City Wants More Analysis of Tech Center Cost

The Newport School Department has studied how much it will cost to improve and operate the Newport Area Career and Technical Center, but the Newport City Council wants to do its own study. That was the result of a discussion at Wednesday's city council meeting.

After Newport School Committee Chairman Patrick Kelley talked about transfering the technical center to city control, City Manager Edward F. Lavallee urged the council to dig deeper into what that might cost the city – and how, if possible, to receive more state funding for the effort.

Paul Fagan, school department director of property services, has submitted a cost analysis that predicts it will cost approximately $969,000 to make necessary repairs to the building, which is the amount the State of Rhode Island would give to the city. Lavallee said he is not convinced that number would be sufficient to make necessary repairs and improvements, while Kelley said he remains confident that money is enough to address the building's needs.

“I trust Mr. Fagan’s judgment, but ... I really feel it is incumbent upon the city if they are to accept a property that large to do their own homework and verify what is needed,” Councilor Jeanne-Marie Napolitano said.

Kelley told the council if they choose to spend more money for more engineering estimate, it is “their decision to make.”

Councilor Henry Winthrop and Mayor Stephen Waluk agreed with Napolitano’s sentiments that the city should create its own cost analysis. “We need to do our due diligence to have updated numbers and analysis. It’s something we should do to ensure what we’re being given ...” Winthrop said.

Lavallee said his concern with the current estimate is that the city may be “compromising the process” and that Newport may be able to get more money from the state by petitioning the governor’s office. He gave an example of how one town refused to accept a property for transfer and negotiated an increase in funds, which he said might be an option for Newport.

Councilor Justin McLaughlin said he supports keeping the tech center alive, but he emphasized the importance of getting as much money up front as possible due to the higher cost per student required to operate a technical school.

Lavallee said the city administration will report back to the school committee and city council on the progress in obtaining more funds and will continue to strategize with the school committee during the acquisition process.