EAST PROVIDENCE — Department of Public Works Director Dan Borges, just back on the job following paternity leave, was likely as busy in the office as he was at home with a newborn in his preparation to answer several inquiries from the members of the City Council at its initial meeting of the month Tuesday evening, May 2.

Of note, responding to an item on the docket submitted by Ward 2 Councilor Anna Sousa, Borges said the city was unlikely to able to continue the repaving of roads at such an aggressive pace at it has in the past half-dozen years.

The main reason for this is the city has gone through the original $10 million allocated by the council seated in 2016 from a fund originally intended to help East Providence align its fiscal calendar with that of the state towards a comprehensive resurfacing program. As well, additional money during ensuing fiscal year budgetary cycles set aside by the current administration and the last council seated in 2018 is also running out.

Borges said there remains "just shy of $2 million" in the Capital Improvements line item for repair. DPW does have a schedule of proposed road ways to be fixed during the 2023 season, but it's unlikely enough money will be available to do them all.

Borges said the city has gone back out to bid for resurfacing since its last contract with Pawtucket Hot Mix expired and the figures received back were a bit disconcerting.

"The numbers we are seeing throughout the state and from other municipalities are scary," Borges said. "They're almost double and in some cases triple what we've been paying, so the $2 million won't be going very far."

Borges said his department is attempting to couple planned water main cleaning and lining project with resurfacing in hopes of stretching some of the remaining capital farther.

Kent Field renovation
At-Large member and Council president Bob Rodericks combined with Borges to provide a brief update on the upcoming extensive renovations to Kent Field/Playground.

Rodericks said planning for the improvements, which are being funded mostly through a $400,000 Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management grant, were "90 percent complete." The city was required to kick in a $150,000 match towards the project.

Rodericks added, however, there has been a slight delay in getting final RIDEM approval because the site once served as a landfill. It was capped in the mid-1960s and opened as a playground later that same decade.

Borges said RIDEM requires a certain amount of fill above top layer of refuse. His department has been working with the Alverson Landscape Architectural firm hired to formulate the improvements to conduct boring tests to determine where exactly that layer rests.

RIDEM is expected to render its opinion shortly, Rodericks said, adding the city is "hoping to get (the project) going" sometime later this spring.

Rumford flooding issues
Ward 1 member Frank Rego sought Borges' thoughts on the lingering issue of street flooding at the intersection of Ferris Avenue and Newport Avenue.

Rego said he along with his predecessor and current State Senator from District 18 Bob Britto were both notified by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation had done its part by clearing out drains on the state-owned Newport Avenue but that issues persisted on city roads Ferris Avenue to Circle Street to Weeden Avenue.

Borges seemed somewhat skeptical about RIDOT's efforts, saying his department would add the locations to the pipe inspection program currently being undertaken by the city.

Borges said despite the age of some of the advanced piping around East Providence, the inspections are showing them to still be in working condition, though taxed on the capacity they'll capable of handling.

Memorial Day flags
One of other item of specific interest to some, Borges told Ward 4 Councilor Rick Lawson the city has purchased multi-use banner set-ups to replace flags along the Memorial Day parade route in Riverside.

The flags, which were purchased originally through a public/private fundraising effort and that Lawson estimated to be some five to six years old, were deemed to be in "very bad shape" by the DPW director.

Borges said a decision was made to buy the banner hardware instead of the flags so they could be used for other holidays and special events.

Borges added, the banners will provide an opportunity to "showcase Riverside throughout the year."

Street sweeping schedule
DPW has announced the following schedule of 2023 street sweepings throughout the spring and into the summer. It notes the "schedule is subject to change due to weather, manpower, equipment breakdowns and/or for other project priorities."

Area 1 — Between Willett Avenue and the East Bay bike path. Beginning at Lyman Street working south to the Barrington tine; Between Willet Avenue and the Wampanoag Trail. Beginning at Catalpa Avenue and working south to the Barrington line.

Area 2 — Pawtucket Avenue to Narragansett Bay. Working from Band Road south to Water View Avenue; Whipple Avenue, Fuller Avenue, White Squadron Road, Industrial Court, Industrial Way; Between the East Bay Bike Path and Narragansett Bay. Working from the Sewer Plant south to the Terrace.

Area 3 — Between Warren Avenue and the Veterans Parkway. Beginning at $ Broadway working west to Pier Road; Between S Broadway and PawtucketAvenue. From Warren Avenue south to the Veterans Parkway; Between Paws Avenue and the Seekonk line. Beginning at Warren Avenue working south to Wetmore Avenue.

Area 4 — Between Warren Avenue and Taunton Avenue. Beginning at Broadway working east to State Street; Between Broadway and the Seekonk River. Beginning at Waterman Avenue working south to Warren Avenue

Area 5 — Between North Broadway and the Seekonk line. Beginning at the Ten Mile River working south to Taunton Avenue; Between North Broadway and tho Seekonk River. Beginning at the Omega Pond working south to Waterman Avenue.

Area 6 — Between North Broadway, Newman Avenue and the Seekonk line. Beginning at the Turner Reservoir working south to the Ten Mile River; Between Pawtucket Avenue, Newport Avenue and the Central Pond. Beginning at the Pawtucket Line and working southeast to Newman Avenue; Between the Omega Pond, Newport Avenue and Pawtucket Avenue. Beginning at the Pawtucket line working southeast to North Broadway.

Stormwater grant
The city was notified recently it was one of three municipalities to gain access to Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank grants for water projects. In total, East Providence, Pawtucket and Little Compton will split $632,100.

The monies are being dispersed through the bank's Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant Program. The city is accessing $150,200 for stormwater improvements at the Agnes Hennessey Elementary School located at 75 Fort St. across from the Pierce Memorial Stadium complex.

In the notes announcing the grants, the bank wrote Hennessey is surrounded by impervious surface with no stormwater management or shading from street trees. Stormwater from the school’s asphalt playground and parking areas currently runs off into the Providence River.

Using grant funding, East Providence will install curb inlet planters, providing needed stormwater treatment while also providing green space and tree canopy to an otherwise all asphalt area. Ornamental trees, shrubs and grasses will also be installed, providing shade and reducing urban heat island effects.