NEWS

Mayor sets limited reopening dates

By DANIEL A. KITTREDGE
Posted 6/3/20

By DANIEL KITTREDGE A number of city facilities and offices will begin a limited reopening process in the days ahead, although it has been decided that the Budlong Pool, a fixture of summer life in the city, will not open this year. Mayor Allan Fung on

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NEWS

Mayor sets limited reopening dates

Posted

A number of city facilities and offices will begin a limited reopening process in the days ahead, although it has been decided that the Budlong Pool, a fixture of summer life in the city, will not open this year.

Mayor Allan Fung on Monday issued a new supplementary executive order outlining a series of reopening dates for various aspects of municipal operations, starting with the immediate resumption of limited in-person services at the Cranston Senior Enrichment Center.

“We’re trying to get back to opening as we can in small steps,” the mayor said Monday.

On June 8, the city’s recreation fields will reopen for use in keeping with the state’s social distancing orders. Playgrounds will remain closed, however. As part of the recreational field opening, youth sports organizations will be required to obtain a permit from the Department of Parks and Recreation and agree to social distancing requirements.

In terms of Budlong Pool, Fung said the state’s requirements – including a 15-person capacity limit, which would include lifeguards and pool attendants – made reopening the facility for any length of time unrealistic. The mayor’s budget included funding that would have allowed for the pool to open for roughly four weeks.

“Unfortunately, the pool guidance that they issued just doesn’t make it practicable or feasible for us to open it this year,” the mayor said.

In terms of summer recreation camps, Fung on Monday said a final decision has yet to be made. Work continues to determine whether the program will be possible under the state’s guidelines.

“We’ll make a decision on that later this week,” he said.

The Cranston Senior Enrichment Center’s limited reopening will include appointment-only service at the Social Services Division and limited Transvan availability. Health screenings will be incorporated as part of both services, the Department of Senior Services has announced.

On June 8, Cranston Municipal Court will open by appointment only. Health checks will also be in place at the court. The Cranston Public Library’s various branches, excluding the Arlington Branch at the senior center, are scheduled to open with limited capacity and services on June 15 under the mayor’s order.

All City Hall departments will also open by appointment only on June 15. Health screenings will be required.

Fung previously signed a supplementary order regarding outdoor dining in keeping with the state’s allowance of that service during the first phase of the reopening plan. Indoor dining is now permitted with capacity limits and other restrictions as part of phase two.

Fung has previously said the idea of temporary street closures was being considered in some parts of the city to provide additional outdoor dining space for culinary establishments, although that no longer appears to be in the works.

“Looks like we will not be doing it,” the mayor wrote in a Friday email. “Surprisingly to me, some of the restaurants in those areas were more concerned about lack of parking for their customers and access into their restaurants. So they were not interested in going forward with closing the street. They would rather wait for the indoor dining and see if they could do both.”

Fung said a variety of safety measures have been taken at customer-facing offices in City Hall, including the installation of plexiglass and sanitizing stations. The mayor said the cost of the measures is being compiled.

Cranston, like Rhode Island as a whole, remains under a state of emergency. Fung on Monday said while the COVID-19 situation has improved based on the Department of Health’s statistics, Cranston continues to have among the most confirmed cases in the state. Some parts of city also continue to see higher-than-average positive testing rates, he said.

“I don’t have enough data to make that call,” he said of lifting the emergency declaration, adding: “I’m not at that stage yet where I’m ready to lift the state of emergency. I’m being cautious about it.”

In terms of social distancing enforcement issues, Fung said the warm, sunny weather of late has resulted in officials needing to disband some large gatherings, including pickup sports games at local fields. By and large, however, he said Cranstonians appear to by abiding by distancing and mask-wearing guidelines.

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