City of Central Falls
Special City Council Meeting
City Hall Council Chambers
MONDAY
September 22, 2003
5:00 P.M.
A Special meeting of the Central Falls City Council was held on the above date in the City Hall Council Chambers at 5:01 p.m.
Councilman Noury
Councilman Leger
Councilman Patino
Councilman Weber
Quorum present.
Council President Weber presided and led the Assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Council President Weber moved around the Agenda without objection.
Later in meeting
Vincent F. Ragosta, Jr. Esq.
Later in meeting.
(see item #8)
Resolution of Commendation to Central Falls Firefighters for Diligent and Meritorious Actions at a fire at 68 Sumner Avenue on September 6, 2003.
Deputy Chief Gerard J. Cournoyer
Battalion Chief Joseph Laurie
Captain Gerard R. Dion
Lieutenant Michael D. Geoffroy
Lieutenant Lawrence A. Newberg
Private Daniel J. Crowley
Private Kenneth Gamache
Private Kevin E. McCann
Private Keith M. Sullivan
Council President Weber thanked the Fire Department and stated that the Council does not recognize the Police and Fire Department personnel enough for the outstanding performance and dedication by the dedicated individual in each of the Departments. He and Councilman Leger then proceeded to award the certificates to the above mentioned Fire Department Fire Fighters.
Albert O. Laroche
347 Central St.
Term to expire 4/1/08 (effective 11/17/03)
Mayor Matthews commented on the appointment of Mr. Laroche. He stated that this is to fill the unexpired term of Mayor Garvey.
Councilman Noury asked why the 11/17/03 effective date.
Mayor Matthews responded so as not to create a new Canvassing Board at this time and to allow Mr. Laroche to continue until that date when he will resign from the Board of Canvassers.
Councilman Noury asked why the Mayor didn't wait until November to make the appointment.
Council President Weber responded that it's no secret why the Mayor is making the appointment now.
He also commented on Mr. Briden and his appointment to that Board.
Discussion ensued.
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Patino.
| Councilman Patino | yes |
| Councilman Noury | yes |
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilman Weber | no |
Motion carried 3 yes 1 no 1 absent.
Taken Later in the Meeting.
(a) Tax Assessor Wendall W. Wilkie-re: Address Straight Line Used Furniture.
(b) Leadership Blackstone Valley
(c) Letter from Chief Coutu
Motion to accept collectively and place on file was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Patino. All Agreed. So Voted.
Vincent F. Ragosta, Jr. Esq.
Council President Weber asked Attorney Ragosta how many Cities & Towns is he working in a Solicitor capacity.
Attorney Ragosta responded none. He stated that he is actively involved with labor relations and employee matters for Providence, Cranston, Lincoln and Central Falls.
Council President Weber stated that he has concerns but stated that Mr. Ragosta is very qualified and competent. He just would like to know just how much time Mr. Ragosta can devote to Central Falls in areas such as Municipal Court and Juvenile Court.
Mr. Ragosta stated that he has been an Attorney for over 25 years and that he will completely accommodate and give the best possible representation to the City.
Councilman Leger asked why Mr. Ragosta would want to commit himself to this particular job.
Mr. Ragosta responded that the Mayor asked and he accepted.
Councilman Leger asked Mr. Ragosta about his recent statements with regards to the recent retirement hearing for Firefighter Gamache and his remarks of saving the City millions, when in fact it would have been thousands perhaps.
Mr. Ragosta stated that sometimes in argument you get caught up in the heat of the moment.
Councilman Leger stated that the Council needs straight black and white legal answers.
Mr. Ragosta responded that he would give honest advice based on law and the information at hand.
Council President Weber stated that it is very difficult to serve two masters.
Mr. Ragosta responded that the City of Central Falls is the client and that he would respond in the best interest of the City as a whole.
Councilman Noury asked Mr. Ragosta if he worked for other governmental agencies.
Mr. Ragosta responded that he has represented the Rhode Island State Police, Narragansett Bay Commission, the Rhode Island Resource Recover facility as well as numerous private companies including some from Central Falls, Pawtucket and Cumberland which he stated he is not at liberty to divulge.
Councilman Noury asked Attorney Ragosta how much money he has made from the City as an outside Attorney.
Attorney Ragosta responded that he actually could not say.
Councilman Leger asked if he represented the City prior to the current Administration.
Attorney Ragosta stated that he represented the City under the Lazieh Administration in an interest arbitration case.
Mayor Matthews asked if he might address the Council on this issue. He commented on the Gamache Case and stated that it was significantly more than the numbers read. He stated that with vacation time, pay increases each year that it was approaching the numbers discussed. He commented on the appointment of Attorney Ragosta and stated that he has represented the City since 1992. He encouraged support of this appointment.
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Patino and seconded by Councilman Leger for the purpose of discussion.
Councilman Noury commented that he is not sure about the representation the Council would get with this appointment and that it took the Mayor 15 months to submit a name. He stated that he doesn't feel comfortable given the work- load of Mr. Ragosta with this appointment.
Councilman Leger stated that his hope would be that this appointment would issue responses on a case by case basis and that Mr. Ragosta is well qualified to represent the City.
Councilman Patino commented on the political side of this and stated that the Council must keep the political battle outside of the chambers.
Councilman Leger responded.
Councilman Noury stated that this has nothing to do with being political.
Council President Weber commented that Mr. Ragosta is very intelligent and competent.
He commented on the issue of the Assistant City Solicitor and the case before the Courts relative to that appointment. He stated that he would await the Judge's decision and will support that decision.
Discussion continued relative to the appointment.
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilman Patino | yes |
| Councilman Noury | pass |
| Councilman Weber | yes |
The Clerk recalled the pass vote of Councilman Noury who in turn voted no.
Motion to approve carried 3 yes 1 no 1 absent.
Reconsider vote of approved abatements from September 8th meeting (requested by Councilman Patino).
Councilman Patino explained the reason to reconsider. He stated that there is a RIHMFC abatement on the list and since he works for RIHMFC he wants it noted for the record that he did not vote on the abatements.
Motion to reconsider was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Noury.
| Councilman Noury | yes |
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilman Patino | yes |
| Councilman Weber | yes |
Motion carried 4 yes 0 no 1 absent.
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Noury.
| Councilman Noury | yes |
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilman Patino | abstain |
| Councilman Weber | yes |
Motion carried 3 yes 0 no 1 absent 1 abstention
Progreso Latino
Candle Light Vigil
Jenks Park
October 15, 2003 5pm-10:00 p.m.
Councilman Noury questioned the applicants regarding the vigil.
The applicant stated that this was the first time for this type of event.
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Patino and seconded by Councilman Leger.
| Councilman Noury | yes |
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilman Patino | yes |
| Councilman Weber | yes |
Motion carried 4 yes 0 no 1 absent.
Domenico Africo
12 Verdi St.
(represented by Rocco Africo)
Councilman Patino questioned the applicant and related to them the complaints he has received regarding the music from the truck is too loud and that they spend too much time in one area.
Mr. Africo stated that he would make every effort to correct the problem.
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Leger.
| Councilman Noury | yes |
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilman Patino | yes |
| Councilman Weber | yes |
Motion carried 4 yes 0 no 1 absent.
Mufflers Unlimited
763 High St.
Central Falls, R.I.
Motion to deny was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Noury.
| Councilman Patino | yes to deny |
| Councilman Leger | yes to deny |
| Councilman Noury | yes to deny |
| Councilman Weber | yes to deny |
Application denied.
Meeting recessed at 6:10 p.m.
Meeting reconvened at 6:21 p.m.
Auto Repair License
Angel Molina
D/b/a New Tech Auto Repair
38 Central Street (rear)
Michael Horan, Esq. represented Angel Molina.
Mr. Horan gave the Council a brief overview of the events leading to a Superior Court decision which recommended that the issue be sent back to the Zoning Board for reconsideration.
The zoning Board approved the variance subject to certain stipulations which Mr. Molina had no objections to. He stated that this issue has been ongoing since 1996 and that the business operates from 8am-5pm Monday-Friday.
Councilman Noury commented on how long Mr. Molina has been conducting business without a license.
Mr. Horan stated perhaps 7 or 8 months since there was a previous court case which granted a stay pending an appeal.
Mr. Horan filed copies of license application made in 1996, which, he stated had the signature of the Code Enforcement Director and he cannot understand why this was not brought before the Council.
Councilman Noury commented on payment of past licenses for almost seven years.
Mr. Horan stated that Mr. Molina is willing to follow the rules and that he came forward back in 1995 to make an inquiry about the status of the license.
Mr. Racquier commented.
Mr. Gomes commented.
Mr. John of Central Street commented on behalf of Mr. Molina.
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Patino and seconded by Councilman Noury for the purpose of discussion.
Councilman Noury stated that the applicant has not lived up to the rules and had conducted his business for the past seven years without a license. He commented on the quality of life in the neighborhood. He also stated that this is the second biggest headache he has had in his ward. He commented on the many complaints he has received about this business.
Councilman Patino stated that there has been mistakes by both side on this issue and that things should be worked out. He urged the Council to grant the applicant a license for the next two months when renewal will be due again and at that time if no progress has been made then don't grant the renewal.
Councilman Noury stated that this applicant has been operating too long without a license and that he cannot operate without the proper approvals.
Council President Weber stated that clearly two wrongs don't make a right and that the applicant should not have been operating without a license.
On motion to approve
| Councilman Noury | no |
| Councilman Leger | no |
| Councilman Patino | yes |
| Councilman Weber | no |
Motion is denied license is not granted.
A) Resolution extending the condolences of the Central Falls City Council to the family of the late Arlene Beaucage. (Introduced by Council President Robert F. Weber, Jr. & Councilman Jason Leger.)
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Patino. All Agreed. So Voted.
B) Resolution Congratulating Club Sport Uniao Maderinse on the occasion of their 80th Anniversary.
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Patino and seconded by Councilman Leger. All Agreed. So Voted.
none
Council President Weber asked the Assistant Solicitor and the City Clerk to look into the procedure necessary to create a Charter Review Commission and to report on the issue for October 20, 2003.
Motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Leger. All Agreed.
So Voted. Time 7:42 p.m.
Elizabeth A. Crowley, CMC
City Clerk