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Residents press council for status update on Fruit Hill stormwater grants
Summary
Councilman LaPorteo and residents urged the council to seek an update from the administration and engineering on two awarded Fruit Hill grants — $80,500 for plans and designs and $639,000 for stormwater/drainage work — after persistent localized flooding and orange-colored runoff were reported on Waseota/Wasioto Street.
North Providence residents and a council member asked the council on June 3 to press the administration for a status update on two grants awarded for the Fruit Hill neighborhood, citing long-running flooding and safety concerns.
Councilman LaPorteo said the town received two grants: an $80,500 award from the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank for plans and designs, and a $639,000 grant for stormwater and drainage work. Residents in the Foothill (Fruit Hill) area — especially the end of Waseota Street (transcript spellings included “Waseota” and “Wasioto”) — reported recurring brown/orange water flowing across the roadway year-round and major icing in winter that creates hazardous conditions.
Resident Jim Curtis described repeated flooding at the dead end of Waseota/Wasioto Avenue and said the flow causes sheet ice in winter and has persisted for “maybe three years.” He said the volume of water suggests an underground source or failed pipe and asked why Public Works or an engineering firm has not advanced long-term repairs.
Council members said the issue cannot move forward without design plans. LaPorteo asked whether an engineer has been engaged and when plans would be completed; he moved that the council send a letter to the administration requesting a clear explanation of what stage the project is at with design and implementation. The motion — to request an administration update and confirm the design/engineering status for the Fruit Hill grants — passed unanimously.
Background and next steps
- Grants discussed: $80,500 for planning and design (Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank) and $639,000 for stormwater/drainage (award dated to early 2024; Councilman referenced contacts from Senator Reed’s office).
- Area affected: Foothill/Fruit Hill section, specifically Waseota/Wasioto Street (residents gave variant spellings in the transcript). Council asked DPW and the administration whether an engineer had been engaged and whether plans exist; they directed staff to provide a formal update back to the council.
- The council also noted other nearby safety issues (a problematic overhanging tree) and asked for those matters to be addressed along with the drainage work.
The motion will generate correspondence from the council to the administration asking for an explanation of the design stage and timetable. Council members said residents need concrete timelines and engineering plans before Public Works can move to construction.
