We had an in person, outdoor meeting. Thumbs up to that!

Neighbors in attendance were as follows:

Tricia A., Bill B., Maureen, B., Patricia W., David Woj., David Woi., Alan G., Cheryl L., Linda H., Marc G., Pauline M. G., Paul D., Erin C. (no particular order).

Meeting came to order at approx. 6:45 PM at the Woisard/Hagstrom residence.

Items discussed:

A. The success of the Block Party on September 18th. Good pizza & gelato. Patriots game enjoyed on the big screen TV. Even better that Pat’s won! Approx. 65 attended. Membership Dues amounting to $310.00 was collected. (This is for the calendar year 2022).. A few residents paid for 2023 in advance, and received the $15.00/year rate. Dues will increase to $20.00/calendar year starting January 1, 2023. Thanks to all that helped setup and breakdown. Thank you to the Shusters for letting us use their property. We had a very nice afternoon by the waterfront. A Halloween Choo-Choo Hayride will take place on October 23rd in Lippitt Park.

B. Update on the repair (lack of repair) of the Lippitt Park Seawall. City of Warwick has been very non-committal to repairing this. We have been back & forth on who’s responsibility it is, and it was clarified that RVIA does not own the Park. The City of Warwick owns the Park as they do the other ends of the neighborhood streets. Liability issues halt us from doing any work on our own. RVIA President will continue to press the issue forward until this is resolved, and the wall made safe & sound. Design & repair approaches to be discussed and presented to the Mayor. [Note: George Shuster, John Eden & I have talked various times about the need to “Soften” the wall. The straight, hard surface of the wall does not absorb wave energy, and that causes adjacent coastal issues in addition to it getting beat up. George has mentioned getting Save the Bay involved to gain insight on wall re-design. Discussions should take place so that a fix is a long-term improvement instead of just a “patch”. Maybe RVIA can get some type of grant for this potential coastal improvement. The Park is considered an official RI beach access point.]

C. Some typical ranting about the Sewer Project and Riverview’s apparent “light” representation with the City. This pertains particularly to the Ward 5 funds (trickle down of City Infrastructure money) available for projects/improvements. All ideas & proposals presented to our Councilman (in charge of distribution of Ward 5 share) were determined as inappropriate. These proposals included direct infrastructure improvements such as the proper repair (including reinforcement or added “softening breaks”) of the seawall and also improvements to the ends of the streets (as needed for better beach access). And a bunch of other stuff such as a low profile/slanted bulletin board for Lippitt Park and more Steelyard Trash cans. Councilman had commented to D. Woisard that reimbursements were not allowed (like for mulch or other materials), and that items must be able to be purchased by the City of Warwick Purchasing – I.E. available physical/catalog items.

D. Discussion of Holiday related activities such as: Annual Christmas Lights Contest with added focus on Front Doors, desire to get the Christmas Giving to Warwick Neck School Children & Families going again.

E. President’s interest in RVIA early history along with Native American and The Working Bay (Shell fishing) was discussed. David has ideas of having special guest speakers at future meetings if there’s neighborhood interest.

F. MyRVIA.org Website, Instagram, Facebook & Constant Contact are integrated so a common message is presented. The RVIA E-Newsletters are reaching over 100 households. Approx. 80% are opened/read. Not bad. Some are looked at multiple times. GMAIL account people need to check their “Promotions” folder and create a favorite for RVIA mail to help avoid not seeing the incoming E-Newsletters.

G. We’re always hoping for more neighborhood participation and assistance at events.

H. RVIA meetings are to remain free of local & national politics. Such discussions should take place at socials or other specific meetings addressing a City related concern (such as the Sewer Project).

I. Proposal from the President to establish RVIA Committees as follows:

  • Landscaping & Shoreline Group
  • Social & Membership Committee

Meeting adjourned at approx. 8:15 PM.

Respectfully submitted by: David Woisard, President (Erin Cabral, Recording Secretary not available).