East Providence 2016...one last look back

Some of the most noteworthy stories in the city over the last 12 months

By Mike Rego
Posted 12/29/16

EAST PROVIDENCE — Before we turn the page completely on 2016, we take one final look back at some of the most noteworthy stories to come from the city over the last 12 months. We call it "16 …

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East Providence 2016...one last look back

Some of the most noteworthy stories in the city over the last 12 months

Posted

EAST PROVIDENCE — Before we turn the page completely on 2016, we take one final look back at some of the most noteworthy stories to come from the city over the last 12 months. We call it "16 for '16."

The stories are listed in no particular order or of impact, except for the those denoted as "1 and 1A," we here at The Post wanting to top our retrospective on an upbeat note.

1 and 1A. EPHS girls' soccer/EPHS girls' tennis

For those who have competed in the athletic arena at the varsity high school level, they know championships of any sort are hard to come by. So when not one, but two East Providence High School sports teams win titles, again not just during a particular year, but during the same season, it's a pretty significant event.

Within a few weeks of each other this past fall, the EPHS girls' soccer and tennis squads won their respective Division III championships.

The girls' soccer team gets a modicum more of notice here because the league title was the first in the program's four-decade history. The championship for the girls' tennis contingent was the second in school annals, coming over 20 years since the first.

The Townies avenged their lone loss on the girls' soccer pitch this fall with their dramatic penalty-kick shootout win over previously unbeaten Johnston. The entire EPHS squad performed terrifically in the championship game highlighted by the defensive effort of star striker turned stopper Grace Abram along with the shootout exploits of freshman keeper Mia Jackson and classmate Aaliyah Pattie, who potted the winning PK.

"The first banner to ever be hung up in East Providence High School to say girls' soccer champions, it's a life-time achievement for these young ladies," said EPHS head coach Angelo Pizzi. "They'll never forget this. I have just been blown away by their accomplishments, their work ethic and their off the field stuff. This is a family. We talk about that all the time. And the No. 1 thing is that we were hungry and humble. That was it. That was our mantra all season."

East Providence's 4-3 win over a likewise previously undefeated Classical side in the girls' tennis final was equally enthralling. Junior Lillian Conti's three-set win at third singles proved the deciding point. Mary McBride, Tess Amore and the doubles tandem of Rachel LaValley-Jessica Costello claimed the other points. The Townies last won the Division III crown back in 1993.

"In the first set I didn't know it was all coming down to me," Conti said of her 5-7, 7-6 (7-3) and 6-4 win over the Purple's Emma Levanos. "I didn't know until the second set when my captain came over me and told me this was all on me, you need to win it for the team. And I knew I couldn't be selfish for myself. I knew I had to do it for the team. During the third set, I knew it was all down to us. It was either her or me who was going to win it. So I just tried to focus."

3. Jasper Williams murder

The lone murderous act of violence in East Providence during the calendar year unfortunately took place around the holiday season when 24-year-old resident Jasper Williams was fatally stabbed to death late in the evening of December 10. Two weeks later, the suspect in the case, James Stevens, was captured on the run in El Paso, Texas.

4. Water tower renovation

Late in the session, the East Providence City Council approved over $2 million in financing to renovated the rusted landmark tower at the Kent Heights water facility. The interior and exterior 20-year-old structure needs extensive renovation. Work is expected to begin in the spring of 2017.

5. Election 2016

The Election of 2016 in East Providence wasn't very much of one in the end. Only seven of the city's 17 representative seats at the municipal and state levels were contested and one of those, for State Rep District 64, only needed a primary to determine the winner, Democrat Helder Cunha.

Incumbents state senator Cindy Coyne and state rep Katherine Kazarian, both Democrats, dispatched their Republican counterparts with relative ease. Likewise, school committee incumbents Joel Monteiro and Jessica Beauchaine were re-elected. Brian Faria upset incumbent Tim Conley for the Ward 4 seat on the council while Joe Botelho returned said body after over two decades away by defeating Candy Seel for the vacated Ward 3 seat.

The most significant result from the 2016 cycle was the overwhelming vote of residents to change the city's form of government to that of a "strong" or elected mayor. The electorate approved "Local Question 8" as it appeared on the ballot by a tally of 12,192-4,503 votes or 73%-27%.

6 and 6A. Kirby ouster/Waterbury case

What turned out to be the tumultuous 10-month stay as city manager for Richard Kirby came to an end in August of 2016 when the council on a slim 3-2 vote signaled his ouster.

The council based its vote on an eight-point complaint put forth in a resolution for his removal, but it was likely Mr. Kirby's actions in his attempted firing of city human resources director Kathleen Waterbury that was his undoing.

Ms. Waterbury was formally terminated in the spring, but she had previously filed a sexual harassment complaint with the state commission on Human Rights. She later took her firing to the legal system where in July a United States District Court judge deemed her dismissal unlawful and reinstated her to the role. Mr. Kirby refused to do so, placing her on administrative leave instead. He, himself, was fired soon after, replaced by city solicitor Tim Chapman on an acting basis.

Ms. Waterbury's case was further backed later in the year when an independent arbitrator again ruled on her behalf. This time, however, Ms. Waterbury was allowed to return to her position, which she did in late November.

To date, Mr. Kirby has remained quiet about any action he may take in the matter, but he has kept open his own avenue for litigation. 

8. Turf field completion

The new artificial turf field at East Providence High School, on the drawing board for nearly two years, opened for play late last spring. The privately funded complex, owned by the Bayside FC youth soccer organization, was built at a cost of $1.4 million. The facility is used by Bayside and the EPHS athletic department, the field now the home of the Townies' boys' and girls' lacrosse and soccer teams.

9. University Medicine opening

When the 54,000 square feet building was completed and opened in June of 2016, University Medicine occupied three out of the four floors of the structure at 375 Wampanoag Trail. Construction on the University Medicine Patient Center building began in 2015. Some 200 physicians providing primary, specialty outpatient and sub-specialty care practice in the facility. 

10. Butler resigns

Former star player turned long-time coach Alex Butler stepped away from his position at the fore the East Providence High School boys' basketball program, a position he held for 12 years. Mr. Butler resigned following a resurgent season for the Townies, who made their first appearance in the Open State Tournament and a return to the Division I championship playoffs last winter after missing the postseason the previous few years.

“I don’t have a doubt in my mind that we were successful with the program because I have seen kids who have comeback and come to games. Did we win a championship? No. Did we win some divisions? Yes. Did we win more games than we lost? Yes, but East Providence hasn't won a basketball championship since 1976,” Coach Butler said. “We got close and for me the run was great. For me it was the kids and I know I did right by them and I did as best as I could to be as successful as possible for those kids.”

11. Amore hired

The most recognized purveyors of "Townie Pride" are the East Providence High School sports teams so when there's a change in the athletic department there and across the district it's a noteworthy event. Long-time teacher, coach and current state representative Gregg Amore was appointed to the position in June of 2016. He replaced Bob Duarte, who resigned from the post earlier in the calendar year.

"The job is something that has always interested me," Mr. Amore said at the time of his hire. "I've always thought this job fit my skill set. I'm a life long Townie. I think this is a good career move for me. It's something I think I can do for the next decade or so."

12. Pre-K program

The East Providence School District initiated a Pre-Kindergarten program at Martin Middle School and Oldham Elementary School with the start of the 2016-17 term. The Rhode Island Department of Education provided $1.3 million in seed funding, which afforded the district to have seven classrooms, at Martin with 90 children and two classrooms at Oldham with 36 kids. 

13. Waterfront taxes

Residents at or near the waterfront in the Riverside section of the city felt "sticker shock" when they opened their property tax bills for the current fiscal year following a revaluation by the assessor's office and Vision Government Solutions.

Some residents saw their properties values skyrocket by as much as 60 percent, causing much consternation. Numerous times throughout the summer they voiced their displeasure before the council, marched on city hall and eventually took their case to the court system where it remains currently. A total of 62 residents were party to the civil suit brought against the city over the matter, which remains an active legal situation.

14. Bridge construction

Over a period of two weekends in September of 2016, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation reconstructed both the East Shore Expressway and the McCormick Quarry spans connecting Wampanoag Trail with Interstate 195 using its "rapid replacement" method. 

The replacement bridges were built on site over the previous year. The old structures were demolished then finished products were then lifted into place during a roughly 80-hour process. The East Shore Expressway span was completed first followed two weeks later by the McCormack overpass. The bridges were closed on Friday evening and reopened for traffic the following Tuesday for the morning rush.

15. Pond View case

The decades-long squabble between the city, neighbors and proprietor of the "Pond View" recycling site on Dexter Road finally came to a resolution when in June of 2016 the State Supreme Court ruled in the favor of East Providence and its ability to regulate the facility.

Said neighborhood activist Ken Schneider, who along with a core group of Rumford residents was at the forefront of opposition to Pond View."It's not the end of the road. The city still has to do the right thing, and doing the right thing is taking control of the situation…They said they were waiting for the Supreme Court decision to be handed down. They can't hide behind that anymore. The ball is in their court now. Hopefully, it gives the power back to (Zoning Officer Ed) Pimentel to do what he needs to do."

16 A and B. Waterfront developments

Kettle Point groundbreaking: Actual construction work at the Kettle Point development site off Veterans Memorial Parkway started in earnest in the fall. University Orthopedics joined the project, the practice planning to construct a 90,000 square foot office. Kettle Point LLC, owners of the property, also entered into an agreement with AR Builders, Inc. of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which will construct 228 "luxury" apartments in five individual buildings. The final element of the development will be the construction of 62 townhouse-style duplex condominiums facing the waterfront.

Amphitheater: In one of its final acts as seated, the East Providence City Council of 2014 approved a contract with Waterfront Productions LLC for the construction of a seasonal amphitheater at Bold Point Park on the city's shoreline at the base of Warren Avenue. The three-year agreement calls for the production of between 20-30 events during each season, which runs from May to October. The amphitheater will have seating for approximately 3,000 patrons. Projections call for the city to earn in the range of $60,000-$100,000 in revenue annually.

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Jim McGaw

A lifelong Portsmouth resident, Jim graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1982 and earned a journalism degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1986. He's worked two different stints at East Bay Newspapers, for a total of 18 years with the company so far. When not running all over town bringing you the news from Portsmouth, Jim listens to lots and lots and lots of music, watches obscure silent films from the '20s and usually has three books going at once. He also loves to cook crazy New Orleans dishes for his wife of 25 years, Michelle, and their two sons, Jake and Max.