Senators reject bill to clean up Ellery Pond
Kaylen Duarte
Issue date: 3/11/10 Section: News
3/11/10 - Univeristy of Rhode Island student senators narrowly rejected a plan last night to fund the cleanup of Ellery Pond, leaving many senators disappointed and more than a few feathers ruffled.
Ellery Pond represents a number of problems for the URI community, including occasional flooding of nearby residence halls during heavy rainstorms, Campus Affairs Chairman Anthony Sinapi said.
Under the proposed bill, the Student Senate would have paid $3,500 to a landscaping company to clean up the area surrounding Ellery Pond. The company, Koda's Industries Tree and Landscaping, of Tiverton, is owned by URI student Neil Furtado. The work done by Furtado's company would have complemented a $25,000 commitment by the university to dredge the pond, which will remove waste and clear the pond for better drainage.
In addition to a general cleanup, supporters of the bill hoped to turn Ellery Pond into a spot for student enjoyment with benches and a fountain.
Despite resounding support from nearly every side for the cleanup of the pond that one senator labeled a campus eyesore, some senators felt that providing direct funding for the project would mean doing the job of URI's landscape and grounds staff.
"We're supposed to challenge the school to do their job," said Senator Douglas Tondreau.
Tondreau also pointed out that dredging the pond could harm animal life around the area, but aquaculture and fisheries technology major Senator Shaun O'Loughlin assured the senate otherwise.
There is little to no life in Ellery Pond and dredging the pond will not negatively affect the ecosystem, said O'Loughlin, who has tested Ellery Pond for his coursework.
Environmental considerations aside, the idea of spending senate money to fulfill a university responsibility remained a serious concern for a number of senators. Finance Committee Chairman Allen Petit suggested that rather than fund the cleanup directly, the senate seek support through fundraising.
Ellery Pond represents a number of problems for the URI community, including occasional flooding of nearby residence halls during heavy rainstorms, Campus Affairs Chairman Anthony Sinapi said.
Under the proposed bill, the Student Senate would have paid $3,500 to a landscaping company to clean up the area surrounding Ellery Pond. The company, Koda's Industries Tree and Landscaping, of Tiverton, is owned by URI student Neil Furtado. The work done by Furtado's company would have complemented a $25,000 commitment by the university to dredge the pond, which will remove waste and clear the pond for better drainage.
In addition to a general cleanup, supporters of the bill hoped to turn Ellery Pond into a spot for student enjoyment with benches and a fountain.
Despite resounding support from nearly every side for the cleanup of the pond that one senator labeled a campus eyesore, some senators felt that providing direct funding for the project would mean doing the job of URI's landscape and grounds staff.
"We're supposed to challenge the school to do their job," said Senator Douglas Tondreau.
Tondreau also pointed out that dredging the pond could harm animal life around the area, but aquaculture and fisheries technology major Senator Shaun O'Loughlin assured the senate otherwise.
There is little to no life in Ellery Pond and dredging the pond will not negatively affect the ecosystem, said O'Loughlin, who has tested Ellery Pond for his coursework.
Environmental considerations aside, the idea of spending senate money to fulfill a university responsibility remained a serious concern for a number of senators. Finance Committee Chairman Allen Petit suggested that rather than fund the cleanup directly, the senate seek support through fundraising.
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Sam
posted 3/11/10 @ 9:41 AM EST
Those of you who are still interested in pursuing this opportunity to improve the health and looks of this troublesome pond should figure out what the plans are for the reconstruction of the upperclassman buildings, particularly Ellery and Dorr Halls. (Continued…)
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