The April 8 meeting of the Warren Town Council began with a serious and slightly somber note as for the first time publicly it was acknowledged body President Joseph DePasquale was the person who sustained significant injuries from a fire exactly a week prior.

As was reported by The Times-Gazette online at eastbayri.com and in the April 9 print edition, Warren Fire Department Chief James Sousa reported a male resident was eventually taken to hospital after public safety personnel responded to a report of a potential structure fire at a Birch Swamp Road residence Tuesday evening, April 1, at approximately 7:30.

Sousa was first on the scene, learning upon arrival the incident was actually attributed to a mishap while tending to a camp fire. He immediately canceled the larger response, leaving one WFD truck to extinguish the fire.

More importantly, a male attempting to manage the fire had noticeable burns on his hands and arms. The victim was conscious and informed the chief about his injuries. Sousa said there was some initial concerns about other the potential inhaling of flames, which could cause unknown internal injury.

Emergency Medical Technicians on a WFD rescue also responded, tending to the wounds and eventually transporting the victim to Rhode Island Hospital for further treatment.

On April 8, Town Council Vice President Kerri Cronin began the proceedings with the following remarks:

"As you may all notice our chair, our president, Joseph DePasquale, is not here this evening. And as many of you have heard, Joseph, had a pretty serious accident, a week ago tonight and is recovering at Rhode Island Hospital. 

"Thank you to all who've reached out to him. He is strong, he is tough, he is stubborn. He is going to return in fighting shape, maybe a little worse for the wear, but our thoughts, prayers, and positive vibes are all welcome and and needed for him.

"He has not lost his sense of humor. He's keeping the nurses all in stitches and he hasn't lost his appetite either...He said he would try to watch this evening's meeting and he said he would text me if he had any comments or questions or advice. So if you see me on my phone, it's because the president is with us."

No timetable was given for DePasquale's return public gatherings. The council was next scheduled to meet Monday, April 14, to take up the Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget at a hearing in the town hall chamber.


WPD ceremony
In DePasquale's stead, Cronin, with Warren Police Department Chief Roy Borges, led a ceremony promoting and swearing in officers.

Those recognized included Marc Ferreira, promoted to the rank of lieutenant, Aires Medeiros promoted to sergeant and Austin Carreiro to detective. In addition, Patrolman Sean Foley and Probationary Patrolwoman Allie Schoenfeldt took their oaths of duty.

March meeting notes
Clearing out the notebook from the council's March 2025 meeting, the body took up a handful of appointments, including seating Donald Mead to fill out the seven-member town Economic Development Board. In addition, the council appointed Stephen Mark Dylag to the Tax Board of Assessment Review, the last of five spots available.

As well, the council declined to make a full-time appointment of the one available seat on the planning board. Tim White and Richard Matton, who both applied to become permanent members, instead will remain in their current alternate roles.

At the time, DePasquale said, "We do have a position, but we're not going to advertise this anymore. We may be changing the make-up of the planning board and zoning board...We thought that it wouldn't be fair to appoint somebody and then possibly in a month or two reduce that number and do whatever we may do. So that's we're not doing that tonight."

Leadem leaves
Also last month, the council saluted Tax Assessor Kristopher Leadem at the March 11 forum, it being his last officially in the position. Leadem left Warren to take on the same role in Bristol.

His departure mirrors that of former Planning Director Herb Durfee, who also recently opted to leave Warren to take on the same post in Barrington.