Questions and Answers?

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Do you support greater regionalization of municipal services on Aquidneck Island? If yes, what actions would you support that would lead to identifying and implementing shared municipal services? If no, why?

At Large	Answer:
Connolly	I support greater regionalization of municipal services. Currently there are a number of initiatives for shared services: purchasing, hiring of personnel and public safety agreements. The Aquidneck Island Planning Commission is working on shared plans that include the whole island. We need to seriously look at shared emergency services in case of a disaster as well as coordinated MIS services. The AIPC's demographic study indicates a significant drop in school population island wide over the next 20 years. This will be cause for consolidation of schools. Economics will be a driving force for regionalization and will give us greater clout upstate.
Coyne	I would support greater regionalization of some municipal services on Aquidneck Island. One area that can be addressed is Fire Protection. Based on the findings of the Berkshire Report, it is becoming more apparent that the North End of the City may need more fire protection. At the same time, Middletown has been looking at ways to serve the West Side of their town as well. This is a perfect opportunity to share space and begin the process of regionalization. Also, as Middletown seems to be on the brink of embracing curbside trash pick-up, eventually we may be able to work together on contract negotiations to secure better pricing for both municipalities.
Dias	Yes. Water Dept. We already have regionalized snow removal assistance, fire, police and the supply initiative created by City Mgr. of Newport.
Napolitano	Yes, there are a number of areas which should be examined, and are common to all three communities, most evident being water, technology, and purchasing. However, beyond those discussions, we should identify goals we have as an Island community. We have begun these discussions through meeting with the other councils, but also through the Aquidneck Island Planning Council. While every community is slightly different, each is looking for ways to save taxpayer dollars, while keeping the needs of the residents and businesses balanced. Economy of scales will dictate some future decisions.
Oliviera	Yes I do. However, to make this happen, I more universal approach must be taken to properly run our community. You cannot guide a world-class city to success with a 28 square mile mindset.The easiest way to determine where regionalization will work is to examine grant applications filed by the island communities. Lobbying efforts can also be studied to see where we have needs in common. In short, why compete when we can cooperate?Since the competition is in reference to state dollars, it makes no sense to fight as individuals versus the city of Providence. As these relationships begin to coalesce, we will find other opportunities using municipal dollars. Since the original entre involves state funding, it will reduce the need some feel to be parochial.However, in order to do all that, the next Council must make a commitment to have a presence at the State House. Simply praying for an outnumbered, but extremely expert and efficient, local Legislative Delegation to win "all the time" is not reflective of reality.
Slee	I do think cost savings if we share the expense and regionalize departments like the water dept, sewer dept and MIS dept. With the combined buying power of the three towns helping to lower the cost of capital purchases, I think there are other opportunities for saving tax dollars. For example we could look at the complete costs for regionalizing some aspects of the three school systems and reducing the redundant management roles. Aquidneck Island has three distinct communities that could benefit from each other's assets and work to make this whole island affordable for taxpayers while making a world class resort.
Waluk	I support greater collaboration among the communities of Aquidneck Island in education, public safety, information technology and any other areas that can save money and produce efficiencies for Newport.
Abney	Yes. Although there are many historical and cultural challenges to overcome, eventually each municipality must find mutual benefits in regionalizing some of our common efforts. Though some discussions have occurred in the past at council or city administrative level, I would encourage a continuation of that, as well as a standardized lower level discussion with local citizens. It's my opinion that a real and well-organized grass roots movement, in addition to the ongoing efforts of different councils is the best entry point for real sustained movement on the matter. A better understanding of total savings derived from economically working together and how that will specifically benefit each city/town must, in my view, start from the bottom up, rather than top down.
Duncan	I would support shared municipal services where joint purchase would result in considered savings.
Cullen	We are an island. Period. We are already somewhat regionalized with our sewer system as much is pumped in from Middletown. We have water Department facilities in Portsmouth and even Tiverton. Great communication with our neighboring communities is essential if we are to make progress with our municipal services. I would also like to see shared fire departments closer to the North End developments.
McLaughlin	It is only a matter of time before municipalities in Rhode Island are forced to enter into regional arrangements in many areas to achieve the cost savings available from economies of scale. Newport already participates in two significant of regional processes, water and sewer. We also have agreements related to police recruiting, vendors, and certain school functions. The city recently hosted a meeting of the councils from all three municipalities on Aquidneck Island to initiate discussion on regionalization. It was a good idea - but four weeks before an election was the wrong time. If the three communities on the island are going to move forward in this area, they need to start soon after their newly-elected councils take office in January. The first step should be development of a framework that will support identification of viable opportunities. Regionalization is like anything else - the low hanging fruit - things that are no-brainers and which involve little to no turf issues - are easy to achieve. However, the closer to the organizational core you get, the harder it is to do anything. So, we need to start with easy things, and build the trust that will provide a foundation for tackling more difficult issues when financial limits make is imperative that we use regionalization to achieve maximum efficiency and cost saving. Two examples of regionalization opportunities, one near-term and one-long-range, are: The recently completed Berkshire public safety assessment recommends construction of a fire station in the north end of Newport. The coverage factors for the north end of Newport that led to that recommendation are probably also true for the south end of Middletown. If these geographic regions were addressed together, it is likely that a good case could be made for construction of a single public safety building that would provide coverage of parts of both Newport and Middletown. This situation provides an opportunity to leverage the needs and resources of both Newport and Middletown in a way that would both save the municipalities money and enhance their fire coverage. The enrollment of both Rogers and Middletown high schools are declining and are projected to continue to decline. As enrollments decrease, it will become increasingly difficult to cost-effectively deliver a comprehensive set of courses that constitutes a quality education. At some point in time, Newport and Middletown, and possibly Jamestown, should begin to look at building a new and modern high school in which the educational needs of all of the students from these communities can be fully met.
Leonard	Regionalization, as a need, will be a look into the future for many small communities, including Newport. Are there cost savings? Are communities willing to work together? For example, do we need three police chiefs, fire chiefs? Would one chief be sufficient, but with three sub-divisions? Small communities can no longer isolate themselves from one another. Buying power may be important-island-wide health insurance policies for municipal employees; sharing services, etc.

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