Press Releases and Headlines Archive - 2004

December 30, 2004 - Inaugural Meeting Agenda is Now Available Online -To be held JANUARY 4, 2005 at Pilgrim High School (111 Pilgrim Parkway Warwick, RI) at 7:00 PM

December 12, 2004 - Avedisian releases Fair Housing Plan report,
announces appointments to Fair Housing Commission – Mayor Scott Avedisian today released the city’s Fair Housing Plan, a comprehensive report, which analyzes the city’s programs and policies related to affordable housing and makes recommendations to improve current practices and implement new procedures and initiatives.

December 7, 2004 - Avedisian, WestBay Community Action to join forces to promote Earned Income Tax Credit benefits - Mayor Scott Avedisian and Jeanne Gattegno, executive director of WestBay Community Action, announced today that the city and the non-profit agency will join forces to promote the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) program to Warwick residents.

November 23, 2004 - City to receive additional 1,000 flu shots. Pre-registration will be held November 29 for qualified Warwick residents - Mayor Scott Avedisian announced today that the city has received an additional 1,000 flu vaccines for Warwick residents and will hold a pre-registration for a December flu clinic next week. VNA of Care New England is providing the vaccine and shots.

November 17, 2004 - Mayor, VolunTeen program seeking nominations to recognize outstanding high school students - Mayor Scott Avedisian and the newly-established Volunteens program are seeking nominations to recognize outstanding efforts of Warwick high school students. Each month, one student will receive the Mayor’s Student Service Citation for an outstanding accomplishment in service to the community. DOWNLOAD an application here. (PDF required)

November 16, 2004 - Warwick Hotel Offers Free Rooms - The Homewood Suites by Hilton is proud to be participating in the “Room in the Inn” program. This program offers free hotel rooms to those visiting loved ones in area hospitals, nursing homes and treatment centers on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Eve.

November 12, 2004 - Families Needed for National Family Volunteer Days - Family Matters, a national program of the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network, is designed to strengthen families and help solve serious social concerns in communities through family volunteering. Find out which volunteer opportunities are available by CLICKING HERE.

October 21, 2004 - Warwick, RI Announces Special Winter Package - Stay, Park & Fly - Southern New Englanders looking to visit family and friends over the holidays or to escape to warmer weather this winter, can take advantage of the City of Warwick’s Stay, Park & Fly package being offered beginning November 1st.

October 04, 2004 - Avedisian encourages approval of separation of powers question - Mayor Scott Avedisian said today that he is supporting amendments to the State Constitution that would further ensure a balance of powers among the state’s three branches: executive, legislative and judicial.

October 04, 2004 - Avedisian, Stenhouse announce improvements to Gaspee Point boat ramp - Mayor Scott Avedisian and Councilwoman Sue Stenhouse announced today that construction would begin the week of October 12 to improve the Gaspee Point boat ramp at Passeonkquis Cove. The ramp is at the southwest end of Gaspee Point Drive, off Narragansett Parkway.

October 01, 2004 - Avedisian offers support of statewide open space bond. Encourages Warwick voters to approve the $70M initiative - Mayor Scott Avedisian today endorsed the state’s proposed $70 million Open Space, Recreation, Bay and Watershed Protection Bond, calling it “one of the best investments the residents of Rhode Island can make to protect and restore our natural resources.”

September 20, 2004 - DOT to begin work on Centerville Road project - Mayor Scott Avedisian announced today that the state Department of Transportation has informed the city that work will soon begin on the Centerville Road (Route 117) project.

September 17, 2004 - Citizen Survey Announcement - Beginning Friday, October 1, 2004, 4,000 randomly selected Warwick residents and merchants will be receiving a wide-ranging survey questionnaire designed to measure citizen attitudes and opinions of the Warwick Police Department.

September 16, 2004 - CRMC, Avedisian announce proposed change to agency’s water type classification of Greenwich Bay - Coastal Management Resources Council (CRMC) Chairman Michael M. Tikoian and Mayor Scott Avedisian jointly announced today CRMC’s proposal to change a significant portion of the agency’s water type classifications of Greenwich Bay in an effort to protect it from further development and to enhance ongoing efforts to restore it to health.

September 13, 2004 - City of Warwick, Rhode Island Historical Cemeteries Now Online - The photographs provided on this outstanding resource have been provided by Susan Cabeceiras of the Warwick Historical Cemetery Commission and the City of Warwick Planning Department. The images are named by cemetery number, street ,and the month and year the picture was taken.

August 16, 2004 - Police Department’s 2003 annual report now available online - The report contains a message from Colonel Stephen McCartney, a photo gallery of the department’s command staff and an organizational chart of the department, as well as an overview of the divisions, or, for those looking for more in-depth information, detailed explanations of each unit, platoon, services such as animal control and licensing and the specialized units – SWAT team, Dive team, and K-9.

August 13, 2004 - Hurricane Season is Upon Us - With NOAA hurricane experts predicting a 90 percent probability of an above-to-near normal season and now the arrival of Hurricane Charley, it is a good time to ensure that you are prepared in the event of inclement weather. CLICK HERE to review our Severe Weather Resource Page.

August 2, 2004 - Final FY2005 Budget Documents are Now Available Online - Download the entire municipal budget approved for fiscal year 2005 through this collection of resources. (PDF viewer is required.)

July 27, 2004 - National Night Out - On August 3rd (6:00pm) at the Oakland Beach Commons, a free evening of activities and exhibits to promote crime prevention will be held. For more information contact, Linda Parenteau at 401-738-9062.

July 23, 2004 - Mail Ballots are Now Available
Mail ballot applications are now available in the Board of Canvassers Office for the September 14, 2004, Primaries and the November 2, 2004, General Election.

July 19, 2004 - Rhode Island Pirates and Privateers Invade the Warwick Public Library - John McNiff, Park Ranger at the Roger Williams National Memorial, will recall the colorful days in RI history when pirates and privateers sailed the bay on Wednesday, July 21st (7:00PM) at the Warwick Public LIbrary.

July 6, 2004 - City to Host Trinity's Summer Shakespeare Project - Save the date! For the sixth consecutive summer, the City of Warwick will host a production of Trinity Repertory Company’s Summer Shakespeare Project, Mayor Scott Avedisian announced today. On Friday, July 23 at 6 p.m. in the carousel at Goddard Memorial State Park, the cast will perform The Two Gentlemen of Verona.

July 5, 2004 - Full Budget Hearings to be Broadcast on COX Public Access - Beginning July 7th, the fiscal year 2005 Budget Hearings shall be broadcast on Cox Public Access Statewide Interconnect from 6:00PM - 11:00PM.

June 17, 2004 - Avedisian announces appointments to Fair Housing Committee - Mayor Scott Avedisian today announced his appointments to the Fair Housing Committee he recently established by Executive Order. The five-person board is charged with helping the city in its efforts to develop programs, educational initiatives and outreach activities as part of a long-range strategy to retain and increase the amount of affordable housing in the city

June 08, 2004 - Avedisian implements health insurance co-payment, eliminates longevity for new hires - The mayor also requires non-union employees to contribute to health insurance, asks unions to consider reopening contracts. In an effort to reduce the financial burden on taxpayers, Mayor Scott Avedisian yesterday issued executive orders that will eliminate longevity for non-union employees hired after July 1, 2004 and will require them to contribute 5 percent of their salaries for family health insurance plans and 2.5 percent toward individual coverage.

June 07, 2004 - HEALTH officials recommended re-opening Oakland Beach in Warwick for swimming. - This recommendation is based on results from water samples that show bacteria levels within acceptable limits. HEALTH and the City of Warwick will continue to monitor the water quality regularly to assure safe bathing throughout the summer season. However, since the status of beaches can change daily, it is recommended that residents either visit www.health.ri.gov or call the State's automated beach information line at (401) 222-2751.

May 20, 2004 - Warwick Selected to Participate in Walkable Community Workshop Program - Learn about this initiative which will identity ways to make Apponaug Village and the surrounding area more pedestrian friendly. This workshop will begin at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, May 25 at City Hall.

May 19, 2004 - Earth Day-style cleanup slated at Barton Farm - The city’s Advisory Wildlife and Conservation Commission will be sponsoring an Earth Day-style cleanup of the historic Barton Farm property on Centerville Road, Mayor Scott Avedisian announced today. The cleanup will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 22. (Rain date is the 23rd).

May 18, 2004 - Complete FY2005 Budget Documents are Now Available Online - Download the entire municipal budget proposed by Mayor Avedisian for fiscal year 2005.

May 13, 2004 - FY2005 Budget Hearing Schedule is Available Online - Download the schedule set by the Warwick City Council to review the entire municipal budget for fiscal year 2005.

May 10, 2004 - Lead Abatement Website Now Available - Learn more about this program that provides financial and technical assistance to homeowners and landlords to reduce hazards due to lead-based paint in Warwick’s housing.

March 10, 2004 - Statistical revaluation complete - residents to receive notices this week - Mayor Scott Avedisian announced today that the statistical revaluation of residential, commercial and industrial properties throughout the city is complete. Notices will be mailed Tuesday, March 9, to all residents regarding the new value of their property.
You may view the online assessor's office at www.warwickri-assessor.org.

March 10, 2004 - Avedisian announces Phase II of automated recycling and trash program - Mayor Scott Avedisian announced today that Phase II of the city’s automated trash collection program will begin the week of April 12. Between 3,800 and 4,000 homes will be included in this phase.

February 20, 2004 - Daffodil Days Are Here Again - The American Cancer Society’s Daffodil Days will be here before we know it. The Daffodil is the first flower of spring, so it was chosen by the American Cancer Society to be the symbol of hope that cancer will be beaten. You can support the fight against cancer by buying Daffodils during the American Cancer Society’s Daffodil days. Click the link above to learn more.

February 10, 2004 - The Right Rev. Geralyn Wolf, Episcopal Bishop, to share her experiences with the homeless. - Mayor Scott Avedisian and the city’s Department of Human Services, together with the House of Hope and the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless, will host a public forum to explore the issue of homelessness on Tuesday, February 24 at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers. The Right Rev. Geralyn Wolf, Episcopal Bishop of Rhode Island, will be the featured speaker.

February 9, 2004 - Avedisian announces community forum kickoff for National Victims’ Rights Initiative – Force 100 - Mayor Scott Avedisian will host a community forum for Kent County on Monday, February 23 at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers. This forum will kickoff a statewide effort to secure successful passage of a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution to protect victims’ rights.

February 5, 2004 - City receives $300K grant to help pollution abatement efforts - Mayor Scott Avedisian announced today that the city has received a $300,000 grant from the state Department of Environmental Management to construct a stormwater management system as part of the city’s ongoing efforts to reduce pollutants entering Greenwich Bay.

February 5, 2004 - The City of Warwick's Comprehensive Plan is now available online - Any effective Comprehensive Plan must depict where a particular community has been, where it is presently, where it wants to go, and how it plans to get there. Discover the details of Warwick's vision for the future here.

January 28, 2004 - Warwick calendars debut next week - Mayor Scott Avedisian announced today that the Warwick 2004 calendar should arrive in mailboxes by the end of next week. Prepared by the Department of Economic Development and the Department of Public Works’ Recycling and Sanitation Division, it offers residents a wealth of information regarding municipal services.

January 27, 2004 - Board of Canvassers Announces Special Election -
Edward L. Murphy, Chairman of the City of Warwick Board of Canvasssers, has announced that a special election will be conducted on April 13, 2004 to fill the unexpired term of the House of Representatives District 20. If a primary election is required, it will be held on March 9, 2004.

January 27, 2004 - Warwick Police Department Kicks Off 2004 Recruitment Drive - The Warwick Police Department has announced plans for their 2004 recruitment drive for police officers. The application period will be from March 8-26. More details will become available during the month of February at their website: www.warwickpd.org.

January 20, 2004 - City sells bonds at record interest rate; city’s outstanding bond rate reaffirmed - Mayor Scott Avedisian announced today that the city’s ongoing conservative financial practices enabled it to sell $15 million in notes recently at a very favorable rate and that Standard & Poor’s has again reaffirmed the city’s A+ credit rating

January 15, 2004 - WARNING: No safe ice in Warwick - Please be advised that there is no safe ice in the City of Warwick (except in Thayer/Warburton Arenas). For the safety of all our residents, we are listing the public skating hours for Thayer Arena.

January 14 , 2004 - Mayor announces launch of warwickri.gov. A new site for a new year! - Mayor Scott Avedisian today unveiled the city’s new official website, the culmination of a year’s worth of effort by the city’s e-government specialist, Robert Martin.

January 13, 2004 - Property owners reminded to clear sidewalks after snowfall - Mayor Scott Avedisian is asking residents and business owners to make sure that sidewalks in front of their property are shoveled and cleared of ice as soon as possible after any snowstorms this winter.

January 12, 2004 - Avedisian announces site for new fire station - Mayor Scott Avedisian announced today that the new fire Station One will be built on city-owned land adjacent to police department headquarters in Apponaug.

January 6, 2004 - Warwick Resident Thomas Jones has received the U.S. Coast Guard's "Engineer of the Year" Award - Through his strategic vision, aggressive business planning and execution, and partnering, Commander Jones overcame significant challenges facing his command.

December 12, 2003 - CDC Recommendations for Influenza Prevention - Because of concerns about influenza vaccine shortages, the update will include new recommendations, modified from those appearing in an earlier HAN Update released November 21, 2003.