Temporary starting to feel permanent

Mayor to explore future of city offices once insurance claim is settled

By John Howell
Posted 3/27/18

By JOHN HOWELL It's been three months since city employees reporting for work discovered that a pipe had burst in the City Hall Annex, soaking records in the tax assessor's office and causing ceiling titles to crumble. Mayor Scott Avedisian acted

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Temporary starting to feel permanent

Mayor to explore future of city offices once insurance claim is settled

Posted

It’s been three months since city employees reporting for work discovered that a pipe had burst in the City Hall Annex, soaking records in the tax assessor’s office and causing ceiling titles to crumble.

Mayor Scott Avedisian acted quickly. Even though many offices had not sustained damage, the building was closed to the public and, with the exception of the tax collector, moved to the former Greene School next to school administrative offices in the former Gorton Junior High School on Draper Avenue.

As the incident happened during the January tax payment period and many taxpayers prefer to make payments in person, the collector’s office was relocated in the basement of City Hall. Avedisian notes that everyone rallied and, making the best of a bad situation, carried on city business from makeshift offices crafted out of rental tables and chairs.

But now with furniture from the annex replacing rentals, what were “emergency” accommodations have taken on the appearance of becoming permanent. Rooms designed to hold 30 students have been subdivided into offices with shoulder-high dividers. There’s little privacy and members of the public, whether there to discuss the need to obtain a building permit, a proposed plan for a significant development or to learn what tax abatements they may be eligible to receive, find they are talking to a room full of people.

Seemingly another indication that what was designed to be temporary could become a long haul, tax collectors will be relocated to Greene next Monday. Partitions are in place and chairs for those waiting to pay their taxes line the corridor.

Questions have been raised as to whether the former school meets fire codes and is properly ADA compliant now that it is a public building. Last week, the administration sought bids to have at least one set of electrically operated handicapped accessible doors installed.

In an interview Monday, Avedisian referred to the offices at Greene as temporary. He would like to see municipal offices centralized, if not adjacent, to City Hall.

The Planning Department has analyzed the options, providing the mayor with an evaluation of vacant city buildings and Wickes and Randall Holden Schools that will become available after June. The report considers the space available in each of the buildings as well as the projected cost of converting them to offices. It also looks at renovating the existing annex or leveling it and rebuilding.

Of the proposals, other than rebuilding or building new offices next to City Hall, Avedisian points out the former Buttonwoods Community Center and the former Apponaug School, which are now law offices, could provide adequate space within proximity of City Hall.

But Avedisian isn’t prepared to talk about options until the city reaches an agreement with the Rhode Island Interlocal Risk Management Trust on insurance claims for damages at the annex. He said a private adjuster is working with the trust and that he expects a resolution shortly.

“Then the question is do we take the cash and do something different,” he said.

And while the council and the mayor have been at odds over most issues regarding finances, Council Finance Committee Chairman Ed Ladouceur agreed Monday that an insurance settlement is the first step.

“The priority right now is getting what we’re entitled to from the trust,” he said.

He doesn’t expect that to come easily, either.

“The insurance company is not your friend except when they’re taking your money,” he said.

As for where municipal offices should be located, Ladouceur said, “We’re at a crossroad right now. We need to put all the options on the table.”

He also feels there is some urgency to the situation as conditions at Greene function but are less than desirable.

“The longer we wait the more difficult it is to conduct business,” he said.

Asked about financing a renovated or new building, Ladouceur didn’t rule out the possibility of having a third party build the building and the city leasing back the space as Cranston did with its police station, using a portion of city reserves and even building a building large enough to rent out offices to help offset costs.

Preferring to wait for an insurance settlement, Avedisian didn’t get into a discussion of the possible funding sources. Apart from relocating the tax collector’s office, he said the administration is looking into fire code compliances now that most of the building is not be used for school purposes. West Bay Collaborative is using a portion of the former school.

He said that examination was prompted by a request for information filed by public activists Roger Durand and Stacia Huyler, who ran as a Republican for mayor in 2014 and for state representative in 2016.

Avedisian said the state fire marshal would be touring the former school this week.

Comments

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  • richardcorrente

    It appears to me that everyone (including the Mayor) is doing the best they can with a bad set of circumstances and since no one (including me) can think of a better idea, I believe we all have to agree that the current idea is the best one available. It's certainly not ideal surroundings but a lot of people are putting a lot of effort into this, and I think they all deserve our support and a vote of confidence, especially the city workers that were displaced.

    Happy Easter everyone.

    Rick Corrente

    The Taxpayers Mayor

    Tuesday, March 27, 2018 Report this

  • Bob_Cushman

    So let me get this straight, it was a Warwick resident that requested to see the documentation proving the facility was ADA compliant? Shouldn't the Mayor have thought about this before determining that the general public and employees could use the building? Amazing the level of incompetence. What other factors were simply ignored?

    Tuesday, March 27, 2018 Report this

  • Thecaptain

    Mr. Corrente, aka THE DUMBEST GUY IN WARWICK.

    Take this message as a warning. If you even think about making another comment to anyone or on any blog that I am "stealing" your "campaign signs", you will have the 17th civil suit lodged against you as the defendant so freakin fast that your head will spin. I do not make idle threats, just ask your girlfriend Camille. I will drag you through the court system so viciously that you will have to sell your offspring to the Somali pirates to make ends meet.

    Also - every "campaign sign" that you tape to traffic control boxes will be removed by me, and by others, in accordance with state regulations. If you ever again make the statement that I removed your signs from private property, trust me, you will suffer financially like you never have before. Just temp me, I have been bored lately and I enjoy litigation more than fishing. Just ask your girl Camille.

    You are a Putz that knows nothing about ordinances, law, or how to comport yourself in public. I am almost aroused by the thought of humiliating you in a court room. You would be so intellectually pummeled beyond belief. You will not get another warning.

    Rob Cote

    Wednesday, March 28, 2018 Report this

  • Thecaptain

    And by the way MAYOR DUMBNESS, I find it interesting that you just gave your girl fiend Camille the snake Wilkinson a donation for $1000 when you have been tax delinquent for 4 years in this city. Not only do you have the audacity to run for office after screwing your neighbors and not paying YOUR FAIR SHARE, but you contribute to the dope Wilkinson, who turned her back on the taxpayers of Warwick and allowed the reckless spending and abuse to continue without ever asking a single question. Then, the scumbag that she is, campaigns on fighting the tolls, and then gets elected and votes for the tolls. You have aligned yourself with people that would sell their mothers uterus for a vote.

    By the way, Im still dying to debate you on city issues anytime , any place. Just bring it on.

    Wednesday, March 28, 2018 Report this

  • RISchadenfreude

    Gotta love Cap'n Crunch's unhinged rants- the most entertaining thing in the Beacon!

    Doesn't take much to rile up the old fool, and there is medication available (Paxil?), and a hobby would probably help.

    Thursday, March 29, 2018 Report this

  • richardcorrente

    Dear RISchadenfreude,

    Rob Cote has admitted he stole my campaign signs. He is a thief. Whether they are on an electrical box or not is not for him to judge, but he always does. He is a thief. He also lies about me almost daily. I have never filed for bankruptcy. I have never been a squatter. I have never driven my car unregistered (especially for three straight years!) I have never had my lender pay my real estate taxes late. Ever. Cote is an uncontrollable liar. He slams ever one of my ideas but has never, ever presented one of his own. I guess he can't think of better ideas than mine.

    I did enjoy your comments though. LOL

    Happy Easter RISchadenfreude.

    Happy Easter everyone.

    Rick Corrente

    The Taxpayers Mayor

    Thursday, March 29, 2018 Report this

  • Scal1024

    Rick, what town was your vehicle registered in for the 3 years it was off the Warwick tax rolls? Your car oddly disappears from Warwicks tax rolls after multiple years of late payments. Since the vehicle wasn't registered in Warwick (not on the tax rolls for 3 years) it would have to be registered in another town in order for the taxes to be paid by law. So again I ask what town was your vehicle registered in? If you cannot answer the question, I would advise that you owe the city 3 years worth of car taxes.

    Why wasn't rent listed under your campaign account finances? What type of agreement was reached with the landlord (who conveniently paid your back taxes on your home for you) in order for you to not list rent as a campaign expense? What type of backdoor deal was made behind closed doors. You are a snake oil salesman and as soon as more voters realize this you will be embarrassed even worse this election cycle.

    Rick Corrente- "The Tax Delinquents Mayor"

    Thursday, March 29, 2018 Report this

  • richardcorrente

    Dear Scal1024,

    Here is your answer...again.

    My car was registered in Warwick EVERY YEAR from 2007 to present. It was registered with the registry of Motor Vehicles EVERY YEAR IN WARWICK from 2007 through present. All taxes were paid EVERY YEAR. My car was insured with Butler and Messier EVERY YEAR from 2007 through present.

    But you already know that.

    I already told you that. In writing.

    And let's be straight with each other Scal,; if I didn't pay my taxes how in Gods name would I be able to register it AFTER 2012?? C'mon Scal! You're smarter than to fall for Cote's lies, aren't you? Do you really think that Mayor Avedisians employee, the Tax Assessor, would let me slide for three years??? Are you kidding me Scal?

    Your next question has also been already answered but I'll do it again, just in case you're pretending not to remember.

    You said "Why was rent not listed on my Mayoral Campaign expense for my campaign headquarters?" That is because Bankers Mortgage Corporation (owned by me) didn't charge the candidate (also me) any rent. That's perfectly legal and ethical Scal. But you already knew that too, didn't you Scal?

    Scal, be careful. Rob Cote is stealing my signs and lying about me. If you repeat his lies, you accept the responsibility for them. I shouldn't have to answer these questions over and over. Defamation of character without proof can, and will be costly. Don't be part of it unless you can prove it. And Scal, you can't because it's another Rob Cote lie.

    Happy Easter Scal1024.

    Happy Easter everyone.

    Rick Corrente

    The Taxpayers Mayor

    Thursday, March 29, 2018 Report this

  • Scal1024

    The years in question on the tax rolls are 2013, 2014, 2015.

    I could care less about your campaign signs other than to say they're littered all over the city. If ANY candidate from either party posted as many signs, in as many places as you have all over the city I would say the same thing. If you can't get your name out in 2 years shame on you, voters shouldn't have to look at signs that you put up in busy traffic areas.

    Lastly, is the person who owns Gateway Plaza (the place where your business and "campaign headquarters" is located) the same person that paid your back taxes for you? What is your relationship with this person? Did you acquire the office space the same time your taxes were paid by this gentlemen? What type of agreement was made for you to move in to the plaza?

    You are someone who thinks you're always the smartest guy in the room, you have been exposed as a liar multiple times. These aren't Rob Cote's numbers Rick, its public record.

    Thursday, March 29, 2018 Report this

  • richardcorrente

    Dear readers,

    Rob Cote lied...again.

    He said (in his second comment on this article) that I gave Camille Vella-Wilkenson a donation of $1,000.

    Even Camille got a laugh out of that whopper. Anyone who believes that lie can just try and find a donation on my Board of Elections reports. You won't because it's just not true. I never gave ANYONE $1,000. Rob Cote lied...again.

    Please don't believe anything he says.

    Thank you.

    Rick Corrente

    The Taxpayers Mayor

    Thursday, March 29, 2018 Report this

  • richardcorrente

    Dear Scal1024,

    You have to get together with Rob Cote and get your stories straight. He says I didn't pay my car taxes for 2010, 2011, and 2012. You say "The years in question are 2013, 2014,and 2015." Please re-read my answer to your last rant where I said "2007 through present". That covers those three years Scal! c'mon Scal1024. Who are you trying to con Scal??

    At least when Rob Cote does it, he uses his real name. You're too cowardly to even identify yourself.

    Sad.

    Happy Easter anyway Scal1024.

    Happy Easter everyone.

    Rick Corrente

    The Taxpayers Mayor

    Thursday, March 29, 2018 Report this

  • CrickeeRaven

    See, Scal, the fake "mayor" proves again that he thinks voters are too stupid to do their own research.

    Visit this website and enter BANKRS in the License plate number line: https://www.citizenselfservice.com/MSSProd/citizens/MotorVehicle/Default.aspx

    You will see, indeed, that the registration was not valid from 2013-2015.

    And for all his bluster, the fake "mayor" STILL has not answered why he paid office rent from his campaign account in 2016 to the same person who previously paid the delinquent tax bills on the fake "mayor's" residence.

    Claiming that changing the source of the payment from his campaign to his mortgage company is legal does NOT answer the underlying ethically questionable activity.

    Don't be intimidated by his pathetic threats, either. He is running for office and, as such, is a public figure which means any claim of "defamation" is, prima facie, unsupported by the law. As we have seen all too often, he is content with ignoring facts and evidence and somehow thinks he should be taken seriously as a candidate.

    He is wrong. He has been proven a liar on many subjects, and he will find himself soundly rejected by honest, taxpaying voters again this November.

    Thursday, March 29, 2018 Report this

  • Norm88

    Sadly by law he could sue you if for no other reason then to cost you money for an attorney. Public and private figures are beholden to different defamation standards in Rhode Island. Public persons must prove that defendants acted with “actual malice.” Private individuals, typically, are only required to show negligence or reckless disregard for the truth.

    Friday, March 30, 2018 Report this

  • CrickeeRaven

    And what "actual malice" do you think the fake "mayor" could claim, Norm? Any replies to him have been within the scope of a political debate that he, himself, is maintaining by giving himself a political title and continuing to post clearly political statements.

    You missed that part, Norm. He's not a generic public figure; he's a candidate for political office, which raises the legal standard far beyond what you suggest.

    But by all means, give the fake "mayor" false hope that threatening online commenters is a better use of his time than making factual statements.

    Friday, March 30, 2018 Report this

  • Scal1024

    Its always the same response from Rick Corrente which is to attack the commenter rather than answer the question. More lies and double speak by the uninformed, blowhard, pandering fake mayor.

    Two of the strongest opponents of Mayor Avedesian- Rob Cote and Stacia Huyler (Petri) have spoken out against Ricks candidacy. Think about that for a second...2 people who vehemently oppose everything Mayor Avedesian does (Cote and Huyler) have spoken out against his challenger Rick Corrente. If that doesn't speak to how dangerous and uninformed Rick Corrente is than I don't know what will.

    I have been a huge critic of Stacia but I will say atleast she knows how government functions. She didn't run on false promises like this lying lunatic.

    I've been critical of Rob Cote on here at times. We don't agree on everything but again we agree on how damaging a Corrente candidacy could be.

    Rob Cote has explained on here (correct me if I'm wrong) that he recieved copies of Corrente's litigation history in the mail. Somebody knew what a terrible record Corrente had (late tax payments, living in a home rent free while being evicted) and decided to send that information to one of Mayor Avedesians harshest critics. Why? They knew the information was so damning that Rob would have to go public with Corrente's garbage record.

    It all speaks to what kind of person Rick is. He lies right to the face of voters, he falsely claims credit for things he's had ZERO to do with, he calls himself the "taxpayers mayor" a nickname he made up for himself because he's too dumb to win a job on his own, not to mention the "taxpayers mayor" can't ever bother to pay his taxes on time. The city of Warwick deserves better than this snake oil sales fraud! What town was your car registered in '13-'15??? It wasn't listed in Warwick so answer very carefully Rick.

    Friday, March 30, 2018 Report this

  • FASTFREDWARD4

    I

    Friday, March 30, 2018 Report this

  • FASTFREDWARD4

    Still waiting with the warwick fire dept. Still nothing yet.

    Friday, March 30, 2018 Report this

  • Thecaptain

    Dear MAYOR DUMBNESS Richard Corrente,

    You continue to make claims that I am "stealing" your signs. Let me explain this to you in a manner that I would explain something to a third grader.

    1. As soon as you place a sign on a structure on state or city property, you no longer own it. By state law, it can be removed BY ANYONE AT ANYTIME! Do you understand that you simpleton? By the way, i informed the WPD Oof that statute when they called me last week after you made a complaint that I am "stealing your signs".

    2. As you continue to litter the traffic control boxes around the city with your pathetic signs, I along with several other people will immediately remove them and dispose of them in accordance with state law.

    3. You continue to deny your relationship with Clayton Shackleton who owns the Gateway Plaza, who paid your back taxes and tax sale fees, and to who you cut checks to from your campaign account in the amount of $4000. Yet you refuse to acknowledge that. Why?

    4. You track record of litigation as a defendant 17 times indicates that clearly you have an integrity problem.

    5. While you were squatting at 177 Grand your Lawyer George Babcock, overdosed on crack and eventually died. Nice choice of people to be associated with.

    6. You continually say that you sued your lender "AND WON" yet you have no documents to prove that, and the court documents that I have in my possession prove otherwise. You have my email address, so send me the documents that prove YOU WON!

    7. Your a liar.

    8. Your a tax cheat.

    9. Your a panderer.

    10. You are a lousy fisherman. !!

    Saturday, March 31, 2018 Report this

  • Thecaptain

    Well, here is more evidence of the liar Corrente taken from the Board of Elections web site of Camille Wilkinson campaign donations.

    Prefix First Name MI Last Name or PAC/Party Committee Name Suffix

    Richard Corrente

    Street Address

    177 Grand View Road

    City State Zip

    Warwick RI 02886

    Employer Name Bankers Mortgage Corporation

    Contributor Information Employer Data

    Street Address

    1050 Main St # 16

    City State Zip

    East Greenwich RI 02818

    Item Receipt Date Deposit Date Contribution Amount

    11/3/2017 12/7/2017 50.00

    Transaction Type Contribution Type

    Check Individual

    Here is what is more interesting:

    On 12/7/2017, Richard Corrente did not have an office located at 1050 Main St. E. Greenwich as he was booted from that location almost a year and a half before due to a rent dispute with his female landlord Sharon Stone. Corrente attempted to sue her in Small claims court , however, his case was dismissed.

    Corrente was ousted from 177 Grand View Dr. through force-able eviction more than a year before he wrote this check and claimed his residence at the above address. MORE CAMPAIGN VIOLATIONS that will be immediately brought to the attention of Richard Thornton.

    So on a legal document we have the tax cheat mayor falsely indicating that both where his business is located and where he resides. And that check, with numerous others, were given to Camille the rat Wilkinson who (mush like Corrente) is a deceptive liar.

    Saturday, March 31, 2018 Report this

  • CrickeeRaven

    Hello Thecaptain:

    Thank you for that update on another of the fake "mayor's" legal issues.

    You may also find the following links helpful:

    https://bit.ly/2uCbvpW -- this one shows all of the contributions made to Camille Vella-Wilkinson by the fake "mayor," totalling $650, between March, 2015 and November, 2017.

    https://bit.ly/2uDoaZG -- this one shows the 98 PAC contributions totalling $18,555 to Vella-Wilkinson since 2012. This one is particularly ironic, given the fake "mayor's" claims about Mayor Avedisian's "PAC checks." You may recall that he falsely claimed that Mayor Avedisian "took 237 [or 238, the fake "mayor" has claimed both] PAC checks" in the last campaign, when the total was actually less than 30.

    One would also think that a candidate who is so vocally opposed to PAC contributions might not make such a public show of support for a candidate who herself takes "PAC checks." Then again, it's the fake "mayor" we're talking about -- as he has proven so often, he will simply ignore information and pretend it doesn't exist if it somehow disproves his statements.

    Saturday, March 31, 2018 Report this

  • RISchadenfreude

    Two whole comments devoted to the actual article...*Sigh*...

    Tuesday, April 3, 2018 Report this

  • Kammy

    Corrente Contributions to Vella-Wilkinson:

    03/23/2015 - $100.00

    11/12/2015- $100.00

    04/3/2016 - $100.00

    04/28/2016 - $100.00

    08/23/216 - $100.00

    10/27/2016 - $100.00

    I can totally understand why you and Camilla were laughing at the outrageous claim of 1K in donations. It was only $500 silly! One big donation for a Teachers Ad in the Beacon on 9/13/2016 for $1,000.00. That may be what Mr. Cote was referencing. Followed up with a donation to Karen Bachus for $100 on 10/18/2016. That is a pretty big donation for a group/union that didn't official back you. But, I know, I know, the teachers are the true victim in the contract negotiations with the WSC and Avedisian playing the role of the evil empire.

    You have also donated money to all but 1 Warwick City Council member.

    Corley - $$150.00

    Rix - $150.00

    Howe - $200.00

    Solomon - $35.00

    Ladoucer - $350.00

    Travis - $350.00

    Gallucci - $25.00

    Merolla - $125.00

    It is always good to keep the council on your good side so I commend you for the effort.

    Now for Scal1024 statements. It is clear when you do a search of your vehicle on the Warwick Tax Collectors Site that there is no bill for your registered plate BANKRS for years 2013, 2014 and 2015. There is no record of payments for 3 years online. You have stated you have documentation to prove that you paid. Wouldn't it be prudent to provide said documentation to the tax collectors office so they can fix the error online? That would do away with this argument once and for all. I did a search of my own vehicle and my record of payment is online from 2005 to present. As far as the public is concerned, No online bill, no payment. I would think that our city would want to make sure the information online is correct and up-to-date, don't you?

    If I was running for elected office, I for sure would want to make sure all my ducks were in a row considering the amount of scrutiny that comes from such running . Proof and facts are required to back up statements. Make it public record and you will not be bothered by this argument. It is a win-win deal!

    Thursday, April 5, 2018 Report this