*Editor’s Note: The following is an excerpt taken from Councilman Robert Ferri’s regular newsletter sent out to his constituents. The entirety of the newsletter gave an outline of happenings at the most recent City Council meeting, and it  was released on October 26.

Last year the City Council allocated up to 4 million dollars in Covid Funds to fix or build a pool.  This is added to the federal Grant of $750,000.  We did so in good faith because everyone wanted a pool opened in 2024.  The mistake we made was that we did not put any restrictions on the funds.  We were told several times by the mayor and his administration “Tell us what to build and we will listen”.  Well, the bottom line is that we have spoken, the people have spoken, we told the mayor what we wanted and he still did not listen.  He is building what he wants.  We as a council are powerless to stop him.  We will get an 8,000 sq. ft. pool that is resort style shaped, not rectangular in shape, roughly 1/3 the size of the existing pool. Whoever thought the mayor would just do what he wanted after so much opposition.

I also expressed that the whole decision to spend the 4 million dollars plus the $750,000 grant is backwards.  You never tell any supplier what you want to spend ahead of a bid.  That is what the administration has done. So, we will get less for our money.  That is simply how business works.

If you ever have a question or would like to be heard, please feel free to contact me at  ferriforcranston@gmail.com

Thanks,

Robert (Ferri, Cranston City-wide Councilman)