Technology Glitch, Water Woes - Give EP City Manager Reprieve

"I'm still here...," Paul Lemont shrugs after marathon meeting!

By Bob Rodericks

Police Union-Chief Controversy Boiling:

It didn't take long for the controversies to begin once Tuesday's East Providence City Council meeting began on Tuesday evening (April 1st). Again, a tardy start at 7:50 p.m. from its' advertised 7:30 p.m. start gave rise to executive session discourse. Almost immediately the discussion turned to the frigid relationship between city police officers and their embattled chief. Under the public comment section, police union vice-president Paul Rodrigues asked to speak. "I want to remind the council of our earlier request for answers regarding the chief's situation. We still don't have answers. Our relationship cannot be repaired. There is absolutely no trust, no confidence in this chief," Rodrigues stated firmly. Police Chief Joseph Tavares sat quietly two rows away from his complaining officer. "Contrary to what some may believe in City Hall, there is no support for this Chief amongst the officers. The Chief's comments at the last council meeting were inaccurate and warrant further inquiry by the council. The no-confidence vote in this Chief was near unanimous. Only two (high ranking command officers in Chief's office) did not vote." With that said Rodrigues walked away from the podium as no one else spoke, including Chief Tavares. Council rules don't allow its' members to speak at this point or to take any specific action.

LeMont Critics and Supporters Speak Out:

Frequent council meeting attendee and critic, Freddie Rypka, spoke next. "I'm glad to see it on the docket tonight," he said referring to an item posted by council member Chrissy Rossi intended to oust Paul Lemont as interim City Manager. "Mr. Lemont's friends are getting jobs since he came back. There is nepotism. He brought back the guy at the carousel (Crescent Park) and that guy's son (Ed Serowik, Sr. and Jr.) The condition at the Carousel is disgusting," railed Rybka. Rybka's charge of nepotism refers to his opinion that Ed Serowik Jr. works under his father, Serowik, Sr. The baseball-cap-adorned Rybka, animatedly was getting under LeMont's skin. As LeMont looked on incredulously and shook his head, he finally replied. "Listening to you, you don't know what you're talking about, " said LeMont. "Those (employees) represent over 100 years of Carousel experience. They're not letting it run down. I can't answer you," said an upset finger pointing Paul Lemont. "This is irresponsible."

Candy Seel, an unsuccessful candidate last election against current ward three council member Tom Rose, then spoke in favor of the City Manager. "I was astounded to see this (Lemont's removal) on the agenda. "I thought it was maybe an April 1st 'fool's day' joke. I couldn't believe that someone could throw our city into turmoil by doing this," said Seel. "This is because you have a man (Lemont) who won't be intimidated. I urge my representatives, Tom Rose, Ward 3 and Tracy Capobianco, at-large to not do this," added Seel.

Pond View Expenses to City Reaching $2 Million?

Another frequent speaker at council meetings, Tom Riley spoke. Riley is also chairman of the city Board of Canvassers but was speaking as a resident. Riley complained that he has yet to receive an official answer to his question concerning money spent to date on the long standing Pond View legal battle. Pond View is the construction debris recycling company in Rumford which has been the subject of residents' ire for years. "You won't answer my question. You keep throwing me off the docket. Your legal department is stonewalling this request," said Riley. "You can go through a public records request," offered Mayor Jim Briden. "Sure, but that law allows you to charge me for each copied piece of paper," shot back Riley. "I'm hearing our legal costs may approach $2 million." Ward two councilman Helder Cunha asked if the city couldn't get the information for Riley. "Can't we get this done? If there is a copying cost, I will pay for it," said Cunha. City solicitor, Timothy Chapman, who clearly didn't like Riley's pointed comments aimed his way said he would do whatever the council wanted. "I haven't been asked by this council to provide the information as requested," replied Chapman. The council agreed to have this information provided, presumably with no cost to Riley.

"I'm Still Here" - Interim City Manager, Paul Lemont after meeting's end at midnight.

The next item for discussion on the often discussed public hearing ordinance to approve a $19 million bond issue to repair the city's crumbling water system, would last until midnight. The long lasting and argumentative segment would lead to the continuance of all other council matters to its' next meeting on April 15th. This effectively was a 'stay of dismissal' for City Manager Paul Lemont. The Chrissy Rossi led movement to discuss Lemont's potential ouster would not take place on this night. However, after having an initial head of steam, Reporter sources have confirmed that Rossi most likely does not have the votes to get rid of LeMont.

City Water Receiving Warnings and Violation Notices from State Health Department:

In a 3-2 vote, the council refused to approve the three time proposed $19 million bond issue which would repair and replace many components of a city water system infrastructure which was built in 1964. Some pipes in the ground are over 100 years old. "It is beyond time to invest in this (water) system," warned James Marvel, city Water Utilities Manager. "The current water system is operating totally different from its' original design in the 1960's," said Marvel. In the end council members Tom Rose, Chrissy Rossi and Helder Cunha voted against the bonding plan. Mayor Jim Briden and member Tracy Capobianco voted to accept the plan. City Public Works Director, Steve Coutu had planned an overhead video presentation which would enhance the city's urgent need to pass the bond. However no one could get the video projector to work and at least one council member - Tom Rose - didn't want to proceed. "I need more information. I'm not voting (to approve) tonight." Throughout the night, Councilman Rose expressed concern with the project's expense. "$19 million is a lot of money. I'm afraid that these numbers are not solid. How much more will this cost us?" he asked. "Can we get someone in the city trained to operate these projectors?" asked Cunha. "This happens all the time," he said annoyingly.

Interim manager Lemont and three city experts - Steve Coutu, James Marvel, city Water Utilities Director and Budget Commission leftover, City Finance Advisor, Paul Luba, all issued stern warnings that current bonding numbers would no longer be available if the city didn't act right away. "Since 2010 the city system has lost $1.1 million. You have more expenses than revenue," said Luber. "I don't see our experts on the same page," said Chrissy Rossi. "We need this, we're choking on it, but it is confusing. I'm not there yet. It isn't clear. I would like the experts to get together and refine this proposal," said Rossi. Rossi referred to a difference of opinion between Luber and Marvel on a funding procedure for water service maintenance. Both men said this difference didn't change bottom line numbers.

The committee debated when they could continue the meeting to. There was little room and time to reschedule a public hearing for an extension of the discussion. "You can meet tomorrow if you declare an emergency," said solicitor Tim Chapman. "There are legal notification issues on when you can next meet to discuss this, as well as city charter restrictions," Chapman advised. The council meandered its' way forward with discussion on what was an ordinance to hear from the public and then vote on the bond program.

Some speakers, including resident Tom Riley and councilor Rose, questioned if the $19 million dollars would be enough to fix the entire water system. "My concern is that this could be like other construction projects in this city and will end up going over budget," said Rose. Councilor Helder Cunha asked about the timing of the bond request. "Why the last minute notice before us?" asked Cunha. "I've been pushing for this for three years," said James Marvel. Marvel and others cited a turnover and turmoil in recent city government. "There have been three engineering studies which warn that the city needs to act fast. $300 to $400,000 in studies have all said the same thing - we need to do this right away. This was foreseeable for a long time and clearly since 2005," said Marvel. "We are getting water quality violation notices. The problem will get worse. We can be fined $5,000 per day," said Luber. "I addressed this with Mr. LeMont immediately when he returned 4 months ago," added Coutu. "We've had recent turnovers in this city that hasn't helped," he added. "One study goes back to 1997, which said we need to replace all underground pipes at a cost of $44 million. Obviously that report was shelved for lack of money," added Coutu. "See, that's my point," said Riley, citing his own feeling that $19 million is not enough money for a total fix. "Ten years ago when I left (Lemont wasn't renewed by a former city council) the top of my list was the repair of this water system. There has been a lack of direction in this area (since). The day has come when we can't play around anymore. The safety of our system is at stake. We will have a real mess. When I came back 4 months ago, I immediately worked on this and we want to move now," Lemont said.

Disinfection by Product (not bacteria). Health Department Concerned:

At issue are three problem areas for the city. New storage tank, transmission of water via a main pipe and chlorinating the water locally. The city needs to replace the storage tank in Kent Heights. This is the lower tank which was built in the 1960's. "The taller spherical tank was built in the 1990's," said Coutu referring to the replacement of the city's former iconic red and white checked landmark water tank. The city also needs to bring water in from Providence where it is purchased to a local site for a chlorination process. "We need to redesign the transmission of water into the city," said Coutu. "The current old system wasn't devised to put water in the tank first and aerate and chlorinate and then send to homes," added Coutu. "Back in the 1960's, no one saw it happening." Currently the city purchases water from the Providence water system, sends it to Cranston for chlorination and then moves it to East Providence. This process is causing a water quality concern called "disinfection by-products." Essentially this is not a bacteria situation which could lead to a boil water state order. Rather it is a result of chemical breakdown from the chlorination process. By the water traveling to Cranston and back to East Providence and then sitting in pipes, is causing a water quality problem. Is this a problem that could make residents ill soon, The Reporter asked James Marvel? "No, not at all. This a chemical not a bacteria problem," said Marvel. However, the state Health department has issued warnings and may soon fine the city if no plan is put into place to fix the water system.

Some of the council demanded to know about potential bond issue overruns. "Can you guarantee that your estimate of $19 million will be guaranteed when we go out to bid on this project?" Rossi asked the estimating engineer. "No, of course, there could always be an unforeseen matter. But I am very comfortable with the estimate of $19 million. It is based on recent jobs and a lot of due diligence on our part. We always add a 10% contingency," he added. Marvel was also quick to push aside the concern for major cost overruns. "I've managed $50 million in projects and have built 5 water tanks. Large overages only come if you add bells and whistles and we didn't do that," Marvel said. "My projects have basically been within budget. There are always some adjustments over unforeseen issues like rock excavation that may be needed. No one has exray vision. I have never seen 20% to 30% overruns," added Marvel.

"You are not listening to the paid experts," LeMont told council skeptics. The issue is that the bonding would build a new tank, redirect water flow and upgrade chlorination, but it won't replace every single old pipe in the city. "Even though we don't have enough here to fix the entire system, it is an incremental plan," offered Mayor Briden. "We still need to do what is being described here," Briden urged.

In the end, the council denial of the bond process may be too late for current bonding pricing and availability, according to city administrators and paid engineering experts. When asked by The Reporter after the meeting if the city currently has no plan now and is back at the drawing board, Briden said, "I think this was a mistake. It was a best case incremental plan to fix a serious problem. The concerns brought up tonight (by those against the bonding) don't negate the need to still do this now. This is high risk management," Briden added.