News Briefs

City continues Covid 19 Vaccinations
City officials led by EMS Director John Potvin have stepped up vaccinations for Covid 19 as the distribution has been expanded to those over the age of 65.  Officials were restricted to vaccinating just the over 75 age group by state health department guidelines and was only issued a few hundred vaccines at first.  “We received only a few hundred doses (of vaccine) at first and with only about a days’ notice,” said fire chief Glenn Quick.  “But now we are starting to receive more each week and have been able to expand the age group and have those residents come to the senior center on Waterman Avenue.  Captain Potvin and a host of city staff have met this challenge in every way,” added Chief Quick.

Residents queried upon leaving the vaccination site were very pleased with the smoothness and efficiency of those at the senior center site.  Additionally, many residents are now able to get vaccines at selected area CVS and Walgreen sites as well as two major state distributions centers.  “Overall we’re seeing progress,” said Captain Potvin.  “We’ve had solid plans in place for a long time.  Given enough vaccines, we can get the whole city vaccinated pretty quickly,” added Potvin.  Daily updates are listed on the city website:  https://eastprovidenceri.gov/COVID-19.

 Council gets report on water needs.  6% rate hike recommended.
The city council received reports during a public workshop on February 22^nd regarding the costs to maintain a quality water system and the need to provide a backup water supply should the current aging supply pipeline fail for any reason.  The council heard from consultant Dave Fox of  Raftelis Financial consultants.  The report described the assumptions and findings of a Water Rate Study performed for the City.  The major objectives of the Study included the development of a financial plan for the water enterprise to ensure financial sufficiency, meet operation and maintenance (O&M) costs, ensure sufficient funding for capital renewal and replacement (R&R) needs, and improve the financial health of the enterprises through adequate reserve fund balances and debt service coverage. The report summarized “the key findings and recommendations related to the development of a financial plan and a review and recommended rate increases required to support those plans,” said James Marvel, Water Utilities Manager for the City.  No votes have been taken as the council is now conducting workshops and hearing from analysts and consultants.  Consultants report that city residents pay less than .01 (one cent) per gallon for quality water.

Excerpts from the Consultant Report:

Revenue Requirements:
The first major task in establishing a financial plan is developing an understanding of the revenue requirements of the utility over the forecast period. Requirements are comprised of cash-based expenses including: O&M expenses, annual debt service payments, cash-funded capital, and contributions to utility reserve funds.

Operating Expenses:
O&M expenses represent normal, recurring expenses necessary to sustainably operate and maintain the system during the City’s annual accounting cycle, which is a Fiscal Year ending October 31st.

The council and Mayor are also receiving recommendations on how to provide for a backup plan to provide residents with regular water service should the aging main pipeline to the city fail or be damaged.  The current pipe comes to the city from the Scituate reservoir, by way of Cranston and Providence under the Providence River.  It then connects to the Kent Heights station for distribution.  The Providence pipeline is the only source of clean water for East Providence.  

Mayor DaSilva appoints new DPW Director
Mayor Bob DaSilva has named Daniel V. Borges as the new City of East Providence Department of Public Works director.  Borges is replacing longtime director Steve Coutu who left to head the Bristol County Water Authority.  Borges, an East Providence resident, will oversee a number of divisions under DPW including, highway, building, central garage, public buildings, refuse and recycling, engineering, water, wastewater and parks. Borges will report directly to Mayor DaSilva.

“Mr. Borges’ leadership, knowledge and expertise in water and wastewater systems, along with his experience working as a team player and with the public will play a significant role in his position as the City’s DPW director,” Mayor DaSilva said. “Borges experience in working with many different municipalities, vendors and contractors will help accelerate our City’s focus on public works forward.”

Prior to joining the city of East Providence, Borges was an environmental project engineer at CDM Smith in Providence, RI. During his eight -year tenure at CDM, Borges was involved with a number of projects including: sewer and water main designs, wastewater treatment facility upgrades, wastewater system modeling, sewer system capacity analysis, city-wide sewer flow metering programs and more.

Before being named environmental engineer, Borges spent a year working as field engineer and project engineer at Daniel O’Connell’ Sons Inc. in East Providence.  Borges, who is bilingual in Portuguese and Spanish, “enjoys giving back to the community.”

He’s an active member of the Merrimack College Alumni Board where he is involved with organizing events to help provide scholarships to existing engineering students.  Borges is National Association of Sewer Service Companies (NASSCO)-Pipeline Assessment Certification Program-certified.

Borges earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the Merrimack College and a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering from Northeastern University.

East Providence Pathway to 2020-2040: Comprehensive Plan
Mayor Bob DaSilva announces that the City has kicked off the update process for its Comprehensive Plan.  The Comprehensive Plan is a blueprint for the City’s future. This important document is used by local officials and city department to guide decisions that can help and support residents and local businesses.

Mayor DaSilva emphasizes that “through the Comprehensive Plan, we clearly state what we love about living in East Providence, what needs more support to strengthen its vitality and longevity, and what could be transformed to meet the needs of our community.”

“The City is in a unique position to build upon its skilled workforce, bridge communities together through innovative infrastructure plans and expand our waterfront while also addressing our affordable housing needs, building upon our inclusivity and investing in our growing creative community,” DaSilva said. “East Providence is a community with a vision and we are imploring all of our residents to participate in developing that vision.”

The Comprehensive Plan covers a wide range of issues that impact our quality of life, including our neighborhoods, where we shop, parks and playgrounds, public services, historic sites and buildings, local employers, and even how we get around the city. The plan talks about where we are as a community, where we want to be in the next 10 to 20 years, and how we are going to get there.

Director of Planning and Economic Development William Fazioli, stresses public participation throughout the update process is a major focus of this effort.  “Every voice needs to be heard to understand what the community values,” Fazioli said. “We have a wide-range of tools in our public engagement toolbox, from surveys to public meetings to small group discussions.”

To kick off the update process, the City is launching a community survey. It touches on many of the plan’s topics and asks residents their ideas about the City’s opportunities and challenges now and in the future. What are the needs of the city and how can we plan to meet those needs? The survey is available on the City’s website, eastprovidenceri.gov, in English, Portuguese, Creole, and Spanish. Paper copies can be requested from the Department of Planning and Economic Development.

Fazioli acknowledges that reaching residents will be challenging with limitations on public gatherings to minimize the spread of COVID-19, but there will be multiple ways for the public to learn about the Comprehensive Plan update process and provide feedback on the issues.

Residents can learn about the Comprehensive Plan and why it is important on the City’s website, eastprovidenceri.gov, under “Community.” They are encouraged to visit often to find the latest information on the update process and how to share their ideas.  For more information please contact: Director of Planning and Economic Development William Fazioli at wfazioli@eastprovidenceri.gov.

EP Fire Dept. Swears in Large Group of Firefighters
The EPFD held its 34th training academy which included 10 weeks of training at the State Fire Academy, 10 weeks in the City Academy and 10 weeks in the Advanced EMT-Cardiac School, for a total of 30 weeks of intense training.

“You have earned the distinction of being one the best trained, best prepared firefighters, ready to serve one of the most vibrant cities in the state,” Chief Glenn J. Quick told the recruits during a small ceremony held at the East Providence High School. “Nothing replaces your unwavering training and we can all remain safe because of the hard work and dedication of all the men and women of the East Providence Fire Department.  “For today and every day, it’s our responsibility to keep our citizens safe,” Quick added.

“We know the physical and mental challenges that you will all face while on the job,” Mayor Bob DaSilva said. “I have full confidence in the fact that the men and women of 34th Training Class will make its department proud and the residents of this City feel safe.  We are extremely proud of the hard work and efforts of not only the new members of our East Providence Fire Department, but also the dedication from the number of academy instructors” DaSilva added.

The 20 newly-sworn in firefighters began their first shifts on Feb. 14, 2021 and bring the department to full staffing.  The 34th Training Class of the East Providence Fire Dept.

Joseph C. Andreozzi, Dante J. Capaldi, Wendy J. Clark, John W. Costa Jr., Geoffrey W. Desmarais, Ryan W. Digiulio, Christopher M. Forget, Johan F.Giraldo, Benjamin P. Godek, Kara-Ann Hartnett, Cory Mcguire, Nicholas J. Mulvihill, Aidan M. O’brien, Graeme C. Potter, Davis C. Roast, Donald B. Seymour, Grayson S. Smith, Robert A. Sturdahl, Hoan Vu Su and Richard A. Williams.

Police Department Adds to Roster
The East Providence Police Dept. recently added two new officers to its roster and promoted a number of its members at a small swearing-in ceremony held at the East Providence City Hall Council Chambers.  Mayor DaSilva swore in the two new officers and swore in six existing members of the EPPD to a number of different rankings including:

Capt. Barry Ramer was promoted to the rank of Captain after 27 years with the East Providence Police Dept.  Capt. Ramer served on the FDA Task Force for 10 years. Capt. Ramer was instrumental in the investigation which led to a $60 million forfeiture award to the police department. Capt. Ramer is also the long-time commander of the East Providence Police Special Reaction Team. He will now serve as a Patrol Division Commander.

Lt. Michael Rapoza graduated from Westfield State College with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and minor in psychology. He is currently enrolled in the master’s program at

Johnson and Wales University with a focus on Public Administration. The Lt. was hired by the Swansea Police Dept. after completing the Massachusetts Police Training Council Academy. After working for the Swansea Police Dept. for several years, he was hired by the East Providence Police Department in 2005.

Sgt. Andrew Dubois.  After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree from Mount Ida College in 2003, Sgt. Dubois attended and graduated from the Rhode Island Municipal Police Academy in 2004 and was then hired by the East Providence Police Department. He is currently in his 17th year with the department. After spending 7 years in the patrol division, Sgt. Dubois was assigned to the vice unit in 2011 and then assigned to the DEA Task Force from 2012-2016.

Sgt. Stephen Rodrigues earned his Bachelor of Science degree Criminal Justice from Roger Williams University and is currently enrolled in Salve Regina University master’s degree program with a focus in Administration of Justice. He began his career at the East Providence Police Department in 2012 in the patrol division. In February 2019, Sgt. Rodrigues was promoted to the rank of detective corporal and assigned to the major crimes’ division. In March of 2019 he received the department’s exceptional service award for an incident involving a missing/suicidal party who was located in Providence.

Det. Cpl Warren Caldwell attended the Rhode Island Municipal Police Academy 2008, after having worked as a Patrol Officer and Elderly Affairs Officer in the Town of Tiverton. He joined the ranks of the East Providence Police Department in 2014. During his tenure with the department, Det. Caldwell worked as a Patrol Officer prior to being promoted to the Detectives Division. He is a department Field Training Officer, a member of the Special Reaction Team, Honor Guard, and the Motor Unit. In 2019, Det. Caldwell was commissioned as an Officer into the United States Naval Reserve and is currently completing his training as a Naval Intelligence Officer.

Det. Cpl. Dennis Medeiros graduated with an Associates in Science from Hesser College. Shortly after, he started his law enforcement career with the Tiverton Police Department. When the opportunity presented to return to his hometown and join the East Providence Police Department, he gladly accepted. Det. Medeiros has enjoyed being a Patrol Officer for 17 years. During that time he worked in Community Policing for four years and continued patrolling the neighborhoods in which he was raised. Det. Medeiros looks forward to continuing to serve this community. He was joined by his wife, Christine Medeiros.

Christopher Day and Ryan Havunen were sworn in as Probationary Officers.