Leo Regis Roy
1900 - 1989
Sewer Authority and Review Board
In May 1962, 20 names were submitted for consideration to serve on the sewer authority that had been created by the General Assembly. Leo R. Roy's name was submitted by Joseph P. McKeever, Democratic chairman along with 9 other names. The republican chairman also submitted 10 names. Two Democrats and two Republicans will be chosen as well as one member without a party designation. Salaries will be determined in the future for these positions.
The five-person members of the Warwick Sewer Authority were chosen by Mayor Horace E. Hobbs, a Democrat, in May 1962. Leo Roy will serve for two years. He served on the sewer survey advisory committee, which made recommendations for the city's proposed sewer program after a professional survey was completed.
The Evening Bulletin, Providence, Rhode Island, Tuesday, May 29, 1962, page 2
A referendum will be held in a special election in September 1962 so Warwick can become eligible for federal funds to construct sewers. If the referendum is approved the city will be eligible for a possible additional four million dollars in federal aid.
Before the referendum was held the Warwick Sewer authority chose the Pawtuxet River site the sewage treatment plant. The site consists of 40 acres west of Jefferson Boulevard in the Hillsgrove section of the city. It is between Three Ponds Brook and the Pawtuxet River. It will be isolated from the rest of the city by the new Route 95.
The Providence Sunday Journal, Providence, Rhode Island, Sunday, December 2, 1962, page N-67
The board created a brochure to inform taxpayers before the referendum about the board's general plans and recommendations for financing and building the sewer system. This eight-page brochure was mailed to the residents of the city.
In July 1962 Leo Roy and some other board members travelled to Hartford to talk with officials of the Metropolitan District Commission of that city. They discussed installation costs and annual service charges for the sewer.
By August 1962 the federal bill to provide matching money for the sewer project had not been passed so the referendum had to be postponed until December.
The referendum was held December 4, 1962 and it was overwhelming approved by the voters. A $4,000,000 bond was issued for the sewers. In 1962 Warwick was the only city in the state without a sewer system.
The Evening Bulletin, Providence, Rhode Island, Wednesday, December 5, 1962, page 6
By December 1962 is was decided that the board members would by paid a salary of $1800 which is about $19,000 today.
The Providence Sunday Journal, Providence, Rhode Island, Sunday, December 2, 1962, page N-67
In April 1963 sewer inspectors were hired for $115 per week which is $5,980 per year. In todays dollars that would be $61,000 per year. There were about 50 applicants for the 15 available positions. Discussions about the hiring and job requirements were held in secret meetings by the sewer authority. One of the new inspectors was Francis O'Neill, Leo Roy's nephew. Francis mother was Anna (Roy) O'Neill, Leo's sister.
The first shovel of dirt was turned over for the sewer project on Monday, April 15, 1963.
Providence Journal, Providence, Rhode Island, Monday, April 15, 1963, page 4
In July 1963 Leo Roy and other city and sewer officials made a trip to New York City to talk to representatives of the Housing and Home Finance Agency and the Public Health Service. They were looking for approval from these agencies to redistribute government funds in the $8,000,000 sewer program. They failed to get approval. It was felt that approval to transfer funds could not be given at the regional level That would need to come from the Area Redevelopment Agency in Washington.
There has been unanticipated high bid prices for phase one of the sewer project and the transfer of money is necessary to cover these costs. The sewer authority wants to take money from sewer line constructions and transfer it to the construction of pumping stations. The pumping stations have to be built no matter how many feet of pipe are laid. Money can be cut back in the sewer line construction but not on the pumping stations.
The Sewer Authority needed to economize funds so they decided to amend the contracts for patching the roads. The contractors had to resubmit bids. Leo Roy was quoted as saying "too much work and the bids might come in even higher that the present costs for cold patching."
During the summer of 1963 $285,000 in funds were transferred. They were still hoping for more money to be transferred in 1964.
The sewer tax rate was set at $7.40 per foot in 1964. The original rate was going to be in the six dollar range. When the new rate was approve Leo Roy was not in favor of it since a lower rate had been told to the people.
Leo Roy's term was for two years. He was replaced by Joseph P. McKeever in late 1965. This is the same man who submitted Leo Roy's name to be on the sewer authority in 1962.
In early 1965 Leo was appointed to the sewer assessment review board. By late 1965 Leo Roy was the chairman of the review board. He was paid $450 a year which in todays dollars is $4,400.
The review board made decisions about grievances filed by homeowners and businesses about how much money they had to pay to connect to the sewers.
Leo Roy was unanimously reelected as of the chairman of the Warwick Sewer Assessment Board of Review board in 1967.
In 1970 Leo Roy was replaced on the review board by William Caron.
Sources
"$6-Per-Foot Frontage May be Sewer Charge", The Evening Bulletin, Tuesday, August 28, 1962, page 2
"16 Vacancies Filled", The Evening Bulletin, Providence, Rhode Island, Tuesday, May 26, 1970, page 2
"Authority Selects Pawtuxet River Site for Sewage Plant", The Evening Bulletin, Providence, Rhode Island, Tuesday, July 17, 1962, page 2
"Campaign for Sewers Will Be Stepped Up", The Evening Bulletin, Providence, Rhode Island, Tuesday, October 30, 1962, page 2
"Closed Sessions Sought", Providence Journal, Providence, Rhode Island, Sunday, January 31, 1965 page 105
"Hobbs Cancels Sewer Bond Vote", The Evening Bulletin, Providence, Rhode Island, Saturday, August4, 1962 page 18
"Mayor Appoints Five For Sewer Board", The Evening Bulletin, Providence, Rhode Island, Monday, May 14, 1962, page 2
"More Money For Sewers Seen Possible", Providence Journal, Tuesday, October 8, 1962, page 2
"Review Board Abates Sewer Assessment", The Evening Bulletin, Providence, Rhode Island, Wednesday, January 26, 1966, page 2
"Sewer Authority Patronage", Providence Journal, Providence, Rhode Island, Sunday, April 14, 1963, page 81
"Sewer Bd. Study Asked", The Evening Bulletin, Providence, Rhode Island, Tuesday, November 23, 1965, page 2
"Sewer Board Advised On Alternate Plans", The Evening Bulletin, Providence, Rhode Island, Tuesday, July 10, 1962, page 2
"Sewer Rate Is $7.40", The Evening Bulletin, Providence, Rhode Island, Tuesday, August 4, 1964 page 2
"Sewer Tax Bd. Reelects Roy", The Evening Bulletin, Providence, Rhode Island, Tuesday, February 21, 1967, page 2
"To Reorganize Again", The Evening Bulletin, Providence, Rhode Island, Tuesday, January 12, 1965, page 3
"Warwick Authorized To Set Up Sewer Board", The Evening Bulletin, Providence, Rhode Island, Tuesday, April 24, 1962, page 2