To the Editor,

While we appreciate the Warwick Beacon publishing an article highlighting our petition to Mayor Picozzi to get the Pawtuxet River Trail reopened, we were not given the opportunity to respond to the property owners’ false and misleading statements in the story.  We are writing to clear the record.

First, Mr. Avagyan falsely stated that the owners would not have appealed if the community had not appealed.  The truth is that his lawyer actually filed his notice of appeal first. And they made clear at the planning board that they were unhappy and planned on appealing.  Mr. Avagyan stated at the public planning board meeting, “We are not giving up that land!” “That land” refers to the conservation easement (including the land of the River Trail) proposed by the Planning Board as a condition of approving their project.

Second, Mr. Avagyan falsely stated that the community was “not satisfied with the 12 acre conservation easement.”  The community supported this easement but chose to appeal the fact that the proposed industrial use on the banks of the Pawtuxet River was inconsistent with the Warwick Comprehensive Plan and city laws which specifically provide for the protection of the Pawtuxet River.

Third, Mr. Avagyan falsely stated that a compromise with the community could have been reached during the appeals process.  On multiple occasions, the community reached out to set up a meeting with the owners and they refused. Then, in March, the owners finally agreed and a date and time was set. Unfortunately, the owners canceled the scheduled meeting and refused our attempts at rescheduling it.

The bottom line is that the community stands ready and willing to sit at the table and support a responsible development that reopens the Pawtuxet River Trail and does not pollute or harm the Pawtuxet River.  The owners, as of now, can’t say the same.

Jeff Sutton, Jaime Sweeney,

Vanessa McCauley, and Jean Sutton

Pawtuxet Green Revival