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Warwick Mayor-elect Picozzi inauguration today – makes appointments
Today, Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021, Mayor-elect Frank Picozzi, members of the City Council and School Committee will be sworn into office. Events begin at Noon with Mayor-elect Frank Picozzi and his wife Kim, along with other members of his family will gather on the steps of Warwick City Hall for the inauguration ceremony.
Other events in the inauguration will be held virtually.
- 2 p.m.: Mayor Picozzi will take part in an online inauguration ceremony for the Rhode Island House of Representatives at Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium.
- 4 p.m.: Mayor Picozzi will take part in the inaugural ceremony for the Rhode Island State Senate at Rhode Island College.
- 5 p.m.: Mayor Picozzi will administer the Oath of Office virtually to the at-large members of the School Committee. The Mayor will also speak about the working partnership he intends to have with the School Committee and with Superintendent Thornton.
- 7 p.m.: Mayor Picozzi will administer the Oath of Office virtually to the City Council. The Mayor will also open the City Council meeting and give his inaugural address.
Note: Judge Flaherty was to administer the oath of office, but he has tested positive for COVID19, so Judge Isherwood will step in.
The new Mayor-elect said he would like to have a food truck event at Rocky Point to celebrate all of the elected officials past and present when health conditions improve.
Information on how to view the ceremonies is here:
01-05-2021 Warwick Inauguration Docket (1)
01-05-2021 Warwick Inauguration Docket (2)
Mayor-Elect Frank Picozzi has announced the following appointments:
Brad Conner as Police Chief. He will begin serving in mid-January. Rick Rathbun, the current Chief, will retire effective January 4th. Deputy Chief Mark Ullucci will be the interim Chief until Conner takes over. Brad Conner formerly served the department as Deputy Chief. “Chief Rathbun served the department with honor and distinction and I thank him for his service to the community and wish him well in his retirements and future endeavors,” said Picozzi.
Eric Earls will be appointed as Director of the Department of Public Works and will also serve as the City Engineer. Earls has a bachelor’s degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering for Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He has 12 years of experience in the public sector working as an engineer in Newport and Warwick. He most recently served as DPW Director in the city of Pawtucket. “Due to a large number of layoffs and a complete lack of effort to replace old and failing equipment, the The Public Works Department has been struggling mightily-and in some aspects failing- to provide the residents with the level of service to which they are both entitled, deserve and are used to. I have every confidence that Eric will work with me to come up with a plan to restore our DPW to not only what it once was, but better than ever.” Picozzi said.
Beverly Wiley ** will be appointed as Director of Parks and Recreation. Wiley is a Warwick native and a graduate of URI and Northfield University. She served as Commissioner of USA Softball of RI for 29 years and has leadership roles in many organizations. She formerly served as summer Recreation Director in Foster. She’ll be leaving her current position as Compliance Officer in the Athletic Department at CCRI. “Back in the 90s when I was president of Apponaug Girls Softball Bev was the state commissioner. She ran the state program with efficiency and dedication and she gained my respect then and that respect lasts to this day. She has an extensive background in researching, writing, and securing recreation grants. Bev was the clear choice to help me attain my vision of what our recreation facilities in the city should be, “ said Picozzi.
Bruce Kaiser will be appointed Director of the Planning Department. Bruce has a BA in Political Science for Boston University and a Masters Degree in public administration for the University of Virginia. Kaiser has held positions in government such as Director of Administration/AssistantTown Manager in South Kingston, Town Administrator in Jamestown, and Director of Administration in Warwick. “Bruce has a vast knowledge of how municipal governments run. I’m very pleased to have a man of his experience to turn, as I move this city forward, “ said Picozzi.
RI Supreme Court Justice and former Warwick Mayor Francis X. Flaherty was to administer the oath of office to Mayor-Elect Picozzi on Tuesday, January 5th, but has tested positive for Covid-19. Stephen Isherwood, a District Court Judge and Warwick resident, will take Justice Flaherty’s place.
** See RINewsToday story on Bev Wiley in March of 2020: