The East Providence
eporter R
MARCH 2013 Volume 9, no. 3
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Serving the Community and Businesses of East Providence
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Spring Home & Garden See page 35
Budget Commission Charges City $1/4 Million $245,339 Taken From EP City General Fund
By Bob Rodericks Since they arrived in East Providence on December 11, 2011, the budget commission strongly asserted to city residents that they were here at “no cost to the taxpayers”. Former chairman and current member Michael O’Keefe, often told anyone who asked, “we are here at no cost to you. We are already on the state payroll and are just loaned to this effort...”. However, upon following up on news sources, The Reporter has confirmed last month that the budget commission had billed the city council for $245, 339 with no discussion. The city was billed for the period of December, 2011 through October 31, 2012. “The money was not budgeted, it just came from the city’s general fund,” said a commissioner staffer. The payment was confirmed by Michael O’Keefe. When reminded that O’Keefe often told people that the commission was not costing East Providence “one dime”, he relented and acknowledged the payment. “Well, the state decided that the effort was more than expected,” said O’Keefe. Were you surprised?, O’Keefe was asked. “Well, yes, I was a bit surprised,” he said. “There was more work here than expected,” said O’Keefe. Staffers also stated that there would be more bills to the city going forward. continued on page 6...
East Providence’s Hidden Treasures at Hunt’s Mills:
Waterfalls, a Fish Ladder, a Loof Carousel Site, Writing Etched Into Rocks, Your Ancestors... The Denil fish ladder at Hunts Mills; Read what's happening at The East Providence Historical Society on page 11...