North Providence Town Hall
2000 Smith St.
North Providence, RI 02911
Phone: (401) 232-0900
Mayor Charles A. Lombardi's
Inaugural Speech
Sunday, January 4, 2009 at North
Providence High School
Some 21 months ago, I stood before
you and told you that I would set a
course of action that would require
my complete dedication.
I had confidence then that our plans
could improve our town and make what
is good even better. I was fully
committed to seeing those plans
through.
Upon taking office almost two years
ago, I pledged to work with the Town
Council and School Committee in
order to move North Providence
forward in a direction that would
improve the quality of life for all.
Our administration came here with
business and common sense - firm but
fair.
Once we had the opportunity to
implement our ideas, our first order
of business was to re-prioritize the
spending of a $2 million bond
designated only for the construction
of a new public works facility. With
the cooperation of the Town Council,
we rebuilt our existing facility. We
renovated our fire stations. We
relocated $200,000 of heavy rescue
equipment from the floor in one of
our fire stations to a
state-of-the-art vehicle for
emergency response.
We purchased and renovated the
property next to our police/fire
complex to create a public safety
annex housing our fire department
personnel and Inspections Division,
which provides a one-stop
information center for building and
fire permits.
We addressed our police department
needs, both inside our station with
renovation, and outside with
vehicles. All of this was
accomplished resulting in a $300,000
surplus.
All of the building projects would
never have been accomplished without
the help and cooperation of our town
employees. And speaking of our
employees, when we came here, we
stated that this administration was
about "keeping your shoes shined and
your attitude polished."
They have done nothing but, and I
thank them for that.
Through a coalition formed with
neighboring mayors, we realized a
savings of approximately $600,000 in
health care costs.
With the cooperation of the
Notarantonio family, we saved
approximately $150,000 of building
materials from their former
dealership building for use at our
public safety annex and the public
works building.
While these were some of our
accomplishments, it is important now
more than ever to save wherever we
can.
Inaugurations mark new beginnings,
and it is with great enthusiasm that
I look forward to serving you as
your mayor for the next four years.
While many say that the economy is
in the worst condition since the
Great Depression, my administration,
along with my colleagues on the Town
Council and School Committee, are
mindful of the town's financial
circumstances. North Providence,
along with every municipality in the
state of Rhode Island, is facing
trying economic times.
As a result of an anticipated
shortfall, our office, the Town
Council and school department, has
embarked on a series of
brainstorming meetings in an attempt
to weather this financial storm.
In addition, our coalition of mayors
has been meeting in an attempt to
lobby the General Assembly for
legislation that will relieve our
communities from specific mandates.
Because we know togetherness brings
survival, the necessity of
regionalization of purchasing and
services eventually will become
common practice and because we call
North Providence our home, all of
our decisions have to be based on
the needs of all our people, not the
wants of a chosen few.
Our spending must be prioritized in
order to address those issues that
require immediate attention.
At the same time, we must keep in
mind the importance of maintaining
the educational needs of our
students and continuing to provide
services for our seniors.
During trying economic times, it is
incumbent upon all of us to give
back to a town that has given so
much throughout our lives. While the
next few years may be financially
challenging for North Providence, I
am confident that along with the
members of our council and School
Committee, we can overcome these
challenges by being proactive within
our municipal government.
As a municipality that has weathered
prior financial storms, I am
confident we can use our collective
wisdom to make our municipality one
that is self-sufficient. I know
together we can do this.
At this time I would be remiss if I
did not take this opportunity to
personally congratulate all Town
Council and School Committee members
sworn in today.
Sometimes as elected officials we
lose our identities at home.
Thankfully, our families understand
and are supportive of our efforts,
but they are the ones most affected
by all of this.
In closing, I would like to thank
God for giving me the opportunity to
serve you and ask that He bless
Jackie in heaven.
Once again, I thank my parents, my
wife, and my children who have
sacrificed so much.
I thank all the citizens of the town
of North Providence for having faith
in me.
Please pray that God will give all
of us the strength, wisdom and
courage to see this vision to
fruition.
Thank you and God Bless.
North Providence Town Hall •
2000 Smith Street •
North Providence, Rhode Island 02911
Phone: 401-232-0900 •
connects all departments
Hours:
Monday through Friday •
8:30am to 4:30pm Summer Hours (June 21 through Labor Day): Monday through Friday •
8:30am to 4:00pm
