While I continue to guide the City through this crisis caused by the COVID-19 virus, I am simultaneously keeping my eye on normal City functions. With that in mind, I am compelled to set the record straight and dispel some
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While I continue to guide the City through this crisis caused by the COVID-19 virus, I am simultaneously keeping my eye on normal City functions. With that in mind, I am compelled to set the record straight and dispel some confusion resulting from misinformation that has been disseminated on social media and even in some media outlets with respect to the Governor Francis Farms Phase III sewer project.
The Warwick Sewer Authority (WSA) finalized its plans for the Governor Francis Farms Phase III project well before I became Mayor.
The WSA designed the project in 2016. The WSA then held a public hearing and addressed questions from residents in July of 2017. And, the shovels were put into the ground in April of 2018, before I assumed office.
Therefore, all of the decisions surrounding the project were already set in stone before I was given the honor of becoming Mayor of our great city.
That being said, it is important that we deal with facts pertaining to this project. Unfortunately, in the Warwick Beacon’s article on Thursday, March 26th, “Gov. Francis Farms finally gets sewers…and bill,” there were some incorrect statements and insinuations that I feel I must address.
First, the headline refers to the assessments sent out as “bills.” They are not bills. I have not been informed by the WSA as to when bills will be sent out. And, it is important to note that due to the crisis we’re facing with COVID-19, I have extended the payment deadlines for all taxes, utility bills, and sewer assessments for 30 days. I was the first Mayor in Rhode Island, and Warwick was the first city in our state, to take such an action.
Second, the fact is that the cost of repaving streets at a project’s end is not a new concept. Every sewer project that the WSA has undertaken in the past involved road paving. Furthermore, street paving is a minor cost-driver of the Governor Francis Farms Phase III project: it amounted to less than 10 percent of the total cost of the project.
Third, the article states that National Grid was “paying a portion of the repaving, although that credit isn’t coming off the assessment.” This is patently false. National Grid never paid for any portion of the repaving costs associated with this project.
Fourth, it is stated in the article that “there was not a single city paid for road repaving in Ward-1 last year.” That also is untrue. The City’s Public Works Department paved over 800 feet of roadway in Ward 1 in 2019 alone. Those projects were not completed as a result of the Governor Francis Farms Phase III project. Instead, they were funded by our City taxpayers through the Public Works Department.
Fifth, the article 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.
Finally, the individual quoted in the article states that he has a “reasonably new septic system that is functional.” In that instance, a homeowner may defer their assessment cost for a period of up to 20 years (minus the age of the system) as long as they don’t sell their home, and the system remains fully functional. After the system reaches 20 years, the homeowner must pay the assessment. Make no mistake: septic systems eventually fail. That’s an inconvenient truth that we can ignore, but nevertheless remains a fact. And when a septic system does fail, a brand-new system would cost much more than the assessment and cost of connection to the municipal sewer line.
It is no secret that I’ve been a critic of the WSA—particularly during my years on the City Council. But let’s not pretend that sewers are not an asset. Anyone who purchases a new home would prefer to buy one with a municipal sewer connection instead of a home with an alternative. It also goes without saying that municipal sewer systems are better for the environment than septic systems or other alternatives.
Providing government services in the most cost-effective manner for Warwick’s residents and businesses is the overriding principle that’s governed my Mayoral administration.
As a former small businessman, I know how important it is to minimize expenses. That’s why I have cut expenses wherever possible. I have left open positions within government unfilled if I could assign those duties to existing employees. And, I have scrutinized City purchases, because I demand that our taxpayers get the most for their dollar.
As long as I have the privilege of serving as your Mayor, I will continue to work to make the WSA as cost-effective as possible, just like every other department in our city. In the meantime, let’s make sure we always deal in facts, not fiction.
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davebarry109
Funny how the cost of re-paving is now said to be 10% of the project when the WSA years ago was claiming right here in the Beacon that the cost of oil, the main ingredient in asphalt, DROVE THE PRICE OF THE PROJECT sky high. So the WSA was lying then, as we all knew. No one called them on that claim save a few of us who were ignored.
That was when oil was hitting close to 100 bucks a barrel. The price has only gone higher with the price per barrel hovering at decades long lows of 20 bucks a barrel. But hey, facts don't matter to the WSA.
Thursday, April 9, 2020 Report this
Thecaptain
It is 100% obvious that this letter was written by the mayors chief of staff Bill Depasquale. What I would like to know from the mayor, is what cost savings measures have you taken now that the city is shut down? No one laid off, no one using sick time, no one using vacation time, and unfunded liabilities blasting thru the roof. There is no question that the taxpayers will take the hit on this. I wonder how much Solomon will raid the rainy day fund for.
For anyone to believe that there is not a need for furlough, you are not paying attention. Hopefully this drama will all be over when it is budget hearing time. My bet is that the mayor will come up with some excuse not to have public hearings and that the MIS director will be unable to devise a system for the public to interact.
Get ready taxpayers.
Thursday, April 9, 2020 Report this
Bob_Cushman
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.
Thursday, April 9, 2020 Report this
wwkvoter
Just throwing this out there, what if we went to full mandatory tie-in except for sites with VERY new septic systems, across the city. Would that bring in enough revenue to reduce these new assessments perhaps?
Tuesday, April 14, 2020 Report this