplier and the rate uh on the bill. It's a single bill. It still comes from Rhode Island Energy. Program options usually uh include uh one that is basic, which is the same amount of renewable energy as required by the state. Here in Rhode Island, the current uh requirement for renewable energy, no matter where the electricity comes from, is 34% renewable. Uh what most municipalities do, they try to add a little bit more um renewable energy on top of uh that requirement uh to give uh residents uh the satisfaction of giving

a better uh environmental uh uh mix to the energy. And then of course we always have a 100% option for those individuals who want 100% uh renewable energy. Again, our savings here so far in Rhode Island for the plans that we have in place has been just just under uh $3 million for those uh municipalities. Again, we have provided additional save additional renewable energy of 5% in our programs. And as you can see in the uh in that last uh section of this slide uh how that interprets uh in in terms of of carbon sequestration and uh basically u savings or omissions of carbon. All voluntary renewable sources here uh in Rhode Island come from Rhode Island. uh wind and uh solar. Uh there's four um solar projects and two wind projects here where those uh renewable energy credits come from. Uh we deal primarily with green energy consumers alliance which is based uh here in Rhode Island as well as in in Massachusetts. Uh this graph shows the participation uh in in our programs here in Massachusetts. Uh again, it's just to show the fact that these programs uh remain uh relatively stable uh in terms of its participation.

We have a buying group here in uh Rhode Island that essentially uh uh is is uh supplied by Nextera. They're one of the largest energy suppliers in the country. Uh and essentially uh we have been uh we have basically negotiated with them to be under the rate of Rhode Island Energy in every one of the uh um the terms uh that they have uh uh come up in their six-month terms. Our rates have been better. Again, we do all of the heavy lifting. Uh once we are authorized to proceed, uh we draft a plan, it goes to the public utilities commission, it gets approved by them. Uh and essentially, uh once it goes through a public review, uh then we would be ready to launch uh and to put the uh residents on the program. I'll open it up for questions. Yeah. So, I saw you said that there was a $2.8 million cumulative savings. Can you [clears throat] tell me over uh how long and for how many customers that 2.8 million is?

Here in Rhode Island, we we've had programs active since the uh the end of 2023. Uh and essentially it's almost 100,000 residents, two 2.8 8 million in savings for uh roughly 20 months. That's for 100,000 people. Uh res residents. Yeah. And [clears throat] we we've heard from I think at least a couple of other companies um that that do something similar to what you're doing. Mhm. Can you explain to uh us kind of when we're looking at different companies,

what's the difference? What should we be looking for? What you know,

there are basically three companies that do this in the New England area. [clears throat] There's there's good energy, uh there's Colonial Power, and there's um uh Paragrin Energy. Okay. Essentially, Paragrin Energy and Colonial are local companies. Okay. We're a national company with a local U presence. Okay. We have the experience uh basically on a national level that they don't have. We also have a large clientele of commercial and industrial clients. So, our analysts are looking at the market every day and will tell us when it's best to go out to bid. Uh that's a big edge we have over our two competitors here. uh far as duration of your contracts, how do you base that and how short and how long can these contracts be?

The contracts depend on what the municipality wants to do when it's time to launch. Um you're given a a a range of um bids anywhere from 12 months to uh last bid we had was the range went up to 42 months. So every 6 months there is a different uh price uh and the municipality picks the one that they think is most advantageous for their residents. Should should a resident opt in at the beginning after 6 months this rate not be as favorable as the beginning they can opt out without penalty without

that's that's correct. Yes. Recently the sweet spot for our aggregation um uh launches our and our renewals has been 36 to 42 months because that's been most advantageous. Sorry about that. Got to shut off. So I think one of the other companies that we spoke with they were saying it's onetenth of one penny per kilowatt hour. Is that correct? Is that what you guys get? We we charge onetenth u one/tenth of a penny per kilowatt hour.

It's it's basically one mil. And also um for the households in North Providence, do you send literature to them to sign up or is that done one fell suit by the town council?

No. No, that's done that's done by the supplier who wins uh the bid. Uh and everyone who is on the last resort service of Rhode Island Energy would get a postcard that tells them a letter is coming. That letter is explains the whole program. They also have a card that they can opt out with at that point if they wish or they can either go to the website that we set up or they can call the supplier if they want to opt out or go into another part of the program.

Good question. All of the expenses and your income would be derived from that onetenth of 1%. Correct. That's correct. There's no expense at all to the municipality. The only thing we need from the mun municipality along the line of process uh for approval, we need decisions, but essentially um there's no out-of- pocket expense for the municipality. Is there a regulation to that too? I mean that you could at some point in time increase that regulated any way. We we wouldn't increase that unless we did it on a renewal with a new contract. And you would obviously be aware of that.

So all seed money and any money that starts off with comes from your company, my That's correct. I just So for people to opt out, you said there's going to be different ways for them to opt out because I'm just concerned that could be an elderly person does have computer access, doesn't understand technology. I'm not comfortable making them to go into a plan that's going to be hard for them to opt out of it.

When when we launch a program, we're very concerned about um making sure that senior residents know what's happening. We do multiple um presentations at senior centers to make sure the seniors understand. um they can opt out by sending in a postcard, by going to the website and filling out a form or making a phone call to the supplier. So it's very advantageous you know it gives them many options. This a question is it councel Maroni or Marone Maronei

Marone I think one of the your your question regarding why our company over someone else this was my experience when I was mayor of the city of Fitchburg Massachusetts reason why we went with good energy is because of their responsiveness and their accessibility to your your client base if you will which is your constituents. I know that's very important to you and it should be that was the reason why to a great extent why we went with with our company because it is the largest it's also we have a a team that John talks about is there to respond to the council Paul you're concerned with the constituents about older folks whatot not being not dry that's what we do best we're accessible and we Go ahead. A question, Councilman?

Yeah. So, um I'm um I'm concerned about that. The other thing that I I want to make sure of is to me this this is a process that's not really worth it unless you're getting a decent bang for your buck here. And I know we're not putting money out, but it's still a lot of work. Um and if my if my math is right, and I don't know if it is, uh what 2.8 8 million over 20 months for 100,000 residents is about a$140 a month per resident over those 20 months. Um do you know on average what how how much you're beating the what do they call it the default rate?

Mhm. The the here in in Rhode Island we have beaten that rate every time. Uh because that's the program that we set up here in in Rhode Island. uh essentially, you know, that that number varies and and we're not going to launch a program unless we're below that last resort rate. Okay. Uh we we've done programs in Massachusetts, we've held them off the market for as many as 18 months because the market wasn't good to bid before we we went out with with that particular community. As a matter of fact, it was the city of Gloucester. They had to hold off. We had to hold them off for 18 months because there was a uh a capac forward capacity spike in that region of Massachusetts that that um basically uh made it uh inopportune for us to bid. But essentially uh because we can go out to bid when the market's good uh and and the utility has to go out to bid at certain times of the year, we have an advantage to go out in good markets.

So do you have do you have a u and it could be the communities in Massachusetts, communities in Rhode Island. Do you have a rough average as to how much lower you've been over three years, two years, one year? Well, you know, certainly we we've been better in Massachusetts. We've been better than the default rate in probably 90% of the of the adjustments. Uh if you look at Massachusetts, um when uh in the in winter of 2023, you had uh national grid go up to 33 cents. You had ever source go up to 25 cents. um virtually all of our clients were in the 10 to 11 uh cent range. So they saved a tremendous amount of money during that time period.

Awesome. Okay. So, [clears throat] excuse me. Two more. I have two questions. Uh the first one being let's assume at this point just set a scenario that my electric bill is $150 a month. What kind of savings can I expect by hiring the company? good energy. What kind of savings will I say what what I have?

Again, that depends on what we can bid when we go out to bid and the market at the time. But essentially, you know, you you can you can probably look at a 10 12% savings. And my my second question is and I asked this of someone else actually is why do you not do the groundwork or a company such as yours does the groundwork to send to all the households to give them the opportunity? Why does it have to be on one fell swoop with us? Is there a reason for that? [clears throat] The groundwork.

Yeah. Why is it why is it an opt out program? Why is opt out program? Why when we say okay to whatever you guys want to do, we're putting 33,000 people into that households into that program. Why why is it that you do not do the groundwork for that?

Okay. Essentially, it's it's an opt out program. Okay. because uh Massachusetts was the first state in the country to put in what is known as a municipal aggregation law in Massachusetts, community electricity here in in Rhode Island. Um Rhode Island originally came out with uh an optin plan. Um opt-in plans have never worked anywhere in the country. any successful plan is based on the opt- out plan in Massachusetts. The reason for that there's a there's an very good business case for that. The reason being that national suppliers are not going to bid on something that they don't have the specs for. Okay? And essentially an optin program, you don't have specs. Whereas an opt- out program with 34,000 residents as you have uh which comes out to about 12,000 13,000 actual residential accounts plus probably a couple of thousand small commercial accounts. Uh it's opt in. It's it's it's opt out for anyone who is on that last resort service of Rhode Island Energy. Okay. They don't have to do anything if they want to stay in the program. Suppliers know when we do a program, we're going to get between 80 and 85% of the eligible accounts to come into the program. So, they know what they're bidding on essentially. Okay? And that's why they bid on them. both um Rhode Island and New Hampshire, which were already in, used to have programs that were opt-in for about 10 years. Both

both both states had opt-ins for about 10 years. Uh nobody bid on them because they didn't know what they were bidding on. So, it's got to be an opt out program to be successful. Can I ask one more question? Are there companies out there right now and I thought I've read and seen people post online where one of us could go and opt in a certain company like we choose the G that this is a supplier correct. This is for the supplier the delivery charge. Is that correct? And any individual resident can go out and get their own supply.

Okay. So the so there is options out there if they choose to get them. We're not they're not being forced in. People can actually choose a company for the delivery. Absolutely. Okay. And anyone who has chosen a company when we're at launch is not contacted because they've already made another choice.

Any other questions? Any other comments from Sure. Kathy Lanny, 23 Craigggy Street. I just had a quick question. Do you happen to have a chart that shows the Rhode Island Energy default rate versus your rate over the past, say, 20 months? So that we could see like what that rates look like because there was a lot of talk about that. Sorry,

I don't have a chart. But the Rhode Island energy rate right now is point4770. Our standards right now our basic that that is basically um apples to apples with that is.14447.

[clears throat]

All right, done. Just call for the microphone. [clears throat] I'm not a North Proidence resident, but I had an issue with two energy companies billing me at the same time. All right. So when Rhode Island Energy stepped out and then the new energy company stepped in, my bill came in as double the price. So, I'm a little bit concerned about the energy companies when they when you opt out versus opting in as far as when the transition of the billing happens because my bill actually doubled and I was wondering why is my bill doubled and I found out that the two energy companies were actually billing me twice. I was getting build for Rhode Island Energy and then the new company that came in. So just to make it clear for the consumer when they when the person opts out or opts in the cut off time to make sure that they're not getting double bills.

Thank you. All right. It's a good point, Alex. uh in these types of programs uh community electricity or um uh community aggregation as it is in Massachusetts. There's only one bill that comes through the utility that's handling that that area. In this case, it would be Rhode Island Energy. There's only one bill. Uh and essentially it would you wouldn't be build directly by the supplier of uh the the community choice uh energy program.

You're you're a line item on that bill. Am I correct? You're a line item. Good energy will be a line item on that bill. Am I correct? No, we are not the supplier. We're only the consultant. Uh we deal with four or five national suppliers. Their name will be on under the supplier. Okay, I'm going to have a motion to send this to the finance committee so we can take a deeper look into it. Motion's been made by Council Laorio, seconded by Councilman Martone. All those in favor? I. All those opposed? The eyes have it. Thank you. Thank you, gentlemen. Thank you for your time. Have a good night.

Item number three, soil testing. Maril Lombi to present results from the soil testing at Properties and Kleti Farms. Mayor Yes, Mr. Chairman, members of the council, all of the um fill that's in the Kleti property is clean and tested up until about maybe 3 weeks ago. All of the fill that's at was tested and it's clean. We did some construction down at the Richie School and that uh Phil that's been taken to Pate over the last maybe 3 weeks or so is in the process of being tested right now.

Does anybody have any questions for the mayor? And we'll by the way, Mr. or we will report back as soon as we get get that testing back for the we have you have reports showing that the other what the other soil was test we can get those from left field they assured me that they got everything done all of the paperwork that we need I just didn't want to get into you know they gave us their word and I'm sorry Steve did you have something do we do we have uh an environmental company doing the testing now left field has

and now the company that was um doing the work at um Richie uh uh DeFazio, they're in the process of testing the the additional fill that's been brought in there. Okay. Come up to the microphone, please. Just a question about who did the testing actually? Is this was that a state agency?

They they have to through dem that was done by left field who is doing all of the uh work with us for the two new schools. And the only reason I ask is because I know if it's if it's done through a state agency um that information is available through uh record, you know, the information act for the records as opposed to somebody that might be a private entity. So I just want to make sure that that's something that's publicly available. I And I not that I don't trust you, mayor. Not me. You don't have to tr You don't have to trust me. I'm trusting left field by the way. I mean, just to say, well, it's clean or whatever. Yeah.

Uh just I'd just like to know that document out there that kind of gives you an idea of what was tested and what was found. Absolutely. And we'll get that report and and in rating for you. What was your name, sir? Get a copy. All right. Good enough. Thank you. Sir, what was Sir, what was your name? I'm sorry. Paul Farah. Thank you. Thank you. There any other questions? Okay. Thank you, mayor. Thank you.

Item number four, zone change. Town Council to consider approval of an application from the town of North Providence to amend article 2, section 202 of the zoning ordinance and zoning map of the town of North Providence by changing lots 144, 146, 148, 150, 155, 158, 159, 160, 163, 164, 166, 214, 216, and 247 on assessor's plot. two from residential general to a district denoted as commercial village CV. This application was advertised in the Providence Journal on September 12th, 19th, and 26th, 2025 for a hearing on this date. Is there anyone here that would like to speak on the zone change before I start? Um, I spoke with the mayor. I spoke with our legal counsel. The town planner, Brett Wagan, was supposed to be here tonight for questions on this matter. He had child care issues, so he cannot attend. Um,

just state your name for the record. Silva, thank you. 100 Midsent Avenue, North Province. I was here last month. Got a lot of good answers. Do you know what the uh designation for Child Street is from Middle Spring Avenue down to Province? Is that also commercial village? I'm not the town planner. I can't tell you.

So, the reason I'm asking is because you when you ride down Charles Street, you have the old Rambler American, which is now a uh a medical facility, and you have a lot of car uh sales lots and some mechanics and things like that. And I'm wondering if that and if that could also happen. I know we got some answers last month and I really did appreciate those. If that could happen, if somebody could, I don't know, buy two or three of these lots, put them together, and all of a sudden we have a car lot on the end of a I don't know, B Avenue, V, whatever. I'm just I'm just wondering if And I know there's safe there's um protocols to go through the comprehensive plan. I think they would have to go through

Chuck, you told me today it was planning planning and zoning, right? Thank you. I'm I'm looking at the uh use matrix. Auto truck sales auto truck sales in a building and auto truck sales in an open lot in a CV are not permitted. So they are they are prohibited. They would need a they would need a I mean you can't I mean technically you can't get it. Okay. That was the question the last you read. It's number uh 23 and 24 in this. Well, I'm also thinking it wouldn't be uh because there's a list of prohibited. I'm trying to see this salvage.

That's it. Thanks. I think Mr. Chairman, there was a question um we had gotten a call concerning that a gas station could be put on this property. It's not so. And keep in mind that the depth of these of this property the maximum is only a 100 foot. You can never you know and I think once we um check the um all of the uh businesses that could be put there I think it conforms with the area in the neighborhood and um that's all I can say at this point in time.

Um this is a question for my legal counsel. We discussed this earlier tonight about [clears throat] the potential of creating a different zone where you would eliminate gas stations altogether. Is that possible?

So the issue is here is the people that want to sell this property are they here? No. Okay. They want to they can only sell it to another hair salon. Is that what I'm told? You [clears throat] mean the existing issue? So, if I own a hair salon, god forbid, and I wanted to I'm sorry, [laughter] and I wanted to sell my property, I can only sell it to another hair salon or lease it as opposed to a florist or a dentist or a doctor's office or something that would um even, you know, the other concern would be light industry. And I don't know if that would

the other concern would be light industry like maybe we have behind uh you know down off um Mafala Street in that area. Okay. But I I I think for the most part what you've told us is pretty accurate. I mean I appreciate Mario looking at that chart and I I'm not sure it would even be physically fiscally respon uh feasible to go buy three house lots. You just spent a million and a half and now you're gonna knock them all down to put what? Sell cars. I don't know.

If you don't mind, could someone could clarify for me? Even though it is a hair salon part two, but you're telling me the existing building as itself, whatever is there, I can't change it. And I want to put a florist in there and I want to put something. I've never heard that it's only designated to one one use and one, you know, on on the property or or rent, you know.

I mean, tell me if I'm wrong. So, I I guess I defer to our legal counsel, but my my my understanding typically is if you have a use in a zone that is that is no longer uh that use is no longer permitted, then you have what's called a pre-existing non-conforming use. What you cannot do is you're not allowed to intensify that use. So, you can't if you had a a hair salon and yeah, it was on one floor and it's no longer permitted. I don't think you can go to the second floor or I don't think you can expand it. Now, again, I don't do enough of this work to know to me if you went from an office or or let's say a pet groomer to a hair salon.

Just saying. I don't I don't see that as an intensification in use, but I don't do that work. So, I I don't know. Yeah. and I do very little of it also but I but I formerly served on a zoning board and I agree with that interpretation. You just can't further expand the use or make you know a more exacerbated use from the prior non-conforming use. So some less restrictive or equally restricted use would be acceptable. I don't know. So for all the non- attorneys in the room, whoever got that. [laughter] All right. Thanks a bunch. Appreciate it. [clears throat]

Is there anyone here? Anyone else here would like to speak on this matter? Anyone else here? Um, I guess you guys want me to have a meeting next week and have Brent here so we can answer these questions? I would. I think that's I think that's smart. Yeah. That all right with you guys. Yes. You know, hey, do you know Brent's availability next week at night? All right. Um,

just just a request that if we could try to address this whether it's pro or con as soon as possible, I think it be more than fair for those uh people that are requesting this change. Let me know tomorrow morning and I'll schedule the new connection. We'll call we'll notify the clerk. Thank you. Okay. I will make a motion to continue this then to second next meeting. Motion's been made by Councilman Bala, seconded by Councilman Dorenzo. All those in favor? I This is Is this an advertise though? Do we have to Do we have to continue this to Yes. So we we have to Is that what the whole thing is continuing?

I'm continuing it to January anyways. But just in case, but we're going to schedule a meeting um in a week on this. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Not I know. Item number five, Beckside agreement discussion and possible vote on an agreement to be drafted by town attorney for the Beckside sewers. This item will be continued to January while our attorneys work on that agreement. Have a motion.

Motion's been made by Councilman Bala, seconded by Councilman Leaporio. All those in favor? All those opposed, the eyes have it. Item number six, class BV liquor license notice was given of a public hearing to be held on this date in the Providence Journal on November 14th and 21st, 2025 for a new class BV limited liquor license for Carmines LLC DBA Crazy Wings and Things, 2220 Mineral Spring Avenue, North Providence, Rhode Island 02911. This is Do I have a motion to continue this to January? Motion's been made by Councilman Bller. Is there a second? Second by Councilman Dorenzo. All those in favor? I.

All those opposed? The eyes have it. Item number seven, outdoor dining license. Town council to consider a vote for approval for an outdoor dining license for Commines LLC DBA Crazy Wings and Things, 2220 Min Spring Avenue, North Providence, Rhode Island. I have a motion to continue this to January. So moved. Motion's been made by Councilman Bala, seconded by Councilman Dorenzo. All those in favor?

All those opposed? The eyes have it. Item number eight, class BV full liquor license transfer. Notice was given of a public hearing to be held on this date in the Providence Journal on November 14th and 21st, 2025 for a transfer of a class BB full liquor license from Fornell Entertainment Incorporated. DBA Lancelot's Banquet Restaurant 1113 Charles Street, North Providence, Rhode Island 02904 to the Pizza Gourmet and Catering LLC. The DBA, the Pizza and Catering Gourmet, 1113 Charles Street, North Proidence, Rhode Island, 02904. State your name for the record, please. David Gulard.

Thank you, David. Anybody? Any questions? You all have the information in front of you. Okay, there no questions. Do I have a motion to approve the transfer? So move. Motion's been made by Councilman Pollock, seconded by Councilman Dorenzo. All those in favor? I. All those opposed? The eyes have it. Thank you. Thank you very much. Stay right there. Stay right there.

Item number nine, entertainment license, town council to consider the approval of two entertainment licenses for the pizza in the pizza gourmet and catering 1113 Charles Street, North Province, Rhode Island. DJ and other types of entertainment. Okay. Um, explain what kind of entertainment. I know we have it in our packets, but just for the public to hear. Uh, I mean for things that people book for banquetss if somebody was going to have a band for their wedding or a potential DJ if it's a birthday party. Uh, beyond there. We, you know, we've talked about maybe doing a comedy night or things like that. But we're not looking to do any night nightclub kind of stuff or uh late night drinking and noise and music and we're not bringing in house DJs. And

what are the hours going to be? I'm sorry. hours of that you're open.

Uh I mean it's based on the banquetss, but we're going to be open for soup and sauce. Uh prepared foods. Uh I believe it's 11:30 to 6, maybe 11:30 to 7 uh daily. Uh we will continue doing the chicken dinner that he does on Sundays um there, which I believe is 12 to six hours as well. And then aside from that, it's banquetss. Uh we may consider down the line, you know, maybe trying to open up for a dinner on a Thursday, Friday, Saturday. Uh potentially even doing the you know, the chicken dinner thing we've talked about, but it's still to be seen, but we're not looking to do a nightclub or kind of uh you know, drinking spot, if you will.

So, you're looking to kind of continue what's already been there. is, you know, coming Christmas party going. Uh the only thing that, you know, I have thought about is,

you know, maybe doing something uh few nights a week where we're open for dinner and certainly if somebody wants wine or beer or something, but not staying open again as a a nightclub or an after hours spot or anything to that. That would be if it was during the week, I would think that we would be closed by 9 or 10 o'clock and on a weekend by 10 or 11 o'clock. it's, you know, food and if somebody wants something to drink with it. But, but that's not that's not really a plan as of right now. It's just, you know, we're trying to figure it out. This is this is going to be a whole new thing for us. And, uh, we're really excited. You're still considering the couples cooking classes and stuff?

Yeah. Yeah. Cooking classes for sure for couples, for singles. I don't need any help, but that, you know, some people might, you know, we I mean, we kind of look at it as like we have to create events in some cases, you know, I mean, but we're not going to create anything weird or anything that's geared toward, you know, big party nightclub atmosphere. Um, definitely not that, you know. Okay. Councilman, how how if if I wanted to rent your place on a Friday or Saturday, how late could I rent it to? Uh, I believe till 11 is my understanding is that the most of the banquetss would go till about 11 o'clock. I, you know, if the license is until midnight, I'm not sure. I'm not sure how that works, but I would think it would have to be closed up and out of there.

So, so class BV allows you to go till 1 and so my question is if I came in and said, "Hey, I want to have a birthday party and I want to stay there till 1." Is that good going to be something that you're going to do? Honestly, I we haven't really considered that if I'm being honest that uh somebody would want to stay that late. Uh I don't think we're planning for that by any means. Uh so I guess I guess we'd have to maybe talk to the council. How do you guys feel about it? You know, I don't know. I don't want to cause any problems in the neighborhood for people. And you know, Lou been a Italian bank hall for 67 years.

It's not my area. I prefer an earlier time. I would do. Yeah. I mean, we're not one. I think 11 o'clock is pretty good for I like it. Additionally, I think that's what it's been over there. Anyway, are you feasible to an 11:00? Yeah. I mean, I think that that's realistic, you know, really realistic. If somebody wanted to, you know, maybe it'd be something we'd come before you. However, that all works. But I, you know, we're not looking to do a a you know, a late night kind of thing. We're not looking to do a nightclub or, you know, a drinking environment. It's if we're not serving food, we're not gonna, you know, we're not looking at open dop and just having people coming in and drinking. That's that's where the trouble comes. So, we don't need

any other questions. I make a motion to approve with 11 11 p.m. Uh, close. When do you plan on um taking over? Uh, we're hoping to close the beginning of January here. First week would be awesome. taken over. And if I could, could I ask a question in regard to uh that would be so when you say close at 11, uh like everybody out the door plays black by 11 or guests event ends at 11? I'm thinking it's going to take us another hour to close out the facility. Good with 12.

Yeah, like out the door, you know, out the door gone. But I I would think events would be ending by 10:45. Yeah. You know, last call at 10:30 kind of thing. uh you know out the door for 11. We do we have a class P liquor license for off. I meant I meant the entertainment part that with the 11 o'clock. That's what I kind of meant. I know you still got to clean up and I don't know how that is. Yeah. When when when I mean typically when I think of a certain closing time that's for the patrons. If if you're going to be there cleaning up and and doing that kind of stuff that Yeah.

I mean as I'm thinking about it right now the only thing I would think maybe next year we're doing New Year's Eve. you know, if we do New Year's, we I don't know if we have to come before you and say, can we stay open till midnight and pop champagne and uh and then time to get everybody out of dodge, you know, but that's the only thing in my head that I can think of why we would want to be open till midnight uh for New Year's Eve. So, what what I what I would envision, Frank, frankly, is uh 11:00 close.

If for whatever reason things change and you need to modify it, you come back before us. The other thing that'll happen is between now and next New Year's uh you'll there'll be a renewal. So once you come in for your renewal, you can also request to make changes and we can make changes upon renewal as well. So if we want to modify that if things are going better than expected, you know, what we can we can certainly do. Great. Y that's awesome. I just I just have a question that I should have asked earlier. My apologies as far as your your experience in the this type of a business. Yes. Have you run another one or is

uh I mean I've worked in the nightclub restaurant business my entire life working for larger restaurant groups. I worked with the barnsider mile a quarter house for 13 years doing banquetss and waiting and bartending and managing. I was with Atomic Grill um and those folks and ran Atomic Catering for 15 years. Uh did countless events and events and events and events. I've been doing catering for better part of 30 years now. Um, it was always in other people's locations. This will be our first time, but we're really excited to, you know, do what we do. You don't have to be that humble. You can tell them what else. Thank you very much. Appreciate that. Oh, can can you let us know when you have your grand opening?

Yeah, most definitely. Oh, we we will. I We have intentions for the building with uh, you know, probably painting the outside of the building, new signs, new bathrooms. Okay. Needs a little bit of updating and then we'll then we will reveal. Good. But what we're what we're doing pretty excited. So, okay. So, what we do is when we grant an entertainment license, you'll come back in once you open three months after you open for a check-in. So, all right. I have a motion to grant. So, move. Motion's been made by council. Seconded by Councilman Dorenzo. Any questions? With the with the condition 11:00 condition 11:00. Yeah. All those in favor. All those opposed, the eyes have it. Good luck with everything.

Good luck, Dave. So, you're welcome. Good luck. Item number 10, laundry license. Town council to consider a vote for the approval of a laundry license for Suds and Shine Laundry, 1099 Child Street, North Providence.

Is there anyone here from the laundry mat? Oh,

how's it going, Person? How's everybody? Good. Could you state your name for the record, please? Your name? Uh, Jason Patterson. Thank you, J. All right, you all have the information in front of you. Is there any questions for Mr. Patterson?

Do I have a motion to grant? So move. Motion's been made by Council Laorio. Is there seconded by Council Mala? Any other questions? Maybe not. All those in favor? I those opposed? Good luck with everything. Thank you. Um, I had a quick question. Is there any way I could get a crosswalk over from the bank to my uh laundromat? Is that possible or what I would need to do that? Crossing what street is that? From citizens bank across to you. Yeah, that's a Charles Street. Yeah, it's a state road. What does that mean? D for that. We can send a letter on your behalf from this council um recommending it. Yeah.

Yeah. So, um I'll make a motion safety to send a letter to the Department of Transportation State Road, um asking for a crosswalk from the Citizens Bank on Charles Street to the gentleman's establishment at the 1099 1099 Street. Okay. It takes a little longer because it's great road, but we'll try. One last question. My competition is opening up uh right Laundromax like on the corner. I believe they're 247. I'm only till 8 right now, but if I wanted to increase my hours, do I need to come back and do this? They're not They're not They don't have a 24-hour. They don't have a 24. Oh, they don't? No, they have to come to us. Really? Yeah. Okay.

So, can we get 24 in that area or We don't do many 24s. You can apply and we'll consider it, but um It's rare. It's rare. Um the laundry mask on Middle Spring Avenue, the in the center of Middle Spring. Yep. That was grandfathered in from the It was a national right off the highway. No, the one um closer to the center of Middle Spring where the uh North Proidence High School is. Yep. Yep. I believe they I believe, don't quote me, they have a 24-hour license and that was from they brought that from the comp from the national company. What is the max time that you guys are favorable for? Is it like 11? Uh, that's a good question. The laundry mats.

I'm not aware of any other other than whatever we set. What do we set? Midnight. Midnight. Midnight. Midnight. Midnight. Yeah. Okay. All right. Cool. I mean, there's no set Well, I mean, we have if you have a liquor license, you have to close at 1:00 in this town. Got it. Um, there's no extended hours, but you know, we're flexible. You know, you're not selling alcohol. So, um, it's just we're rarely, uh, it's tough with the 24-hour licenses, you know, like I said, we we do consider them. Very rare we grant them. The one next to you definitely does not have one. I So, awesome. Thank you guys. All right. What What time are you open until now? Right now, we're open till 8. Till late? Yep. I have no problem.

You can extend that. Yeah, you can you can stay open till till midnight. Midnight. I mean, I'd be okay with that. Yeah. Okay, cool. All right. Thank you. Thank you. Good luck. Good luck, Jim. The only thing I'd like to say concerning this laundromat, I've been trying to figure out the years that that laundromat's been there, and I can tell you it's probably close to 60 years. That laundry that this laundromat that this gentleman purchased has been there and maybe a few more, but it's at least 60 years.

That's good. That's Well, I hope they're opening right next to them. That's not fair. I wish we could. Number 11, liquor license check. Town council consideration of possible vote on an application for a liquor license for Soul De Portugal, 1525 Smith Street, North Providence, Rhode Island, following the six-month probationary period. Hello. Any questions? How's it going? Good. Are are you open?

Uh I'm open only for events for now. Uh for Christmas party, uh birthdays party, but I'm start open in three weeks again. Yeah, there's been no problems. I don't I don't have any reports in front of me. So that All right. All right. So do I have a motion to grant? Motion to approve. Okay. Motion been made by Council Lorenzo. Is there a second? Second by Council Baler. All those in favor? All those opposed? You guys have it? Thank you. Item number 12, location for transfer S. Alex Jackson, DBA 360 venue to appear to advise council as to whether or not he has found a new location to transfer his liquor license to.

Jackson, how are you? Good. How you doing? How was your Thanksgiving? [laughter] Not long enough. you had a good Thanksgiving, I hope. Appreciate it. So, um I've looked at uh two or three locations and I reached out to uh a few of the realators and I'm just waiting for them to get back to me. So, I'm just hoping you can extend it, you know, just give me a little bit more time uh to look around. I'm [clears throat] thinking I need the most I need is another three months tops. And if if I can't settle within the 3 months, then you know I I I can't what do we do? We grant we granted you the liquor license last time. Yes.

Yeah. All right. What's that? The last time I'm saying we granted the liquor license. He has a liquor license. He hasn't we issued it yet because you don't have a location, right? Right. All right. I mean, technically was [clears throat] you could you three months is good. Yeah. All right. Yeah. Where if you don't mind me asking where you I'm just in town looking. All right. Better not put that out there right now. You know, same square footage. I don't want to run into any more PL same square footage, smaller, bigger, a different smaller, more of a turnkey type operation. I'm not looking to I got you. I'm just asking if you're looking at the same size venue and Yeah. No, there's not many spots like that.

I didn't think so. Yeah. Um, also my previous location, I understand that uh the owner brought the churches back into that property. Just just so you know, you know, the churches are back in there, you know. So, anyone that comes before you might want to kind of keep an eye on that.

I I don't I don't I don't mean to throw a wrench into this. and Alex, we haven't talked about this. Uh I So I I think that's fine that we continue it for 3 months. If you find a location, the only issue with that is we're going to have to we're going to have to notice the 200 foot of Butters. It's in a new location. In a new location. Yeah. That he would take that license and transfer. It technically be a transfer. Yeah. So the question I have is how do you grant a liquor license to someone that doesn't have a have a you don't you don't just extend it. He did he did have a paid but I did have a I did have a place. Yeah.

Yeah. I'm not sure. Yeah. So so I I I I as as we're talking it it out I I I think that that when we granted the license there was a location. He's You're essentially looking for a new location, right? It's gonna It's gonna have to be a transfer. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. No, I just want I was just trying to work it through in my head. Giving it away to someone else. Yeah. We're just not giving that one away, but you know, um we don't usually extend it out this month, but I know you had some pretty bad circumstances, so we'll uh I I appreciate that. Yeah. Um do I have a motion to approve? So moved. Motion been made by Councilman Laorio. Three months.

All right. There a second. Second. Second by Councilman Martone. All those in favor? All those opposed? The eyes have it. Okay. All right. Thank you. Have a great Christmas and New Year. You too. All right. Thank you. Before I read all these ordinances, I'll go to the back. Item number 24, resolution 25-008. adoption of resolution 25-008 regarding releasing $80,000 of CDBG funds for the Tritown Food Bank. Is anyone here to I would assume that would have been Oh,

just state your names for record, please. Hi, how are you? Good to be here. How are you? Maria Rosa Takuma, CBDG project manager for North Providence. So, thank you so much to having us the opportunity to be able to come over. Can you speak up and the microphone? So, thank you so much for have the opportunity. There you go. Like this. There you go. That's better.

Thank you. Okay. So, good evening and thank you so much for have the opportunity to be able to come in front of you guys to be able to let you and the council about the clear understanding about the CBDG project that we actually got award and the PY22 year and this project will be able to finalize by December 31st of 2025. The projects already all due and performed done and over. We only recalling the funds back for giving to the suit grantee and saying that I did have the records for be able to provide the whole assistance. I want to provide you guys right here so you guys can see it because I know kind of show all that. So, and the records that I provide right there, they are part of them. I can give you the other ones so you guys can see in the other end perhaps. So what is a the project was a three county community action suit grantee who was requesting an amount of 100,000 original from the CDDG program when we was in competition they got awarded 80,000 which the 80,000 they actually keep and then provide services for the community. They did have some allocations as well from other sources that we will be able to see it right there as well. And the records that you

have right there is the lead house the the lead Rhode Island housing Rhode Island housing giving them energy and rent assistant and they got some funding from that as well. They had some funding from um other sources and there are two more right there specified. So those sources are actually the lead health and then as well they do have for the lead health 28,320 for the CDDG that is the 80,000 that they have and for Rhode Island housing Rhode Island rent relief and funding they have a 44,044 dollar amount for CDG the 80,000 that we have and they have another funding for CSBG which was 4,948 and I will be provide those records for you guys.

So let me let me ask a question only because I know this grant stuff goes back and forth to was this money allocated for something else and we're relo we want to reallocate it to the no the food bank or we're just releasing it. Sorry sir no this is original funding and I will be provide this to I never seen this in front of us before. That is the record. Maria, this this grant money was specifically granted to Trittow.

Yes, that was exactly that. Correct. The the grant was specifically for Tree County and there was 80,000 for Tree County and it's been approved. It's approved. Correct. Is all correct. Evident is none. Correct. Correct. And that's the paperwork the ID proceed from them right

so all the receipts are there all the how they spent the funding as well how they tracking the food they are actually given to them as donations. So I had the donations locks as well. Every expense they do have right there and you can be able to see it in the records. Uh they provide you guys the checks for every provider they have for pest control, for rent, for food sources, when they buy gifts for provide to other people as well when they have employees who have been drowned from the account which employee I only did. So that is for food, rent, payroll, everything

for running the CD running things. So it's not just for program for running the food program. I did make declaration that every account and number as well the name of the employee has been scratched in black because that is personal you know information but the rest of the records are right there for you guys to see. So from my understanding please it's just me. I I don't know if it's you guys or not. This money was granted when?

Oh, that was granted in PY22. So PY22 it was 84,000. The award was to be able to perform between 1219 2023 and 12 and 12 31st 2025. Okay. Okay. Thank you. Doc, you had a question? I I I do. So you just kind of g the time frame. So the last two years there's been no CDBD grant across this group, right?

Um actually there have been last year was no competition from hot and I wish you was here Monday. I did have the whole explanation Mario and you can answer it again but and okay but uh as well they do have um a competition that was done in this year they did put together the year they didn't have that was PY 23 and PY 24 because they name one year behind even though the competition was done in 24 25 they need they name in hood and and state federal they name it one year behind perhaps So therefore in this year round we didn't got no money neither one anybody else in their community of here it was all the money done for the coast and we did suffer a hack event that was well publicized and you guys actually suffer from cancelled meetings and delayed so we do not have no money

I missed that that last sentence the last thing you just said I missed that I'm sorry we did have a hack hacket. Mhm. The town was hacked. Right. Okay. So those two days because of those it was two days. Is that correct? PY23 and PY 24. It was hacked. That was that after we met application it was hacked. So was this like something that was going to be submitted the last minute? No sir. It wasn't.

No sir. In fact, if you will see it in the Monday, I did explain the whole thing and you guys has been participating. The whole town has been participating since we launching the grant. The good beauty about the CDDG is all plain record public. So when we start the process, we start the process in May 24 and March. We started process March 12 to 20 March 12, 2025. And we did the whole process. We have publicized in the newspaper. We have the whole thing over. We didn't put a records in the last minute. Last minute will be 11:59 of May 23. We are submitted at 4:15 and May 23. And we did have an event of hacking into the town. This well recorded by media publishers and the bal. And you guys actually affect the fact that you guys have to be a pronounced um resolution and resolution was canceled and a lot of move a lot of meetings in the town had been cancelled and moved if you recall perhaps. So they did affect the the delivery of it but we did put it in place unfortunately because of the hacking and is well you know documented we we was in the error zone in the portal. So therefore, we couldn't compete.

Competing doesn't mean you win or you get awarded. It's just a competition. I I know I was I was here for those hearings and I was advocating for like the Mville section. Yes. Correct. So out of the stuff that we advocated for, this is the only thing that [clears throat] got approved or they're asking for.

Yes. Because this is an old matter. So this is an award that we already have before and this is a the cycle that will finishing. So as it is right now we we don't have any how any jurisdiction over the state or federal how they handle their own decisions or how they handle the portal perhaps and this case right now as it is the portal is still reflecting the we is still in process even though I'm here requesting the money and I'm here with all the paperwork as well as you see the whole project is done from beginning to end in which every record tracking for all the bills, invoices and as well the project as a impact and I want to be able to talk about the impact the the project has been done in the community.

So if we if we don't approve this adopt this resolution do we lose this money or is is this time constraint right now? It is time constrained because the the only thing I can do is actually to be able to do a extension perhaps. Okay. Then maybe we'll have an extension but it's no I don't think I I don't see why you guys would be deny it when it's already a project that was been done. It's been well documented as you can see right there and it's actually already already done and approved signs before. The only thing they requesting is the funding. So I don't see why this should be denied.

So So that that $84,000 where is that money right now? Um and the federal Okay. The federal and the state. Okay. So how CDG project work is this we are actually applying. So once a year actually the state and the federal be able to give them certain amount is the federal giving certain amount. I'm sorry. Let me let me let me just I want to just I want to work through this just I just want to understand this. Sure. So the that 84,000 has been approved as a project. Correct. By the state. By the state. Correct. Because we won when we passed this resolution. $84,000 or 80 I'm sorry 80,000 is going to go to Tri County.

Correct. Because that's what we applied for and we approved them way back in a resolution way back. Where is that money coming from? The state and the federal. So they're going to get send it to Tri County directly.

No, we are a pass through entity. So in this case because of the S grantee and is no North Providence project themselves. So we ended a disclosure to North uh to Tri County, we have to pay them 80,000 and then I have to present towards to the state and the feds uh the track record that we did complying with the CBD regulation. That's the tricky part in CDDG otherwise you will lose the money this case that's all the documentation I provide to you guys that we are actually be able to get the money back so so this is what I want to know this documentation that you have yes

has somebody from the state already said if you pay them $80,000 and you give us this documentation we're going to give you the $80,000 back that is exa that is the requirements so All those documentations that you have right there is part of the requirements in order to get the funding back. So the money comes from the town's coffers to track town before we get any money from the state to come to the town.

Correct. Then after we get the check from Tree County, when they clear that check, we end have to collect that clear record. Then I can submit our paperwork, which is all the paperwork that I provide you guys right there. And with all respect, and so I can be able to put it together, put the whole package, get that check to it, and they give me the money back. And Maria, this is not a reflection on you, but the reason why we're very gunshy about this is there were a number of years in my understanding. We handed money out and we never got it back. So my question to you is, is there any reason is there any way that we are not going to get this money back if we send send that 8,000 to Dragon?

I don't think there is any reason to think about that. I did actually manage the 130,000 and that we was paying you know I think over the summer and we got we got the money back we got the money back from 130,000 so and I was very rigid in my paperwork as you can tell every single penny has been count and that's the difference from before me and now me here it's been three years my pleasure to serve you and hopefully you guys will count for next year when my contract is due so you guys can be able to found in my services and make you know renew my contract as well and based on the perform I have been doing

and thank you for your answer with that. I I just want to have like a second opinion on that. Sher, would you mind because I know you have expertise with nonprofit because I I don't and I would like to know if you being a grant writer as well have ever had any problems getting money back because we're that's we're gunshy about. That's all. Oh, sure. Sorry.

Hi, I'm Sher Lupy. I'm the new grant writer. Um, CDBG is a very complicated process that I know they have requirements that I will blow your mind, but essentially it's a reimburseable grant. So, when Maria applies and we get approved, we don't get that money upfront.

Yep. It's promised to us as a reimbursement as long as we submit the paperwork through finance and then it comes back. I've never had any problems getting reimbursement from a CDBG grant as long as the terms were all followed and the deadlines are all met. And as far as I know in relation to the $80,000 that Maria is talking about, there is no problem with the flow of the finances there. Perfect. So what? Thank you. So what Mario had asked? So you Maria, sorry. You have all the paperwork in. Everything's submitted. Everything is all the tees have been crossed. Eyes have been dotted. So they should

and I have some of it. I want to give it back to you because I don't want it to get lost. Yes. Yes. All that's the paperwork that I will do and that is basically what I do.

Um the the number of persons they serve in Berno is the food pantry was 4,66 people. The number of person who served the low motor income limited was 4,66. So they help about the navigation of the food and securities. They help about assisting, providing support and and be sure you know they can be able to have you know heat in the coldest months and they have waterization assistant and besides the heating assistant. The client profile that they have is 59% female, 39.5 male, 1.5% did not report. 23% over the age of 60, 15% over the age of 45 and 60 and as well they do have um 7% unemployed, 4% retirement, uh 5% employed and 84 they didn't they refused to to actually

Let me ask a question. Does every community do it the same way? I'm just I'm just asking like as a pass through and thing are they so there are certain communities that are uh I forget what they're called but like Providence gets an allocation that they get to divvy out but most communities do it this way this way. All right.

Yes. So the CVDG grants is meant to the that's why the name community develop block grants. So it's to serve the community is for nonprofits to you know to come over to us as a town and to asking for support and help into their goals. H obviously we have as a town the way to looking into those proposals uh that's what I do when we are in competition is well aware for you guys has been participating in my process as well where actually you guys can looking into how much goods is that specifically profit or not profit I mean will be served to the community as well if they have the solid backing because sometime even they do good to the community doesn't mean they can be able to actually provide paperwork as it is this. So sometimes the suit grantes had difficulties to process. The way to be able to collect the money back is being sure the whole process is due diligence through the whole from beginning to the end. That's my duty and that's what is reflected in the paperwork.

Good question. I'm ready. Thank you so much. Any other questions perhaps? No. I'll make a motion to approve the resolution. Okay. A motion's been made by Councilman Marton. Is there a second? Second. Second by Councilman Pollock. Any questions? All those in favor? All those opposed? The eyes have it. Thank you. Thank you so much. Appreciate it.

Item number 25, Greystone Bridge. Hector Bender requests discussion on the Greystone Bridge and that he and other residents do not want a new bridge after the demolition of the old bridge. Good evening, Mr. Chairman, members of the council. My name is Hector and I'm here for the to bring you guys a big present for the Greystone Bridge. I hope you like it.

You're going to build it for free. Well, I happened to be in the neighborhood not long ago and I questioned a man and a woman asking how they feel about the building of the new bridge. They say one of them say we don't want the bridge not even for 50 bucks. So I I beg to differ, but you can. The next day I wake up and I say I got to make a petricium for this residents of Johnston, Angel Avenue and Greystone Avenue and North Providence. Very much everyone signed and they was happy as hell for what I did for them to not have a to not have the bridge.

They don't want the bridge, not even for 50 bucks. I got constituents that would disagree with you. But

well, that's the residents in there. And by the way, some of the residents I asking if they willing to give uh on the old testimony that they never witness 3,000 vehicular per day and they willing to swear on the old. That is to make clear that some people have make unless one in here not too far from here your friend he make a comment in here there's 3,000 vehicles per day is 3,000 vehicles per day I did my math real quick I'm glad that my parents sent me to a school is two cars for many never ever when there is three cars for many per day. So then Lisa Andreiona I believe from North Providence

Indoa and yeah that that's the person in charge of write the federal government for uh federal money for the town I believe about three towns in here close by. Uh she also claiming there's 3,000 vehicles per day and the federal rules anyone who comes to a city hall or make a public comments lying so someone else take a federal money is 10 years in federal penitentiary when I tell someone that I don't I gota be honest with you I don't understand any what you just said about federal penitentiies or it's

it's a punishment anyone who comes to the public uh console meetings and make a false statements so someone can take a federal money. Majority of taxpayers they going to eventually pay for a bridge that is not worth more than $1.6 million. I'm not gonna argue over that's I had the evidence the cost of materials building the bridge I had the evidence and if you look Indianapolis they just finished in the springtime a bridge for yeah you know 145 ft for only $30 million right so bridge

get to the present the president you're going to give us is that we're not going to get a bridge and we don't need one well I'm going to tell you if your residents that you represent. Yeah. The one hassle when a bridge when drunken drivers when people that comes and ruin the cars drunk and nobody to blame for um people are nervous about the children getting killed in the street. The papers you have there you have how many signatures do you have from people on it? uh 29 from the neighborhood or Johnson Graystone.

I I represent Wood Haven. So does Mr. Leo and everybody in the town represents a lot and I I get nothing but support to get the bridge even from Smithfield Johnson and us to get the bridge built and you're telling me you're talking everybody under the sun and they don't want it. I know forcing them to sign a petition that I I I never said you forced anybody to do anything. They just not want the bridge to be installed in the same location where they dismantle the old bridge. I'll agree to disagree which was nothing wrong with. You can disagree with me. That's what we are here for. I got you.

Yeah, that's what we are here for. So, I'm going to tell you this. I also found the evidence the Greystone Axel belongs to North Providence. And I think we came up with that. I have the if you excuse me for a second I'm going to give you the uh evidence of who owns the Greystone Bridge. Okay, [clears throat] we get the evidence downstairs. This ours or you want this back?

No, it's us. When the press they press they close the bridge they uh you Google its bridge downstairs and the more I Google the more I number one

when I Google years ago they cross the bridge you can easily

So I have a question for you Hector You you canvased Johnston with the belief that the bridge belongs to North Providence. So what is your what is your point saying that it belongs to North Providence? Okay. Yeah. But what what is the what is the point of telling us that? Because Johnston Johnston He keep doing research about who is who is in very much on the

who who is Mr. Can you go to the microphone please? I understand that. Can you Can you speak into speak into the microphone? Hector cartoon from the paper. I'm going to pass in. It's a cartoon from the paper. Hector, you shoot the mic.

So if you see the cartoon, you probably remember see not too long ago in the paper who is inspecting the bridges. I don't know. I'm just a director. Heck, I'm not an engineer. I'm not going to go back and forth. Well, that's what I'm gonna tell you. I got you. Talking about engineer, I actually I got a hold the four photographs years ago before they dismantle the Greystone Bridge downstairs. They welcomed for me to have it. And the only thing that I founded that there was real in here

is a tree in the in the water and 3,000 vehicles for three tons the vehicles can be allowed there. So I got a hold the actually the four photographs from the inspection from the little crocis or I will say croies because the more I do my research I found that the what they put in here I went for the demolition that takes five days three people doing the demolition and the bridge And after I wait to detect the asphalt and none of the cracks, it was underneath the asphalt. So you see why they put the director of the state pulling his hairs because somebody is lying. Somebody is lying so they can take it the majority of Americans federal money and goes to someone else pocket. That's wrong. That's wrong. That's what I That's what I decide to do all these things and you know them well that what I do. Um I had the petition when 29 residents of Johnston and North Providence only for the street where the building is located. Angel Avenue and Johnstone Greystone Avenue and North Providence. I know have anybody signed the petition because I want to know I was already know what's what's they coming everybody was happy there we don't want no bridge period

well they had a press conference and those things I don't know where you're going to build on the bridge saying they wanted it I don't I don't know Mario where you're going to build the bridge for the social club that we the taxpayers have to pay $31 million for a a walking pedestrian bridge for The social club on North Providence is wrong. Okay, that is very wrong. And by the way, I traveled through that bridge for over almost 40 years. Hardless see cars in there. It's like maybe one car, maybe nothing. Maybe one in there. But

don't lying to me because then I get more anxious to try to find them the truth. Now when this thing take over downstairs including the mayor in the meeting someone give me the I even told that's my phone number in case they fire you. Well, he still had the job in there. But that is wrong. The people lie. Especially, you know, one of your friends coming here and give a testimony 3,000 vehicula in the newspaper. 3,000 vehicles. Where is she? She don't even live there. She lives in North Pro.

I don't know. So if if they go like 5 minutes ago, it's just people that goes to the federal government and lie so they can get a federal money. That is wrong. Okay, that is totally wrong.

We understand. We have no more questions though. I have uh the bridge that this spring they build in Indianapolis is I believe is 344 or 45 but Greystone Avenue Greystone bridge alete willing to build that for 20 million for the regular bridge$10 million dollar for the walking pedestrian And then I remember years ago they said the the town of Jor Provident they have to pay a half a million dollar each for Magnes be paid by the day of the inauri.

These are all hypotheticals and that's Indianapolis. So I don't know how that to us. Yeah that's Indianapolis America. Yeah I know that's not North Providence. Well maybe they last councilman here. Maybe they last corro Indianapolis than here because I can see it. I can see the corruption in North Province and I be honest with you. I have to tell you that. Is there anybody else that wants I'm sorry. Oh, go ahead. Now, is there anybody else that wants I have a photograph after they take the asphalt or Greystone bridge and if you compare the cracks that they mention in the in the inspection downstairs.

All right. But we're going to transfer. I believe that is where they I believe that that's where they transfer the bridge of grace from Providence to the state to Hector. Can you answer one question? Just one question. What do you want done? Just don't go through all those papers. Just read his digest. What do you want done? I want what the people in Greystone and Angelo want. They don't want no bridge. No, no. I'm asking you your it's your desire for us not to build a bridge. I personal after they dismantled that bridge there was nothing wrong with okay

I file for that bridge when a petition and I know for sure as a general contractor which I inspect the bridge it was nothing wrong you're not a bridge inspector so so that's not valid to us was nobody the people that inspected the bridge saw and it was not safe the people that been inspected the state bridges paid by uh the director for public workers. I'm going to Paul, I'm going to do you a favor. What happened? I show you the picture of him. I'm going to do you a favor. I'm going to make a motion that says Hector does not want the bridge. It'll be in the records. We'll know about it. I'll second it. There you go. We are on record. You don't want the bridge. We're good.

Hector and the 29 res. We don't need the bridge. Actually those people they say we can get over you know you know this is above the council level right now that bridge this is you're going to talk to your state people and federal people this is above this council now I have already seen no just the council members send the letters to the congressman we're not allocating Mario and I believe Losio uh

uh Steve Dorenzo I believe I saw came in the paper sending a letter about the Greystone Bridge. So we are we are all in favor of the bridge. So you're you're you're on the opposite side of this. Listen, we the residents of North Proidence very much we don't want and need the bridge. They are very express. I respect your position. This is over now and I have the signatures. I had the signature even before they dismant what the bridge. I do too. I just The whole council is in agreement. We want the bridge. So, but it's but it's above the Well, you can agree that you want I can I cannot do anything about or I I come here as to disagree with you.

Okay. Because I know I always have to disagree with you. Let's agree to disagree. Yeah. All right. So, I uh then you saw the who owns the Greystone Bridge. I gave it to I passed it. Now if you look if you Google today you will not fund the the is owned by the town on our province good I want you to have a merry Christmas the transfer the transfer that they did downstairs when the mayor and planning department okay that's when it becomes owned by the doend I found the who built the bridge and I'm going to told you who built the bridge.

Okay, I respect you. Good luck. We have to give me the last wall the ongoing to the state house. I want to people to know who build the bridge. Hector Hector, I I'm good. This the the Greystone bridge is no longer a council issue. I know it's not. See, when it's a state bridge, they have a play state. We're not going to hear it at the at the council anymore. It's no longer a council issue. Now, today and days, it's Yes. is owned by the estate. All right. After the transfer, of course, they already transferred. Now, I'm gonna finish the meeting right now. All right. Thank you very much. Have a nice Merry Christmas. You You don't want to know who built the bridge? No, I don't even want London Bridge. You want to cover up? [laughter]

You want to cover up? It was not built cover. It was not being built by the state or All right. Okay. It's over. We're done. We're done talking. We're good. Thank you. Have a good Christmas. Well, it's better that you want this so you can keep She's got papers. I'm good. Just remember I told you. All right. Look for Indianapolis 300 something square foot. All right. Square foot bridge. All right. Okay. Thank you for $30 million. Item number two. I here.

Councilman Laorio request discussion and possible vote on no parking sign at the annex of Cross Street, Clock Street, and Wright Street. Councilman. Yes. Uh I had conversation with a few of the residents in that area uh who wish to have a stop uh no parking sign put down there, but making that turn is is quite difficult if cars are parked right at that place. It's a uh it's a 90 degree turn and uh the chief had gone by and and uh t taken a peek at it along with a couple of the other officers in the department and they deem that it's necessary to have a sign there. Okay. Motion's been made by council. There second second.

Oh, he wants to expedite it. Yes. All right. So to do that, right? Yeah. I guess we're not. No, the chief said it. Chief should get done soon. Next. Okay. Motion has been made. Is there a second? Second. Second. All those in favor? I. All those opposed? The eyes have it. Item number 27, our lady of Fatima Hospital. Discussion and possible vote on the sale of Our Lady of Fatima Hospital. I'm going to continue this to January. So moved. Motion has been made by council, seconded by council porch. All those in favor.

All those opposed? The eyes have it. Item number 28, claim submitted. Town council discussion and possible vote regard the claims received from Travelers Indemity Company for Dan's Management. PO Box 66039, Dallas, Texas 75266, Safe Coins Insurance Company for Dennis Baylor. PO Box 6228, Hermitage, Pennsylvania 16148. We have a motion to send these to the claims committee. Motion been made by Council Polla, seconded by Council Laorio. All those in favor? I

All those opposed, the eyes have it. Item number 29, amusement licenses. Receive applications for renewal of amusement devices, amusement centers, coin operated pool tables, non-coin operated pool tables, miniature bowling, and auto wrecking and salvage. You'll have the list in front of you. Have a motion to renew. Motion's been made by Councilman Dorenzo. Is there a second? Second. Second by Councilman Pollock. All those in favor? All those opposed? The eyes have it. Item number 30, claims committee report. Town council discussion and action in regards to the claims committee report that presented by council.

Thank you, council president. The claims committee met right before the meeting, so I didn't have time to write all this up. Uh so I'll get it all printed up, but if you can just accept it as submitted, which will be there. Yeah. Motion's been made seconded by Council Laorio. All those in favor? All those opposed? Yeah. If I can just give a shout out to my wife, [laughter] been married 31 years tonight. No, I just want to give her a shout out and happy anniversary. I got to spend it with Hector. So there you go. Congratulations. God bless. No, I'm going to go back out last year. Item number 31, finance committee report. Town council discussion and action regard to the finance committee report to be presented by Councilman Martone.

Yes. So we had a finance committee meeting on Monday. Uh we had our uh new grant writer and our CDBG administrator both come in and give us a little bit of an update on grants. Uh just as a um we're going to keep grants on as a continuous item and uh and and our hope is that our uh new grant administrator will be kind enough to continue to give us updates and keep us uh apprised of what the what's going on in our grant area. Uh we also had um another um energy aggregation company come in uh who kind of pitched their plan. So I expect at some point we'll hear from both of them and we'll uh we'll make a recommendation on that. And then just um the rest of the the agenda speaks for itself, but all of the tax abate uh tax matters have been approved from October, November. Everything's approved. May motion to accept the pro is made by Councilman Martone, seconded by Councilman Dorenzo. All those in favor.

All those opposed, the eyes have it. Proposed ordinance notice was given a public hearing on this day whereby the town council would consider passage of the following proposed ordinances. Item number 13, ordinance 25-011Z, an ordinance amending the town of North Providence zoning ordinance and zoning map assesses plat 2 lots 1445 146 147 148 150 1558 159 1602 163 164 166 and half a lots 167 214 and 218. [clears throat]

This item is in connection with the town of North Providence zone zone change item. Do I have a motion to continue this to the January meeting? Some move. Motion has been made by council baler is seconded by council. All those in favor. All those opposed the eyes have it. Item number 14, ordinance 25-012, an ordinance amending chapter 19, article 10, section 19-30 of the code of ordinance of the town of North Providence, entitled no parking generally generally to provide for certain parking restrictions at the intersection of White Court and Merchant Street. Have a motion to pass. Moved.

Motion been made by Councilman Dorenzo, seconded by Council Martone. All those in favor? All those opposed, the eyes have it. Item number 15, ordinance 25-013, an ordinance amending chapter 19, article 10, section 19-30 of the code of ordinance of the town of North Province, entitled no parking generally to provide for certain parking restrictions at 57 East Avenue. We have a motion to pass. Motion's been made by Councilman Laorio. Is there a second? Second. Seconded by Councilman Bala. All those in favor?

All those opposed? The eyes have it. Item number 16, ordinance 25-014, an ordinance amending chapter 19, article 10, section 19-30 of the code of ordinance of the town of North Providence, entitled no parking generally to provide for certain parking restrictions on Pitman Street. Have a motion to pass. A motion's been made by council departure, second by council. All those in favor?

All those opposed? The eyes have it. Item number 17, ordinance 25-015, an ordinance amending chapter 19, article 10, section 19-30 of the code of ordinance of the town of North Providence entitled no parking generally to provide for certain parking restrictions on friendship street. Do I have a motion to pass ordinance 25-015? Motion's been made by Councilman Pala. Is there a second? Second. Seconded by Councilman Pollock. All those in favor?

I opposed. The eyes have it. Item number 18, ordinance 25-016, an ordinance amending chapter 19, article 10, section 19-30 of the code of ordinance of the town of North Providence, entitled no parking generally to provide for certain parking restrictions at 53 Wcott Lane. Do I have a motion to pass? So moved. Motion has been made by Councilman Bala, seconded by Council Laoro. All those in favor? I. All those opposed, the eyes have it. Item number 19, Ordinance 25-017, an ordinance amending chapter 19, article 10, section 19-30 of the code of ordinance of the town of North Proidence entitled no parking generally to provide for certain parking restrictions on Packard Avenue. Do I have a motion to pass?

So moved. Motion been made by Councilman Bala. Seconded by who was that? Councilman Dorenzo. All those in favor? I. All those opposed, the eyes have it. Item number 20, ordinance 25-018, an ordinance amending chapter 19, article 10, section 19-30 of the code of ordinance of the town of North Province, title, no parking generally to provide for certain parking restrictions at 21101 Middle Spring Avenue. Do a motion to pass? So move. Motion's been made by council Laori. Is there a second? Second by council. All those in favor.

All those opposed? You guys have it. Item number 21, ordinance 25-019, an ordinance amending chapter 19, article 10, section 19-47B of the code of ordinances of the town of North Providence, entitled two-way stop signs for two way stop sign on Josephine Street at the corner of June Street. Motion to approve. Motion's been made by Councilman Pollock. Is there a second? Second by Councilman Martone. All those in favor.

All those opposed, you guys have it. Item number 22, Ordinance 25-020, an ordinance amending chapter 19, article 10, section 1947B of the Court of ordinances of the town of North Providence, titled two-way stop signs for a two-way stop sign on June Street at the corner of Lillian Street. Made by Councilman Pollock. Is there a second? Second by Councilman Bala. All those in favor? All those opposed? The eyes have it.

Run out of breath. Item number 23, ordinance 25-021, an ordinance amending section 18-36 of the code of ordinances of the town of North Proidence relating to the amount of certain classes of liquor license which may be issued within the town of North Proidence. Have a motion to pass ordinance 25-021. So moved. Motion made by Council Laoric, seconded by Council Malo. All those in favor? Those opposed? The eyes have it. Motion to adjourn. So move