Mayor Scott Avedisian announced today that Warwick’s Truancy Court continues to have a positive effect on students and their families, with statistics from the 2008-2009 school year showing Warwick ahead of statewide averages in such areas as increased attendance and improved grades.

Water and sewer tax payments will soon be accepted online and by phone too

Mayor Scott Avedisian today announced that the city, which recently began accepting property tax payments online, now also offers taxpayers the ability to pay current year property tax bills by phone with a credit card or an e-check.   Those interested in using this new service must call the vendor, Official Payments, toll free at 877-847-6321. Taxpayers must have their year and bill number ready.

The Fire Department’s Annual Fire Safety Day will be held rain or shine this Saturday, October 24, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at fire headquarters, located in Apponaug, 111 Veterans Memorial Drive (adjacent to the police station).

Mayor Scott Avedisian today offered his congratulations to Finance Director Ernest Zmyslinski, who last night received the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council’s 2009 Robert M. Goodrich Distinguished Public Service Award. The honor was bestowed during RIPEC’s 66th annual meeting, which was attended by an audience of over 400, comprised of the state’s business, government and community leaders.

Mayor Scott Avedisian today announced the start of the 2009 annual Neighbors Helping Neighbors holiday food program. The Department of Human Services is seeking the assistance of the Warwick community to help needy families this holiday season by making donations to “Neighbors Helping Neighbors.” 

A ceremonial groundbreaking marked the beginning of $900,000 project

Mayor Scott Avedisian and Thomas Kearney, president and CEO of Kearflex Engineering, Inc., today led a ceremonial groundbreaking to mark the $900,000 expansion of the company’s Cypress Street manufacturing facility.
 
A corporate leader in certification to the international ISO 9000 standard, Kearflex’s products are used on military and commercial aircraft in critical flight applications, including air data computers and instrumentation and cabin pressure systems. A family-owned company for 46 years (37 of them in Warwick), Kearflex has also been recognized by a major military aircraft manufacturer for its “ship to stock” quality program – a demonstrated quality honor held by only a few in the entire vendor base.

Seniors looking to hone their computer skills or learn how to navigate the Internet now have more resources available, thanks to a donation from Wave Federal Credit Union that Mayor Scott Avedisian and Wave officials announced this morning.

The credit union has donated nine computers and peripherals – keyboards, mouse pads, new flat screen monitors and the like – to the Pilgrim Senior Center. The equipment will allow the center to expand its current computer and technology classes and, hopefully, entice more seniors to learn how to use the Internet and other computer programs, Avedisian said.

Free program is meant to help safeguard those with memory impairments and cognitive brain disorders

Mayor Scott Avedisian and representatives from MissingPatient.com announced today the city’s participation in the free program and encouraged qualified residents to enroll. They were joined this morning by members of the city’s Human Services, Police and Fire departments.

Founded by Rhode Islander Timothy Holmgren, MissingPatient.com helps caregivers, medical professionals, public safety personnel and others to find missing loved one(s), such as those suffering from Autism, Alzheimer’s disease or any other cognitive brain disorder. Some have likened the system to the “Amber Alert,” a nationwide system for missing children. MissingPatient.com is now available through statewide agencies in several places, including Florida, Ohio, North Carolina and Texas, though Warwick is the first municipality to offer the program directly through its police department and senior center.