NEWS

Hopkins endorses local bond issues for Cranston’s future

Posted 10/25/22

Mayor Ken Hopkins issued his public endorsement for four local bond referenda that appear on this year’s election ballot.

“As early voting begins and mail ballots are being reviewed, I …

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NEWS

Hopkins endorses local bond issues for Cranston’s future

Posted

Mayor Ken Hopkins issued his public endorsement for four local bond referenda that appear on this year’s election ballot.

“As early voting begins and mail ballots are being reviewed, I wanted to urge Cranston voters to support the four local bond issues that appear on this year’s ballot,” said Hopkins. 

He emphasized that these bonds are not for immediate spending needs.

“These bond issues will help us to have funds available for a wide variety of future capital projects as needs may arise,” Hopkins said.

The four referenda categories on the ballot include:

$2,000,000 for Fire Department Equipment

$3,000,000 for Public Buildings

$3,500,000 for Playgrounds and Athletic Fields

$4,000,000 for City Infrastructure

“The fire department bond would help the city to acquire fire apparatus and equipment to help keep our frontline trucks and equipment in top condition to face critical public safety emergencies,” Hopkins said.

Hopkins stated the Public Buildings bond would help with capital repairs and renovations to an aged group of buildings across Cranston including modernization efforts, handicapped accessibility and making buildings more energy efficient.

“Like Cranston homeowners, our building structures must always be addressed so that taxpayers and our employees can use them in a safe and functional way,” Hopkins said.

Hopkins urged support for the recreational bond and said Cranston voters and families have always supported city efforts to provide top notch and safe ballfields, playgrounds, and neighborhood parks. 

“We always want to have bond authority available to address our future recreational needs to repair, renovate and equip these quality-of-life facilities for our youth, such as the Budlong Pool, when use of city capital funds are necessary,” Hopkins said.

“The $4,000,000 bond for city infrastructure will help us with the ongoing construction and repair and critical maintenance of our roads, drainage systems, sidewalks and network of some 300 miles of city streets that service all our residents,” said Hopkins. “The number one constituent inquiry to my office relates to our infrastructure be it a pothole or drainage problem.”      

Hopkins stated Cranston has always done an excellent job balancing capital spending needs with affordable levels of annual debt service. 

“Fitch Ratings Agency recently affirmed Cranston’s AA+ rating on the city’s outstanding general obligation bonds,” Hopkins said. “As part of their review, they looked at our scheduled refinancing in August on a series of notes and bonds.  The credit analysts studied Cranston’s financial condition and the management structure as Rhode Island’s second largest city and endorsed our financial management practices.”

“These bond issues are not for immediate use and would require review and approval by the city council as our capital budget needs develop and need to be addressed,” Hopkins said. “We ask for voter support now, so we have the spending authority available in future years as part of our prudent long term financial planning.”

Hopkins also endorsed two minor charter amendments he categorized as housekeeping items. One involves the ability to use email for the notice to members for city council meetings. The other removes a requirement to file duplicate campaign finance reports to the city clerk when state law requires filing of the reports with the state Board of Elections.

Hopkins, bond

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