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Community Meeting, August 20, MHNA

Taxes & Property Re-evaluations

Despite a 4.5 percent increase, Mt. Hope homeowners should receive slightly lower property tax bills later this month, City Councilman Kevin Jackson said at the monthly Community Police Forum at the Mt. Hope Neighborhood Association August 20.

Jackson said 80 percent of East Side property owners will have lower 2007 tax bills than in 2006. The only ones who won't are College Hill property owners, who likely will get bigger bills. Other Providence neighborhoods, such as Washington Park, also will be hit by property tax increases.

The councilman mentioned the good news during his report on the budget, which the council approved in time for the new fiscal year that began August 1.

This year's property revaluation, which under state law are required every three years, have resulted in assessments that will be taxed at a lower rate than in previous years. So even with the 4.5 percent increase Mayor Cicilline was forced to implement because the Rhode Island Legislature did not increase aid to schools, taxes in Mt. Hope will be lower, Jackson reported.

Police Activity Report

On another topic, much of the discussion following a report by Lt. David Schiavulli, commander of the District 8 police substation, and Maj. Paul Fitzgerald, commander of the Providence Police Uniform Division, centered on Pleasant Street problems. The police reported that they continue to investigate the shootings that occurred in the vicinity of 61 Pleasant St., but thus far have not been able to identify the gunmen. Fitzgerald said the victims and witnesses have not been cooperative. Schiavulli said patrols have been increased on the street. Also sitting in on the meeting were the sergeant responsible for the third shift and three police officers.

Code Enforcement

Several residents also asked what the city is doing about several boarded-up properties on the street, which have been in a state if disrepair for several years. Jackson and the police officials said they would contact city inspectors to see if they have cited the property owners for violations. Jackson mentioned that proceedings in the City Housing Court are lengthy, cumbersome and inefficient, and that the City Council had recommended combining it with the City Municipal Court, but the mayor did not approve it.

Park Event

MHNA Executive Director Ray Watson, meeting facilitator, reported that the annual Billy Taylor Day event will be held in Billy Taylor Park from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, August 25. The event is held for neighborhood children and will feature a cookout and entertainment.

Gentrification Workshop

He also reported that a Gentrification Workshop will be held at the MHNA at 6 p.m. August 30 and East Side Neighborhood Planning Charettes will be held September 24- 28. The charettes are being held in conjunction with the city's long-range plans for rezoning.

Attendance & Schedule

The meeting was well attended, with a good representation by white and African-American community members. Several are residents of the Grandview-Tecumseh section of the neighborhood, which has been the site of drug dealing and other criminal activity. For the first time, the audience included several youths, which Watson and others said was an encouraging sign.

The next monthly community meeting will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday, September 17.

I left the August 20 meeting before the community discussion on "What elements make up a good community?" I encourage other attendees to comment on that discussion and/or other aspects of the meeting.

Peter C.

Posted at August 21, 2007 10:03 AM

Posted by: John at August 23, 2007 12:21 PM

Posted by: Lisa Niebels at August 23, 2007 07:15 AM

Posted by: Jim Kelley at August 22, 2007 12:19 AM

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