Governor Chafee to Host Business Forum in East Providence

Mark your calendars. The forum will be held on Tuesday, April 10 from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at 145 Taunton Ave.

Governor Lincoln Chafee, in conjunction with the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation, City of East Providence, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and other agencies will host a community forum in April to hear from local small businesses and discuss ways to help them succeed, grow the economy, and create jobs for Rhode Islanders, according to a press release. It will be held on Tuesday, April 10 from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at city hall located at 145 Taunton Ave. As part of Governor Chafee's focus for FY 2013 as the "Year of the Cities and Towns", he will be joined at the forum by East Providence Mayor Bruce Rogers as well as representatives of the RIEDC, SBA, Department of Labor and Training, Small Business Development Center…

• Photos (1)

Commission Takes Shots at City Deficit

The budget has a projected $.5 million operating surplus and $1 million cumulative surplus.

According to budget commission chairman Michael O'Keefe, members are making headway to get East Providence on a positive financial track. Without approving a supplemental tax increase, members have been shaving down the cumulative operating budget. The budget has a projected $.5 million operating surplus and $1 million cumulative surplus. "We're getting there, I can tell you that," said O'Keefe.  But it's slow going. O'Keefe said there is a lot more work to do in order to get the city off a credit watch. Administrators must start to fund pension liability and reduce dependence on lendors. The valuation of East Providence homes is another concern. It's estimated that the city will have to fund a rainy day fund to make up for a decrease in …

•  20 Comments
• Photos (1)

Weaver House Open to Public

After a vacancy dating back to the early 1980s, one of East Providence’ most historic properties is back in use.

Tax Change Could Sink Elder Care Facilities

Members affiliated with United Methodist Elder Care asked council members to support efforts to retain the non-profit's tax-exempt status.

United Methodist Elder Care is on the list. According to City Manager Peter Graczykowski, 37 organizations could be removed from the city's tax exempt roll later this year, including the non-profit that operates East Providence's Winslow Gardens and Linn Health Care Center. United Methodist Elder Care is affiliated with the United Methodist Church, though only a fraction of their budget is funded by the church.  Rob Bower, the non-profit's Board of Trustees' president, said a change in tax status could put the organization's finances into the red. City administrators valued its property at about $2.8 million. He estimates the non-profit could owe  $60,000 a year in taxes. "We're on the edge," Bower said to council members during Tuesday's …

•  8 Comments
• Photos (1)

Residents Sound Off on Big Ticket Projects at Council Meeting

Patch live blogged from city council chambers Tuesday night.

East Providence Patch reported live from Tuesday's city council meeting. (Users were able to add comments to the blog.) The taxing of non-profits, the budget commission, and the proposed cutting of the middle school sports programs were some of the more contentious issues of the night. Read along to follow the meeting's progression. Councilors also discussed traffic detours and speeding changes due to the Ten Mile River Bridge closing and asked a tow company owner to come back before the council next month.

•  19 Comments
• Photos (1)

Letter to the Editor

'I Had No Intention of Taking the Health Benefits'

This letter was submitted by city council member Katie Kleyla.

To the editor, I had no intention of taking the health benefits provided to council members by the City of East Providence. Unfortunately, shortly after taking office, I was dropped by my insurance carrier because of the fact that benefits were offered to me through another employer [the City of East Providence]. Being a young adult and recent college grad, I sympathize with my peers who may find themselves in a similar situation, or worse, entirely without coverage. You can read more about health care changes for adults 26 and under, and other details of the Affordable Care Act. Katie Kleyla East Providence City Council Editor's note: In a document presented to the budget commission, the city's human resources department originally …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (1)

Contract Negotiations With United Water Postponed

According to Mayor Bruce Rogers, discussions between the city manager and facility officials that could result in a one-time cash influx to the city have been shelved for about one month.

An anticipated United Water contract renegotiation that was expected to yield a one-time cash influx to help balance East Providence's ailing budget has been tabled for approximately one month, according to Mayor Bruce Rogers. City Manager Peter Graczykowski expected the discussions to lengthen the current contract by ten years; currently the city is in its eighth year of a ten-year contract with United Water. But the discussion delay isn't putting a gaff in the city's financial restructuring. According to Rogers, the city manager has leveled this year's fiscal deficit so no deficit remains; the details on the reductions will be released this week. Now, the focus will be on creating a sustainable five-year deficit reduction plan. "It makes…

• Photos (2)

City Manager Proposes Tax Hike, Service Cuts

City Council members said they had "no taste" for cutting recreation and senior service programs.

City Manger Peter Graczykowski proposed a slew of cost-saving measures to reduce the fiscal 2012 deficit, including implementing a supplemental tax increase, eliminating recreation and senior services and signing an extended contract with United Water. As of Nov. 4, the deficit remains at $3.2 million. The city manager, at Wednesday's Town Council meeting, presented three supplemental tax options ranging from $560,063 to $1,036,650 in new revenue. That increase would be on top of the tax hike imposed last month, which increased the average East Providence tax bill by $115, according to Finance Director Ellen Eggeman. In order to enact a supplemental tax increase, the city must apply for a state waiver.  Maj. Steven Bannon, the newly …

•  7 Comments
• Photos (1)