From:                                         Rocchio, Robert (DOT)

Sent:                                           Tuesday, July 9, 2019 7:52 AM

To:                                               St. Martin III, Charles (DOT); Pettengill, Lisbeth (DOT)
Subject:                                     RE: [EXTERNAL] : NBC 10 INQUIRY
 
Yes, correct.
 
From: St. Martin III, Charles (DOT)
Sent: Monday, July 08, 2019 6:59 PM
To: Pettengill, Lisbeth (DOT) <Lisbeth.Pettengill@dot.ri.gov>
Cc: Rocchio, Robert (DOT) <robert.rocchio@dot.ri.gov>
Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] : NBC 10 INQUIRY
 
Yes - and I believe CRMC has approved the plan in concept but needs to formally review and
approve the final plan. Is that correct Bob?
 
 
 
Charles St. Martin
Chief of Public Affairs
Office of Communications and Customer Service
Rhode Island Department of Transportation
2 Capitol Hill - Room 214A
Providence, Rhode Island 02903
O:  401-222-1362, Ext. 4007
M: 401-641-8934
F:   401-222-3905
E: charles.stmartin@dot.ri.gov
www.dot.ri.gov
www.facebook.com/ridotnews
@ridotnews
 

 
 
From: Pettengill, Lisbeth (DOT)
Sent: Monday, July 8, 2019 6:53 PM
To: St. Martin III, Charles (DOT)
Cc: Rocchio, Robert (DOT)
Subject: RE: [EXTERNAL] : NBC 10 INQUIRY
 
Okay.  Gives is a little time.
 
From: St. Martin III, Charles (DOT)
Sent: Monday, July 8, 2019 6:45 PM
To: Pettengill, Lisbeth (DOT) <Lisbeth.Pettengill@dot.ri.gov>
Cc: Rocchio, Robert (DOT) <robert.rocchio@dot.ri.gov>
Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] : NBC 10 INQUIRY
 
She just asked us to comment on the release. She did say another reporter may be taking the story.
However, I just called the desk and there's some breaking news they are covering so they are no
longer interested in this story (at least for tonight).
 
This is the first call I got since the Reps' press release; which we didn't know about until the
reporter called us. I suspect they will come back at us tomorrow.
 
Charles St. Martin
Chief of Public Affairs
Office of Communications and Customer Service
Rhode Island Department of Transportation
2 Capitol Hill - Room 214A
Providence, Rhode Island 02903
O:  401-222-1362, Ext. 4007
M: 401-641-8934
F:   401-222-3905
E: charles.stmartin@dot.ri.gov
www.dot.ri.gov
www.facebook.com/ridotnews
@ridotnews
 

 
 
From: Pettengill, Lisbeth (DOT)
Sent: Monday, July 8, 2019 6:37 PM
To: St. Martin III, Charles (DOT)
Cc: Rocchio, Robert (DOT)
Subject: RE: [EXTERNAL] : NBC 10 INQUIRY
 
Charles, did Danielle have a specific question or did she just ask us to comment on the press release? 
Thanks.;
 
From: St. Martin III, Charles (DOT)
Sent: Monday, July 8, 2019 6:33 PM
To: Pettengill, Lisbeth (DOT) <Lisbeth.Pettengill@dot.ri.gov>; Rocchio, Robert (DOT)
<robert.rocchio@dot.ri.gov>
Subject: Fw: [EXTERNAL] : NBC 10 INQUIRY
 
Draft response (last graph optional):
 

RIDOT has not restricted public access to the water. RIDOT has been working to provide
safer and more convenient access to the water while remaining sensitive to the
neighborhood.

This includes plantings as part of a beautification project as the initial phase, and
establishment of off-the-road parking spaces parallel to the roadway as a second phase.
Historically, vehicles drove over a curb and were backing out onto the road, creating a
safety concern because it is difficult to see ongoing traffic crossing the bridge.

RIDOT is working with CRMC to develop a plan that combines the beautification and safety
improvements.  RIDOT will submit this plan for CRMC review in approximately three weeks.
If approved, RIDOT will make the improvements as quickly as possible.

Unfortunately, an Adopt A Spot applicant’s improvements for plantings and a small section
of curbing extended beyond the RIDOT right of way and onto CRMC jurisdiction. The
Department apologies for this, and will continue to work with the CRMC to make
improvements that meet all CRMC requirements.

 
 
 
Charles St. Martin
Chief of Public Affairs
Office of Communications and Customer Service
Rhode Island Department of Transportation
2 Capitol Hill - Room 214A
Providence, Rhode Island 02903
O:  401-222-1362, Ext. 4007
M: 401-641-8934
F:   401-222-3905
E: charles.stmartin@dot.ri.gov
www.dot.ri.gov
www.facebook.com/ridotnews
@ridotnews
 

 
From: Danielle Kennedy <Dnkennedy@sbgtv.com>
Sent: Monday, July 8, 2019 4:53 PM
To: St. Martin III, Charles (DOT)
Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] : NBC 10 INQUIRY
 

HERE IS THE PRESS RELEASE --

Thank you for your help

Reps. Edwards, Canario call on RIDOT to remove barrier of water access to Nanaquaket Pond in
Tiverton
 
STATE HOUSE — Rep. John G. Edwards (D-Dist. 70, Portsmouth, Tiverton) and Rep. Dennis M.
Canario (D-Dist. 71, Portsmouth, Tiverton, Little Compton) have called upon the Rhode Island
Department of Transportation to remove a barrier that has been erected on Nanaquaket Road in
Tiverton that blocks access to an inlet of Narragansett Bay.
“This is just shameful that RIDOT closed off a long-time parking area enjoyed by dozens of my
constituents in order to satisfy a single abutter” explained Representative Edwards. “Curbing and
ornamental landscaping were installed last fall, by both RIDOT & the abutter and I’ve been getting
numerous complaints from constituents who used to access the water from that point. To date,
RIDOT has not acted to correct the problem”
The spot in question is a strip of land just to the west of Nanaquaket Bridge, which spans the
waterway and borders the districts of Representatives Edwards and Canario. Complaints about the
barrier began in January, and the Department of Transportation has yet to resolve the problem,
despite receiving a Notice of Violation from the Coastal Resources Management Council. 
“Every Rhode Islander has a constitutional right to access the shoreline, and parking for these areas
is rare if ever available. For the state to take away any of these spots is just unfathomable,”
lamented Representative Canario.
 
 

Danielle Kennedy
Multimedia Journalist
NBC 10 News
Email: Dnkennedy@sbgtv.com
Cell: (401) 447-2972                              
Twitter: @NBC10_Danielle
From: St. Martin III, Charles (DOT) <charles.stmartin@dot.ri.gov>
Sent: Monday, July 8, 2019 4:43:49 PM
To: Danielle Kennedy
Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] : NBC 10 INQUIRY
 
Something you need tonight?
 
Get Outlook for iOS [aka.ms]
From: Danielle Kennedy <Dnkennedy@sbgtv.com>
Sent: Monday, July 8, 2019 4:16:19 PM
To: St. Martin III, Charles (DOT)
Subject: [EXTERNAL] : NBC 10 INQUIRY
 

Hi Charles, 

Danielle Kennedy here with NBC 10 -- I hope you're doing well! 

Reaching out to see if you have a statement regarding the barrier that was placed on Nanaquaket
Road in Tiverton. We are working on a story about it tonight. I know some state reps and citizens
have called for it to be removed. Not sure if that has been done yet. 

thank you for your help! 

All the best,

Danielle Kennedy 
Danielle Kennedy
Multimedia Journalist
NBC 10 News
Email: Dnkennedy@sbgtv.com
Cell: (401) 447-2972                              
Twitter: @NBC10_Danielle