Times-GazetteWarren eastbayri.com WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 2014 VOL. 148, NO. 22 $1.00 John Kemp goes for the gold Town hands out pink slips to full, part timers Positions were cut or cut back at Financial Town Meeting last month BY TED HAYES [email protected] The Town of Warren has sent out a handful of pink slips to employees who are either losing their jobs, or having their hours and benefits cut back, following a vote of the public at the Financial Town Meeting earlier this month. Recently, termination notices were sent out to four part time employees whose jobs will be eliminated at the beginning of the 2014-15 fiscal year on July 1. And on Wednesday, Warren Town Planner Caroline Wells received notice that her job will be cut to a part time position, with no bene- fits, starting on July 1. It is not clear whether Warren Building Official William Nash received a PHOTOS BY RICHARD W. DIONNE JR. letter; he submitted his resigna- tion letter a week before the Town hall maintenance manager Bruce Hutchison (right) holds up the arm of a part time custodian John Kemp, a well-known face at Warren Financial Town Meeting, telling Town Hall. He did well at the Rhode Island Special Olympics Summer Games held this past weekend at URI. town officials he will work until Warren resident wins Town Hall since 2009. Though today, June 4 after accepting a double gold at Special this is his first year with the new job with the International Olympics games Baysiders, he has competed in Code Council. the Special Olympics before and Part time employees who will also came close to earning his lose their jobs in July include BY TED HAYES Eagle Scout several years ago. Maurice Clare, Warren’s Econom- [email protected] His Baysiders coach, Barbara ic Development Coordinator; Warrenite John Kemp came up LePage, said Mr. Kemp’s perfor- Catherine Gresh, a part time clerk big — really big — at the Rhode mance blew her and his other in the building and planning Island Special Olympics summer coaches away. office; Dawn Lawrence, a clerk for games held this past weekend at “He was slow as molasses at Warren Police Chief Peter Achilli; URI. practice,” she joked. “Then when and assistant Animal Control Offi- Mr. Kemp, 26, who works as a he started swimming (for the cer Kathi Krause. In addition, Ms. custodian at Warren Town Hall, medal) he blew everyone out of bested all competition by taking the water. We couldn’t believe it. See CUTS Page 2 gold in two swimming events, He was amazing.” the backstroke and freestyle. The Judy Clancy of Warren takes the torch from Barrington fireman Mr. Kemp spent a good part of Bristol County Baysiders team Jesus Sanchez during the 2014 Torch Run in honor of the RI Special Monday basking in the glory of Olympics Friday. Obituaries/Page 18 member said Monday that he his Olympic win, wearing his two thought he would win silver, but gold medals around his neck his Susan Mastrola was surprised when he came out “It was great!” he said. and Lynne Kemp of Warren, and Patrick McNally on top. Mr. Kemp is the son of Woody has been working at Warren See KEMP Page 16 Wallace Rodzen National Merit Scholar Hazel Baldwin-Kress will graduate fifth in her class this coming Saturday PAGE 3 Page 2 Warren Times-Gazette June 4, 2014 The American Tourister project is moving ahead as planned, though a miscommunication has slowed one step. Tourister project suffers minor delay Zoning board plans on with preliminary and final developers’ engineers, he said. special meeting approval before the Warren Plan- The plan for the old mill devi- for later this month ning Board. ates from Warren zoning ordi- While the special use permits nances in six areas, and develop- BY TED HAYES were granted, zoning board mem- ers are looking for the following: [email protected] bers were forced to delay discus- I A variance from dimensional The American Tourister rede- sion on the variances because the requirements for construction in velopment project passed a hur- specific ones needed were worded the waterfront zone. dle recently but will end up being improperly on a legal notice pub- I A variance is being sought to delayed on another front. lished prior to the meeting. Zon- exempt the project from a section The project went before the ing board chairman Alden Har- of the ordinance that prohibits Warren Zoning Board on Wednes- rington said the board will recon- nonconforming structures (like day, May 21, for consideration of vene later this month and hold a the mill) that lie in special flood several variances and special use special meeting on the matter. hazard areas from being enlarged permits, all of which are needed “It was just a miscommunica- or expanded. before the project can continue tion” between the town and the I Another variance would allow buildings to be set closer than 200 feet from a floodway (the Warren WARREN TIVERTON River). 137 Child Street, Warren, RI 492 Main Rd, Tiverton, RI I Developers are looking for a TOM’S MARKET 401-289-2852 401-816-0862 Check out our ad on our website variance on the number of off www.tomsmarket.com street parking spaces. In all, zon- Fresh. Local. Exceptional. Open 8-8 Monday-Saturday; 8-7 Sunday ing codes would require 892 park- ing spaces at the development; CUSTOM CUT FRESH MEATS DELI SEAFOOD developers are looking to install USDA Choice Kretschmar Bacon Crusted USDA Choice $ 99 733 spaces. Boneless Sirloin Filet .....................8 lb. Turkey ..........$ 99 lb. Smithfield 5 Fresh Maine I A variance is being sought for NY Sirloin AGrilling Favorite! Bone-In $ 99 Steak Sirloin Strip Steaks ...............8 lb. Virginia Fresh Sliced Steamers the ordinance’s parking lot $ 59 $ 99 Ham German Bologna . 2 lb. $ 99 requirements, which require one We’re Famous For Them! lb. 5 lb. $ 99 3 Tom’s Gourmet Burgers ...........6 lb. $ 59 “island” for every eight parking 3 lb. Plumrose Fully Cooked Citterio Genoa $ $ 99 spaces. The amount of parking lot Baby Back Ribs .............. 16oz. Tom’s Thick Cut 2/ 12 Salami ..........5 lb. Wild Caught to be landscaped is also at issue. “For the grill!” Tom’s Tuscan Marinated $ 99 $ 99 Fillet of Sole .........6 lb. I Finally, the developers seek a Pork Chops Chicken Breast ...................3 lb. Land-O-Lakes Fresh Sliced $ 99 American Baked Stuffed reduction in the total number of Alfresco $ 59 2 ea. $ 99 $ 99 Breakfast Sausage ...............2 pkg. Cheese .........4 lb. Tilapia .............6 lb. loading spaces/docks required. Apart from planning and zoning WE SUPPORT LOCAL COMPANIES! TOM’S KITCHEN FRESH PRODUCE review, the project also needs Little Rhody Delicious Citrus Grilled $ 99 approvals from the state DEM and Natural Jumbo Chicken Thighs . 4 lb. Blueberries, Chicken On the Vine Brown Raspberries or Tomatoes CRMC. It earned planning board Twin Oaks Eggs Chimichangas Penne w/ White Beans Blackberries Master Plan approval earlier this $ 99 Sausage, Shrimp $ 69 Pasta $ $ 99 lb. 2/ 5 4 ea. $ 99 1 spring. &Rabe........ 6 lb. 2 pkg. Sauce WOW! $ 29 Del’s Tom’s Own Marinated Tom’s Own Market Made 3 1/2 Gallon $ 99 $ 99 Lemonade Mushrooms..... 4 lb. Fritatta ........ 4 lb. Golden Ripe $ 99 $ 99 Pineapples . 2 ea. 1 ea. BAKERY First of the Season! CUTS: Pepperidge Farms 64oz. Almond Breeze Changes California Seedless English $ 99 $ 99 Fresh Baked Multi Grain Italian Bread. ea. Milk ....... 2 ea. Venda Ravioli Tate $ 99 $ 99 $ 1 Ciabatta ....... 3 ea. Peaches .... 1 lb. Cucumbers ....2/ 3 Meat or All Varieties effective July 1 Cheese Cookies Ben & Jerry’s 28oz. Stonefire Fresh Express Guacamole Time! Ice Cream San Marzano Tortelini $ 29 Artisan Pizza Green & Crisp Hass From Page 1 $ 49 $ 99 $ 79 4 pkg. $ 99 $ $ Pints . 3 ea. Tomatoes ... 2 ea. 2 1lb. pkg. Crusts ......... 2 ea. Salad Mix.....2/ 5 Avocados .....2/ 3 Prices in effect June 4-10, 2014. *Not responsible for typographical errors. We accept manufacturers coupons! Gresh was the Warren Planning Board secretary, but submitted her resignation letter to planning board chairman Fred Massie on Tuesday. In confirming the resignation, Personal Touch Mr. Massie noted that members Country Gift Shop voted unanimously Tuesday “to Brighten Up Your Home! condemn the actions taken in the cutting of those positions, and to Patriotic & Summer decor • Country Furniture & Shelves express deep regret.” Framed Prints • Wooden Signs • Variety of Flags Warren Town Manager Thomas Plates & Plate Racks • Braided Rugs • Table Linens Gordon is searching for a new 299 Fall River Avenue, Seekonk, MA • 508-336-0488 part time building inspector and HOURS: Tues-Sat 10-5 LAYAWAY & GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE 508-336-4006 shuffling employees to help cover 1590 Fall River Avenue (Rt. 6), Seekonk, MA • ritebitedental.com departments. Warren Times-Gazette June 4, 2014 Page 3 'Normal' Mt. Hope teen is National Merit Scholar Hazel Baldwin-Kress ing." will graduate fifth in her Her love of reading was the class this coming topic of her winning essay — Saturday, June 7 how literature has shaped her life. The daughter of two college professors, Ms. Baldwin-Kress BY PATRICK LUCE began reading at an early age [email protected] and remains an avid reader, which she credits in part to the She may be "just a normal success she's had so far in her teen," but she's also an excel- education. lent student and, clearly, an "Reading was a way to bond extraordinary test taker. with my parents," she said. "We Hazel Baldwin-Kress is a were always going to libraries.