Cranston public meetings in 2024
3 substantive meetings from 2024, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Regular City Council Meeting
The Cranston City Council unanimously ratified the collective bargaining agreement with AFSCME Local 2044 covering school employees for 2024-2027, approved real estate tax abatements and tax interest waivers, and confirmed Stephen Piscopiello as Parks and Recreation Director. The council also adopted ordinances amending the sidewalk cost share program and adding a stop intersection at Flint Ave and Packard St., and referred a petition to abandon part of Elmhurst Avenue back to the Public Works Committee.
- Ratified school union contract with AFSCME Local 2044 (unanimous)
- Approved real estate tax abatements as requested by Tax Assessor (unanimous)
- Approved tax interest waivers for November 2024 (unanimous)
- Appointed Stephen Piscopiello as Parks and Recreation Director (unanimous)
- Adopted Ordinance 10-24-01 amending sidewalk cost share program (unanimous)
- Adopted Ordinance 9-24-02 adding stop intersection at Flint Ave & Packard St. (unanimous)
- Referred Elmhurst Avenue abandonment petition back to Public Works Committee (unanimous)
- Approved 2025 meeting calendar for Council and committees (unanimous)
Regular City Council Meeting
The Cranston City Council approved an amended ordinance regulating door-to-door soliciting, requiring applicants to obtain multi-state background checks at their own expense. It also passed a new zoning ordinance on fences and walls, capping residential fences at 6 feet unless a valid reason exists, with a 7-2 vote. The council created a subcommittee on homeless encampments and appointed Justin Erickson as Republican alternate to the Canvassing Authority. Several other items, including an independent investigation resolution and a 4-way stop request, were referred to committees.
- Approved Ordinance 05-24-03 (soliciting at houses) as amended, requiring BCI and NCIC background checks at applicant's expense (9-0)
- Approved Ordinance 08-24-06 (fences and walls) adding Chapter 17.124, capping residential fences at 6ft unless unnecessarily exceeded (7-2)
- Approved Resolution creating a Sub-Committee on Homeless Encampments (9-0)
- Appointed Justin Erickson as Republican Alternate to the Cranston Canvassing Authority (9-0)
- Approved real estate and motor vehicle tax abatements as requested by Tax Assessor (9-0 each)
- Ratified School Committee collective bargaining agreements with NAGE Local RI-153 and RI Laborers District Council 1322 (9-0 each)
- Referred resolution for independent investigation into lawsuit against Mayor and city employees to Finance Committee
- Referred ordinance adding 4-way stop at Packard St. and Flint Ave. to Ordinance Committee
Regular City Council Meeting
The Cranston City Council failed to override Mayor Hopkins' veto of the zone change at 0 Sage Drive, with a 5-3 vote (one recusal) falling short of the required two-thirds majority. The council unanimously approved two new liquor licenses, tax abatements, a police union agreement, and several appointments. New business items, including a sidewalk cost share program and a panhandling ordinance repeal, were referred to committees.
- Override of mayoral veto for 0 Sage Drive zone change failed (5-3, 1 recusal)
- Approved Class BV liquor license for Iannuccilli II at 1785 Cranston St. (9-0)
- Approved Class BV liquor license for Mexico City Tacos & Tequila at 1177 Reservoir Ave. (9-0)
- Approved real estate and tangible tax abatements as recommended (9-0)
- Approved tax interest waivers for June 2024 (9-0)
- Ratified IBPO Local 301 collective bargaining agreement (9-0)
- Appointed Lisa D. Kirshenbaum to Public Library Board of Trustees (9-0)
- Re-appointed Ivy Swinski to Zoning Board of Review (9-0)