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I have been a proud member of the Friends of Warwick Ponds (FOWP) for about 2 years now. This phragmite problem is getting worse every day. I asked a now-retired member of the Dept. of Public Works (DPW) how this issue was handled in years past and the response was that the DPW just went in and ripped them out.

I spoke to a present member and confirmed that Warwick could probably do the same today based on the current Code of Ordinances. I have also met with several members of the Rhode Island Airport Corp (RIAC). I get the sense that they have no problem with that solution and would allow our machinery on their land to correct this growing problem.

So...what do we have to do to solve this? Do we really need one more "study" to study the studies that far too many people have been studying for about 4 years now, while the homeowners around Warwick Pond have 20 inches of water in their backyards drowning their 20 year-old trees? Or is it time to act. We don't need a "bid from a contractor". We have our own DPW. What we need a Mayor that is decisive. Mayor Avedisian, please get the advice of DEM and/or RIAC, meet with your DPW and put through the emergency-order needed to rip out the phragmites that are choking the water-exit from Warwick Pond and destroying the values of those innocent abutting homeowners. You can do it without any additional cost to our taxpayers. We already have the staff AND the heavy machinery to get the job done. Please...get the job done.

Happy Spring everyone.

Rick Corrente

The Taxpayers Mayor