East Providence council approves amphitheater lease, inn license
Makes several appointments in last meeting of session
EAST PROVIDENCE — In its final acts as currently constituted, the East Providence City Council approved both the relicensing of the troubled Rumford Motor Inn and the planned open air amphitheater at Bold Point Park.
The 2014 council held its final meeting of the session Tuesday night, Nov. 29. Then, the body backed both items by 4-0 votes.
Ward 4 councilor Tim Conley, who lost his re-election bid earlier in the month, was absent from the proceedings. Ward 3 councilor Tommy Rose and At-Large councilwoman Tracy Capobianco, neither of whom sought re-election, attended their final meeting as did Ward 2 councilor Helder Cunha, who won elected to the General Assembly this cycle from House District 64. Ward 1 councilman Bobby Britto ran unopposed and is the only sitting member returning to the body.
The renewal of the inn's license has been hotly debated by surrounding neighbors and the business' legal representation. The council gave its approval based on two stipulations, quoted by assistant solicitor Greg Dias: one, the owners will provide the city with a copy of the business' customer rental agreement and, two, it agreed to quarterly licensing reviews.
Mr. Britto, in whose ward the Rumford Motor Inn is located, offered his support of the renewal as he urged the proprietors to "take to heart" the concerns of the residents.
The amphitheater, to be operated by Waterfront Productions LLC, was much more well received. In recommending approval of the agreement between the parties, acting city manager/city solicitor Tim Chapman described the conditions as a "very solid lease."
The three-year agreement gives Waterfront Productions the ability hold between 20-30 events per six-month season, May through October. The company is responsible for all costs related to the events. The city will receive a fee of $1 per paid ticket sold the first year, increasing to $1.10 the second and $1.20 the third. Mr. Chapman estimated between $60,000-$100,000 in revenue, which would go to the city's Parks and Recreation Department.
The agreement is subject to approval from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and the National Parks Service. Waterfront Productions must also submit a parking plan for approval by the city's Waterfront Commission.
In addition, the council gave first approval to an ordinance calling for a no parking zone on North Broadway 50 feet north to Cardona Street.
Also, the council approved the following appointments: Carousel Park Commission, Bruce Rogers; Carousel Park Commission – Alternate, Beverly Lefort; Economic Development, Stephen Costa; Juvenile Hearing Board, Robert Rock and Barbara Connors; and Veterans Committee, Karen Rebello.
