Minutes

Rights of Way (ROW) Subcommittee Meeting — Tuesday, July 27, 2021; 5:30 p.m.
Administration Building, Conference Room A, One Capitol Hill, Providence, RI

 

In accordance with notice to members of the RI CRMC Rights-of-Way Subcommittee, a virtual meeting was held on Tuesday, July 27, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. in Conference Room A of the Administration Building, One Capitol Hill, Providence, RI.

Members Present
Ronald Gagnon, RIDEM, Chair
Trish Reynolds
Don Gomez

Staff Present
Jeffrey Willis, Executive Director
James Boyd, Deputy Director
Anthony DeSisto, Legal Counsel
Cindy Tangney, Court Reporter
Lisa Turner, Recording Secretary

1. CALL TO ORDER

Right of Way Subcommittee Chair Gagnon called the meeting to order at 5:45 p.m. and introduced the Subcommittee Members as well as Legal Counsel.

2. Approval of the minutes of the previous meeting -- Tuesday, 06-29-2021

3. Public Street, Providence – Subcommittee Decision Review and Action

Mr. DeSisto gave brief explanation of his participation regarding the Public Street ROW and expressed appreciation to the many people involved in the research of this project:

• Greg Schultz, RI Attorney General’s Office
• Pedro Espinal, Councilman, Providence City Council
• David Everett, City of Providence

Mr. DeSisto further stated

• The ROW is East of Allens Avenue intersection to the shoreline.
• The City of Providence, as owner of the property, accepted responsibility of the maintenance of the ROW
• The abutting property deeds all recognize the Public Street as a city owned street
• Scrivener’s error rectified regarding property boundaries abutting ROW
• Public Hearing held via Zoom platform for public comment with 99% comments being favorable and one comment reflecting on the industrial nature of the abutting property (not objecting).

Mr. DeSisto stated that it was his recommendation, based on public hearing and documents researched that the ROW subcommittee recommend to the Full Council to recognize and designate Public Street as a CRMC designated Right-of-Way.

Councilman Espinal addressed the Subcommittee and expressed appreciation and gratitude to CRMC, the Attorney General’s Office and Community Advocates as the designating of this historically used ROW would be very important to local residents.

Linda Perri addressed the Subcommittee as a Washington Park resident in favor of the designation of the ROW and stated that the residents of the area look forward to enjoying the ROW.

Subcommittee vote:

Ms. Reynolds motioned, seconded by Mr. Gomez to make a favorable recommendation to the Full Council for the designation of the Public Street ROW as a CRMC designated ROW.

Roll call vote:
Ms. Reynolds – Aye
Mr. Gomez -- Aye
Mr. Gagnon -- Aye

Motion carried.

7. ADJOURN

Motion: Ms. Reynolds
Second: Mr. Gagnon
Motion carried on unanimous vote

Meeting adjourned at 6:22 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Lisa A. Turner
Recording Secretary