By Donna Kenny Kirwan

CENTRAL FALLS — Thanks to some quick work on the part of the city administration, Central Falls is one of only two communities in the state so far to receive a minimum of $250,000 in federal stimulus funding for road repaving.

The city is repaving 12 roads under the Rhode Island Department of Transportation's RI-LEAP Program (Roadway Investment Local Equity Aid Program). The funding for the program is under the federal stimulus package each community in Rhode Island will be receiving for road reconstruction at a minimum of $250,000.
According to a press release from Mayor Charles Moreau's office, in order to qualify for the funds, a city or town is required to submit an engineering design plan and contract book.
Most of the communities chose to go out to bid for a consulting firm to generate the engineering plan, which costs approximately $20,000. However, due to budget constraints, Moreau opted to generate the engineering plan and contract book in-house through the city's Department of Public Works.
This move saved taxpayers $20,000, which could be used to pave two or three more roads, according to the press release.
Central Falls and Portsmouth were the only two communities in the state that submitted their   engineering design plans and have obtained DOT approval to do the road reconstruction this fall. All of the remaining cities and towns are submitting their plans next year for funding in 2010.
The contractor that won the road resurfacing bid is Cardi Corporation, and all of the repaving work is scheduled to be completed by Nov. 6. The 12 roads that will be repaved (according to priority) are Aetna Street (entire length), Butler Avenue (entire length), Valley Street (Dexter Street to Fuller Street), Richmond Street (Aetna Street to School Street), Cross Street (Railroad Street to Roosevelt Avenue), Bellevue Avenue (entire length), Barber Avenue (entire length), Sheridan Street (entire length), River Street (entire length), New Haven Street (entire length), Clifton Street (entire length) and Ayr Street (entire length).
According to a spokesman from Moreau's office, the mayor has directed his department heads to aggressively seek any federal stimulus money that is available for the city. In addition to the road repaving funds, the city was just notified  that it has been approved to receive $7.8 million for school repairs.
According to Moreau's office, Central Falls was one of nine school districts to apply for the first round of $22 million in stimulus money.  The city was one of six school districts to receive approval.