Then Again...What Do I Know?

Woonsocket

 

It’s time for our annual spring begging of the Woonsocket Police Department to enforce the noise ordinance.

Let’s review some past excuses for not enforcing it.  “We have more important laws to enforce. It’s not in the budget. We don’t the available personnel. We don’t have the equipment. Now that we have the equipment, it is difficult to pinpoint offenders. We live in Smithfield

and don’t hear the violators drive by our house.”  

Since we have a new acting chief who has applied to be the

permanent chief, perhaps he might take an interest. At the council meeting Monday night when a local resident asked for enforcement,

Council president Leo Fontaine answered “unfortunately as the council has the ability to enact laws, we don’t the ability to enforce

The laws or direct the administration of the police department top act.” Incidentally, noise ordinances are working in other communities all across the country but we can’t get a handle on it here. So now what do we do?

 

West Warwick

 

If comparing the woes of other communities is consoling, consider the West Warwick dilemma.

Among the items under consideration by the West Warwick town council is how to fund the town’s unfunded pension plan; asking the state to take over the town’s school system, tapping into the town’s rainy day fund, furlough days for town employees, layoff town employees, change the rubbish collection to a private vendor, get concessions from town labor unions and privatizing the town owned ice rink. Each week we read accounts of how other communities are

trying to balance their budget.

 

Pawtucket

 

Congratulations to the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council winning the “Destination Award” presented by the World Travel & Tourism Council. This week in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.  The award has never been won before by an organization in the United States.

This international award climaxes a vision by Robert Billington seen 23 years ago that this region we call home could be a destination of world wide interest. And the potential to further advance the tourism resources of the Blackstone Valley are still in development. When many looked at the Blackstone River in 1985 they saw a polluted river, Billington saw it as a resource waiting to be rediscovered and revitalized. His award this week fulfilled that vision. In a Providence Business News story this week, the sponsors are quoted as saying “Working with a wide range of multi-stakeholders, BVTC has shown that tourism can play a key role in helping to revitalize a downtrodden economy and bring back a river once declared dead to the benefit of local people, business, and nature.” The BVTC was a finalist in the Destination Award category and had plenty of competition including the Rinjani Trek Ecotourism Program in Indonesia and the Town of Bouctouche in Canada.

 

Woonsocket

 

Local names in the news: Noel Pincince, maitre’di at Vintage Restaurant appeared on national television this week.

Last Wednesday, Pincince traveled to New York to the studios of the Today show to see if he could get the camera to put him

on television. It worked.

At 7am when the program came on the air, there was Noel promoting Woonsocket.

If anybody could do it, leave it to Noel.

On Patriots Day Director of Planning and Development Joel Matthews

ran in the Boston Marathon. In his 60’s, Matthews remains in great physical condition and completed the 26 mile trek.

 

Woonsocket

 

Acting Police Chief Eric L. Croce on loan from the Rhode Island State Police offered an update on happenings within the department. In a memo circulated to council members this week, Croce reported a new policy regarding cellblock supervision has been implemented. Updated policies on evidence issues, weapon permits to the public and changes to the recruit process and agility testing format has been implemented. A policy on motor vehicles pursuits will be instituted shortly and review of the computer system as it pertains to department internal security has been undertaken. In his communication, Croce told the council “the men and women of the department have readily accepted the change in leadership and all have been very supportive.”

 

Woonsocket

 

The city council recently passed an ordinance setting out guidelines on how to search for a new police chief.

Council member John Ward says the Menard administration is skirting the ordinance and should “slow it down.”

Ward told the public Monday night that the selection committee has yet to meet but the city is already securing testing materials and preparing questions for the applicants. Ward cautioned the administration to read the ordinance and follow the law before moving forward on the selection of the chief. Council member Chris Beauchamp who is on the police chief selection committee complained he has not been consulted yet the selection process moves forward.

 

Woonsocket

 

In her weekly WNRI interview, Mayor Susan Menard said Monday she intends to stay in office until she finished the budget process. In trying to save money, the Mayor is working with officials in North Providence and Johnston to consolidate the administration of paying out health insurance claims. If the tri-town collaborative works out, Woonsocket could save between $300,000 and $500,000 in administrative costs. She underlined the deal is still in the talking stages. On the negative side, the Mayor also reported that the city is self insured and payouts to beneficiaries are up. On the resolution passed by the city council Monday night to have the state’s auditor general perform an audit of the city’s pension plan, the mayor said “It’s much to do about nothing. I really don’t think it’s necessary” She said there was already an audit and it was forwarded to the state.

So why do another, asked the Mayor?