By EMMA BARTLETT

The special finance committee may not have felt that Robert Zarnetske was the right fit for the city’s finance director position, however, the committee overwhelming approved the appointment of Richard Bernardo as Director of Public Works position April 14. In a unanimous vote, the finance committee gave Bernardo their advice and consent; the full council must now approve him for the position.

“Richard Bernardo is an extremely credentialed professional. He is an honest and experienced individual who knows what it takes to be a great public works director. He is seeking this position not for career ambition, rather because he would like to extend his impressive career by serving the City of Cranston,” said Chief of Staff Anthony Moretti at the meeting.

Bernardo has worked in public service for more than four decades – working at the Rhode Island Department of Transportation where he was responsible for design engineering. In the private sector, he was responsible for federal, state and municipal programs with expertise in civil, transportation and environmental engineering.

According to Cranston City’s City Charter, “the director of public works should be an engineer licensed to practice his profession in the State of Rhode Island and shall have had at least five years' experience in highway or public works administration.”

Bernardo previously worked for the City of Cranston and served as the Director of Public Works in 2009 – a position he held for 14 months. Councilwoman Jessica Marino asked why he left the position.

“There are certain demands of raising a family. The private sector pays better than the public,” said Bernardo, who mentioned having three daughters who would be going off to college at the that time.

In the position of Director of Public Works, Bernardo said he would have regular weekly meetings with the department heads. This would include going to their offices, looking at what they’re doing and how quickly they’re getting the projects done.

“I plan on being at the garage, going to building maintenance, going to engineering; I plan on doing that on a regular basis….My style is to go in and work and show leadership and everybody has my respect – you have to lose it,” Bernardo said.

“We’re happy you want to come back to serve us,” said Council President Chris Paplauskas.

In addition to the advice and consent of Thursday’s meeting, the administration proposed an ordinance to increase the DPW salary from $119,985.93 a year to $127,219.42. Bernardo said due to personal finances, he would not be able to take the position unless he received the $7,000 increase.

The finance committee approved the salary in a six to one vote with councilman Matthew Reilly dissenting. The decision, however, didn’t come without some heat.

Since the council is looking at an increased budget for FY 2023 with a 2.85 percent property tax increase, they are looking for areas to cut funds. Councilwoman Lammis Vargas asked Bernardo if it was possible to reconsider a salary increase in a year, but he said he would need the increase before then. While the city would be increasing the salary, Bernardo would still be taking a 45 percent salary cut from what he has been earning as Senior Vice President at BETA.

“I would say if you don't appoint this position on top of the last vote last week, you folks would be crippling the administration,” Moretti said. “For $7,000 it’s a very good investment for the City of Cranston.”

Moretti is currently serving as the acting Director of Public Works and Finance Director.

“There comes a point in the city where we have to put our big boy pants on and we ask you to do that this evening and next week,” Moretti said.

The council immediately addressed Moretti’s ‘big boy pants’ comment.

“Unfortunately a week ago we got a book on our desks that could debilitate this city and these nine members here are doing everything they can to not waste federal ARPA funds, to not put a tax increase on the citizens on the citizens of Cranston, so in the same breath as putting that before us and then asking for more, that’s what we’re struggling with. So we will wear our big boy pants but give us something we can work with,” said Reilly.

The administration received three candidates – one backed out and Director of Personnel Daniel Parrillo said the other applicant would not be able to accept the current salary. The council and administration recognized that their workers are underpaid compared to other cities and towns. Parrillo listed DPW salaries from neighboring municipalities including Providence ($132,000 per year), Barrington ($122,000 per year) and South Kingstown ($152,000 per year).

“I’d hate to move forward without a public works director, especially someone with this much experience with all the things coming up and not having a public works director there that’s going to catch those little things and save us money,” Paplauskas said, mentioning that he believed Bernardo would find $7,000 worth of savings within the department of public works.

Councilman Richard Campopiano spoke in favor of the salary increase.

“I am an employer, and I’ve been an employer for 38 years. And there’s one thing I did learn in my 38 years.  Whenever I tried to cut and pay someone less or bring someone in to do the job, it always cost me more money – every single time. You have to pay for quality and this man brings quality to the table. The director of public works is the face of our city. It’s our sidewalks; it’s our roads; it’s everything,” said Campopiano.

While there were several council members on the line about raising the salary, it was noted that

Bernardo would not be taking health benefits through the city, which former Director of Public Works Ken Mason had been receiving before. He would be on his wife’s healthcare plan, so not receiving health benefits would offset Bernardo’s additional $7,000.

Reilly said that while Bernardo plans to be on his wife’s plan, there can be unexpected turns of events that could potentially result in Bernardo needing the city’s healthcare coverage.

After Thursday’s special finance meeting, the advice and consent and ordinance concerning the Director of DPW salary change will go before the full council for approval. Meanwhile, Cranston is still searching for someone to take on the position of finance director for the city.