Layoffs pull East Greenwich mayor back to DUI arrest

Jan 10, 2013

EAST GREENWICH — The mayor of East Greenwich has once again come under fire after a controversial vote to lay off a part-time police officer linked to the mayor’s arrest for alleged drunk driving this past summer.

Democratic Mayor Fred Grant, who was charged with DUI in July, said the decision not to renew the employment for a part-time officer and police clerk was part of financial plan to alleviate budget woes for the township.

Grant said a 20 percent budget cut has been issued among all departments and police officials have been uncooperative, which forced his hand in eliminating the two positions from a hiring resolution prior to a town meeting this past weekend.

He said 17 of 21 police officers in East Greenwich will make more than $80,000 in salary alone in 2013.

“When you factor in health care and pension costs they are all well above $100,000,” he said. “We are just asking for shared sacrifice across all departments.”

But police officials have pointed to the layoff as a blatant attack on the department for its involvement in Grant’s arrest. Police Chief Barry Jenkins said Patrolman Gerald Hall, the officer let go, was on scene the night of Grant’s arrest, which took place around midnight July 31.

“The officer involved was working that night and he was on scene,” said Jenkins. “It is in the officer’s report.”

Grant denies these claims or ever seeing Hall the night he was stopped. Grant said he was initially pulled over by Patrolman Kyle Messick, who was then backed up by Sgt. Anthony Francesco.

“This is in no way related,” Grant said. “I am a representative of this township and my personal matters do not enter any business that I conduct for this town.”

According to police, Grant was pulled over for driving 91 mph in a 45-mph zone on Kings Highway the night of his arrest. He was later charged with DWI and is awaiting a court date.

The resolution that ultimately led to the two layoffs was approved by a 3-2 vote during the township’s reorganization meeting Jan. 5. Committeeman Sam Giordano Jr., a Democrat, said Thursday it was a “yes” vote he wishes he could have back.

​“I know it is my responsibility to check the agenda, but I feel the mayor should have let us know the two names were left off the list,” said Giordano. “If I knew, I would not have voted for the resolution.”

Grant said it is not his job to “babysit” the other committeeman. He said all five members get the same paperwork and resolutions he does before each meeting and they have been aware since November that the town is facing a tough budget year. “We are struggling with the 2 percent cap just like every town,” said Grant. “Over the last three years, the township has lost $350,000 in state aid.”

Grant also cited revenue problems, which have caused about a $500,000 budget shortfall. He said in the four years prior to 2012, the town averaged $1 million in revenues.

But Giordano, like Jenkins, said he was under the assumption they would not be voting on any layoffs until the final numbers came back from the chief financial officer.

“The mayor didn’t do anything illegal, but it was unethical,” said Giordano. “We didn’t have an opportunity to give these folks a heads-up. They came to work Monday and found out they had no job.”
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