The Valley Breeze Newspapers serving the Northern Rhode Island towns of Cumberland, Lincoln, Woonsocket, Smithfield, North Smithfield, Pawtucket, North Providence, Scituate, Foster, and Glocester
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©2016 BREEZE PUBLICATIONS INC. Officials consider stricter rules on removing snow PAWTUCKET – City officials are considering tightening up the city's snow and ice removal ordinance to institute bigger fines and shorten the period people have for clearing snow off sidewalks. The proposed changes, on the City Council agenda for tonight, Nov. 9, call for doubling fines for residents from $25 to $50 for a first offense, $50 to $100 for a second offense, and $100 to $200 for a third offense. For commercial properties, a sepa- rate category would be created charg- ing owners $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second offense, and $400 for a third offense. Terry Mercer, the head of the City Council's snow removal committee, said the committee set out to talk about the city's responsibilities for removing snow, but new rules for resi- dents were born out of that discussion. The idea, said Mercer, is that the fine structure in place for many years does not provide enough incentive for people to address the snow that con- tinually blocks the ends of driveways and sidewalks, creating a safety hazard for pedestrians each winter. Under the current rules, it's probably cheaper to pay the $25 fine, said Mercer. Many young people aren't even offering their shoveling services anymore, he said, never mind for $25 a driveway. By ETHAN SHOREY Breeze Online News Editor ethan@valleybreeze.com See SNOW, Page 21 BREEZE PHOTO BY ROBERT EMERSON Pawtucket Mayor DONALD GREBIEN celebrates with friends at a victory party at the Boundary Brewhouse Tuesday night. Grebien is greeted by MARISA VITALI ALMON, sister of City Council candidate Albert Vitali Jr. PAWTUCKET – Mayor Donald Grebien coasted to victory in Tuesday's election, easily defeating opponent John Arcaro, but it was the long lines and disenchanted voters that had the city buzzing. Grebien, facing his first challenge since he was first elected six years ago, swamped the "Sick of Scandals" candidate, taking home the victory in resounding fashion. "We really appreciate the residents' overwhelming support in this elec- tion," he said after the win. With only 27 of 32 precincts report- ing at press time due to the city vote stretching well past 8 p.m., Grebien had 10,870 votes, or 75.6 percent, and Arcaro had 3,418 votes, or 23.8 percent. Grebien said his messages of keeping taxes down and improving quality of life in the city both reso- nated with residents, "so we're really happy." Tuesday's win is "truly a reflection" on the hard work done by so many city employees to make Pawtucket a better place, said Grebien. Arcaro, with his campaign based on ending corruption and a promise to attract businesses, was unable to gain traction with Pawtucket voters, but he wasn't phased. Grebien overwhelms Arcaro in big election win By ETHAN SHOREY Breeze Online News Editor ethan@valleybreeze.com See GREBIEN, Page 6 Serving Pawtucket Breeze THE VALLEY FREE valleybreeze.com @ NOVEMBER 9-15, 2016 Like us on Follow us on Slow Roasted Everyday! W holesom e Sandwiches for Under 4 00 Calories THANK SG IVING SANDW ICH CORNED BEEF PASTRAM I CHICK EN PULLED PORK SEAFOOD FISH & CHIPS Call Ahead Available 508-639-5133 South Attleboro location only. FAM ILY M E AL DE AL 4 Roast Beef Sandwiches 2 Large Fries & Cookies $ 1 9 9 9 5 % SENIOR CITIZENS DISCOUNT EVERYDAY 73 4 Newport Avenue, South Attleboro, M A VETERANS DAY SALUTE A sincere thank-you Friday to the brave men and women who served. COMIC CON IS COMING Join the fantasy fun this weekend in Providence. PAGE 23