[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-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],{"_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",6693151,"mediaKeyId","3635450-dca6ca28bf2d8ac7998895a71f25d6ca","parentId",3635450,"title","Warwick council passes resolution opposing proposed state assault-weapons ban after hours of public testimony","audioSeconds",2027,"startMs",6973000,"endMs",9000000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3635450-dca6ca28bf2d8ac7998895a71f25d6ca&start=6973&end=9000","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3635450-dca6ca28bf2d8ac7998895a71f25d6ca/thumbnail_6973000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6693151/Warwick-City/Kent-County/Rhode-Island/Warwick-council-passes-resolution-opposing-proposed-state-assault-weapons-ban-after-hours-of-public-testimony","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6693151-86247c80715b26724f99d6fde52c5057/orig.mp4?Expires=1771194191&Signature=IksBAaMmn0shD2kN2XWRdQ4zn4VkUdXd-aZ53-796o8igMjmKhxXG-CesrrkqMPzvwgorDmtRd6Nnk9n5jguJypaFNMAqb2lP3OTuQHI2lOCeraIzbu9J9rSfG5kIU~YRRWgt17YIECO3wtptndfEBiCWYNSKERWKp6P9sy1fIyAaoA2a4ctmJxC6zTI17FA-tNQdwHk~uHIa2MQ3ZJDudpAwwTzvdAEN6C9wFru8~T58peWQaRxFr3XJW0jxPV-5SzPzZVTSHzCisP1Ox6z25DzvwX8IJ-3P7icYAJDHabUriwxco2rVN~xZLD0btitSa3cq~J1GxYOsW~mDTWLRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Warwick","date","2025-06-03T03:28:28Z","article","The Warwick City Council on June 2 adopted a resolution opposing recently introduced state legislation commonly described as an “assault weapons” ban, after hours of public comment and extended debate among councilors.

The council’s final action was not a direct endorsement of any single version of state legislation; instead the adopted resolution (as amended on the floor) asked the General Assembly to (1) consider statutory language that more narrowly defines the banned weapons and (2) remove a provision in one House draft that would create a rebuttable presumption about when a weapon was acquired. The council also requested that any state law provide a clear process for issuing duplicate certificates of lawful possession to owners who lose or have damaged their paperwork.

Public testimony: The full council meeting drew a large turnout of residents on both sides of the issue. Supporters of the resolution (opposed to the state ban) said the proposals would criminalize law-abiding owners, harm local businesses that sell firearms and ammunition, and would not deter criminals who obtain weapons illegally. Speakers emphasized rights, economic impacts and property‑storage concerns. Other callers urged the council to support the state bill, arguing that high‑capacity and military‑style weapons have been used in multiple mass shootings and that an assault‑weapon prohibition would reduce the risk of mass casualty shootings; those speakers cited recent U.S. court decisions upholding similar state bans and said the proposed Rhode Island law includes grandfathering provisions and a voluntary certificate of possession.

Council debate and amendment: Council members spoke across the spectrum. Some councilors said the resolution in its original form risked alienating large segments of their wards and argued the subject was principally a state issue best handled by the General Assembly and its hearings. Other councilors said the council has a duty to register the city’s views, particularly because the bills would impose obligations (and potential fiscal burdens) on municipalities. A number of council members — while disagreeing on policy — sought language that might reduce legal risk and unintended consequences for disabled gun owners or others who rely on particular firearm features for safe operation.

Council President David Sanappi proposed an amendment (sub‑A) to narrow the policy request and to suggest a state‑level definition that some other states use. Councilman Napa proposed a second amendment asking the General Assembly to remove language creating a rebuttable presumption (a clause that would shift the burden of proof onto a defendant in certain prosecutions) and to require a procedure for issuing duplicate certificates of lawful possession. The council voted to accept the Napa amendment and then approved the resolution as amended.

Why it matters: The full council’s action is advisory to the state legislature but brings a municipal voice into the debate at the General Assembly. Council members on both sides said they wanted to avoid policies that unintentionally criminalize law‑abiding residents, create administrative burdens for municipalities, or leave owners uncertain whether they are compliant. The adopted language seeks changes at the state level to narrow legal risk and to address the administration of any certificate process.

What’s next: The resolution will be transmitted to Warwick’s legislative delegation and the General Assembly leadership. The state judiciary and legislature will make the final decisions about statutory language, enforcement details and whether to retain, amend or remove the contested provisions referenced by the council.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Warwick City Council Meeting - 6.2.25","oneSentenceSummary","After lengthy public comment and debate, the Warwick City Council on June 2 approved a resolution opposing pending state “assault weapons” legislation but amended its message to ask the General Assembly to remove a provision that would create a rebuttable presumption and to establish a process for duplicate certificates of lawful possession.","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},6693156,"Finance committee approves multiple contract amendments, cuts Lincoln Avenue pipeline award",480,0,480000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3635450-dca6ca28bf2d8ac7998895a71f25d6ca&start=0&end=480","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3635450-dca6ca28bf2d8ac7998895a71f25d6ca/thumbnail_0.jpg","/articles/6693156/Warwick-City/Kent-County/Rhode-Island/Finance-committee-approves-multiple-contract-amendments-cuts-Lincoln-Avenue-pipeline-award","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6693156-b44b1328c6d739fa4e8c8efeceac954e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771194191&Signature=TjBQLftIogNyDfv8fpWO1PgXYQhA~ddAw~bilDbzVsV7b1zPg9igiQGWtktyiozdDfNBFEqSJfarPqt2YckoUmLwTTTp72bXvS-CnHXaEmW1XPR~fkVITi6TOdKKzHVvuzG5W1C4-fwOi2uqn~3dgW8irzwuc3JDwXR4raYVL08Ag52j4rV7Q2tDJ0Dx9Nw7L3geIsegLMm68KNU7F4Y1As75tTd9PQ9ych1OfxTK8Dk3Zei8JBx8RbyDBe6qawsw9zXtClmnx75WYAnSRC9noejs5xFU-iAn7FxmPjRbei02noSvhbAfUnYtiYoTpY21dt2t7vSpr2697pVmQw5Eg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Warwick’s Finance Committee voted June 2 to approve a bundle of contract awards and amendments affecting water, public works, IT and public safety operations.

The committee amended the award for the 29 Lincoln Avenue water-main replacement project, reducing the previously proposed $1,000,000 award to $694,380. Public Works Director Eric Earls told the committee the reduced award reflects the successful low bid ($587,650) plus a 20% contingency ($115,730). Earls and council members said the project is a straightforward replacement of about 600 linear feet of cast-iron pipe with PVC and that Stantec, the city’s consultant, had vetted the bidder and did not expect the large overruns seen on unrelated projects. The committee approved the amendment and then the item as amended.

Also approved:
- Adding Pete’s Tire Barn as an additional vendor on an existing city tire bid for the remainder of the contract term (no additional funding requested). Christy Moretti (Public Works) said the vendor is local to Providence and will provide a local option when primary vendors lack specific tire sizes for sanitation and emergency vehicles.
- A contract alteration and extension for Rossi Collections (tax collection services) with an additional $150,000 to pursue collection on delinquent motor-vehicle and personal-property tax accounts. Kyla Jones, Tax Collector, said Rossi has collected more than $950,000 on prior letters and will continue collection activity on roughly 1,800 delinquent accounts totaling about $3,000,000 in owed taxes dating back to 2016. The contract pays Rossi on a contingency basis: 14.5% of amounts collected via the letter campaign and 24% if accounts require litigation.
- A one-year contract award for telephony services to Cox Communications for an estimated $121,000 (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026). IT Director Phil (Bill) Carlucci said the award covers the city’s VOIP desk-phone system (city side only, not schools) and reflected an exception to bid.
- A two-year award for analytical testing of water samples to Rhode Island Analytical with an amended two‑year funding cap reduced from $120,000 to $60,000; the committee approved the reduction and the award for the period 06/09/2025–06/08/2027.
- Network-connectivity services piggybacking the state MPA at roughly $117,600 for 07/01/2025–06/30/2026; Carlucci said the small net increase over last year stems from additional managed switches tied to new equipment (for example, body-worn camera infrastructure) rather than an increase in vendor per-port rates.
- A requested increase in the Safeguard work-boot program to reflect a new collective-bargaining benefit (city reimbursement up to $150 per eligible employee, and eligible employees increased from 102 to 149). Personnel Director Steven Rotondo explained the higher cap is the arithmetic result of more employees eligible and a higher per-person reimbursement; he said unused money returns to the general fund.
- A contract to refurbish an existing Zamboni rather than buying a new machine, after an onsite evaluation found the stored unit could be repaired for a fraction of the cost of a new machine and better suited for an outdoor rink.

Committee members pressed for clarifications on several items: councilors asked whether funds for Lincoln Avenue were new or carried over (Earls said design funds were carried from prior years, while the construction award was new), who would oversee contractor paperwork (Mike DiPietrillo, capital projects supervisor), and why several bid items reached the committee late in the cycle (staff requested more lead time going forward). Jones (Tax Collector) also agreed to supply the finance committee with the number and total of accounts beyond the 10‑year window the city had turned over to the collection firm.

The committee’s approvals were made by voice vote during the meeting; items with amendments were voted as amended.

Why it matters: the package covers a large set of operational needs — from immediate vehicle maintenance and water quality testing to revenue collection and stand‑up of technology services — and includes a pipeline construction award that will affect service and capital spending in at least one ward. Several councilors said they want tighter timing on bid packaging to avoid last-minute requests and more clarity on carryover versus newly budgeted funds.

What’s next: amended awards and contracts proceed to the council or are implemented per the city procurement rules; staff committed to follow-up memos with the committee on carryover accounting, the tax-collection aging reports beyond 2016–2023, and oversight assignments for the Lincoln Avenue construction phase.","Warwick’s finance committee on June 2 approved a series of procurement actions and contract amendments, including an amended award for the 29 Lincoln Avenue pipeline project reduced from $1,000,000 to $694,380; extensions and vendor additions for tires, telephony and lab testing; and a contract to refurbish a Zamboni for a city rink.","actionData","errors"]

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Warwick council passes resolution opposing proposed state assault-weapons ban after hours of public testimony

Finance committee approves multiple contract amendments, cuts Lincoln Avenue pipeline award