Wednesday, May 1, 2013
The full Senate could hold a vote as early as next week.
The Rhode Island House voted 73-0 Wednesday in favor of a bill that would abolish the East Greenwich Fire District, allowing for the establishment of a Town of East Greenwich fire department. Two members abstained. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Anthony Giarrusso (R-E.G.). It came at the request of the Town Council following a two-thirds majority vote on a referendum last November that asked EG voters if they thought the Fire District should become part of the town. As it stands, the Fire District is a completely separate municipal entity, with its own taxing authority. An identical bill is before the state Senate. The Senate Finance Committee approved that bill Tuesday; a vote before the full Senate could happen next week. If that bill …
Monday, April 29, 2013
The R.I. House Municipal Government Committee approves a bill allowing the Town of East Greenwich to take over the Fire District; the full House will vote on the bill on Wednesday.
The Rhode Island House Municipal Government Committee approved a bill Thursday that would dissolve the East Greenwich Fire District, making way for the Town of East Greenwich to establish a fire department. It was the first legislative hurdle toward a takeover following passage of a referendum last November in which voters said a town fire department was preferable to a separate fire district. "We're very pleased," said Town Council President Michael Isaacs simply. The House bill now goes before the full House on Wednesday. Meanwhile, on the Senate side, the Senate Finance Committee will vote on the bill on Tuesday. If passed there, it will then go to the full Senate. Since both bills are identical, it would seem there would be no need …
Friday, April 12, 2013
The House Municipal Affairs Committee heard testimony on the takeover legislation Wednesday.
The fat lady hasn't sung yet, but Town Manager Bill Sequino is beginning to prepare for the town's acquisition of the East Greenwich Fire District. The House Municipal Affairs Committee took up the legislation Wednesday, a week after the Senate Finance Committee heard testimony on their bill. Neither panel has voted on the bills yet, which is necessary before they can reach the floor of their respective houses for full votes. Still, Sequino said he is confident the bills will pass. "What issues do the legislators have?" he said Thursday. "They only heard from two Fire Commissioners, testifying as individuals," who were against the bill. "Seems to me, on a local bill where almost everyone's in agreement, why wouldn't they pass it?" The "…
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
If legislation to merge the EG Fire District into the town passes – as expected – town departments will bear the burden.
As legislation that would transform the East Greenwich Fire District into a town fire department wends its way through the General Assembly – with a House hearing Wednesday – Town Manager Bill Sequino acknowledged some of his department heads are less than happy with the prospect of the additional work the merger will bring. "Some of my people may not want to take on more work," he said late last week. The East Greenwich Fire District and the Town of East Greenwich are two distinct municipalities, each with its own taxing authority. In November, voters approved a referendum calling for the abolition of the Fire District and the establishment of a town fire department. Such a change can only be accomplished at the state legislative level…
Your guide for life in East Greenwich today, April 10.
House hearing on EGFD merger legislation: The Rhode Island House Committee on Municipal Affairs will take up the legislation before it that would abolish the East Greenwich Fire District and make way for a town fire department. 4 p.m. in Room 203 at the State House. EGHS Wall of Honor Ceremony: The 2013 East Greenwich High School Wall of Honor Ceremony takes place Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the auditorium at EGHS, with a reception to follow. This year’s inductees include: Rear Admiral Richard E. Bennis, Class of 1967; The Honorable Governor Donald L. Carcieri, Class of 1961; Linda Catanio Alix, Class of 1968; Peter DeRestie, Class of 1946; Dr. Fred Procopio, Class of 1973; Anthony “Tar” Ucci, East Greenwich Academy; Warwick HS 1922. In …
Thursday, April 4, 2013
No vote is taken; the House hearing takes place April 10.
All the players were there, but the venue was changed. Instead of Town Hall or Swift Community Center, members of the East Greenwich Town Council, EG Fire District, and a few other interested parties were crammed into Room 211 at the State House Wednesday afternoon for the Senate Finance Committee hearing on Senate Bill 739, which if passed would abolish the East Greenwich Fire District, paving the way for creation of a town fire department. The legislation was introduced in February, following passage of a referendum in November asking voters if they favored merging the fire district into the town. Almost everyone who testified at the hearing Wednesday had been heard before voicing similar arguments, but one new voice in favor of the …
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
The action, reported by RINPR, could mean the end of an agreement worth $350,000 to the EG Fire District, which is the first responder for the area.
After years of rumor, Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian said Wednesday he will push to turn the closed Potowomut Elementary School into a fire station to serve the neighborhood, RINPR reported. Such an action would be a blow to the East Greenwich Fire District, which receives $350,000 yearly payment from Warwick to act as first responder to the Potowomut area. The school is located at 225 Potowomut Road. Avedisian will ask the Warwick City Council to use $2 million in bonds for the renovation, noting the $350,000 savings they could gain. The announcement follows release of a study that recommended the school – which closed in June 2008 – be renovated into a fire station to serve the Bay Ridge and Potowomut neighborhoods.
Your guide for life in East Greenwich today, April 3.
Fire District Senate hearing: The Senate Finance Committee hearing on the Fire District legislation is scheduled to take place today at 2 p.m. in Room 211 at the State House. The public is invited to testify. In addition, the House Municipal Government Committee hearing the legislation is scheduled for Wednesday, April 10. Here are some recent articles about the Fire District legislation and the possible impact if it passes: Council Votes to Draft Fire District Merger Legislation; Savings, Costs Of Fire District Legislation; Fire Commissioners Won't Vote On Legislation To Abolish District; Union Will; Commercial Impact Fees Have Paid For $790,000 In Fire District Equipment The Great Books Debate – What’s Worth Reading? How do you know …
Friday, March 29, 2013
If the district is dissolved and reestablished as a town department, the town will probably lose that funding source.
This is one in a series of articles on what legislation before the General Assembly to abolish the fire district will mean for residents of East Greenwich. One result of the possible dissolution of the East Greenwich Fire District could be the end of a 10-year-old funding source that has brought in $1.3 million into the district. In 2002, the district passed an ordinance allowing for the imposition of commercial impact fees on developers building projects in East Greenwich. The Town of East Greenwich does not impose commercial impact fees and according to Town Council President Michael Isaacs, there's no plan to change that policy in the event legislation before the General Assembly passes to abolish the separate fire district in favor of…
Monday, March 25, 2013
Hearings on the Fire District legislation before the General Assembly may take place in late April.
Fire District Commission Chair Bill Daly said last week he has no plans to seek a vote from the commissioners on bills now pending before the General Assembly that seek to abolish the EGFD and replace it with a municipal fire department. Instead, Daly said, he will make his case directly to the legislators at state Senate and House committee hearings. Those hearings may take place in late April. Fire Lieutenant Bill Perry, president of EGFFA Local 3328, said his union does plan to vote on whether or not they support the legislation before the hearings take place. The district and the firefighters union are in contract negotiations right now. The firefighters contract expires at the end of the fiscal year, June 30. The East Greenwich Fire…
James R
7:33 pm on Monday, April 29, 2013
Great! more ›