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Mayor Solomon states: '"…arbitrary re-allocation to other projects of earmarked funds initially authorized for Governor Francis sewer work…” will cost those residents more money. This is also 100 percent false. There was never an instance where money earmarked for the Governor Francis project was diverted elsewhere."

This statement is actually 100% false by the mayor.

Here is an article from the warwick Beacon written on July 7, 2009 by Russell J. Moore. There are many more that indicate that the Governor Francis Phase III process was delayed. I was the former councilman at the time of this meeting and I asked the question, where Mayor Avedisian announced the project would be delayed. I knew right then it was a political decision. With all the push back from phase 2 and Avedisian and Coluantano thinking I would run again for a rematch for the council seat, they stopped the phase 3 project cold.

Specifically read the paragraph that states with " Adding fuel to their collective fire, residents found out that one portion of the neighborhood—dubbed Phase III—will not be forced to tie-in, at least not any time soon...".

Farms residents don't like answers

Posted Tuesday, July 7, 2009 2:38 pm

Last Wednesday’s informational meeting about the Governor Francis Phase II sewer installation left no doubt as to how residents feel about the project.

They hate it.

Held at the Pilgrim Senior Center, about 150 Farms residents railed against the costs associated with the project, the mandate for them to tie-in and took issue with the suggestion their septic systems were polluting the bay.

Warwick Sewer Authority (WSA) officials explained the logic behind the costs and their sewer implementation plan.

Their arguments centered on the issue of fairness.

“I don’t understand why we’re basically paying double what everyone else paid and we’re the only ones that it’s mandatory for,” said Michelle Kurzbach.

“Why are we being held responsible for this? Why isn’t everyone else in the city being held responsible?”

Residents are frustrated by the fact that their neighbors in the Phase I section of the neighborhood paid assessment costs of $52 per linear foot. Sewer authority officials are estimating that the cost of the Phase II project would be at least $82 per linear foot—perhaps higher.

Assessment rates are determined by construction costs with usually two or more projects lumped together and divided between property owners. Farms II costs are to be blended with Sandy Lane, meaning any reduction in costs resulting from “shovel-ready” stimulus projects would be passed along to the overall assessment rate at that time.

There is currently a mandate for all in the city who can connect to the sewers to do so, but the mandate is toothless. The WSA can’t issue fines to homeowners who refuse.

The mayor is in favor of a fine, as is the WSA. But the city council, in a unanimous vote in 2007, shot down a measure that would have allowed the impositions of fines on those who don’t connect. The matter is slated to come before the council again this year and is far more likely to gain passage given that Council President Bruce Place (D-Ward 2) is the sponsor.

The WSA estimates that 40 percent of those who can connect haven’t.

Adding fuel to their collective fire, residents found out that one portion of the neighborhood—dubbed Phase III—will not be forced to tie-in, at least not any time soon. The WSA has decided to bring the sewer line into the Long Meadow neighborhood before the remaining homes in Governor Francis Farms. No timetable has been set for Phase III.

The reason, WSA Director Janine Burke said, is because the Long Meadow neighborhood homes are likely to connect to the sewers more quickly than those in Governor Francis III is because Governor Francis III contains a significant number of large properties over 1 acre of land. Those landowners would likely ask for, and be granted, a connection deferral.

“We wouldn’t get what we expect to get when we would be expecting to get it,” said Burke.

“We would probably get those revenues, but probably not for 20 years.”

Burke noted that the Long Meadow neighborhood, adjacent to the Bay, is just as much of an environmental priority as the Governor Francis Phase III project.

But that fact will only add fuel to the ire of the residents at last week’s meeting.

“This is not an environmental problem in Warwick. This is a financial problem,” said Roy Dempsey to a chorus of applause.

“I don’t want to pay for the mismanagement of past assessments.”

Eugene Nadeau, a 78-year-old Francis Farms resident, gave an emotional and passionate speech accusing the WSA of lying and nefarious motivations.

“If you think what you’ve been told here is the truth, I want you to go home, open the windows, and watch the cow jump over the moon,” said Nadeau.

Roger Durand, another neighborhood resident who has become an increasingly ardent critic of Mayor Scott Avedisian, said city taxes and costs have quickly become unbearable.

“Let me state something categorically…My house is not an ATM for the city of Warwick,” said Durand.

But as the meeting went on, it seemed as if the chorus of complaints from the audience might have been therapeutic for those in attendance, yet would unlikely bring any change to the status quo.

The costs to install sewers are the costs to install sewers. And while it was beneficial to have been selected to receive sewers sooner rather than later, the WSA had to have started somewhere, and it can’t control the inflation of construction and raw material costs, explained Burke.

At one point during the meeting, the area’s councilman, Steve Colantuono (R-Ward 1), was asked if he supported a mandatory tie-in. Colantuono said he supported mandatory ties, but for everyone, not just those in Governor Francis Farms.

Colantuono later said that he wasn’t happy with the idea of forcing people in Governor Francis Farms to pay more than what can be considered their fair share.

Avedisian, who also attended the meeting, said he thought it was constructive.

“Obviously there are some concerns as to what’s going on and everybody at the meeting was trying to get answers. Hopefully there’s a way to move forward, get everyone on the same page and working together,” said Avedisian.

Burke said she’s open to any suggestions that would bring down costs.

“If anyone has any good ideas, or any ideas period, I’m all ears. Feel free to contact me. Let’s hear them,” said Burke.