The Legislative Press and Public Information Bureau
Distributed July 17, 2000
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contact: Dana Rae DelSignore, Publicist
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Representative Naughton applauds $60M bond issue that will upgrade wastewater treatment plants
STATE HOUSE -- Rep. Eileen S. Naughton (D-Dist. 32) of Warwick is pleased that a $60-million bond referendum to curb water pollution and upgrade wastewater treatment plants will go before voters in November.
Included in the $2.4 billion budget (2000-H 7862Aaa) recently signed by Gov. Lincoln Almond, Question 2 would allocate $60 million to the Rhode Island Clean Water Finance Agency, which would in turn offer no-interest loans to the state’s 39 municipalities to improve water quality.
"This is such a creative way for municipalities to improve the quality of their water," said Representative Naughton, who as a member of the Finance Committee helped craft the proposed Question 2. "These no-interest loans would especially affect residents of West Warwick, Warwick and Cranston, since their water facilities are in need of repair. Without these funds, residents will see their sewer bills double, and perhaps triple."
The measure grew from legislation introduced by Representative Naughton that would have placed a $48 million bond issue to pay for tertiary wastewater treatment along the Pawtuxet River on the ballot.
The new bond issue, if approved, would place $60 million in general obligation bonds in a revolving-loan fund handled by the Clean Water Finance Agency. Over 20 years, that figure is expected to swell to an interest-free sum of $215 million.
Question 2 will allow the agency to accomplish three main goals, says Anthony B. Simeone, executive director of RICWFA: The funds will allow Rhode Island’s cities and towns to apply for interest-free loans to upgrade their water treatment centers; give the Narragansett Bay Commission up to $70 million in leveraged funds to prevent the flow of sewage into the bay during heavy rainfalls; and offer statewide water drinking grants.
In all, West Warwick, Warwick and Cranston must spend close to $77 million to upgrade their water treatment plants, which empty into the Pawtuxet River. The towns must upgrade their plants or else face fines from the Department of Environmental Management (DEM).
"This bond issue is so important to the vitality of the Narragansett Bay," said Representative Naughton. "The $60 million provided for wastewater improvements, aquatic habitat restoration, nutrient reduction and storm water runoff will only further improve the quality of the Bay."
A member of the House of Representatives since 1992, Representative Naughton is a member of the House Finance Committee and chair of the House Committee on Accountability in Relation to All Aspects of the Environment and the Conservation and Use of the Natural Resources of the State.