R.I. League of Cities and Towns Announces New Slate of Officers

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns re-elected North Providence Mayor Charles Lombardi as its President and a new slate of officers at its 54^th annual meeting on September 22^nd.

Mayor Lombardi has served as the League’s president since 2020. His second term will start immediately.

“I am honored to continue serving as the League’s President,” said Mayor Charles Lombardi. “Even during the most challenging of times, Rhode Island’s 39 cities and towns have continued to work together to solve issues that persist in all communities, such as infrastructure investments, shared services, and prudently managing federal relief funds.”

Lombardi added “I have no doubt that the officers of the League’s board will continue our strong advocacy work to ensure that cities and towns have a seat at the table at the state-level. The League’s board has the expertise and institutional knowledge to make local government even better through needed efficiencies and innovative practices.”

2020--2024 R.I. League of Cities and Towns Executive Board:

President: Charles A. Lombardi, Mayor, North Providence

Vice-Presidents:

Kenneth Hopkins, Mayor, Cranston

Ralph Mollis, Town Administrator, North Kingstown

Andrew Nota, Town Manager, East Greenwich

James Tierney, Town Manager, Narragansett

Executive Board Members:

Lisa Baldelli-Hunt, Mayor, Woonsocket

Steven Contente, Town Administrator, Bristol

Roberto DaSilva, Mayor, East Providence

Jamie Hainsworth, Town Administrator, Jamestown

Kate Michaud, Town Manager, Warren

Karen Pinch, Town Administrator, Richmond

L. Maria Rivera, Mayor, Central Falls

Randy Rossi, Town Manager, Smithfield

Mark Stankiewicz, Town Administrator, Charlestown

Michael C. Wood, Town Manager, Burrillville

The Board President will make nominations for six remaining members at its next Executive Board meeting in November pursuant to Article VIII, Section 4 of the League Bylaws.

The League expresses its gratitude to Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza and Johnston Mayor Joseph M. Polisena for their service to the League throughout their time in office.

In addition to electing a new slate of officers, the League presented its first ever Excellence in Municipal Government awards. Municipal employees and elected officials were nominated that have made significant contributions to their city or town. The League recognized the following municipal employees who have gone above and beyond in their service to their communities:

• Elizabeth Cook- Martin, Hopkinton Town Clerk

  • For the past thirty years, Cook-Martin has served as the town clerk in Hopkinton, which includes managing the probate court and board of canvassers.

  • Over these 31 years, Lisa has held 23 school and town budget referendums, 11 local elections, and 6 general elections.

  • During her tenure, she was instrumental with introducing technological improvements to optimize service to the community, including vital and land evidence records.

• Chief Michael DeMello, Bristol Fire Department

  • Chief DeMello secured a Port Security Grant that enabled the purchase of a Narraganset Bay Task Force Firefighting Boat that has been serving many shoreline communities.

  • His leadership on various professional boards has increased firefighting professional development and the opening of the RI Fire Academy.

  • During the pandemic, Chief DeMello worked tirelessly with the other local departments to provide testing and vaccination clinics, for all residents.

• David Mambro, Superintendent of Sewer, City of Providence

• With only a small crew, Mambro manages over 450 miles of sewer and storm lines and approximately 12,000 storm drains.

• Mambro is doing more with less saving taxpayers thousands of dollars.

  • For example, the sewer team taught themselves how to repair important fountains within the city, recently saving the City of Providence almost $35,000 in expenses for a minor repair that ended up costing $100.

In addition, the League offered special training sessions for municipal staff and officials, including "Approaches to Maximize Federal Recovery Funds" and "Funding the Future: Broadband in Rhode Island".

About the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns:
Founded in 1968, the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns is a municipal membership organization that serves as the unified voice of local government in Rhode Island. Learn more at www.RILeague.org