Home Subscriber Only 5Q Five Questions With: Ernie Almonte

Five Questions With: Ernie Almonte

By

Christopher Allen

-

09/15/2023

PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

1. How would you grade the Gov. Daniel J. McKee administration and the General Assembly’s performance in addressing the league’s concerns? To support municipalities and the implementation of statewide policies, [McKee’s] recent budget provided funds for technical assistance for housing, education and road maintenance. The [House] speaker and the Senate president passed a budget that

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1. How would you grade the Gov. Daniel J. McKee administration and the General Assembly’s performance in addressing the league’s concerns? To support municipalities and the implementation of statewide policies, [McKee’s] recent budget provided funds for technical assistance for housing, education and road maintenance. The [House] speaker and the Senate president passed a budget that was very supportive of municipalities and local taxpayers. 2. Do you have an example of something the league desired but wasn’t included in this year’s budget/legislative session? Personnel costs represent more than 70% of local budgets, and nearly all the costs associated with personnel are governed by contracts. Municipalities need greater flexibility in managing their workforce. … We have continued to seek reforms to binding arbitration, lifetime evergreen contracts, injured-on-duty status, and common-sense standards for municipal disability pensions. 3. There has been debate over how to balance the need for housing versus retaining local control of zoning. Has this balance been met? The speaker’s housing package incorporated a great deal of local feedback to ensure that the law would actually produce housing. We will continue to engage with the legislature on future proposals and implementation of current law. 4. There was no movement this year on the Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights. Was this a disappointment or was it expected? Over the past several years, the league has worked with the police chiefs association and officers to develop recommendations designed to improve transparency and accountability. While we are disappointed that LEOBOR has not been reformed, more progress was made during this session than ever before. 5. What are your thoughts on future regionalization of municipal services or school departments? The league continues to serve as a convener and coordinator for municipalities to share resources. The benefits of shared services are not just cost savings but a recruitment and retention tool in some cases. For example, North Providence and Central Falls have a shared HR [human resources] director; North Providence, Johnston and Smithfield now have a new shared animal shelter; and Pawtucket and North Providence share an emergency dispatch.