CITY OF CENTRAL FALLS
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MONDAY, JULY 8, 1996
AT 7:00 PM
A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CENTRAL FALLS CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD ON THE ABOVE DATE IN THE CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT 7:04 P.M.
COUNCILMAN FARRELL
COUNCILMAN FERRI
COUNCILMAN WEBER
COUNCILMAN AUNCHMAN
COUNCILMAN CANAVAN
QUORUM PRESENT.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT ROBERT CANAVAN PRESIDED AND LED THE ASSEMBLY IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
THERE WERE NO COMMENTS AT THIS TIME.
MUNICIPAL COURT; MINIMUM HOUSING; PLUMBING PERMITS; ELECTRICAL PERMITS; BUILDING PERMITS;
COUNCILMAN AUNCHMAN COMMENTED ON REPAIRS TO MOTOR VEHICLES IN THE CITY AND ASKED IF SOMETHING COULD BE DONE TO VIOLATIONS THAT HAPPEN ON THE STREET.
MOTION TO ACCEPT COLLECTIVELY AND PLACE ON FILE WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN FERRI AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN AUNCHMAN.
| COUNCILMAN FARRELL | YES |
| COUNCILMAN FERRI | YES |
| COUNCILMAN WEBER | YES |
| COUNCILMAN AUNCHMAN | YES |
| COUNCILMAN CANAVAN | YES |
MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.
ELVIS ENEL
D/B/A BOTANICA CORAZON DE JESUS
525 BROAD ST.
MOTION TO TABLE WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN AUNCHMAN AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN FARRELL.
| COUNCILMAN FARRELL | YES |
| COUNCILMAN FERRI | YES |
| COUNCILMAN WEBER | YES |
| COUNCILMAN AUNCHMAN | YES |
| COUNCILMAN CANAVAN | YES |
MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.
D/B/A CRU COMMUNICATIONS
844 LONSDALE AVE.
COUNCILMAN AUNCHMAN AND COUNCILMAN FERRI QUESTIONED THE APPLICANT.
THE APPLICANT STATED THAT HE DEALS STRICTLY WITH PAGERS AND THAT HE HAS A DUMPSTER IN THE REAR OF THE STORE.
MOTION TO APPROVE WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN FARRELL AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WEBER.
| COUNCILMAN FARRELL | YES |
| COUNCILMAN FERRI | YES |
| COUNCILMAN WEBER | YES |
| COUNCILMAN AUNCHMAN | YES |
| COUNCILMAN CANAVAN | YES |
MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.
CHANNEL ONE CENTRAL FALLS
17TH ANNUAL COMMUNITY FAIR
JENKS PARK- 8/24/96
THE APPLICANT ASKED THAT THIS BE PLACE ON THE AUGUST MEETING.
CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY -FLORIANO PEREIRA -(CO-PASTOR)
ECUMENICAL TENT MEETING
HIGGINSON PARK - JULY 26, 27, 28.
PASTOR AMARAL STATED THAT THE TENT IN QUESTION IS ABOUT 40 X 60 OR 40 X 80 WHICH HE HAS USED IN NUMEROUS TENT MEETINGS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN STATED THAT THERE ARE SOME CONCERNS ABOUT THE DAMAGE TO THE FIELD.
THE PASTOR STATED THAT THE TENT USES ABOUT (23) 2" STAKES AND HE IS ACCUSTOMED TO FILING A BOND WITH THE COMMUNITY OF WHICH HE HAS NEVER LOST ANY MONEY FOR DAMAGES.
COUNCIL MEMBERS CONTINUED TO QUESTION THE PASTOR.
PASTOR AMARAL STATED THAT IN HIS OPINION THERE IS A SPIRITUAL NEED IN THE COMMUNITY AND THAT HE EXPECTS 80 TO 200 PEOPLE TO ATTEND. HE ALSO COMMENTED THAT THIS IS JUST A SPIRITUAL REVIVAL AND HE DOESN'T WANT TO CREATE ANY SORT OF STRIFE IN THE COMMUNITY. HE ALSO SPOKE OF THE NEED FOR 2 LOUD SPEAKERS FOR THE TENT.
COUNCILMAN WEBER SUGGESTED THAT PIERCE PARK WOULD BE A SUITABLE PLACE FOR THIS EVENT.
MOTION TO TABLE UNTIL INVESTIGATION INTO OTHER POSSIBLE SITES WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN AUNCHMAN AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN FARRELL.
| COUNCILMAN FARRELL | YES |
| COUNCILMAN FERRI | YES |
| COUNCILMAN WEBER | YES |
| COUNCILMAN AUNCHMAN | YES |
| COUNCILMAN CANAVAN | YES |
MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.
COLOMBIAN AMERICAN ASSOCIATION INC.
PARADE/FESTIVAL
HIGGINSON PARK - JULY 21, 1996
TAKEN LATER IN MEETING.
COUNCILMAN AUNCHMAN COMMENTED ON AMPLIFICATION.
COUNCILMAN FERRI CONGRATULATED THE ORGANIZATION.
MOTION TO APPROVE WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN FERRI AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN AUNCHMAN.
| COUNCILMAN FARRELL | YES |
| COUNCILMAN FERRI | YES |
| COUNCILMAN WEBER | YES |
| COUNCILMAN AUNCHMAN | YES |
| COUNCILMAN CANAVAN | YES |
MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.
MISSIONARY CHURCH OF CHRIST- ANGEL APONTE
PREACHING THE GOSPEL
COWDEN ST. PLAYGROUND - JULY 15, 16, 17
COUNCILMAN WEBER ASKED IF THERE WOULD BE SECURITY.
COUNCIL MEMBERS QUESTIONED THE APPLICANT EXTENSIVELY.
MR. APONTE EXPLAINED THE GOSPEL SESSION AND THE USE OF A MICROPHONE.
COUNCIL MEMBERS ASKED IF THE CHIEF OF POLICE MADE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS.
THE CLERK RESPONDED NO, BUT WOULD SEEK THE CHIEF'S RECOMMENDATIONS.
COUNCILMAN FERRI STATED THAT THIS IS A CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUND FOR BASKETBALL AND MAY NOT BE THE RIGHT PLACE TO HAVE THIS EVENT.
MR. APONTE STATED THAT HE THOUGHT ABOUT THE GARFIELD STREET PLAYGROUND.
COUNCILMAN FERRI ASKED IF HE COULD BE ANOTHER SITE FOR A LATER DATE.
MR. APONTE SAID THAT THE MESSAGE HAS ALREADY BEEN SENT TO HIS FOLLOWERS.
COUNCILMAN AUNCHMAN QUESTIONED THE APPLICANT.
COUNCILMAN WEBER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE SUBJECT TO CHIEF MOFFATT'S RECOMMENDATIONS. MOTION SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN FARRELL.
COUNCILMAN FERRI CONTINUED TO SUGGEST ANOTHER SITE AT A LATER DATE. HE SAID THAT HE IS CONCERNED ABOUT PARKING AND ABOUT CHILDREN PLAYING BASKETBALL.
COUNCILMAN WEBER COMMENTED.
| COUNCILMAN FARRELL | YES |
| COUNCILMAN FERRI | YES |
| COUNCILMAN WEBER | YES |
| COUNCILMAN AUNCHMAN | YES |
| COUNCILMAN CANAVAN | YES |
MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.
DOUGLAS PENDEGRASS OF 348 CENTRAL ST. STATED THAT HE WISHES TO FILE A PUBLIC COMPLAINT AGAINST RIMAC POULTRY WHO IS DISCHARGING CHICKEN WASTE AT THAT LOCATION. HE SAID THAT THEY ARE USING THE DRAIN IN THE FAR LEFT CORNER TOWARD 539 PINE STREET.
COUNCIL MEMBERS STATED THAT MINIMUM HOUSING WILL BE CONTACTED TO INVESTIGATE.
WILFRED DEMEULE OF 555 BROAD ST. COMMENTED ON THE MUNICIPAL AND HOUSING COURT AND QUESTIONED THE APPEAL TO THE SUPREME COURT.
THE CITY SOLICITOR JAMES BRIDEN COMMENTED ON DUE PROCESS. HE STATED THAT DE NOVO MEANS THAT YOU START FRESH.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN COMMENTED ON VIOLATIONS AND DISTRICT COURT.
MR. WOOD ASKED IF THE COUNCIL KNEW WHY THERE IS A HOUSING COURT TO WHICH HE RESPONDED THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT STARTED TO GET INVOLVED WITH HOUSING HE CONTINUED HIS COMMENTS AGAINST THE COURT.
STANLEY PIETRASZKA OF 20 TIFFANY ST. SPOKE ABOUT THE SECRETIVE ASPECTS OF GOVERNMENT AND ASKED HOW MANY TIME ELECTED OFFICIAL HAVE LIED TO THE PEOPLE. HE STATED THAT GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS HAVE LOST THE RESPECT OF
THE PEOPLE.
JOSEPHINE MCLAUGHLIN QUESTIONED THE COMMUNITY CENTER AND THE PEOPLE THAT ARE ON THE BLUE CROSS. SHE ALSO COMMENTED ON THE DETENTION CENTER.
WILFRED DEMEULE COMMENTED ON MR. COONEY'S BLUE CROSS AND ASKED IF THE CITY WAS PAYING FOR IT WHEN HE AND OTHERS SERVED ON THE BOARD.
COBRA WAS DISCUSSED BY MR. PAQUETTE WHO STATED THAT HE RECEIVED THIS AS A RESULT OF BEING A COUNCILMAN AND NOT AS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER.
SENATOR ISSA COMMENTED TO MR. DEMEULE.
MR. DEMEULE RETORTED TO SEN. ISSA'S COMMENTS.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND GAVE THE FLOOR TO MR. PAQUETTE.
MR. PAQUETTE STATED THAT HE RECEIVED NO COMPENSATION WHILE ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY CENTER AND STATED THAT MR. DEMEULE IS WRONG IN THIS ASSUMPTION.
SENATOR ISSA STATED COMMENTED ON THE MUNICIPAL COURT ISSUE TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT AND SPOKE ON THE PRESENT ORDINANCE AND THE PROPOSED CHANGES. HE SAID THAT HE WAS NOT OPTIMISTIC ABOUT PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION DURING THIS SESSION.
CONGRATULATING MR. & MRS. ALFRED J. MARCHAND ON THEIR 50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY.
MOTION TO APPROVE WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN WEBER AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN FERRI.
| COUNCILMAN FARRELL | YES |
| COUNCILMAN FERRI | YES |
| COUNCILMAN WEBER | YES |
| COUNCILMAN AUNCHMAN | YES |
| COUNCILMAN CANAVAN | YES |
MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE 1. BUSINESSES
MOTION TO APPROVE WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN AUNCHMAN AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN FARRELL.
| COUNCILMAN FARRELL | YES |
| COUNCILMAN FERRI | YES |
| COUNCILMAN WEBER | YES |
| COUNCILMAN AUNCHMAN | YES |
| COUNCILMAN CANAVAN | YES |
MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.
AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO MINORS; PRESCRIBING THE CURFEW FOR JUVENILES.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN OPENED THE MEETING TO A PUBLIC HEARING.
MR. WOODS ASKED WHY THE COUNCIL IS PUNISHING THE GOOD GUYS AND NOT THE BAD GUYS.
COUNCILMAN FARRELL RESPONDED.
DISCUSSION CONTINUED BETWEEN MR. WOODS AND COUNCILMAN FARRELL.
DOUGLAS PENDEGRASS COMMENTED ON THE MONETARY PENALTIES AND SAID ITS A GOOD IDEA TO FINE THE PARENTS BUT MONEY MAY NOT BE THE ANSWER AND COUNSELING AND PUBLIC SERVICE ARE PERHAPS BETTER IDEAS.
COUNCILMAN WEBER STATED THAT A NUMBER OF YOUNGSTERS WERE CLEANING UP THE STREETS AND THAT NOT ALL CHILDREN ARE AFFECTED BY THIS CURFEW BECAUSE THOSE CHILDREN ARE GIVEN LIMITS SET BY THEIR PARENTS.
LEO LECLERC COMMENTED ON THE NUMBER OF TIMES THIS HAS COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL AND AS A GUIDANCE COUNSELOR WORKING WITH CHILDREN AND WITH OTHER AGENCIES THE COUNCIL MAY BE CREATING A BIGGER PROBLEM THAN IT ALREADY HAS WITH THESE CHILDREN. HE STATED THAT MANY ORGANIZATIONS AND RESEARCH HAS BEEN DONE AND IT HAS BEEN FOUND THAT A CURFEW IS NOT THE ANSWER. HE SAID THAT WE HAVE PLENTY OF LAWS AND THE CITY JUST DOESN'T NEED THE CURFEW.
COUNCILMAN FARRELL COMMENTED..
COUNCILMAN AUNCHMAN STATED THAT THIS IS GEARED AROUND CHILDREN WHO ARE NOT DOING THE RIGHT THING, THOSE WHO HAVE NO RESPECT FOR THE POLICE, PRIVATE PROPERTY AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
MR. RAYMOND TURGEON OF 122 CROSS ST. HAS LIVED IN THIS COMMUNITY FOR OVER FORTY YEARS AND STATED THAT FOR THE PAST 15 YEARS THE CITY IS GOING DOWN, HE STATED THAT HE IS IN FAVOR OF THIS CURFEW AND THE CITY NEEDS IT. IT ALSO NEEDS TO STOP THE PROSTITUTION AND OTHER THINGS THAT THE CURFEW DOESN'T ADDRESS.
BISHOP RAYMOND LALIBERTE, FATHER OF 4 CHILDREN STATED THAT THE STARTING DATE FOR THE CURFEW IS NOT GOOD BECAUSE OF THE PROMS AND SCHOOL FUNCTIONS DURING THAT TIME BUT HE SAID THAT HE IS 100% FOR THE CURFEW. HE SAID THAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW HOW TO SAY NO TO THEIR CHILDREN AND ALSO ENCOURAGES COUNSELING BUT WITH ALL THAT CHILDREN MUST LEARN TO RESPECT THE LAW AND THE RIGHTS OF OTHERS.
COUNCILMAN FARRELL STATED THAT HE AND COUNCILMAN WEBER HAVE SPOKEN WITH MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE IN FAVOR OF THE CURFEW.
MICHAEL LAMONTAGNE OF 893 DEXTER ST. COMMENTED AND COMMENDED THE COUNCIL FOR TAKING THIS ISSUE BEFORE THEM. HE STATED THAT HE IS FOR THE CURFEW AND SO ARE MANY OF HIS NEIGHBORS. HE STATED THAT HE AND HIS NEIGHBORS ARE TIRED OF BEING VICTIMS OF CRIME.
LOUIS PAQUETTE OF 53 SUMNER AVE. STATED THAT HE IS AGAINST THE CURFEW AS WRITTEN. HE SAID THE CITY NEEDS SOMETHING WITH MORE MEAT, HE ASKED WHY THE COUNCIL IS LIMITING THE CURFEW TO CERTAIN MONTHS AND NOT YEAR ROUND ALSO WHAT ABOUT CHILDREN WHO DO PAPER ROUTE AT 5:00 A.M. HE ASKED WHAT PROCESSING THE CHILD WOULD GO THROUGH IF PICKED UP FOR VIOLATION OF THE CURFEW, HE ASKED THE COUNCIL IF THEY KNEW THAT THESE CHILDREN CANNOT BE PLACED IN CELLS AND WOULD NEED SUPERVISION. HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE JUVENILE HEARING BOARD IS NOT IN PLACE.
MR. WOODS, MR. LAMONTAGNE ALSO COMMENTED.
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED.
COUNCILMAN FERRI SPOKE AGAINST THE CURFEW AND ASKED IF JUVENILE CRIME WAS UP. HE ASKED IF THE COUNCIL KNEW THE DEFINITION OF THE WORD CURFEW. HE SAID THAT IS DEFINED AS A POLICE OR MILITARY REGULATION TO KEEP PERSONS OFF THE STREET. HE SAID THAT IN HIS OPINION THIS CANNOT BE ENFORCED AND THAT KIDS HAVE A RIGHT TO ASSEMBLY. HE SAID THE SERIOUS CRIMES LIKE ASSAULT, VANDALISM ALREADY HAVE LAWS THAT CAN BE ENFORCED. HE SAID MORE RECREATION IS THE ANSWER. HE ASKED WHAT DOES THIS DO TO THE IMAGE OF THE CITY. HE STATED THAT THE COUNCIL MUST DO THEIR HOMEWORK ON THIS ISSUE.
COUNCILMAN FARRELL COMMENTED THAT COUNCILMAN FERRI DOESN'T LIVE ON COWDEN ST. OR BROAD ST. WHERE 7 OR 8 INDIVIDUALS ARE OUT TO 3 OR 4 O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING CAUSING ALL KINDS OF TROUBLE.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN STATED THAT HE PERSONALLY OPPOSES THE CURFEW, BUT IN THIS MOST RECENT ELECTION, THERE WERE TWO ISSUES IN HIS WARD THAT PEOPLE FELT VERY STRONGLY ABOUT, THEY WERE IN FAVOR OF A CURFEW AND AGAINST THE HISTORIC DISTRICT. HE SAID THAT PEOPLE ARE FRUSTRATED, THEY WANT SOMETHING DONE AND AS THEIR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE IT IS UP TO US TO VOTE AS THE PEOPLE WANT AND NOT HOW HE INDIVIDUALLY FEELS. HE SAID THE COUNCIL CAN'T DICTATE RESPECT, CAN'T DICTATE CHILDREN FROM HAVING CHILDREN, ETC.
MOTION TO APPROVE WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN FARRELL AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WEBER.
| COUNCILMAN FARRELL | YES |
| COUNCILMAN FERRI | NO |
| COUNCILMAN WEBER | YES |
| COUNCILMAN AUNCHMAN | YES |
| COUNCILMAN CANAVAN | YES |
MOTION CARRIED 4 YES 1 NO 0 ABSENT.
COUNCILMAN FERRI COMMENTED ON THE CAN PROGRAM.
COUNCILMAN FERRI UNDER GOOD AND WELFARE STATED THAT RIDING BICYCLES IS NOT ALLOWED IN THE PARKS.
MOTION TO ADJOURN WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN AUNCHMAN AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN FERRI. ALL AGREED. SO VOTED. TOME 9:36 P.M.
___________________________________
ELIZABETH A. CROWLEY, CMC
ACTING CITY CLERK