5Q: Frank Picozzi | Mayor, city of Warwick
1. How has being a small-business owner prepared you for the role of mayor? Being a former contractor, I’m very sensitive to the amount of bureaucracy and red tape that greatly delays projects, and therefore profits, and causes inconvenience to the customer or taxpayer. It is a goal of mine for this city to streamline the process of opening a small business. I’ve made it a goal to attract more small businesses. I’m in the process of creating an economic development department, which we have not had for many years. The mission of the department will be to attract new businesses to this city and then provide a concierge program that will guide owners through all of the necessary zoning and permitting processes.
2. How are small businesses doing in Warwick since the pandemic? Most have hung on, but unfortunately many have struggled, and it will take some time for them to become financially healthful again. We’re optimistic that ... businesses will start to once again blossom, particularly here in Warwick where many restaurants and stores enjoy their greatest profits in the warm weather months.
3. You recently released a first budget. You said there will be no tax increases. Is Warwick overtaxed compared with other communities? Warwick actually has a very low tax rate compared to comparable cities. The American Rescue funds can’t be used to cover extra expenses; they can only be used to recover lost revenue due to the pandemic, i.e., hotel and restaurant tax, etc. I have applied [federal] funds very conservatively in the current year.
4. The lack of affordable homes has become a statewide concern. Warwick has always had the reputation for being a good place for first-time homeowners. Is that changing? I don’t think our reputation is changing, but homes are selling for remarkable prices. This is happening all over Rhode Island and not just unique to Warwick. Warwick will always be an attractive place to raise a family because it has so much to offer. There is room for improvement in many areas, but we’re working on it.
5. T.F. Green Airport changed its name this year to include “Rhode Island.” Did you support that? I’m kind of a traditionalist, so if I had the final say, I would [have left] it as is, but having said that, I [did not] oppose it. I would actually prefer it contained the name of the host city – Warwick – but I could be biased. n
