[Summit] Local & Municipal News from East Side City Councillors John Goncalves and Helen Anthony
David Kolsky
davidjkolsky at yahoo.com
Sun Apr 11 17:49:21 UTC 2021
----- Forwarded Message ----- From: Councilman John Goncalves <info at johnforward1.com>To:Sent: Saturday, April 10, 2021, 05:00:48 PM EDTSubject: Important Updates, Vaccines, Mayor Elorza Ward 1 Meeting
Keeping you informed about the neighborhood
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| Ward 1 Newsletter |
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Dear David,
Thank you for reading the newsletter below.
Before you read our Ward announcements below, please know that you should never hesitate to reach out if I can ever be of any assistance or help to you. I am always here to serve you.
Know a neighbor who'd like to receive these updates? Sign up here. Please encourage neighbors to sign up and subscribe so they can also be informed. Also, please call or text me at any time: 401-227-5056. |
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| This e-mail covers several important items in our community:
1) Next Community Meeting with Guest Mayor Elorza: Monday, April 26, 2021 at 6 PM
2) Neighborhood Clean Up
3) Duck & Bunny Demolition
4) Yard Debris Pick-Up & Street Sweeping Schedule
5) Noise Pollution Resolution
6) The Latest On Rhode Island Vaccination Program (see separate mailing)
7) Illegal ATVs & Dirt Bikes
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Next Ward 1 Monthly Community Meeting
In an effort to get the most up-to-date information to constituents, we will continue hosting Ward 1 Monthly Community Meetings (virtually due to COVID) every last Monday of the month.
- Our next community meeting agenda will include Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza.
Please RSVP below for the opportunity to have an intimate town hall with our current Mayor and provide your feedback to our executive branch of government!
Ward 1 Monthly Community Meeting
(Last Monday of Each Month)
Monday, April 26, 2021, at 6 PM
Please RSVP below to receive the agenda/ZOOM link
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| RSVP Here! |
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Neighborhood Clean Up
Today I was thrilled to team up with the most amazing group of volunteers, parents, and students for a neighborhood clean-up! Thanks to all who came out to keep our neighborhood and Vartan Gregorian looking clean and beautiful!
Want to join us for a future neighborhood clean-up?
There’s no better way to contribute to a cleaner and healthier Ward 1 community than by volunteering to tackle out-of-control waste. Join me and our fellow community members for a spring, socially-distanced Ward 1 clean-up. More details forthcoming about the date and time, but please sign-up if you're interested in participating in the near future!
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| Sign Up To Volunteer Here |
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Brown University Dorms
Thank you to the 165 RSVPs and 70+ guests who joined us for our Ward 1 Special Community Meeting to discuss the Brown University Brook Street dorms.
I want to also thank University representatives Al Dahlberg, Brown University AVP Government and Community Relations, Katie Silberman, Brown University Director of Community Relations, Craig Barton, Brown University Architect, Paul Dietel, Brown University AVP Planning, Design and Construction, Noah Biklen, Deborah Berke Partners (architect), Joe Wahler, Stimson Studio (landscape architects) for joining us.
Additionally, I'd like to thank the residents of the neighborhood for voicing their questions, feedback, and concerns. As you continue to think about Brown's proposed plans, please do not hesitate to reach out to provide your thoughts. |
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Duck & Bunny Demolition
Many of us were dismayed by the demolition of the home of the beloved Duck & Bunny on Wickenden Street. The demolition date was not communicated to our community and caused consternation among abutters and the neighborhood. As such, I will be introducing an ordinance at our next regular City Council meeting to expand notice upon issuance of a demolition permit. Whether or not the full City Council has the political will to get this piece of legislation passed remains to be seen, but if passed, the hope is that it will help mitigate some of the challenges around unexcepted demolitions and the lack of communication.
Read our full statement regarding the demolition of Duck & Bunny here.
Additional Coverage Can Be Seen/Read Here:
Former Duck & Bunny building in Providence Demolished
After Being Closed For 2 Years Former Duck and Bunny Building Now Pile of Rubble |
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| Addressing Providence's Noise Pollution
During the April 1st Providence City Council meeting, I was the lead sponsor and author of a resolution calling on the City to confront noise pollution in Providence and to explore creative mitigation solutions.
The City of Providence is a bustling mid-sized city where residents can be regularly exposed, against their will, to excessive noise. Whether it be construction, vehicles, and motorcycles with modified exhaust systems, homes, sirens, highway noise, leaf blowers, illegal fireworks, and recreational vehicles, etc. unwanted noise can be a pervasive issue in a city and can have adverse impacts on public health. Many communities in the city suffer from noise pollution and studies have shown that poorer neighborhoods and communities of color are more adversely affected. Read more here. The solution is not criminalization, but additional education and other creative means to further address this issue.
While the Providence Code Of Ordinances Chapter 16 includes codified regulations on noise, permissible Decibels (dBA), and what is deemed unnecessary, excessive, or offensive noise, more still needs to be done.
Creative solutions should be explored to address noise pollution. The resolution calls for the city to commission an independent panel or a consultant to study and develop an implementation plan to address environmental noise and also requests that City Administration look into enforceable and effective solutions that will help monitor, analyze, mitigate noise pollution. Read the resolution which passed unanimously on the Council. |
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Curbside leaf and yard waste pick-up services have begun. For more information, click here: http://providenceri.gov/public-works/
The City of Providence has started the 2021 Street Sweeping Program. The PVD Street Sweeping Viewer, allows residents to see what streets have been swept, the date they were swept, and when the next date your street is scheduled. Persons with Overnight Parking permits will also be emailed on when streets will be swept and provided access to this link as well so that they can make alternate parking arrangements in order to minimize interfering with street sweeping activities.
Ward 1 is scheduled for street sweeping on May 9 – May 13, August 22 – August 26, and December 5 – December 9. |
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Earlier this year, I was proud to be the lead sponsor on a resolution calling for the adoption of an Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Policy for the City of Providence. I want to thank my colleagues for their support on this resolution which will lead to critical changes and regulations that protect our environment. Read the EPP Resolution here.
"What is Environmentally Preferable Purchasing? Environmentally Preferable Purchasing, or EPP, refers to purchasing choices that minimize negative impacts on human health and the environment. Examples of EPP include purchasing products and instituting practices that reduce waste, conserve energy and water, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and purchasing products that are free of neurotoxic chemicals.
Additionally, I was the lead sponsor on a Providence City Council resolution calling on the Office of Sustainability and partners to produce a residential composting plan that explores current composting practices in Providence and identifies short and long-term steps to eliminate food waste from the residential waste system. The Office of Sustainability has convened composting haulers and stakeholders to discuss and contribute to this residential composting plan, with support from Zero Waste Providence.
Complete the survey below to be considered to win a $50 gift card to the supermarket of your choice. Please note that when selecting where you live in the Ward, it is listed as either 1 and 9 on this map. |
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| Compost Questionnaire |
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Illegal ATVs and Dirt Bikes - Please Sign Our Petition
Recently, I held a meeting with Mayor Elorza, Chief Clements, and many concerned constituents to discuss a proactive mitigation plan for addressing ATVs and bikes in Ward 1 and in our city as the weather gets warmer.
We expressed our concern for enabling legislation to legalize ATVs on city streets and we’re pleased to see that the Mayor clarified his position noting that the executive branch of government will be vigilant and are prepared to deal with dangerous and illegal ATVs and dirt bike riding.
Here are some recent articles on the issue:
https://www.golocalprov.com/news/atv-political-battle-in-providence-heats-up-council-criticizes-elorza-and-h
Councilman John Goncalves said, "The illegal use of ATVs has been a major issue in my neighborhood. I feel my neighbors' frustration as these loud and intrusive vehicles speed through our streets, endangering children, cyclists, drivers, and really anyone nearby. I look forward to working with my Council colleagues to work towards the stricter enforcement of the laws we have put in place. I hope we can find an off-road place that they can ride [in the future. In the meantime,] I am optimistic that Mayor Elorza will do his part in enforcing these laws so that our City does not have to continue facing the dangers created by ATVs daily."
https://www.golocalprov.com/news/elorza-pushing-for-legislation-to-legalize-atvs-draws-strong-reaction
https://council.providenceri.gov/2021/03/18/providence-city-council-calls-on-mayor-elorza-to-enforce-existing-atv-laws-and-names-members-to-the-councils-special-commission-on-atvs-recreational-vehicles/
This is a pervasive issue among cities across the country, not just in Providence. While I recognize that there are impassioned riders of recreational vehicles, as a member of the legislative branch of government, I’m open to hearing concrete, legal off-road solutions from the motorbike community. However, we cannot and I will not support their legalization and operation on residential city streets since they’ve operated in ways that have endangered pedestrians and motorists in our neighborhood and in the City of Providence.
So we started a petition -- to send a message to all municipal and state legislators that we, the people, oppose the legalization and operation of illegal ATVs on residential city streets. |
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| Sign The Petition Here |
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Additionally, if you see an ATV or an illegal recreational vehicle, please report the location by contacting (401) 680-8288.
I was recently appointed to a Special Commission on ATV and Recreational Vehicle Enforcement to undertake a comprehensive review of how Providence enforces its laws, practices, and policies governing off-road recreational vehicles.
The Commission will be charged with studying and making recommendations regarding the City’s current enforcement practices and making recommendations regarding appropriate changes to City procedures, ordinances, and policies to prevent the operation of ATVs and recreational vehicles on the City’s streets.
I applaud everyone’s concerted and coordinated effort to get ATVs and bikes off the streets and I hope that we can continue to find creative, robust, and viable solutions to address this issue that has undermined safety and quality of life in our city.
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| Sign The Petition Here |
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Henderson Bridge Updates From The Rhode Island Department of Transportation
Here is the latest expert from RI DOT regarding the Henderson Bridge:
"There will be alternating one-way traffic on East River Street in Providence under the Henderson Bridge for pre-demolition activities. We are also scheduled to continue excavation prior to demolition of the closed ramp from Massasoit Avenue to the Henderson Bridge and demolition of the steel beams over land adjacent to Waterfront Drive. Lane closures are not needed for these operations." |
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We Want to Hear From You
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Thank you for reading. I'm incredibly grateful to have committed folks like you who read our newsletters and stay informed on what's happening in the neighborhood. Please share this information with a neighbor who may need it and please reach out at any time.
Thank you,
Providence City Councilman, Ward 1
www.johnforward1.com
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Friends of John Goncalves · PO Box [PENDING] · Providence, RI 02906 · USA
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| View this email in your browser |
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Dear Neighbors,
At yesterday's COVID press conference, the state announced that starting Monday, April 12 any 02906 resident who is 16 years or older is eligible for a vaccine appointment at any outlet in the state outlined below. Remember that the state has been releasing many appointments on Tuesdays at 9am and Fridays at 5pm.
Please also note below important information about the city's budget and measures to mitigate noise pollution.
Let's take care of one another.
Helen
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COVID Updates
Free COVID Testing Sites
- RI Department of Health
- Vaccination in RI
- COVID Information for Businesses
- City of Providence
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- Providence Public Schools
- Brown: Healthy Brown; Report concerns: using this form, 877-318-9184 or 863-3322
- RISD: COVID Information; Report concerns using this form
- State Police COVID line: 401-764-5554
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Providence City Council Meetings
Next City Council Meetings: April 15 at 5:30pm. Tune in to meetings on Zoom -- look for a link at the end of the agenda -- or on the Council's YouTube channel. Agendas and minutes are posted on the City of Providence Open Meetings Portal, and you can register to receive notice of any city committee or board meetings.
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Budget Update
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| Since my last Ward Letter the City Council's Finance Committee approved a FY2021 -- nine months into the fiscal year. As you may have seen on WPRI.com / Channel 12, I abstained from voting as I received the budget amendments more than two hours after the start of the Finance Committee meeting - meaning that I had not been afforded an opportunity to read the budget I was being asked to approve.
Last night I voted against the budget when it came before the full council because the process lacked transparency. I believe our residents deserve better. Here is the statement that I shared at last night's meeting: |
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| This is the second budget I have voted on since being elected to City Council. Again, I will vote no for the same reason I voted no on my first budget. There is no transparency or ability for the public to participate in the budget process, and most importantly, members of this Council have limited ability to influence or participate in the budget process (and I say this as a member of the Finance Committee). That is because the council leadership negotiates with the Mayor’s staff office behind closed doors, then pops out an agreed to budget which is summarily approved by Finance and voted upon at Council.
This year our budget process was delayed due to COVID-19. The Finance Committee held one public meeting regarding the budget on July 9, 2020 so that we could pass the levy and start collecting property taxes. That was it for public engagement with regard to the budget. A lot happened between then and now, particularly around police reform. Many of our citizens and members of this Council expected to have the opportunity to discuss reallocation of the police budget. We were never given the opportunity.
The budget amendments were heard by the Finance Committee only last Wednesday, despite the fact that the City Auditor had them for two weeks. I received the Amendments in the middle of a 3 hour Finance Meeting, then was asked to vote on it at the meeting. The Budget Amendments were never published before the meeting, so no one in the public had any idea that this was going to be presented and voted upon.
The issue that held up the budget for two weeks was a disagreement between the Council President and the Mayor regarding the budget allocation for the $695,000 Neighborhood Services Account which is part of the Council budget. Many of my colleagues and I would have liked to have been involved in that discussion as we were unaware that such an account existed and had no knowledge of how the money was disbursed. In fact, I presented a resolution requesting that the Finance Committee invite a representative from the City Council office and the Mayor’s office to discuss their budgets in detail. The Chairman of Finance assured me that would happen, but it never did.
In closing, we have a leadership team that is used to conducting its business behind closed doors. Our citizens deserve a more open and transparent governance, especially with regard to how the City spends its money. Thank you. |
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| The Council has now passed the FY2021 amended budget with two months left in the fiscal year. East Side Councillors Nirva LaFortune and John Goncalves also voted against the budget, sharing similar sentiments about the lack of transparency in the process. If you would like to review the video of the meeting please click here. |
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Updates from Public Works
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| Yard Debris: The DPW started weekly yard debris collection on April 5 and will continue until December 18.
Overflow Trash: If you have more trash than your bin will hold, purchase an overflow bag for $2 at retailers including Eastside Marketplace and Whole Foods. >> More on disposing large or bulky items.
Street Sweeping: Ward 2 is scheduled to have streets swept May 16-20, August 29-September 2 and December 12-16 from 10:30pm to 7am. Track the progress through the PVD Street Sweeping Viewer.
Household Hazardous Waste: The Eco-Depot is a free service for disposing of household hazardous waste. >> Drop off events and items that can be safely recycled. |
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Brown University News
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| Construction Plans: Brown has proposed plans to build a new dorm on Brook Street in Ward 1 and my colleague Councillor Goncalves has been actively gathering community responses. Brown will present its plan at the Fox Point Neighborhood Association meeting on April 12, and neighbors can also send comments directly to katie_silberman at brown.edu or 401-863-3717.
Vaccination Plans: Brown University has announced that it will require vaccination for all undergraduate, graduate and medical students who will wish to return to campus for in-person learning in the fall of 2021. Brown is the first campus in Providence to make such an announcement. |
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COVID Vaccination
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| Targeted Groups & Timeline
Timeline for all age groups here: https://covid.ri.gov/vaccination
- Monday, April 12: RI residents aged 40+ will be eligible for vaccine appointments as well as people aged 16+ in specific zip codes including 02906.
- April 19: All Rhode Islanders ages 16+ will be eligible
- People 16+ with specific underlying conditions
- Educators and staff at private and public schools and licensed day care facilities will be contacted by their employer
- Veterans of all ages and their spouses and caregivers are eligible for vaccine appointments. More on the federal program here and through Providence Veterans Administration Healthcare System or 401-273-7100 x16226.
Special Assistance
- Homebound: If you can't leave home to be vaccinated register with RI Department of Health or call 401-462-4444.
- Appointment Assistance: United Way staff can help make appointments via phone in multiple languages, 24 hours a day. Call 2-1-1.
COVID-19 Vaccination Record
If you have been vaccinated, get a copy of your record at: portal.ri.gov/VaccineRecord. |
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| Rhode Island Vaccination Clinics
RI COVID-19 Vaccine Site Map
The RI DOH's map of vaccine clinics remains one of the easiest ways to find an appointment. Click here to see state-run sites, retail pharmacies, and local clinics. Select a site, review eligibility and click the link or call the number to make an appointment.
These clinics are following state guidance for targeted age groups:
- Walmart
- Walgreens or 800-925-4733
- CVS or 800-746-7287
- Stop & Shop
- Care New England
- Lifespan or 401-475-7468
State & Regional Clinics
Register: Get on the COVID-19 Vaccine Notification List at https://portal.ri.gov/ or call 844-930-1779. The state is reserving some appointments for people on this list.
Appointments: Schedule an appointment at vaccinateri.org or 844-930-1779. New appointments added Tuesdays at 9 am and Fridays at 5 pm. Appointments may be released at other times.
- Dunkin' Donuts Center in downtown Providence;
- 100 Sockanosset Cross Rd in Cranston;
- Former Benny's on West Main Rd in Middletown.
- Schneider Electric facility, 132 Fairgrounds Rd, West Kingston
- Former Sears store at 1500 Diamond Hill Rd, Woonsocket
- Johnston Recreation Center, 1741 Atwood Ave.
- Westerly Senior Citizens Center, 39 State St.
- East Providence Senior Center, 610 Waterman Ave.
Updates: Click here for weekly email updates from RI DOH |
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Providence and Noise Pollution
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| CURRENT ORDINANCES
The current ordinance governing noise in Providence reads: “It shall be unlawful for any person to repair, rebuild, or test any motor vehicle in any residential zone of the city between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. so as to create unnecessary, excessive or offensive noise, which shall include, but is not limited to, sound that exceeds fifty-five (55) decibels (dBA).”
The detailed municipal code governing noise is here and state laws related to noise are recapped here. Different sound levels are permitted in different areas of the city depending on their zoning:
APRIL 1 CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION
On April 1, 2021 the Providence City Council unanimously passed a resolution requesting that the city commission a study of environmental noise that would result in specific recommendations for measuring and enforcing noise reduction. >> You can read the resolution here.
As many know, the council’s ability to implement such measures relies on political will. A resolution is just a wish without advocacy to make actual changes to current ordinances and to support funding for enforcement, but it is a first step.
MAJOR NOISE PROBLEMS
There are three major sources of noise that I hear about regularly:
1. Fireworks
Under Rhode Island law firecrackers, rockets, mortars, or any device that launches a projectile or creates a loud noise are illegal in Rhode Island. Last summer the city renewed efforts to crack down on illegal fireworks in Providence and now requires anyone selling fireworks to purchase an annual license to better regulate those outlets.
2. Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers
Many communities across the country have proposed limits on gas-powered leaf blowers. Here are a few examples:
- Brookline, Massachusetts limits the number of leaf blowers that can be used simultaneously and sets specific times of the spring and fall when gas-powered leaf blowers can be used.
- Several communities in New York have imposed seasonal bans on gas leaf blowers, allowing them only in the fall.
- Several communities in California including Palo Alto and Santa Barbara and in Colorado (Aspen is one example) have complete bans on gas leaf blowers.
- Other communities have time of day restrictions based on certain decibels or restrict the use of gas-powered leaf blowers to one day of the week.
3. ATVs
Many neighbors remain adamant that ATVs have no place on out city's streets -- for safety as well as the noise they generate. The Mayor's staff is working with the Providence Police Department to enforce the current law and to explore further regulation of ATVs.
Also: As COVID restrictions shift we may see the return of outdoor summer concerts. I know the concerts at India Point and Bold Point in East Providence created problems for some neighbors on the East Side. See a 2019 story from the Providence Journal.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Report it.
If you are hearing excessive noise and can immediately report it, call the non-emergency line for the Providence Police: 401-272-3121 or file a police report online. You can also contact the mayor’s 3-1-1 team by phone or online.
Press the city to take action.
The resolution the City Council passed on April 1 is the first step in pressing the city for action on noise. If this is an issue that you feel strongly about, I would urge you to contact members of the City Council with your views and also contact the Mayor and his staff.
Join your neighbors.
The new Providence Noise Project has a lot of material on their web site about local, state and federal regulations and efforts to push for change. More on their work here:
https://providencenoiseproject.org/
Find alternatives.
We each should do our part to limit noise and encourage our neighbors to do so as well. If someone is creating excess noise on your block, kindly let them know that the noise is bothering you. Refraining from hiring lawn care companies that use gas-powered leaf blowers is another step we can encourage. The Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) has an Organic Land Care Program and an online directory of landscape professionals committed to organic practices and health. Click here for the list for Providence County and click here for the list of all of Rhode Island.
We also reached out to the RI Nursery and Landscape Association to ask for a list of landscape services that do not use gas-powered leaf blowers, and let them know that there is a market for those companies. If we learn more, we'll let you know. |
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