Council hears latest update on proposed East Providence turf field

Posted 6/3/15

EAST PROVIDENCE — Townies' soccer and lacrosse teams seems as close to becoming a reality as it actually has been since it was first proposed last fall.

At the Tuesday night, June 2, City Council meeting City Solicitor Tim Chapman gave an …

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Council hears latest update on proposed East Providence turf field

Posted

EAST PROVIDENCE — Townies' soccer and lacrosse teams seems as close to becoming a reality as it actually has been since it was first proposed last fall.

At the Tuesday night, June 2, City Council meeting City Solicitor Tim Chapman gave an update on the negotiations taking place between his office, the Planning Department, the School Department's and Bayside F.C.'s legal teams.

Mr. Chapman said Bayside, the youth soccer organization directed by city residents John Mark Andrade and Tony Vieira attempting to build the field, has signed off on most of the finer points of the agreement, including specific elements of advertising and management of the property.

The key remaining point of contention is how to deal with an eight-inch sewer line, which runs roughly five to seven feet below the surface of the proposed field. Mr. Chapman said it is a matter for Bayside to either bond the pipe, meaning the organization needs to secure money in case it needs repair, or move it away from the area. The solicitor said the group was determining what course of action to take. The pipe connects the McDonald's Restaurant and Scott Motors car dealership on Taunton Avenue to the main sewer line on Waterman Avenue.

In addition, Mr. Chapman said the agreement, 25 years in length for the roughly $1.4 million project, also includes taxing Bayside on any tangible assets related to the field. Those assets include the turf itself, the soccer goals, concession stands and seating. It's likely, however, Bayside could receive credits under the city's revamped Tax Stabilization ordinance, the solicitor said.

Ward 2 Councilman Helder Cunha and Ward 1 Councilman Bobby Britto each questioned the decision to tax the group, considering the amount of investment. Mr. Cunha went so far as to say he is against tangible taxation in general, though he added it was "only my opinion."

Ward 4 Councilman Tim Conley and At-Large Councilwoman Tracy Capobianco countered as a for-profit business Bayside should be taxed. Mr. Conley noted it would set "a bad precedent" not to charge the group for tangible property, adding "every" for-profit endeavor in the city would seek relief if that were the case.

Mr. Chapman also addressed an on-going disagreement between the City and School Committee about the ownership of the high school land.

The solicitor stated firmly "the city owns the property." In his legal opinion, nothing in Title 16 of state law regarding school property reads otherwise. He added the School Committee correctly followed the advice of its legal counsel in sending over the proposed project agreement to the Council for its approval.

Of note as well, Mr. Chapman stated the agreement calls for high school teams to have access to the field for "15 hours per week" and that the field will be available to the local American Youth Soccer Organization chapter for "four hours each Saturday for eight months" of the year.

Reached later Tuesday evening, East Providence Schools Athletic Director Bob Duarte clarified high school teams will have use of the field from 2 p.m. to at least 5:30 or 5:45 p.m. each day. He said discussions with Messrs. Andrade and Vieira leave him "confident" there will be no conflict over access.

Bayside F.C., turf field

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