EP Zoning Board's Dick Croke Responds to Cumb. Farms Tussle

As we previously reported, the East Providence City Council meeting on November 17th, was brief but to the point as the main topic of the night continued to be the zoning boards controversial vote to deny expansion plans of Cumberland Farms. The zoning board previously voted on November 4th to deny the project. The board actually voted 3-2 in favor of the expansion plan with Chairman Gene Saveory, Pia Toledo and Mike Beauparlant voting to approve, while John Braga and Dick Croke voted against. Member Tony Cunha opted not to vote as his wife is an employee of Cumberland Farms. However according to state law a super majority (4-1) vote is needed to approve this kind of exemption variance.

The Reporter reached Dick Croke today, one of the two board members voting against the expansion and renovation plans of Cumberland Farms. Croke, a long time zoning board member through a couple of stints, was adamant that nothing was afoul with his vote on this issue. "Are there two houses involved here," he asked in response to a question about his vote. "The two houses near Cumberland Farms (which Cumberland Farms has purchased) have been there for 40 or 50 years. They are zoned residential," said Croke. When asked to amplify his answer, Croke stated that "They (Cumb. Farms) had full use and privilege of their current property. I don't know what all the fuss is about." Asked about the Claudino family which is the only complainant against this proposal, Croke responded that, "I don't know them, it's not about them."

At the November 17th council meeting rumors about conflicts of interest were raised by the Kent Heights Neighborhood Association. "Could it be that one zoning board member who manages a Dunkin Donuts in the city has a conflict here," one source said after the meeting. The source indicated that another person with family ties to the zoning board member is the owner of the vacant Wampanoag Diner lot. However persons close to John Braga, who manages the Taunton Ave. Dunkin Donuts said the "there is no truth whatsoever to any rumors relating to Mr. Braga and Dunkin Donuts, with this issue. Absolutely not, that has nothing to do with his vote. That doesn't make sense."

Today, Croke said that none of "these rumors going around the city are true at all. Dunkin Donuts has nothing to do with this decision. Mr. Braga (the other dissenting zoning vote) works for the Taunton Ave. Dunkin Donuts. It's not even near here (Wampanoag Trail)."

A source active in the city said that he was aware of a conversation in which Richard Croke voted against Cumberland Farms, in part, because he "didn't like the bright sign Joe put up on Warren and Dover Avenue where Botelho has a reality office. He didn't like Joe because of that and he was voting against Cumberland Farms because of the neon signs." Croke was on the zoning board years ago when Joe Botelho was a councilman. "Yes, I didn't re-appoint Mr. Croke to the board back then. I didn't approve of him," said Botelho. When asked if that may be a reason for Croke's vote now that Croke is back on the board, Botelho just shrugged and smiled.

"I don't remember if Joe (Botelho) dropped me from the zoning board before," said Croke. "I don't dislike Joe at all, they're reaching. I have nothing against him," Croke added. "I'll tell you this. When Joe was running for council before, he asked me to be his campaign manager. I said, Joe, you have other people who helped you, they deserve it," offered Croke. "Ask your people first."

"We voted as we did on this Cumberland Farms thing, it may be appealed and we'll see what happens. That's all I can say," said Croke.

"I don't know what happened," said zoning board Chairman Gene Saveory. "I thought it would pass. I don't understand it." Neither do a lot of residents, especially those in Kent Heights.

During executive session before the council meeting Tuesday, the council voted unanimously on an item related to Cumberland Farms and litigation. While they can't discuss the matter yet, it would appear that they are moving to take legal action to appeal. It may be settled in the courts - unless Cumberland Farms packs up and moves elsewhere. "Many in the city don't want to see another business leave."