[{"_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",6576626,"mediaKeyId","3075068-0c9104265f5064acb922ba4f78afed5c","parentId",3075068,"title","Council confirms members for new Warwick Public Schools Budget Commission","audioSeconds",90,"startMs",629000,"endMs",719000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3075068-0c9104265f5064acb922ba4f78afed5c&start=629&end=719","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3075068-0c9104265f5064acb922ba4f78afed5c/thumbnail_629000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6576626/Warwick-City/Kent-County/Rhode-Island/Council-confirms-members-for-new-Warwick-Public-Schools-Budget-Commission","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6576626-a361678bac9c2b8ccb6b127ba96a4e01/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166006&Signature=Ow6MbIz0Xx8nn12p8F2X-9FRJceELOSnq3EjZ6pbo~fXnAQjtePuzWgus-vFBzmxJ0R8FIO5T9frZhx3SlshXkO1Vw9wLmgU8xWhTUxwrrxGIkz-mtu7gytXjQXz~wsXIfGeuC8i9zxuzwFxpMOIdcQQ-RvdffS3b9~w-NWA088bXLLMP8TlMZ0G4SXEg5oQKYz1wwOUWJF1S9xKYBaktig~beV4a~m9s4SBKjHglaI2LNy1tBG6ItNaMmM-W6RN5y1ukG0-iFNIzcH8HrkT8IcZuXlm8EguzdBzWQvTkNbDoSjESrljmrFVIb3zoXhXvBZuOpbZLiC7Lmqbg8PqEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Warwick","date","2025-04-22T03:20:12.767Z","article","The Warwick City Council confirmed three appointments to the newly created Warwick Public Schools Budget Commission, which the General Assembly authorized to review and advise on the school district’s fiscal condition.

Appointments and role: The council confirmed Ernest Almonte, David Champagne and Angela Murray to the commission. The commission is charged with reviewing the school budget, working with school committee and city staff, and delivering recommendations intended to stabilize the district’s finances.

Compensation and staffing: Council members discussed support and staffing for the commission. The mayor said members would receive a stipend of $250 per month, and administration officials said existing city staff—including the city controller and other department staff—would support the commission rather than creating new personnel lines.

Members’ remarks: Appointees described a collaborative approach. Ernest Almonte emphasized integrity, reliability and accountability as guiding principles. David Champagne and Angela Murray each noted they would work with the school committee, city staff and other stakeholders and that transparency and public engagement would be important to the commission’s work.

Next steps: The council voted to confirm the three nominees; the commission is expected to convene and begin work coordinating with city finance staff and the school committee to address budget deficits and produce recommendations for the council and public.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Warwick City Council Meeting - 4.21.25","oneSentenceSummary","The council confirmed three appointees to the Warwick Public Schools Budget Commission: Ernest Almonte, David Champagne and Angela Murray. Members will receive a stipend and the commission will work with city and school staff to address the school budget situation.","taxTitle","Warwick City, Kent County, Rhode Island","taxId",4566,"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},6576631,"Finance committee approves multiple procurement actions including three‑year electricity rate lock and ice‑plant maintenance increase",154,81000,235000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3075068-0c9104265f5064acb922ba4f78afed5c&start=81&end=235","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3075068-0c9104265f5064acb922ba4f78afed5c/thumbnail_81000.jpg","/articles/6576631/Warwick-City/Kent-County/Rhode-Island/Finance-committee-approves-multiple-procurement-actions-including-threeyear-electricity-rate-lock-and-iceplant-maintenance-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6576631-65e5150270141a012109d05d470b29af/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166006&Signature=gVAgTBNkRfAdj2sogz9ZHfSi-0uBeoeAYHKndHxuBoD4XMoEpr2uuNxJecocEloGI6yA4uKo3YBJpQq9QEJJqjmKBE0X5BrTq0O7WzG4XGoL-rImqGMRSh2bnBH1~vlVd5rTrEqum-dv6f1DQ-YpTcHSZAHW2e2zvk8lHe5pWLTfP2G6-AciGsGcrp4YQiZm5GpE1H6Hw~pm52tQNYJU~jZGxiiMRLyrOVg3NXBSEG13E6xhwWz9HuyRleR2Ft7~M6zZ5ip-O5HoUnbkVLasIhmH8tMlAbUoE3kt68S8gg1~Wfyj7XIgWvyiZpPYVpuWb0Kjd5Dzvc~hNR6X4xvgvg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Warwick City Finance Committee voted to recommend approval of a slate of municipal procurement actions that included an electricity supplier rate lock, a maintenance increase at the Thayer Warburton Ice Plant and awards for building‑system services.

Electricity supplier: City Treasurer Lynn Prodger told the committee she was asking for approval to renew the city’s contract with Constellation Energy and to lock a rate now to avoid higher market prices next year. \"I'm projecting about $72,000. The kilowatt rate that we pay now is $11.74,\" Prodger said. She reported a recent quote dropped from $11.16 to $10.94 and said locking a three‑year contract could yield savings compared with market bids that approached $16 per kilowatt-hour.

Ice‑plant maintenance: Crystal Moretti of Public Works requested an increase to a current contract cap that expires June 30. \"Public Works is requesting to increase the award on this contract ... by the amount of $105,000 to complete the main preventative maintenance on the two chillers and our compressor room,\" she told the committee. Committee members asked whether the work was repair or preventative maintenance; Moretti said it was preventative work to avoid larger future failures.

Fire-safety services: Fire Department representatives recommended Johnson Controls for quarterly fire‑alarm inspections even though another bidder, Fire Equipment Inc., bid slightly lower. The department explained that Johnson Controls cross‑trains sprinkler and alarm technicians and will supply all required services during quarterly tests without an additional hourly charge; by contrast, Fire Equipment Inc. would require the city to provide a fire‑alarm technician during some tests, at an estimated rate of about $200 an hour.

Committee action and votes: The finance committee recommended favorable action on the consolidated bid packet and contract adjustments; those items were placed on the consent calendar and later moved by the full council. Committee members asked for and received clarifications on contract scope, existing caps, and whether work was preventative or repair in nature.

What passed (selected items): The committee packet included, among many items, bid number 2026030 (electricity supplier contract with Constellation Energy), item 22025001 (maintenance and repairs at Thayer Warburton Ice Plant; requested increase of $105,000), and the award recommendation for Johnson Controls for quarterly fire and sprinkler services. All were forwarded with favorable recommendation to the full council.","Warwick's Finance Committee recommended approval of several bid awards and contract adjustments, including a proposed three‑year rate lock with Constellation Energy and a $105,000 increase for maintenance at the Thayer Warburton Ice Plant.",{"_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},6576636,"Warwick council asks state for authority to hold special election on $50 million school bond",4889,731000,5620000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3075068-0c9104265f5064acb922ba4f78afed5c&start=731&end=5620","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3075068-0c9104265f5064acb922ba4f78afed5c/thumbnail_731000.jpg","/articles/6576636/Warwick-City/Kent-County/Rhode-Island/Warwick-council-asks-state-for-authority-to-hold-special-election-on-50-million-school-bond","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6576636-818711f5465b426b83cc85749fd4e432/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166006&Signature=T-RwXdWXQZGzWfAqgbi9XD5HbvUvi6byjKF48t4eJEhRI3tuyVHm-F7vYQi2C-fYVColofFZed40s3vmbPzTtog88FA5s6eCeg6UfCrbnGMii2COrADx8dp8jEJ5QWK9DyPz438mlLtOFka5RkaYpWJ23zPwgsQPRqjcfd3PIrlsfqDfe-C1Jxiwul6zwY4maXRUMCw2cE2bxjCdeuQH-Ybz4wvqC8hmdoXPTyL7tKqTuTv1f-TbouW319nA493oLtgsUtak5lLnB~xQuq8PP8RfGxlVEMsqBitjT6Lh6etsTJwP~y25n6ExqqjR57OvG~OawvXDmQBiDoE0Tnq9SQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Warwick City Council voted to ask the Rhode Island General Assembly for permission to put a $50 million bond question before city voters to cover construction overruns on two new high schools and, if any funds remain, to pay for citywide recreation and athletic facilities.

The request, submitted as draft legislation to the General Assembly, would let the city finance construction, renovation, landscaping, equipment and related costs for \"two new high schools and on-site athletic fields, and recreation and athletic facilities throughout the city,\" and would authorize the issuance of bonds and notes if voters approve the question at a later special election.

Mayor Picozzi told the council the request is a contingency. \"I requested that city council consider this because we're at a point where we know the schools currently can't be built for $350,000,000,\" he said, adding that the school construction program faces overruns and that a voter-authorized safety net would help avoid work stoppages during construction. The mayor also said the enabling language would allow unused proceeds to be applied to recreation projects if warranted.

Why it matters: The city already authorized a $350 million program for the two high schools. City officials and the school department have since reported cost shortfalls as design and bid costs came in; city staff briefed the council that the shortfall has trended down but remains. Council members and the administration said they want the option to call a special election quickly if the need becomes clear rather than risk construction delays.

Council members pressed administrators for specifics about timing, repayment and who would decide whether to move to a special election. City Treasurer Lynn Prodger provided a fiscal estimate showing three repayment-term options: 20 years (worst-case first-year impact of roughly 1.6 percent on the tax rate), 25 years (about 1.39 percent) and 30 years (about 1.27 percent). Prodger told the council those percentages are percent increases to the overall tax bill under the worst-case single-year issuance scenario and that exact tax-rate effects depend on property valuation changes and other debt in the city’s debt service schedule.

Council members sought legal clarification about what would take effect immediately if the General Assembly passed the enabling language. Solicitor Walsh told the council the assembly's passage would only authorize Warwick to hold a special election; any bonds would require voter approval in that election and later appropriations by the council.

Public commenters were divided. Resident Barry Cook urged caution and asked for clearer detail about how much of the $50 million would be used for schools versus recreation, saying voters deserve clarity. Darlene Netco and other residents said voters previously approved the $350 million and that it is appropriate to let voters decide whether to authorize additional borrowing.

What passed: The council moved, by voice vote, to submit the request to the General Assembly. The motion was made and seconded in council and carried (roll-call vote recorded; individual tallies were not specified in the transcript record available).

Next steps: If the General Assembly approves the enabling language, Warwick officials said the city could schedule a special election as soon as mid‑June, depending on the Secretary of State’s calendar and procedural requirements. Council members said the city would provide full disclosure materials to voters before any special election.","The Warwick City Council voted to ask the Rhode Island General Assembly for authority to place a $50 million bond question on the ballot to cover potential shortfalls on two new high schools and to allow leftover funds for city recreation and athletic facilities.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council confirms members for new Warwick Public Schools Budget Commission

Finance committee approves multiple procurement actions including three‑year electricity rate lock and ice‑plant maintenance increase

Warwick council asks state for authority to hold special election on $50 million school bond