by Billy Kepner | Sep 20, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-4
Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. (Ward 4) today was on site where work is beginning on the Hawkins Street Bridge Restoration Project.
“The closing of the Hawkins Street Bridge has caused many issues in our neighborhood,” stated Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. “I am happy to report that the first phase of this project is beginning. Crews were on site today to remove trees and brush to make way for the rebuilding project. Although the bridge will not be reopened for some time, this is a positive step.”
Hawkins Street Bridge was closed to traffic in October of 2017 after the Rhode Island Department of Transportation found significant deterioration on several of the support beams. Narducci continued, “The closure has not only impacted residents but many businesses in the neighborhood. I have been an outspoken advocate working with the City and the State to get the bridge work done. I want to thank RIDOT and the City for working to get this bridge fixed for our residents.”
As work progresses Senior Deputy Majority Leader Narducci will provide updates on the status of the project.
by Billy Kepner | Sep 20, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15
City Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15) and Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia (Ward 6) tonight introduced a resolution that creates a special commission to study a progressive tiered property tax in the city of Providence.
“There is not enough predictability for residents when it comes to their property taxes,” stated City Council President Sabina Matos. “After this year’s revaluations we saw property values skyrocket in many areas of the City. Some property values rose as much as 50%. The hardest-hit areas were also communities where a majority of families live on fixed incomes. Creating a progressive property tax is a way for all residents to be on equal footing when it comes to their annual tax bill. Earlier this year we were successful getting enabling legislation in the State Senate to put forth a tiered property tax structure but were ultimately unsuccessful in the House of Representatives. We will again work with our state colleagues so that we can have this in our City’s toolbox if needed. In the meantime, I am bringing together professionals from various relevant fields of expertise to help us assess whether a progressive tiered property tax is right for our communities.”
The city of Providence is required by State law to have a full property revaluation every nine years, and a statistical revaluation every three years, and this Commission will look at best practices to help modulate those swings in values. The accurate and timely valuation of property is crucial to ensuring equitable and predictable assessment of local taxes, but because the particular standards and procedures for revaluations vary broadly across different jurisdictions, the Council believes they need to address this issue head-on.
In May of this year the City Council leadership team proposed a progressive tiered tax plan that would have given a 40% exemption for the first $350K of assessed value for all homeowners, and then a 28% exemption on the assessed value after that. The Council’s leadership and finance teams felt that this was an equitable way to provide much-needed relief for homeowners who were facing a greater increase on their property tax liability than in years past.
Council President Matos continued, “This is priority for my leadership team, and I want to thank Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia, Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan, and Majority Whip John J. Igliozzi for their guidance and steadfast support to ensure that our residents have predictability when it comes to their annual property tax bills.”
The goal of the Commission will be to study and make recommendations regarding the property tax tiered system and to make further recommendations regarding appropriate changes to City procedures and State law, including study and analysis of the overall revaluation process. The Commission will consist of at least nine members appointed by the City Council President and will issue a report within 120 days of the date appointments are made to the Commission.
by Billy Kepner | Sep 20, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-11, Ward-14, Ward-5
Council Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5), Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11), and Councilman David A. Salvatore (Ward 14) introduced two resolutions requesting that the City of Providence provide status reports and updates on street and sidewalk projects and their expenditures associated with the $45M Bond that was approved by the City Council in 2017.
“To date the Council has had not been updated regarding what Bond proceeds have been expended,” stated Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan. “I have been advocating for accountability for the work that was authorized under this bond for months. When constituents question why certain streets are being paved or not, and why the City is installing ill-conceived street redesign plans they deserve to know how the City is spending their tax dollars. I also want to know how much of these funds were used to develop the Mayor’s ‘Great Streets’ initiative. I am not an opponent of bicycle lanes, in fact, I support creating an urban environment conducive to multimodal transportation. However, that was not what the City Council had in mind when we authorized the City to secure this bond funding. Our goal was to make sure that we spend precious taxpayer dollars to pave and fix as many streets and sidewalks as possible, and to ensure accountability in the process.”
The resolution introduced by Majority Leader Ryan and Deputy Majority Leader Harris focusses on the portion of the funding that was allocated for street repairs, paving, and improvements. “In my Ward there has been little improvement to our streets and that concerns me. My constituents continually ask when their streets are being paved or repaired and I just don’t have the answers. They deserve better,” stated Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris.
In 2017 the City Council approved the Elorza Administration to take out a $45M Bond to implement a Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) to fund critical improvements to streets, sidewalks, and other infrastructure projects. To date the City Council has not received a public report regarding the status of these funds.
Councilman David A. Salvatore stated, “Holding the Administration accountable for how they spend our resident’s hard-earned tax dollars is not only our duty, but it is unfortunate that we have to do so by passing legislation to get a breakdown of what work has been done. I hear from constituents every day about the state of our sidewalks. I realize that this was a large scale project, but their needs to be transparency for our residents.”
The City Council is requesting the Administration and the Director of Public Works to submit a project progress report and fiduciary updates to the City’s Internal Auditor for review within 30 days of passage.
by Billy Kepner | Sep 16, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-4
Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. talks with workers at Canada Pond Dam about the project to fix the gates to help preserve the Dam.
Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. (Ward 4) has been working closely with the Department of Environmental Management and other city and state agencies to work on fixing the Canada Pond Dam. He was joined on the site tour by Lieutenant Michael Fallon and Captain Alyssa Dendrade.
“There has been a dam at Canada Pond long before I was born, and not much has been done to it over the years,” stated Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. “If this dam were to be compromised it would do irreparable harm to the neighborhood. It would likely flood Branch Avenue and would damage power lines that go directly to one of our City’s substations. I am very happy that the state is addressing this issue.”
Currently, the pond is being drained to make much-needed repairs to the gates and the dam. This process will retrofit the dam so that it is safe for the foreseeable future.
Canada pond is located off Branch Avenue next to Route 146 and is roughly a mile long. Narducci continued, “There have been no significant repairs to the damn since the early part of the last century, and this is an important safety fix for our residents.”
As the pond has been drained, workers have come across Jeeps, cars, trucks, tires, garbage, and even cement blocks tied together by rope. “As interesting as it was to see these items come to the surface, it’s a reminder that we need to be better stewards of our natural areas,” continued Narducci.
by Billy Kepner | Sep 13, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-11
by Billy Kepner | Sep 12, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-4
Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. (Ward 4) last week welcomed two new businesses to the North End neighborhood.
“The North End is a neighborhood that is seeing positive growth,” stated Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. “The North End residents are very loyal to local businesses, and I believe these two new businesses are a testament to the loyalty of our residents.”
Narducci continued, “It was my honor and pleasure to hold ribbon cuttings at United Community Martial Arts and Jireh Market last week. These businesses will add so much to our community, and I am honored that they chose the North End to call home.”
United Community Martial Arts is located at 550 Branch Avenue and is owned and operated by Shihan Thomas Evans who is the president and a master instructor of the United Community Martial Arts Institute of Rhode Island. The United Community Martial Arts Institute, is a Multi-Disciplinary Japanese and American Kenpo Karate (Sullivan’s American Kenpo), Muay Lao & Thai Martial Arts, Mixed Martial Arts & Grappling Academy.
All of their programs are designed to be accessible to beginners, children, families, and individuals of all ages while inspiring and challenging newcomers and seasoned martial artists alike to new levels of strength, flexibility, endurance, superior health, and athletic performance.
They are a non-profit Family Community Center dedicated to peace, health, and safety. They also provide a free trial program to anyone who wants to try our martial arts institute and scholarships for tuition to those families who need financial assistance. For more information visit them on the web at teamunitedacademy.com.
Jireh Market is located at 567 Charles Street and has off-street parking. It is owned and operated by Jissel Jireh. The market offers a variety of grocery staples and caters to a multi-cultural neighborhood. They have everything from name-brand American products to products from South and Central America.
“As a board member of the North End Business Association I am pleased to welcome these great new establishments to our neighborhood,” stated Michael Florio. “Together these new businesses are adding much-added value to our community
