October 2025 Enforcement Action Summary
This report includes formal enforcement actions issued or resolved by the Office of Compliance & Inspection (OC&I) for October 2025. This report is intended to inform the public of certain compliance/enforcement activities performed in the preceding month to protect the public's health, safety, welfare, and the environment.
Formal enforcement actions are taken to achieve compliance with law/regulations; remediate environmental damage; restore natural resources to appropriate conditions; impose penalties that capture the gravity of the situation and any economic benefit gained by the alleged violator; and deter similar actions in the future. Formal enforcement is generally in the form of a Notice of Violation (NOV) that alleges certain facts and violations, contains orders to resolve the alleged violations, contains an assessed penalty with supporting documentation regarding what factors OC&I used to determine the penalty, and, by law, allows a respondent the ability to appeal or contest the NOV to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) Administrative Adjudication Division (AAD). Since most NOVs are contested cases, OC&I does not generally discuss the case with the public while the matter is awaiting hearing or pending negotiated settlement. NOVs are subject to release under the Access to Public Records law in Rhode Island. A copy of an individual NOV may be obtained through the RIDEM's Office of Customer and Technical Assistance. OC&I often resolve formal enforcement actions through negotiated settlement agreements prior to hearing before the AAD.
October 16, 2025 – Hazardous Waste File No. OCI-HW-24-13 re: GNI West Warwick, Inc. d/b/a Stop & Go Gas II and Imad E. Melhem for property located at 929 Providence Street Assessor’s Plat 39., Lot 213, in West Warwick, Rode Island (“Property”). The Property includes a facility used for small engine repairs, oil changes on vehicles, and gas station (“Facility”). Respondent Imad E. Melhem owns the Property. Respondent GNI West Warwick, Inc. d/b/a Stop & Go Gas II operates the Facility. OC&I alleges that Respondents violated Rhode Island’s Oil Pollution Control Act, Oil Pollution Control Regulations (250-RICR-140-25-2), and the Rules and Regulations for Hazardous Waste Management (250-RICR-140-10-1). View the NOV.
October 7, 2025 – Underground Storage Tank File No. UST-24-31-00723 re: STRIPER MARINA, INC. and STRIPER REALTY GROUP, LLC for property located at 26 Tyler Point Road, Assessor’s Plat 27, Lot 120 in Barrington, Rhode Island. The property includes a marina and a petroleum product storage and dispensing system. STRIPER REALTY GROUP, LLC is the owner of the property and STRIPER MARINA INC. is the operator of the facility. On January 31, 2025, OC&I issued a NOV to Respondents alleging that Respondents violated Rhode Island’s Rules and Regulations for Underground Storage Facilities Used for Regulated Substances and Hazardous Materials (250-RICR-140-25-1). View the NOV. Respondent did not file an appeal of the NOV with AAD. Respondent complied with the Order section of the NOV and paid a reduced penalty of $4,016 to fully resolve the NOV.
October 21, 2025 - – Underground Storage Tank File No OC&I/UST 99-03032 re: Louis Verduchi, Carol Verduchi, and Gary J. Verduchi for property located at 75 Mineral Spring Avenue, Assessor’s Plat 45, Lot 399, Pawtucket, Rhode Island. On April 15, 1999, OC&I issued a NOV to Respondents alleging that Respondents violated Rhode Island’s Rules and Regulations for Underground Storage Facilities Used for Petroleum Products and Hazardous Materials. View the NOV. Respondent filed and appeal of the NOV with AAD. On April 15, 1999, a hearing was held on the NOV. On April 3, 2000, the hearing officer issued a Decision and Order upholding the NOV in part and reducing the penalty assessed in the NOV to $25,860. View the Decision. Respondent complied with the Order section of the NOV, but did not pay the penalty assessed in the Decision. OC&I referred collection of the penalty to a collection agency, and Respondent paid $50,000 (penalty + interest) to fully resolve the NOV.
October 21, 2025 – Underground Storage Tank File No. OCI-UST-24-30-03245 re: Homestead Baking Co. for property located at 145 N. Broadway, Assessor’s Map 404, Block 2, Parcel 4 in East Providence, Rhode Island. The property includes a commercial bakery and a petroleum product storage and dispensing system. The Respondent is the owner and operator of one underground storage tank that is installed on the property, which tank is used for storage of petroleum product. On December 19, 2024, OC&I issued a NOV to Respondent alleging that Respondent violated Rhode Island’s Rules and Regulations for Underground Storage Facilities Used for Regulated Substances and Hazardous Materials (250-RICR-140-25-1). View the NOV. Respondent filed an appeal of the NOV with AAD. Prior to an administrative hearing on the NOV, Respondent complied with the Order section of the NOV and paid a reduced penalty of $3,500 to fully resolve the NOV.
None filed this month.
None settled or resolved this month.