[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6258924,"mediaKeyId","3144039-209f725aaa2ac3a2b631814d88350486","parentId",3144039,"title","Resident questions $950,000 Doric Avenue splash pad after Budlong Pool closure; council asks Public Works to review","audioSeconds",182,"startMs",1471000,"endMs",1653000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3144039-209f725aaa2ac3a2b631814d88350486&start=1471&end=1653","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3144039-209f725aaa2ac3a2b631814d88350486/thumbnail_1471000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6258924/Cranston-City/Providence-County/Rhode-Island/Resident-questions-950000-Doric-Avenue-splash-pad-after-Budlong-Pool-closure-council-asks-Public-Works-to-review","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6258924-2f621ab8ae27c4dd66c28f593e242947/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440195&Signature=X4T0WyPLYurfjJ~7CDvAwQI0JTHSg74kgeqDdgQUX60BE8q0l8-6U597uud4rnCn6Q8Sx~Ji1OYI4gGb-h3FAUDaVuGh-iofLiqkI6Jdh4nwiWHFCt-z~z7iFCQKddooH9dquGKaMrw8lMLpBIE6LMIV-7Xql0UaJ5aQZyxv63AJ0lFZz2PwSQPKKWdnqareFiat3Jzt44wHwPj41Tj8LZ27AbsMLxd~tIbFS5m0u9UVVuU9MVRHH1uy51sdRkbh3o1rw-dG2h7a4~gVPjm3o64JQkMsw4BUVHnxMHxKDFfQ6Xr5~p32TVCWqo0ujIK1f4AQbP4vXpbgMeQ1~Y46Ww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author"," City of Cranston, RI","date","2025-04-29T00:00:00Z","article","Robert Ferry, a Cranston resident, told the City Council on April 28 that he had read a local news report saying Budlong Pool would not open this summer and that the city was proposing a splash pad on Doric Avenue for about $950,000.

\"There was gonna be a splash pad opened on Doric Avenue at a cost of nearly a million dollars,\" Ferry said during the public-comment period. He asked council members where the money would come from and said he had not seen public input about the splash pad. \"I'm asking you to please look into this, put a stop to it if necessary,\" Ferry said.

Council President Marino thanked Ferry for his comments and asked Councilwoman Graziano, chair of Public Works, to place the splash-pad item on the next Public Works meeting agenda for review. Council members also noted that the correct procedure to address factual questions raised in public comment is to follow up through committee and request documentation; the solicitor advised against in-meeting corrections and recommended obtaining and presenting factual records in committee.

The nut graf: the council did not vote on the splash pad or on the pool’s status; instead it directed the Public Works committee to review the reported proposal and any funding sources and to report back.

Clarifying details provided at the meeting were limited: Ferry reported a figure of \"950 something thousand dollars\" and said he had not seen public outreach; the administration did not provide a budget source or a formal project description during the meeting. The council directed staff and Councilwoman Graziano to place the item on the next Public Works agenda so members may examine the cost estimate, funding source and any public-engagement timeline.

Ending: The council did not take any formal action on the pool or splash pad at the meeting; follow-up will occur in committee where staff can present documentary evidence and answer cost and funding questions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","April 28, 2025, Cranston City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","During public comment at the April 28 Cranston City Council meeting, resident Robert Ferry said reporting that Budlong Pool will not open this summer and that a splash pad on Doric Avenue is proposed at an estimated cost near $950,000. The council directed Councilwoman Graziano to add the matter to the next Public Works meeting for review.","taxTitle","Cranston City, Providence County, Rhode Island","taxId",4549,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6258929,"Cranston council ratifies two union contracts, approves public-works appointment and tax measures",353,975000,1328000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3144039-209f725aaa2ac3a2b631814d88350486&start=975&end=1328","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3144039-209f725aaa2ac3a2b631814d88350486/thumbnail_975000.jpg","/articles/6258929/Cranston-City/Providence-County/Rhode-Island/Cranston-council-ratifies-two-union-contracts-approves-public-works-appointment-and-tax-measures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6258929-48f7fdc663ca7984292f1a324c5d9a08/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440195&Signature=DzcNn7qGIiPKl5oF54aWrfQRVzOWQwrYf7gnYi9L4RSlJGAXn9QR1D0a9U~lz3zl54byNYD-ySvu0trmMTTJii3H8-3HxfnMD2sTEtTYymiDz4rblWxUwOmk~eMbPjzL4tPLGE-IpW2vaG4hExXiIVAPRg-7cW3YQVZ3-o2FfdJWpdyIP5VAFRvqZyPkTYc~~SmdeFKuU~XWIWr5du~-T3PdUPKNwtVzpZmxGBeb-6d-W45e-GH01Xp2LSGc1Hoex55fbKcLb0xXnJ2dq4z6xkBgskAdazl7D4khBFgVj5WHXSQLCzMvcA5gW4uhj5w75LSZ0VEb6dc4Lwvxykq0PA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cranston City Council on April 28 voted to ratify two collective bargaining agreements, approved several tax-related measures recommended by the Finance Committee and confirmed a mayoral appointment for public works.

The council approved Ordinance 3,251, ratifying the Teamsters Local 251 collective bargaining agreement covering July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2027. Council President Marino said the solicitor identified clerical (scrivener) errors in job titles and grades that needed correction; the council approved the contract \"subject to those scriveners' errors being corrected,\" per the solicitor. Director remarks at the meeting said the pension and fiscal impacts were resolved and the administration represented that the contract terms were budgeted in the coming fiscal year.

The council then approved Ordinance 3,252 ratifying the contract described in the agenda as the \"Liana Local Union 13 22 collective bargaining agreement,\" covering the same contract dates. The administration said the contract was negotiated and budgeted appropriately.

The Finance Committee’s recommendations carried other measures on the floor: a real estate tax abatement resolution recommended by the tax assessor, and approvals of tax-interest waiver requests for March 2025 as presented by the city treasurer. The council also approved a budget amendment (ordinance 042501) to amend the 2024–2025 municipal budget for the director of public works salary.

The council advised consent to Mayor Hopkins’ appointment of Frank Correo as Director of Public Works; Director Fabricio (administration) spoke in favor of the appointment, citing the nominee’s experience. Several reappointments and appointments to boards were also confirmed, including the appointment of Anthony Mastantuono to the Board of Canvassers (unexpired term ending March 5, 2029) and reappointments to the Affordable Housing Commission. Most roll-call votes on these measures were recorded in the affirmative.

One licensing matter from the Safety Services and Licensing Committee—the license for Merlino Pizzeria—was continued to the next council meeting pending receipt of a letter of good standing from the Rhode Island Division of Taxation; the council recorded a motion to continue and directed the applicant to provide the document to the clerk when received.

Ending: Council members said they would continue oversight to ensure corrected contract language is filed and that required letters and fiscal notes are on file before final administrative steps.","On April 28 the Cranston City Council approved ratification of two collective bargaining agreements, authorized a public-works appointment and passed tax-related measures and budget amendments; several items were approved subject to clerical corrections or contingent on further documentation.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6258934,"Cranston elections director warns SAVE Act, presidential order could jeopardize funding and voter access",1556,1927000,3483000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3144039-209f725aaa2ac3a2b631814d88350486&start=1927&end=3483","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3144039-209f725aaa2ac3a2b631814d88350486/thumbnail_1927000.jpg","/articles/6258934/Cranston-City/Providence-County/Rhode-Island/Cranston-elections-director-warns-SAVE-Act-presidential-order-could-jeopardize-funding-and-voter-access","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6258934-4da10d3dcf7147921d9881f0efdf9ec3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440195&Signature=CEYpYs7nqNcrsnCiuWq~keoAO0JsPciJ1JtgTKcN85GukwIIXFVdyEF5tRLijVuinaSaDMWlm16XRfCR~RNmWIO6AEai5Q4P3YnxMBmpJlyiy1G2kVSQsEtBiB32Imf-QL9i14Akh3MLksgbLLRLHDx979lGJhc8Tt-7moHqpR-RADII~9k4vJbCUxy3yC-tePAY9~k72QdjCRQ5S2nf8uRSQq66Vy7VVS1GazA5KtObO5HrRXt13sHOSznWJRz4VCWpOIWq~GfWt-5otD~Iic7-Dzg6DaXWrZlMGyM4UwRAm-RjreGqcmnXCcn~IeXErAXOIzNakGlOOOBrJzR25w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Nick Lima, Cranston’s registrar and director of elections, told the City Council on April 28 that a recent presidential executive order and pending federal legislation known as the SAVE Act could threaten federal funding, complicate voting-system certification and create new administrative requirements that would affect local election operations.

Lima said the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) and the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) currently provide standards and funding the city relies on; the executive order would add a passport-or-equivalent requirement to the federal voter-registration form, and could attach future funding to states’ compliance with new standards. \"This presentation does not convey the opinions or represent the EAC,\" Lima said, speaking in his capacity as Cranston’s elections director. He added bluntly, \"it's pretty much clear as mud,\" describing the policy and litigation landscape.

The nut graf: federal HAVA grants and EAC-certified equipment are central to how municipalities run elections; at stake, Lima said, are future grants and the timing and feasibility of deploying new voting equipment if federal standards are rewritten and funding curtailed.

Lima briefed the council on several points: federal law (HAVA and the National Voter Registration Act) governs many aspects of local election administration; the EAC sets voluntary voting-system guidelines (VVSG) and distributes federal funds for equipment and security; and the executive order seeks both documentary proof-of-citizenship requirements for federal registration forms and changes to certification standards that could render some current systems noncompliant. He said Rhode Island has received more than $22 million in HAVA funding since 2004 and that Cranston alone has drawn about $115,000 in HAVA funds since 2019.

Lima described several operational concerns if the executive order or the SAVE Act were implemented as written: requiring passports or certified birth certificates for every registration or registration update would impose a large workload on local offices and could disenfranchise voters (he cited roughly 215 federal postcard application overseas ballots in 2024 as an at-risk group). He said the SAVE Act, which passed the U.S. House in April, would create a documentary-proof requirement for registrations, add a private right of action to sue local officials, and impose criminal penalties on officials for mistakes. \"None of the drafters appear to have consulted a single election administrator,\" Lima said, quoting legal scholar Ben Ginsberg as appearing on his slides.

Lima also warned that the EAC-mandated timeline for revising standards would be infeasible: manufacturers do not currently produce equipment compliant with an updated VVSG on such a short timetable, and the result could be both equipment decertification and delayed procurements. He said some parts of the executive order were already the subject of litigation and that preliminary injunctions have limited parts of the action; he and other officials expect protracted court fights that could reach the U.S. Supreme Court.

On election-security support, Lima said many federal resources used in recent years have been reduced or eliminated: CISA funding for the Elections Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center was cut, and federal task forces and cyber staff that previously assisted election jurisdictions have been reassigned. He called this a loss of a \"layer\" in a layered cybersecurity approach and said Cranston’s IT team is working to fill gaps.

The board of canvassers in Cranston voted 3–0 on March 19 to oppose the SAVE Act as drafted; Lima reported the board’s position to the council. He said the canvassing office plans a tabletop exercise on June 25 that will include city police, fire and IT staff, and that further briefings will follow as litigation and federal policy evolve.

Council members thanked Lima for the briefing. Council Vice President Wall said the presentation was detailed and useful. Council President Marino asked staff to keep the council informed as the federal picture changes.

Ending: Lima urged council members to read the materials in the meeting packet for more detail and said the city will continue planning exercises and coordination with state and federal partners as the legal and policy situation develops.","At its April 28 meeting, Cranston Registrar and Director of Elections Nick Lima told the City Council that a recent presidential executive order and the federal SAVE Act could cut federal election-security funding, require documentary proof of citizenship for registrations, and impose technical and operational burdens on local election offices.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident questions $950,000 Doric Avenue splash pad after Budlong Pool closure; council asks Public Works to review

Cranston council ratifies two union contracts, approves public-works appointment and tax measures

Cranston elections director warns SAVE Act, presidential order could jeopardize funding and voter access