City of Central Falls

City Council Meeting

Monday, January 8, 2024

Second Floor Council Chambers

580 Broad Street, Central Falls, RI 02863

6:00 p.m.

 

Minutes

 

Council President Robert Ferri opened the Central falls City Council meeting at 6:00pm

 

I.          Roll Call

City Clerk, Alberto de Burgo conducted the roll call.  Present were; Councilperson Kevin Kazarian, Councilperson Meaghan Levasseur; Council President Pro Temp Franklin Solano; Councilperson Raphael Peguero, Councilperson Tatiana Baena, Councilperson Laurilim Rosado-Martinez, and Council President Robert Ferri. The meeting had a quorum.

 

II.        Pledge of Allegiance

Council President Ferri led the Council in the Pledge of Allegiance

 

III.       Public Comment

None

 

IV.       Approval of Records

a.      Meeting minutes from December 11, 2023, Council Meeting

Councilperson Franklin Solano moved for approval; Councilperson Tatiana Baena seconded the motion. Councilpersons Kevin Kazarian and Laurilim Rosado Martinez refrained from voting due to their absence at the December 11th meeting. The motion was approved with a 5 to 0 vote.

 

V.        Executive Communications

2. Consideration of appointment by Mayor Maria Rivera of Mathew “twig” Largos, of 7395 Post Rd. North Kingston as the Central Falls Tree warden with a term set to expire January 8, 2025.

Councilperson Kazarian moved to approve, seconded by Councilperson Baena. The motion was unanimously passed.

 

3. Consideration of appointment by Mayor Maria Rivera of Shannon Massaroco to the Central Falls Juvenile Hearing Board with a term to expire on January 8, 2027.

Councilperson Kazarian made a motion to approve, which was seconded by Councilperson Solano and Councilperson Rosado Martinez. During the discussion, Robert "RJ" Kermes, the Mayor's Chief of Staff, addressed the council and provided responses to questions related to Ms. Shannon Massaroco.

 

 

4. Department Financial Reports-December 2023: City Clerk’s Office, Fire Department, Police Department, Department of Public Works.

Councilperson Kevin Kazarian motioned to approve the Department Financials, and it was seconded by Councilperson Raphael Peguero. During the discussion, Major John Carrol from the Central Falls Police Department addressed questions from the Council. The motion passed with a vote of 7 to 0.

 

VI.       New Business

a.      Election of Special Constable pursuant to RIGL 45-16-8

Name	Address	License
Luis A. Aponte	1280 High Street Central Falls, RI 02863	Constable
Venuz Zayas	66 Carpenter Street Cumberland, RI 02864	Constable
Laura Rivera	99 Rand Street Central Falls, RI 02863	Constable
Annette Martinez	59 Fales Street Central Falls, RI 02863	Constable
Charlene Gaffney	160 Illinois Street Central Falls, RI 02863	Constable

Councilperson Solano proposed the motion for approval, which was seconded by Councilperson Levasseur. The motion garnered unanimous approval.

 

b.      Application for Renewal of Private Detective License

Name	Address	License
James W. Smith III	5 Jefferson Street Concord, NH 03301	Private Detective
Dougals E. Belknap	19 Division Street N. Attleboro, Ma 02760	Private Detective

Councilperson Kazarian motioned to approve the renewal license for private detectives James W. Smith III and Douglas E. Belknap, which was seconded by Councilperson Rosado Martinez. The motion received unanimous approval with a 7-0 vote.

 

c.      Consideration of Tax Abatement Submitted by Tax Assessor 

 

	Property Owner	Tax Year	Property Information
a.	Thread Factory Rand Proprietor, LLC	2023	280 Rand Street
b.	Thread Factory 420 Pine Proprietor, LLC	2023	420 Pine Street
c.	Thread Factory Stables Proprietor, LLC	2023	420 Pine Street

During the discussion, Dr. Daniel Ducharme, Central Falls Tax Assessor with a Ph.D., responded to questions and addressed concerns raised by the Council. Additionally, Matthew Jerzyk, Esq., the City Solicitor, provided information to the council and answered inquiries related to tax abatement. Councilperson Solano moved to approve the abatements; a motion seconded by Councilperson Peguero. The motion was unanimously passed with a 7-0 vote.

 

 

VII.     Schedule of Bills-Hearing and/or consideration

e.      A Resolution Expressing Condolences on the Passing of Edna Poulin, former Finance Director, for the City of Central Falls. (Baena)

 

f.       A Resolution Expressing Condolences on the Passing of Juan Diego Molina, a long-time resident of Central Falls. (Baena)

Councilperson Baena delivered remarks to the Council, providing a brief overview of the late Ms. Enda Poulin's accomplishments and discussing the untimely passing of Mr. Juan Diego. Councilpersons Ferri and Kazarian also addressed the Council on these matters. City Clerk Alberto de Burgo suggested to Council President Ferri the possibility of collectively voting on the resolution without reading each name individually. Council President Ferri agreed to waive the individual name reading and called for a motion. Councilman Kazarian proposed a motion to approve the resolution collectively, seconded by Councilperson Rosado Martinez. The motion passed unanimously with a 7-0 vote.

g.      An Ordinance Amending the Redevelopment Agency Ordinance. (Ferri by Request)- First Reading

Matthew Jerzyk, Esq., the City Solicitor, addressed the council, providing insights and responding to inquiries regarding the Ordinance. Councilperson Kazarian initiated a motion to approve the Ordinance, seconded by Councilperson Peguero. In response, Council President Ferri called for a Roll Call Vote. The votes were as follows: Councilperson Levasseur - yes; Councilperson Kazarian - yes; Councilperson Peguero - yes; Councilperson Baena - yes; Councilperson Rosado Martinez - yes; and Council President Ferri - yes. The motion passed with a unanimous vote of 7-0.

 

VIII.    Adjournment

Councilperson Baena proposed a motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilperson Solano. The meeting concluded at 6:24 pm.

 

 

Approved by the Central Falls City Council on February 28, 2024

 

Alberto M. de Burgo

City Clerk

 

 

 

Pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws § 42-46-4, the City Council reserves the right to convene in executive session on any of the aforementioned items for one or more of the purposes listed in Rhode Island General Laws § 42-46-5(1)-(10)

 

To view an electronic version of the agenda with supporting documentation, click on link: https://clerkshq.com/default.ashx?clientsite=centralfalls-ri

 

City of Central Falls is an equal opportunity employer ADA/EOE. TDD/TTY 401-727-7450. This notice is posted in City Hall, Police Department, Department of Public Works, on www.centralfallsri.us and with the Office of the Secretary of State pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws. To review Notice of Citizen’s Rights, visit the Attorney General’s webpage at www.riag.ri.gov