Council Approves Rental Agreement for MacArthur Blvd. Building; Stream Bank Revitalization Project

CCAP Rental Agreenment

The Council approved a rental agreement with option to purchase with the Comprehensive Community Action Program (CCAP) of Cranston for the Town of Coventry building at . The building currently houses a CCAP health clinic as well as the Coventry food bank and a room used by the public library.

According to Town Manager Tom Hoover, the building is in need of many capital improvements that the town cannot afford.

Town Solicitor Fred Tobin explained that the two towns have been negotiating a lease option over the past year and have presented a final draft for approval. The agreement would include a 10-year lease with two five-year options and the purchase price during the lease period would be $1.2 million. Any improvements made to the building will be paid for by CCAP and Coventry will only continue to pay the portion of utilities used by the Town of Coventry as well as refuse collection and snow plowing.

As part of the agreement, Coventry will also have use of the parking lot for the baseball field located next to the building.

Storm Water Improvement Contract

The award of four BMPs on East Shore Drive (the pre-treatment of storm water discharge in the form of a storm basin) to Cardi Corp. was affirmed by the Council at a cost of $59,500 for storm water entering Lake Tiogue.

The work will be paid for by a grant from DEM as well as the EPA and part of the Town's DPW capital improvement budget.

Stream Bank Revitalization Project

The Council authorized an agreement with the US Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service for the Stream Bank Revitalization Project on the Pawtuxet River at the Anthony and Concordia Mills under a $2.5 million grant providing a required 10 percent match. 90 percent of the project will be paid for by the federal government and the 10 percent match will be split between the owners of both mills.

Town Manager Hoover explained that the permanent restoration of the banks to correct damage and erosion sustained during the March 2010 floods will allow for some mitigation for future flooding.

Surplus Equipment Certification

Council members authorized certification for the town to receive surplus equipment from the State of Rhode Island. All town departments will be eligible for available equipment once the certification is submitted.

Revotes

• After a provision in the Town Charter was found to require three affirmative votes to adopt a decision, the appointment of Frank Hyde to the District Three seat on the School Committee was once again voted upon. The appointment passed 3-2 and Hyde was officially sworn in.

• For the reason stated above, the vote to oppose House Bill No. 7250 was voted upon once again, being passed 4-1. The bill states that if a successor collective bargaining agreement has not been agreed to by the parties, then the terms and conditions of the old teachers' contract would remain in full force and effect until a new agreement is reached.