COVID-19 CRISIS

Solomon announces new COVID-19 protocols for city operations

Posted

Editor's note: Warwick Mayor Joseph Solomon's office issued the following press release early Friday evening.

WARWICK - Mayor Joseph J. Solomon has announced that in order to mitigate risks associated with the spread of the COVID-19 virus, he is closing all City buildings to the public, effective Monday, March 23, 2020.

"As we have watched the COVID-19 virus spread around the world, it has been clear that the key element in preventing more cases is containment," said Mayor Solomon. "The best way to stop COVID-19 in its tracks is to just shut things down. This is an aggressive step, but I cannot allow our employees or the public to be exposed to any unnecessary risks. My number one priority is ensuring that everyone in Warwick is safe."

Mayor Solomon will continue providing updates on warwickri.gov, Facebook, and Twitter as frequently as possible.

Warwick City Hall City and all public buildings will be closed to the public until at least Friday, March 27, 2020, at which time Mayor Solomon will evaluate the situation and determine next steps. The City will continue to provide essential services, including public safety, sanitation including trash and recycling, wastewater treatment, and critical City functions.

Under a state of emergency issued by Mayor Solomon on Friday, March 13, all municipal board and commission meetings, including the City Council, Zoning and Planning Boards, and Municipal and Probate Courts were cancelled until further notice.

Below is a list of City departments that remain operational:

* All public safety departments, including Police, Fire and Emergency Medical Services, and the Emergency Management Agency, are fully operational.

* The Department of Public Works will continue to collect curbside trash and recycling on its regular schedule; other requests will be handled on a case by case basis.

* The City Clerk's office, which includes Recorder of Deeds and Vital Statistics, will remain open, but with limited hours and by appointment only. Please call 401- 738-2006 with questions or to request an appointment. The City Clerk's Office will be open Tuesday and Thursday only from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and will be taking appointments for land evidence recordings; payment for traffic violations; and birth, death and marriage certificates.

City parks remain open, but Mayor Solomon has urged residents and vistors to heed social distancing guidelines.

Below is a list of City departments that are closed:

* The Buttonwoods Municipal Annex and Community Center will be closed. This includes the Tax Collectors Office, Tax Assessor's Department, the Building and Zoning Department, the Planning Department, and the City Council Office. Please note that tax payments may be made online, via mail, or via dropbox; more information is online. Additionally, Mayor Solomon has signed an executive order to extend City tax and utility payment deadlines.

* The City Archives will be closed to the public.

* The Board of Canvassers is closed.

* The Building Department is closed.

* The Office of Community Development is closed.

* The Finance Department is closed.

* The Department of Human Services is closed.

* The Parks and Recreation Department is closed. This includes McDermott Pool, as well as Thayer and Warburton Arenas.

* The Personnel Department is closed.

* The Purchasing Department is closed.

* Probate and Municipal Courts are cancelled.

* The Warwick Public Library is closed. Homebound Services have been suspended until further notice. E-books, e-audiobooks, movies and more are available online. No late fees are being accrued on items checked out while we are closed.

* The Pilgrim Senior Center is closed, however, the Department of Senior Services is ensuring the continuity of meal services for the residents who depend upon them. Any senior residents with questions should contact the Department of Senior Services at (401) 468-4077. The Transwick Senior Transportation Service is cancelled until further notice.

* Warwick Public Schools are closed until April 3, 2020. A distance learning program will be in place from March 23 through April 3. There are meal sites set up so all students under age 18 can pick up a breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday from 11:30 am to 1 pm. Meal site locations are at Toll Gate High School, Pilgrim High School, and Oakland Beach Elementary School.

* The Department of Tourism, Culture and Development is closed.

Mayor Solomon urges residents to realize that this is a rapidly changing situation and thus information is subject to change. As the State's recommendations regarding COVID-19 evolve, Mayor Solomon will continue to evaluate the City's needs and priorities accordingly. Residents are encouraged to visit warwickri.gov, Facebook  and Twitter for updates.

Comments

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  • Jsimmy230

    Are the employees out of work going to collect unemployment, or if paid to not work are you taking accumulated days they have saved? Like most other taxpayers, NO WORK NO PAY! Come on Mayor or your sidekick Depasquale, answer this simple question. We know you read your own stories, or have a flunky do it, and print them for the scrapbook!

    Friday, March 20, 2020 Report this

  • Warwickbeautiful

    First for the good news: Judging from all his ridiculous posts on both the Beacon site and his girlfriend Stacia's irrelevant Facebook Warwick hate page, it appears Johnny Pajamas has self quarantined and given up on riding around the city making obscene gestures at city workers.

    Now the bad news: The Beacon has obviously not blocked his inflammatory and moronic comments from this page. As usual, Pajamas continues to take every opportunity to criticize city leaders, city workers, and anyone who disagrees with his twisted way of thinking.

    So Pajamas, in the interest of saving the taxpayers some money during these difficult times, why don't you lead by example and decline your $100,000 per year TAX FREE fraudulent disability pension that you've been stealing from the city of Providence for the past 25 years. It's only a first step in repaying what you've stolen from the Providence taxpayers your entire life, but at least it's a start.

    Saturday, March 21, 2020 Report this

  • Jsimmy230

    Non-Educated Voter ..... COWARD

    Learn to read ..... YOUR NUMBER IS TO HIGH....

    Meet me, anytime, anyplace, and I'll consider giving back..COWARD

    Saturday, March 21, 2020 Report this

  • Drew

    I recently relocated to the area. Who is the John Simoneau fella? Sounds unstable. Hope he doesn't live in my neighborhood. Wash your hands everyone!

    Saturday, March 21, 2020 Report this

  • Jsimmy230

    Gary ... good try Billy T, Ziggy, Uneducated Voter, JP, Hypocrite, Pajanas, etc. etc. all the same guy using different Fake Names.... give it up COWARD!

    Saturday, March 21, 2020 Report this

  • Warwickbeautiful

    It appears Johnny Sweat Pants is being less than forthcoming regarding his $100,000 per year TAX FREE phony disability pension that he's been stealing from the Providence taxpayers for the last 25 years. Apparently he's too ignorant to realize his bogus disability pension amount is public record, and can be accessed by a simple public records request. Ever hear of APRA Sweat Pants? If you don't, your girlfriend Stacia and boyfriend Cote would be happy to enlighten you as to what it's all about.

    Saturday, March 21, 2020 Report this

  • joemomma

    wear masks everyone, theres two pandemics goin on, the chinese flu and johnny snaggle tooths breath, stay 10 feet away. his poor wife, she must be hideous

    Sunday, March 22, 2020 Report this

  • Jsimmy230

    Do all the APRA requests you want. You'll still be wrong. Get a life COWARDS. Don't let the John Simoneau derangement syndrome ruin your obvious childish pathetic lifes.

    Sunday, March 22, 2020 Report this

  • davebarry109

    Can you firemen who hate Simoneau please take your battle elsewhere? Children.

    Sunday, March 22, 2020 Report this

  • Jsimmy230

    Davebarry, thanks but don't bet on it.

    It seems like the John Simoneau derangement syndrome is the second worst case, after only the TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME. LOL

    But thanks.

    Sunday, March 22, 2020 Report this

  • thepilgrim

    Solomon is our enemy. His wish is to destroy the Christian Goim.

    Monday, March 23, 2020 Report this

  • FASTFREDWARD4

    Be Nice .HOLD THE LINE.

    Monday, March 23, 2020 Report this

  • RISchadenfreude

    The only thing worse than Mr. Simoneau's semi-literate rants are the fools who egg him on; there would be so many fewer irrelevant comments on the Beacon's pages if his obviously bored critics would exhibit some maturity. So much for "Professionalism" (or adulthood, for that matter)...just schoolyard shenanigans from our "Bravest"...terribly sad and disappointing.

    They probably believe that these comments demean him when in truth it just demeans their own standing and the opinions of the citizens who pay their salaries...I hope their children don't know they behave this way...perhaps it's time they did...

    Monday, March 23, 2020 Report this

  • Cat2222

    I applaud the decision to close down non-essential offices/departments. As an immunocompromised individual, I am self-quarantining for my safety. I am working remotely. Everyone is in this together. Our state economy is already going to take a hit. Let's not make it worse.

    kindness is contagious. Be a carrier.

    Monday, March 23, 2020 Report this

  • wwkvoter

    Robert, I dont believe Solomon is jewish not that it matters anyway. And I'm sure he and his people are doing the best he can for every single resident. God help us all.

    Monday, March 23, 2020 Report this

  • wwkvoter

    One of America's greatest mayors of all time also represented our incredible diversity:

    "Fiorello La Guardia was born in Greenwich Village in New York City. His father, Achille La Guardia, was a Catholic from Cerignola, Italy, and his mother, Irene Luzzatto Coen, was a Jewish woman from Trieste, then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire; his maternal grandmother Fiorina (Luzzatto) Coen was a Luzzatto, a member of the prestigious Sephardic Italian-Jewish family of scholars, kabbalists, and poets and had among her ancestors the famous rabbi Samuel David Luzzatto. It was in Trieste that Achille La Guardia met and married Irene. Fiorello La Guardia was raised an Episcopalian and practiced that religion all his life."

    Monday, March 23, 2020 Report this

  • Daydreambeliever

    davebarry why assume every poster who mentions Simoneau is absolutely a firefighter ? Grow up yourself and stop posting foolishly.

    I'll let you know who is a firefighter....jimmy absolutely, myself also.

    Others don't be so sure ......

    Monday, March 23, 2020 Report this

  • Jsimmy230

    Daydreambeliever... COWARD...

    It's Warwick firemen, or their corrupt Warwick politicians !

    Big bad firemen, and corrupt scumbag POLITICIANS, afraid to post their opinions using real names. Because they know everything out of their mouths are lies.

    All COWARDS

    Monday, March 23, 2020 Report this

  • Warwickbeautiful

    Just more garbage coming out of the mouth of Johnny Sweat Pants. He's an embarrassment to the Providence Police Department, he's an embarrassment to his family, and most of all, he's an embarrassment to himself. All in all, just a guy who's taking up oxygen from decent human beings who are much more deserving than him.

    Monday, March 23, 2020 Report this

  • Jsimmy230

    Un-educated Voter .... COWARD

    Come see me you useless piece of shit. You know nothing about me, my family, or the corrupt PPD, so shut the %^@*& up. Get the balls to say any of it to my face..... COWARD

    Monday, March 23, 2020 Report this

  • patientman

    Is the city compost open?

    Monday, March 23, 2020 Report this

  • perky4175

    they mayor should demand that the airport be closed

    Tuesday, March 24, 2020 Report this

  • Warwickbeautiful

    While I find the back and forth between certain individuals on this blog to be childish and juvenile, I particularly take offense at the language from Mr. Simoneau. There are children who read this blog, and his continued use of profanity is offensive and unacceptable.

    The individuals involved in this disagreement can argue back and forth all they want, but please leave out the profanities and other vulgar language that is not suitable for younger readers.

    Tuesday, March 24, 2020 Report this

  • Jsimmy230

    Profanity gets blocked out automatically so I don't know what profanity the poor children might see.

    Tuesday, March 24, 2020 Report this

  • Warwickbeautiful

    Ms Chapman-what you need to realize is the disgusting gutter language used by Johnny Pajamas is the only type of language he knows. He uses it in public, in private, and he also used it in his capacity as a police officer, which if you go to the link below, you can read all about it. It's a case that he took all the way to the RI Supreme Court (and lost), challenging the police chief ordering him to take a psychological exam due to his bizarre and abusive behavior at work. Interestingly, almost immediately after he lost this court case and was faced with having to take the psychological exam, he mysteriously came down with a phony knee injury and retired with a fraudulent $100,000 per year tax free disability pension. Here's the link to the court case:

    https://law.justia.com/cases/rhode-island/supreme-court/Decisions/1995/In Re Simoneau

    Tuesday, March 24, 2020 Report this

  • Jsimmy230

    Un-educated Voter.... COWARD

    Learn to read. I never lost. I just wish you had the courage to put your real name. You know nothing COWARD.

    John Simoneau derangement syndrome is all you have. Any profanity I used here was blocked automatically, so Janet is more stupid than you, and I never thought that was possible.

    Tuesday, March 24, 2020 Report this

  • Warwick_Resident1998

    And there’s Mr. Sweatpants never missing an opportunity to lash out at a woman.

    Misogyny has been his manner of operation ever since he was harassing the females what worked around him in Providence.

    And let’s not forget the creepy stalking of Council Woman Travis.

    On behalf of the city I apologize for Mr. Sweatpants calling you names Mrs. Chapman, he can’t help himself.

    And for the record I have never been a firefighter. I just like to call out hypocrisy and bad behavior when I see it.

    Tuesday, March 24, 2020 Report this

  • Jsimmy230

    @*&#^! you too.... COWARD, and all your fake names.

    Tuesday, March 24, 2020 Report this

  • davebarry109

    Whatever you are Daydreambeliever, count a bad person as part of the definition. You're ruining these pages with your obsession.

    Wednesday, March 25, 2020 Report this

  • Warwickbeautiful

    davebarry-the only person that's ruining these pages would be Johnny Sweat Pants. His use of profanity, homophobic slurs, and threats of violence directed at other posters is the number one reason why these pages have deteriorated to such a low level. He's a completely deranged sociopath who belongs in a psychiatric hospital where he can get plenty of inpatient therapy.

    Wednesday, March 25, 2020 Report this

  • bill123

    I agree with davebarry. The tag-team of anonymous names are engaged in cyber stalking.

    Wednesday, March 25, 2020 Report this

  • Jsimmy230

    Un-educated Voter.... COWARD

    Never saw you, under any of your fake names, state any opinion on the article itself. You just have John Simoneau derangement syndrome. You began the attacks, slanderous lies about me, and I then attacked you COWARDS with my opinion about you. Sorry if the truth hurts you, but at least I put my real name to it. If anything I've stated is untrue, bring a lawsuit. Show some class going forward, and use your real name behind your opinions.

    Wednesday, March 25, 2020 Report this

  • wwkvoter

    I also find the posts by Mr Pajamas to be repetitive and inappropriate. You'd think 100k tax free cash would calm him more than it does.

    Wednesday, March 25, 2020 Report this

  • FASTFREDWARD4

    After 3days of my last post. I see nothing. Does it matter. Try to be nice. Just hold the line. The mayor is not doing anything wrong .

    Thursday, March 26, 2020 Report this

  • Jsimmy230

    You fake name COWARDS started this road we are on, NOT ME.

    You "shut up", and this road will end!

    Thursday, March 26, 2020 Report this

  • perky4175

    the mayor has no control over the city he should be closing plces like iggys and someone needs to go to stop and shop they have people at the doors but they just let people go in still very crowded

    Wednesday, April 1, 2020 Report this