Mayor makes staff shifts

John Howell
Posted 7/21/15

William DePasquale, who has served as interim chief of staff since Mark Carruolo retired on June 20, 2014 and took the planning job in West Warwick, will be going back to the planning department. …

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Mayor makes staff shifts

Posted

William DePasquale, who has served as interim chief of staff since Mark Carruolo retired on June 20, 2014 and took the planning job in West Warwick, will be going back to the planning department. Actually, DePasquale never left his role as planning director and held down the two jobs.

The decision to have DePasquale concentrate more of his time in planning was disclosed in a memo to department directors yesterday by Mayor Scott Avedisian.

“This move is definitely a loss for me and my office, but it is something that needs to happen in order to allow the Department of City Planning to consider, evaluate and move forward some major redevelopment projects in the city,” the mayor writes. 

He adds, “As you know, Bill has been doing both jobs for a year, and he has been doing that well.  However, it is difficult to do one job let alone two.  With the interest in City Centre Warwick, the redevelopment of Apponaug, and the Route 5 project all culminating in the next year, we really need a Planning Department that is at full strength.”

DePasquale won’t be making a clean cut from the front office, however. The mayor pointed out he would continue his role as a member of the Sidewalk Committee, Minimum Housing Committee and Utility Billing Committee that have been created by the council. He will also continue to serve on the Retirement Board. In those capacities he will have the role of senior advisor to the mayor.

Bruce Keiser, who joined the administrative staff last year to sort out issues with the tax collector and tax assessor’s office, will take on the chief of staff responsibilities handled by DePasquale. Keiser has been serving in the role of director of administration.

In terms of the need to address development, Avedisian said he doesn’t want to fall behind on plans for City Centre, redevelopment of Apponaug and what he termed the “Route 5 Project,” which includes development of the Pontiac Mill and working with the state Department of Transportation on plans for the road. He also said the owners of Rhode Island Mall have been in contact with the city and that he expects an announcement in the relative near future as to what is planned for the mall that has been vacant for years.

“We’re starting to see movement with City Centre,” the mayor said, emphasizing he wants to ensure that momentum continues.

Asked about the impact of the changes on salaries, Avedisian said DePasquale received a bump in pay when he took on the acting chief of staff job that he would retain.

DePasquale is currently paid $105,051 and Keiser is at $87,500 according to Personnel Director Jane Jordan.

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  • Reality

    Come on Scottie.....do you really think people believe your story. Everyone knows you stormed into Mr. DePasquale office and had a meltdown. Scottie why don't you admit Mr. DePasquuale had to go because he told the truth.....the summer jobs at DPW should have been posted. In Avedisian's world if you do something to make the Mayor look bad, you are sent packing.

    How much longer Scottie do the people of Warwick have to endure your antics ?

    Tuesday, July 21, 2015 Report this

  • wwkvoter

    A meltdown? Really? Is the mayor okay?

    Tuesday, July 21, 2015 Report this