The awardee from the City of East Providence is Chief of Staff Patricia Resende whoserves as the “right hand woman” to Mayor Bob DaSilva. In spearheading the city’s website overhaul, launching the budget portal, creating a public access show and launching a city newsletter, Patricia has improved transparency and made it easier than ever for residents to utilize city resources. Her leadership is instrumental to the people of East Providence. Patricia is also a graduate of the Rhode Island League's Municipal Leadership Academy.

From the Town of North Providence, G. Richard (Dick) Fossa has just retired after a remarkable 53 years of public service. Serving as mayor, president of the town council, a member of the school board, and Mayor Lombardi’s chief of staff, Dick’s contributions are innumerable but include replacing and repairing various education buildings in disrepair, including modernizing the outdated high school with new facilities. Dick exemplifies the very best of public leadership.

The Town Planner from the Town of North Smithfield,Mark Carruolo, has had an extraordinary impact on town operations. He has streamlined regulations, re-written ordinances, and facilitated quality projects throughout the community. Mark shows great respect for residents and fellow staff members alike and maintains a smile even on the most challenging of days. 

The League of Cities and Towns congratulates all the winners and thanks each of them for their service to Rhode Island's communities.

The Municipal Leadership Academy (MLA) is designed to provide leadership skills training as well as networking opportunities and information sharing to a selected group of municipal employees across Rhode Island's cities and towns. 

The Spring 2025 cohort includes:

Captain Ken Gebo, Coventry Police Department, Town of Coventry

Keith Brynes, Planner, City of East Providence

Lillian Frye, Town Clerk, Town of Lincoln

Nick Armour, Zoning Officer, City of Newport

Caitlin Choiniere, Finance Director, Town of Smithfield

Christian Garcia, Director of Recovery, City of Providence

Shirley Fraticelli-Miller, Federal Projects & Lead Hazard Reduction Controller, City of Woonsocket

Francis Gomez, Director of Purchasing, City of Warwick

Wendy Bulk, Director of Parks and Recreation, Town of Portsmouth

Jessica Dennett, Finance Assistant, Town of Scituate

Kate Glass, Communications Director & Executive Assistant, Town of North Kingstown

Jason Pettinato, Planner, City of Pawtucket

Ernie Tommasiello, Director of Community Development, City of Cranston

Stephen Daignault, Director of Public Works, Town of Narragansett

The Crowne Plaza at the Crossings in Warwick, Rhode Island, was the gathering site for hundreds of city and town leaders, employees, vendors, and subject matter experts for a day of 'all things municipal' at the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns' Annual Convention on Thursday, March 20, 2025. The event drew a record number of attendees who came for a day of education sessions, vendor meetings and expo, and to network with colleagues across the state. 

“We love to see Rhode Island’s communities coming together. This year was the largest convention in our history, and it was wonderful to see so many cities and towns collaborating with one another and with the many fantastic businesses and organizations that continue to support the League and our municipalities. Together, we’re working to make Rhode Island a better place to live and work,” said Randy Rossi, executive director of the League.

Participants selected from a menu of 20 educational presentations on a range of topics including employee engagement, cybersecurity for election officials, resources for municipal housing needs, as well as multiple sessions on the impact of artificial intelligence in city and town operations.

Over 100 vendors turned out to share information about their products and services with city and town employees at the expo portion of the convention. Municipal attendees got to test out interactive playground equipment, learn about software to speed up operations, and gain connections and ideas for money-saving practices. 

Capping off the day was a raffle with exciting prizes generously donated by the convention sponsors and vendors as well as a general session offered by the Rhode Island Interlocal Risk Management Trust on 'Navigating First Amendment Audits'. 

Next year's annual convention will take place on Thursday, March 19, 2026 also at the Crowne Plaza. Interested sponsors and vendors should contact the League for more information at 401-272-3434. 

Municipal Leaders Announce Priorities for

2025 Legislative Session

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns (The League) released its priorities for the 2025 legislative session and the FY2026 state budget today.

“The League of Cities and Towns looks forward to sharing the day-to-day impacts of this year’s legislation on the folks who live and pay taxes in our communities,” said East Providence Mayor and League President Bob DaSilva. “Together, I believe that we can tackle the problems facing Rhode Island while still protecting taxpayers, supporting job growth and operating with fiscal responsibility.”

This year’s priorities were announced in the League’s legislative priorities booklet, which was provided to each member of the General Assembly. The priorities include:

·       Education funding reforms, which include improving budget certainty and increasing the state share of teacher pensions;

·       Funding for transportation, infrastructure and resiliency programs, including the successful Municipal Infrastructure Grant Program and Municipal Road Program;

·       State-mandated tax emption reform, which includes state reimbursement for property tax exemptions or structuring exemptions as enabling legislation; and

·       Workforce management reforms, including parity with state pensions for municipal disability pensions and municipal injured-on-duty benefits and common-sense safeguards that limit the scope of binding arbitration.

“Our members and staff will work collaboratively with the General Assembly to promote our mission to secure strong investments in local communities, advocate for fully funded policy proposals and adopt flexible policies that support the uniqueness of Rhode Island’s 39 distinct communities,” said Randy Rossi, Executive Director of the League.

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.

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Legislative Priorities

Workshop Applications Open

The Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns unveiled the theme for their annual convention to take place March 20, 2025.

Waves of Progress: Strengthening Rhode Island Together was selected as the upcoming convention theme to signify the solidarity of the League's membership.

"It's imperative our communities work collaboratively to continue to make progress in an ever-changing environment. When we navigate challenges together, we are all more likely to succeed.", said Randy Rossi, Executive Director of the League. 

Applications to present a workshop at the 2025 Convention have opened and are due January 13, 2025. For more information, interested parties should visit the League's website. 

For best consideration, proposals should:

• Engage the audience by showcasing best practices, case studies, or other interactive learning experiences

• Highlight innovative solutions, cost-saving programs, and successful shared services in cities and towns

• Promote collaboration through public-private partnerships, intergovernmental cooperation, and intra-agency programs

• Address ‘hot topics’ like:

  • workforce recruitment and retention

  • AI and emerging technology use

  • engaging the community and young people

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns (The League) released its 2024 Legislative Scorecard today, highlighting key votes by legislators and bill signings by the Governor. A bipartisan group of municipal leaders pushed to reduce the property tax burden on residents and maintain local decision making so communities can make the best decisions on behalf of local residents.

[Press Release]

[See 2024 Scorecard]

Left to right: David Bodah, RI League; Kathy Inch, Portsmouth; Katie Card, Scituate; Robin DiMario, Lincoln; Laura Swistak, Newport; Chevell Burgess, Providence; Veronicka Vega, Woonsocket; Zack DeLuca, Cranston; Tracey Giron, Pawtucket; Dan Borges, East Providence; Haley Wicker, North Kingstown; R.J. Kermes, Centra Falls; and Jennifer Slattery, RI League. Not pictured: Grant McGregor, Foster.

From left: Grant McGregor, Tracey Giron, RJ Kermes, Veronicka Vega, Dan Borges, Kathy Inch, Haley Wicker, Jennifer Slattery, Chevell Burgess, Laura Swistak, Zack DeLuca, Robin DiMario, Katie Card.

“The League of Cities and Towns looks forward to working with the Assembly to address issues and understand the true impacts of legislation on the people who live in each community and pay taxes there,” said North Providence Mayor and League President Charles Lombardi. “This year, we are committed to working together to achieve our mutual goals of protecting taxpayers, supporting businesses and operating with fiscal responsibility.”

Rhode Islanders currently experience the eighth highest property tax burden in the country, Lombardi added.

This year’s priorities were announced in the League’s Legislative Priorities booklet, which was mailed to every member of the Assembly.  The priorities include:

• Housing and land use issues;
• Funding for transportation, infrastructure and resiliency;
• Education aid; 
• Improving quality of life and streamlining services;
• Workforce management;
• Property tax relief; and
• Fiscal restraint and financial success. 

“The priorities described in the booklet were established by a survey of all 39 municipalities and are supported by the League’s Executive Board of Directors,” said Ernie Almonte, Executive Director of the R.I. League of Cities and Towns.  “As we have done in the past, we will work collaboratively with municipal leaders to convey the potential impact of legislation to the Assembly through testimony and direct outreach.” 

In a follow up letter to each legislator Almonte provided details of the League’s approach to its 2024 legislative scorecard.

“In recent years, the General Assembly has passed new mandates that have made it increasingly difficult for elected and appointed municipal leaders to manage their workforce and their budgets,” he wrote.  “Following the session, The League will issue a public scorecard tracking legislators’ key votes in the General Assembly on legislation affecting cities and towns. We will communicate with you regularly, and with the voters, via traditional and social media, to highlight what specific legislation is a priority for the League.”

The scorecards and analysis will be released in August, Almonte said.  

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.

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Representatives from Pawtucket, Central Falls and East Greenwich receive the Excellence in Municipal Government Award.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns presented the 2nd annual Excellence in Municipal Government Award to three outstanding public servants Pawtucket Mayor Donald R. Grebien, Leigh Carney, East Greenwich’s town clerk, and Elaine Carey, payroll specialist for the City of Central Falls, for going above and beyond in their service to their communities.

“Municipal leaders and staff consistently go above and beyond to serve their communities,” said Ernie Almonte, Executive Director of the League . “Whether they are solving complex issues or providing personalized customer service for residents – their efforts often go unseen. Last year, the League developed the Municipal Government Award to recognize their outstanding contributions.”

“Having served in both a council and mayoral role, there isn’t much that Mayor Grebien hasn’t seen. When a complex issue arises, he digs right in,” said North Providence Mayor Charles Lombardi, President of the League. “He has prioritized and delivered on economic development projects, like the Pawtucket-Central Falls Train Station and Tidewater Landing, opened the state's only municipally owned homeless shelter, repaved 80% of the city's streets, and championed unprecedented investment in local schools.”

Leigh Carney serves as town clerk and assistant to the town manager. She is actively involved in the East Greenwich Community Historical Society’s preservation of municipal historic documents; initiated an electronic agenda management program for the town council; digitized other resident-facing record systems; and has made many structural changes in the Town Clerks office, municipal court, probate and canvassing all designed at improving resident services. In addition to serving the residents of East Greenwich, Leigh has also served the Rhode Island Town and City Clerks Association and the New England Association of City and Town Clerks in various capacities, coordinates and leads all of our local parades and is a Trustee at the Varnum Armory.

“Leigh is a dedicated and committed public servant and member of our team who strives every day in a compassionate manner to help people," said East Greenwich Town Manager Andrew Nota. “The energy and drive that she exhibits to make our community a better place is visible every day, both professionally and in her personal contributions and leadership as an active member of our broader community.”

Elaine Carey has served the City of Central Falls for over 20 years. As a payroll specialist, she has never missed a payroll processing cycle, which would impact hundreds of employees. Fellow staff described her as “always available to answer any questions or to help the employees of Central Falls, with her knowledge going far beyond payroll. Her goal is to always help the City in any way she can.”

“Effective government is made possible by outstanding teams of people that work every day to help deliver for constituents," said Maria Rivera, Mayor of Central Falls . "I have been lucky, as have several of my predecessors, that our finance department is anchored by Elaine Carey. She is a fantastic team member as well as a fountain of institutional knowledge. Our City is better for her years of dedicated service. I am so happy that the League of Cities and Towns saw fit to honor her with this well deserved award.”

The League is proud to celebrate the accomplishments and dedication of these three individuals. Their success represents the success of their communities and that of countless Rhode Islanders.

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

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  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 29, 2023 Contact: Lauren Greene 401-965-3972

• William Bailey, Chief of Fire Department, Town of Tiverton
• Raena Blumenthal, Director of Parks & Recreation, Town of Coventry
• Priscilla De La Cruz, Director of Sustainability, City of Providence
• Sherri-Ann Fournier, Director of Personnel, Town of West Warwick
• Sarah King, Community Outreach Coordinator, Town of Cumberland
• John Linacre, Assistant Fire Chief, Town of North Kingstown
• Paula McFarland, Executive Director of Pawtucket Housing Authority, City of Pawtucket
• Tracy Nelson, City Clerk, City of Cranston
• Debra Page-Trim, Communications, Engagement, & Economic Development Coordinator, Town of Barrington
• Mary Signer, Finance Director, City of Central Falls
• Andrew Sullivan, Major, Police Department, City of Warwick
  
• Andrew Wade, Community Services Director, Town of East Greenwich
  

Congratulations to the new cohort. The first session will take place on Friday, September 8, 2023. For more information, contact Jennifer Slattery at jslattery@rileague.org.

To learn more, register for this week's Workshop Wednesday and join member services director, Jenn Slattery, for a overview of the portal. Jenn will also be looking for member input on ways to best use the portal to the best advantage for all our members. REGISTER HERE

Questions? Contact Jenn at jslattery@rileague.org or 401-272-3434. 

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

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