City Council OKs Tax Stabilization, Delays City Manager Search

The East Providence City Council approved a tax stabilization plan encouraging business expansion and delayed a search for a permanent City Manager until the spring Tuesday night.

The Council's 5:30 p.m. meeting was sparsely attended as members ticked off agenda items at an efficient pace. The tone for the meeting was humorously affirmed with Interim City Manager Paul Lamont's sucinct report, "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year."

A tax stabilization plan, which had been amended at previous meetings, returned to the council for final approval. The plan sets a six-year decreasing tax schedule for expansion projects valued at more than $5,000,000. The schedule starts at 100 percent, decreasing by 20 percent each year for six years before reaching zero. 

The plan also sets up an application process for expansion projects greater than $150,000 but less than $5,000,000. The application requires a $200 fee, and involves review by the planning department of the value of the project and its benefit to the city, either in encouraging a business's move to the city, or an increase in employment.

The Council approved the plan unanimously.

In other news, the Council also voted to delay a search for a permanent City Manager. Interim City Manager Paul Lemont has held the position since Nov. 14.

Mayor Jim Briden suggested starting the search, saying the public expected them to move to perform a thorough search for a full-time City Manager, including background checks and an in-depth consideration of candidates. He noted the council's hiring of Lemont as interim City Manager happened over the course of two brief meetings. Those meetings were precipitated when the Council fired City Manager Peter Graczykowski, leaving them in need of an interim City Manager. 

The other councilors argued a formal search now would be too soon. "I'm not ready to move forward on this yet," said Councilman Thomas Rose. He said Lemont is doing a good job and the city is moving in the right direction.

Councilman Helder Cunha agreed. "We should probably hold off on this till further notice," he said.

Councilor Tracy Ann Capobianco agreed, and Councilor Chrissy Rossi abstained from the discussion. "I will reserve," she said.

Briden said the search itself is not a negative reflection on Lemont's work. He said after the rush to set up an interim, it was responsible to follow up with a thorough search, during which Lemont may well be hired. "I think that's what the public expects of us," he said.

But, he said, councilors could make a formal motion to postpone the search till a later date, such as in the spring of 2014. They did, and the motion passed, with Briden voting against.