EAST PROVIDENCE — Already a well established "fait accompli," the City Council at its Tuesday night, May 15 meeting, formally brought an end to the tenure of former City Manager Tim Chapman with a 3-2 vote of its members.
Likely the least newsiest of news to come out of the now 18-month term of the current council, there was little discussion on the subject last week, unlike when Mr. Chapman’s run as manager initially came ended during a 23-minute special session of the body held Wednesday night, March 28.
At that time and per City Charter, the council voted on an identical 3-2 line to remove Mr. Chapman from the office. Councilors Joe Botelho, Brian Faria and Anna Sousa, the latter the official sponsor of the act almost two months prior, cast their vote in the affirmative on both occasions as did Councilors Jim Briden and Bobby Britto, who were in the negative each time.
The formal firing was placed on the May 15 agenda until the title of “Final resolution pursuant to Section 2-11 of the Charter of the City of East Providence permanently removing the City Manager from office.” Mr. Chapman was not present at last week’s meeting. He did not contest the firing, declining to hold a public hearing on his status during the 30-day period allowable per the charter. Mr. Chapman was jettisoned as manager by the council “without cause” and via a “majority vote of its members,” according to the original resolution.
Mr. Chapman was replaced by City Finance Director Malcolm Moore, who as well by a 3-2 vote of the same members, was appointed as acting manager, a measure sponsored originally by Mr. Faria. The status of Mr. Moore, who maintains his position in finance, was an item on the May 15 agenda item listed for discussion during the Executive Session.
Appointments
The council approved the following appointments: Planning Board Reappointment by Councilman Botelho), Burton P. Batty, Jr., 15 Plymouth Road; Economic Development Commission by Councilman Briden, Michele Martins-Botelho, 37 Hedley Circle; Planning Board Reappointment-First Alternate by Councilman Briden, Christopher Grant, 16 Allison Court; Veterans Advisory Committee by Councilwoman Sousa, Maura J. Clancy, 35 Barrington Court; and Traffic Control by Councilman Botelho, Wayne Flodin, 83 Locust St..
Of note, the appointment of John Oliver, 14 Barrington Court to the position of City Sergeant was deferred until at least the next council meeting by the proposer Councilman Faria.
Ordinances
Three amendments to Chapter 11 ordinances in the charter requested by Councilman Faria and the Pension Board were given second and final passage last week. The changes were made to the sections dealing with “nonservice-connected death,” “service retirement annuity” and “nonservice-connected disability.”
Contract approval
The council backed an agreement brokered by Acting Manager Moore and state-appointed Municipal Finance Advisor Paul Luba between the city and United Steel Workers Local 15509, the union of Public Works Department employees.
Mr. Moore explained negotiations on the deal began late last year and were concluded in the last month when “about a half-dozen” points were ironed out between the sides.
Mr. Moore said, “We think it’s a fair contract. I think both sides wished they could’ve gotten more in it.”
Added Mr. Luba, “Both sides in the end made some concessions. I think the city gave up some reasonable financial considerations, nothing outside of other communities.”
Mr. Luba, calling a concession made by the union “significant” for the city’s long-term financial outlook, said new hires among the members of the union will no longer be eligible for retirement healthcare at the end of their tenures.