East Greenwich Committee Honors Decker, Giordano

by Robert Holt

MICKLETON — At their meeting on Dec. 23, the East Greenwich Township Committee paid tribute to its outgoing members Tom Decker and Sam Giordano. Decker and Giordano opted not to run for re-election in November 2014.

east greenwich webEast Greenwich Mayor Dale Archer hoped to start a new tradition by honoring the men with flags that had flown recently in town. “Tom’s boundless energy and pursuit of excellence has benefitted the residents of East Greenwich,” proclaimed Archer. “We haven’t always seen eye-to-eye on things, but Tom has played a large role in where I am today.”

“As a resident of East Greenwich, I am very thankful for your untiring and selfless service, and your perseverance,” Archer added.

Decker served on the township committee from January 2012 until December 2014. Among his assignments were Open Space and Agriculture, and he was Director of Waste Management.

Giordano sat on the Committee from January 2009 until December of 2014. He has served as Director of Public Safety, worked with the Shade Tree and Environmental Commissions, and been with the Board of Health and Municipal Alliance.

“Is there anything you didn’t do?” Archer joked, while reading Giordano’s lengthy list of accomplishments. “We’ve had a long couple of years together, and I’ve learned a great deal from you,” Archer praised. “We are a better town because of your efforts.”

Decker and Giordano will be replaced on the township committee by the Republican team of Richard Schober and Robert Tice.

In resolutions, the Committee approved the execution of the Alliance to Prevent Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Agreement, and authorized the process for hiring Class I and II officers. “This is for additional personnel for security,” commented Committeeman Stephen Bottiglieri. “This just involves the hiring process.”

Also, the committee accepted the resignation of John Brink as the Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Department.

They also approved a resolution that would adopt an official policy regarding the response to an Open Public Records Act that requested the production of police records. The resolution was about a recent OPRA request for sensitive materials and information involving cases that were still open.

This comes from a piece of litigation, and asks the municipal clerk to coordinate with the police chief,” Township Solicitor Mark Shoemaker explained. “The chief’s attorney has approved the resolution as written.”

Elsewhere, Archer announced that East Greenwich was very close to staying with the state’s health plan for their coverage, and the committee authorized Solicitor Mark Shoemaker to create a request for proposal for a technology agreement.

“In March we terminated our agreement with Kingsway, we just want to get the process started,” said Archer.

The mayor also announced that the preliminary municipal appendix for the Hazard Mitigation Plan Revision can be found on the East Greenwich website in the Emergency Management section. Archer urged public comment on the matter.

Archer closed the meeting by saying that despite East Greenwich’s financial problems, the town is expecting big things in 2015. “We have a lot in front of us, but we’ve made great strides,” he stated.

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