CITY OF CENTRAL FALLS
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1995
A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CENTRAL FALLS CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD ON THE ABOVE DATE IN THE CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT 7:40 P.M.
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS
COUNCILMAN GOES
COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE ABSENT DUE TO ILLNESS
COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU
COUNCILMAN CANAVAN
QUORUM PRESENT.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
COUNCIL PRESIDENT ROBERT CANAVAN PRESIDED AND LED THE ASSEMBLY IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
REGULAR MEETING JULY 10, 1995 AND REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 7, 1995
MOTION TO ACCEPT AND PLACE ON FILE WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN GOES AND SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU.
| COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS | YES |
| COUNCILMAN GOES | YES |
| COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE | ABSENT |
| COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU | YES |
| COUNCILMAN CANAVAN | YES |
MOTION CARRIED 4 YES 0 NO 1 ABSENT.
ROBERT H. ALLARD, SR.
D/B/A COLEMAN TIRE
601 LONSDALE AVE. C.F.
THE APPLICANT WAS PRESENT AND RESPONDED TO QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MOTION TO APPROVE WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN GOES AND SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU.
| COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS | YES |
| COUNCILMAN GOES | YES |
| COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE | ABSENT |
| COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU | YES |
| COUNCILMAN CANAVAN | YES |
MOTION CARRIED 4 YES 0 NO 1 ABSENT.
ANDES ALMONTE
D/B/A BOTANICA "SAN LAZARO"
525 BROAD ST. C.F.
THE APPLICANT WAS PRESENT AND RESPONDED TO QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MOTION TO APPROVE WAS MADE BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN GOES.
| COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS | YES |
| COUNCILMAN GOES | YES |
| COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE | ABSENT |
| COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU | YES |
| COUNCILMAN CANAVAN | YES |
MOTION CARRIED 4 YES 0 NO 1 ABSENT.
ENIOLA POWER
D/B/A CHRIS-ENY BEAUTY SALON
590 DEXTER ST
CENTRAL FALLS, R.I.
THE CITY CLERK RELATED THAT DEPT. OF HEALTH AND CODE ENFORCEMENT APPROVALS WERE STILL NEEDED ON THIS APPLICATION.
MOTION TO APPROVE SUBJECT TO ALL OTHER APPROVALS WAS MADE BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN GOES.
| COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS | YES |
| COUNCILMAN GOES | YES |
| COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE | ABSENT |
| COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU | YES |
| COUNCILMAN CANAVAN | YES |
MOTION CARRIED 4 YES 0 NO 1 ABSENT.
RESOLUTION NAMING THE CPL. IVAN D. PEREZ SOCCER FIELD AT HIGGINSON AVENUE SPORTS COMPLEX.
RESOLUTION NAMING THE HIGGINSON AVENUE SPORTS COMPLEX THE FRANCIS L. CORRIGAN PARK.
PUBLIC HEARING OPENED. NO COMMENTS. PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED.
MOTION TO APPROVE COLLECTIVELY WAS MADE BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN GOES AND COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS.
| COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS | YES |
| COUNCILMAN GOES | YES |
| COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE | ABSENT |
| COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU | YES |
| COUNCILMAN CANAVAN | YES |
MOTION CARRIED 4 YES 0 NO 1 ABSENT.
FOUR TO ZERO, MOTION CARRIES
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION.
CLERK ISSA READ THE ORDINANCE.
THERE WAS NO PUBLIC COMMENT.
MOTION TO APPROVE WAS MADE BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN GOES.
| COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS | YES |
| COUNCILMAN GOES | YES |
| COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE | ABSENT |
| COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU | YES |
| COUNCILMAN CANAVAN | YES |
MOTION CARRIED 4 YES 0 NO 1 ABSENT.
DELAYED UNTIL AFTER HISTORIC DISTRICT HEARING.
PUBLIC HEARING OPENED.
RICHARD LUSSIER
65-67 RAND ST.
MR. LUSSIER STATED THAT IF HE DOES NOT HAVE SOME TYPE OF RESOLUTION TO HIS PROBLEM BY WEEK'S END HE WILL SEEK A RESTRAINING ORDER FROM THE COURTS. HE STATED THAT HE WAS NOT NOTIFIED IN WRITING OF THE DENIAL OF HIS
APPLICATION BEFORE THE HISTORIC COMMISSION TO INSTALL VINYL WINDOWS. HE STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A DENIAL YESTERDAY. HE DISTRIBUTED PHOTOGRAPHS TO THE COUNCIL.
JOSEPHINE MCLOUGHLIN
23 MADISON AVE.
STATED THAT SHE NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION BY MAIL.
JOHN MARIANO
84 CLAY ST.
STATED THAT HE IS IN FAVOR OF THE HISTORIC DISTRICT AND THAT NOTHING BETTER COULD HAPPEN TO THE CITY.
SUSAN NADEAU
294 CENTRAL ST.
SPOKE AGAINST COMMISSION.
THOMAS FARRELL
83 CLAY ST.
STATED THAT HE HAD TO WAIT FOUR TO FIVE WEEKS TO RECEIVE PERMISSION FROM THE COMMISSION TO REPAIR A GARAGE.
JOSE ENRIQUES
18 EVALEEN ST.
STATED THAT WANTS TO BE ABLE TO DO WHAT HE WANTS WITH HIS HOUSE WITHOUT INTERVENTION FROM THE COMMISSION.
ROBERT ZUBA
62 HAWES ST.
STATED HE NEVER RECEIVED WRITTEN NOTICE.
ROBERT WOOD
CENTRAL ST.
COMMENTED AGAINST HISTORIC ZONING.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN RESPONDED TO QUESTIONS.
MARY KENNEDY
60 RAND ST.
SPOKE AGAINST HISTORIC DISTRICT AND STATED THAT CENTRAL FALLS IS NOT A HISTORICAL PLACE.
MARIANA BAUMAN, PRESIDENT OF HISTORIC CENTRAL FALLS AND A MEMBER OF ST. GEORGE'S CHURCH STATED THAT THIS CHURCH IS IN THE HISTORIC DISTRICT. SHE RELATED THAT HCF HAS PUBLISHED THE WALKING TOUR OF THE HISTORIC
DISTRICT WHICH SHE WROTE AND SHE EXPLAINED THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HISTORIC CENTRAL FALLS, A NON PROFIT PRIVATE ORGANIZATION, AND THE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION WHICH WAS CREATED THROUGH THE ZONING ORDINANCE AND MEMBERS WERE APPOINTED BY THE MAYOR AND APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL. SHE STATED THAT THE NIGHTINGALE HOUSE IS THE LARGEST WOODEN HOUSE OF ITS ERA IS STILL STANDING.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN ASKED ACTING SOLICITOR OLIVERIO FOR ADVICE.
CAROLYN SHEEHAN
86 SUMMIT ST.
CHAIRPERSON OF THE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION AND A MEMBER OF HISTORIC CENTRAL FALLS STATED THAT SHE HAS LIVED HERE MOST OF HER ADULT LIFE AND SPOKE IN FAVOR OF THE DISTRICT WHERE SHE RESIDES. SHE STATED THAT THE
COMMISSION HAS HAD 31 REQUESTS FOR PERMITS TO MAKE ALTERATIONS TO THEIR HOMES AND 30 WERE APPROVED. SHE SAID MANY NEVER HAD TO COME BEFORE BOARD AND PRESENTLY THERE IS ONE CASE PENDING. SHE RELATED THAT THE AVERAGE SALE IN HISTORIC DISTRICT IS HIGHER, AT ABOUT $16,000 ABOVE THE REST OF THE CITY. SHE STATED THAT FEDERAL TAX CREDITS
BRING DOWN COST OF REPAIRS AND THE IDEA IS TO IMPROVE THE AREA. THE COMMISSION IS WILLING TO WORK ON THE PROCESS. MANY PEOPLE IN THIS DISTRICT RECEIVED TAX CREDITS, AND LOW INTEREST LOANS.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN COMMENTED ON THE DISSATISFACTION ON DISTRICT.
MS. SHEEHAN SUGGESTED THAT THE COUNCIL FORM A TASK FORCE WITH HOMEOWNERS IN DISTRICT TO REVIEW RULES, DISTRICT LINES, ETC. SHE STATED THAT THE BOARD CAN CHANGE ITS RULES. SHE STATED THAT MR. LUSSIER HAS NOT TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF APPEAL TO PLANNING BOARD.
JOSE ENRIQUES STATED THAT HE IS GOING TO PUT IN VINYL WINDOWS WITHOUT PERMISSION.
KEN CASTLE
RIVER ST.
STATED THAT THERE IS A LARGER ISSUE THAN ONE STREET OR AREA HE SAID THAT THIS IS A CITY WIDE ISSUE. THE HISTORIC DISTRICT ALLOWS THE CITY TO APPLY FOR FUNDS. HE STATED THAT HISTORIC CENTRAL FALLS RAISED PRIVATE FUNDING FOR THE RESTORATION OF THE TOWER AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS UPKEEP AND RESTORATION.
THE COMMISSION CHARGES NO APPLICATION FEES, HAS NO CLERICAL SUPPORT AND IS MADE UP OF ALL VOLUNTEERS. THIS IS WHY THERE IS POOR COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE COMMISSION AND THE RESIDENTS AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY. HE
URGED THE COUNCIL TO INVESTIGATE BEFORE ABOLISHING THE COMMISSION.
MR. LUSSIER STATED THAT IF HIS HOUSE BURNED DOWN HE WOULD BE BETTER OFF AS THIS HOUSE IS INSURED FOR $179,000.00. HE WILL SUE THE CITY HE WANTS THE CITY COUNCIL TO REPEAL OR AMEND.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN RECESSED THE MEETING.
MEETING RECONVENED AT 9:31 PM
MR. LUSSIER CONTINUED HIS DEBATE BEFORE THE COUNCIL.
CITY CLERK ISSA READ SECTION 601 OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE AT THE REQUEST OF ACTING CHAIR MOREAU.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN RESUMED THE CHAIR.
BETH PERRY
11 CLAY ST.
STATED THAT SHE IS A TENANT IN A HISTORIC HOUSE IN THE DISTRICT AND HAS BEEN A RESIDENT FOR OVER 20 YEARS. SHE STATED THAT SHE IS IMPRESSED BY THE SENSE OF COMMUNITY IN CENTRAL FALLS. SHE LIKES MS. SHEEHAN'S SUGGESTION OF
SETTING UP A TASK FORCE TO STUDY THE HISTORIC DISTRICT. SHE KNOWS PEOPLE WHO HAVE PURCHASED PROPERTY IN CENTRAL FALLS BECAUSE OF THE HISTORIC DISTRICT.
ROBERT FERRI COMMENTED.
ROBERT WOODS COMMENTED.
MARIANA BAUMAN COMMENTED ON THE POOR SELF IMAGE MANY PEOPLE HAVE OF CENTRAL FALLS.
AL ROMANO
303 CENTRAL ST.
STATED THAT HE DOES NOT WANT TO HAVE TO GET APPROVAL FOR ANY WORK TO HIS HOUSE.
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS COMMENTED.
COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU COMMENTED.
DISCUSSION ENSUED BETWEEN COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU AND MEMBERS OF THE ASSEMBLY. IT WAS EXPLAINED TO COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU THAT THE GARAGE DEMOLITION DELAY WAS DUE TO A STOP WORK ORDER ISSUED BY THE CITY AND NOT BY THE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION WHO GAVE IMMEDIATE APPROVALS BECAUSE OF THE EMERGENCY NATURE OF THIS APPLICATION.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN COMMENTED.
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS COMMENTED.
COUNCILMAN GOES ASKED FOR A LEGAL OPINION.
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS COMMENTED.
MATT OLIVERIO, ACTING SOLICITOR STATED THAT THE COUNCIL DOES NOT HAVE THE POWER BECAUSE OF ENABLING LEGISLATION, PLANNING BOARD REGULATIONS, NOTIFICATION TO ABUTTERS. HE STATED THAT A MORATORIUM WOULD NOT BE
LEGAL.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN QUESTIONED THE SOLICITOR REGARDING OTHER OPTIONS.
MATTHEW OLIVERIO RESPONDED THAT THIS IS A DIFFERENT TYPE OF ORDINANCE BECAUSE OF STATE ENABLING LEGISLATION AND IT MUST BE REPEALED IN THE SAME MANNER AS IT WAS ENACTED.
COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU QUESTIONED THE CITY SOLICITOR.
MATT OLIVERIO RESPONDED THAT HE CAN RESEARCH THE QUESTION AND HAVE AN ANSWER WITHIN A WEEK.
MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS TO PASS A RESOLUTION TO PLACE A MORATORIUM ON HISTORIC DISTRICT ZONING.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN RELINQUISHED THE CHAIR AND SECONDED THE MOTION FOR PURPOSES OF DISCUSSION.
COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU FAVORS WAITING A WEEK FOR LEGAL OPINION.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN RETURNED TO THE CHAIR AND ASKED THE SOLICITOR IF THE HISTORIC COMMISSION CAN VOLUNTARILY SUSPEND ITS WORK.
MATT OLIVERIO RESPONDED THAT HE WAS NOT SURE WITHOUT RESEARCH.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN ASKED THE BOARD MEMBERS IF THEY WOULD SELF IMPOSE A MORATORIUM.
CAROLYN SHEEHAN RESPONDED THAT THE BOARD ONLY MEETS WHEN AN APPLICATION IS PENDING.
DISCUSSION ENSUED BETWEEN THE COUNCIL AND PERSONS IN ATTENDANCE.
COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU COMMENTED.
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS COMMENTED.
COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU RESPONDED.
COUNCIL DISCUSSION ENSUED.
| COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS | YES |
| COUNCILMAN GOES | NO |
| COUNCILMAN CANAVAN | YES |
| COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU | NO |
| COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE | ABSENT. |
MOTION DIES 2 YES 2 NO 1 ABSENT.
CAMERA OPERATOR DISCUSSION DELAYED.
COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU ASKED THAT A MEETING BE SCHEDULED FOR NEXT WEEK.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN SET THE MEETING DATE FOR MONDAY AUGUST 28, 1995 AT 7:00 PM
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS QUESTIONED SEALER OF WEIGHTS OF MEASURES.
COUNCILMAN GOES RESPONDED.
MOTION TO ADJOURN WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN GOES. ALL AGREED. SO VOTED. TIME 10:34 P.M.
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DANIEL J. ISSA
CITY CLERK