City of Central Falls

City Council Meeting

Monday January 12, 2026

Second Floor Council Chambers

580 Broad Street,

Central Falls, RI 02863

6:00 p.m.

 

 

Minutes

 

 

 

I.            Roll Call
Council President Pro Tempore Alberto Rivas-Lugo called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.
Present were Councilpersons Baena, Kazarian, Peguero, Rivas-Lugo, Rosado-Martinez, and Solano. Council President Ferri was absent.

 

II.            Pledge of Allegiance
Council President Pro Tempore Rivas Lugo led the Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

III.            Public Comment
Ms. Karen Ortega of Hunt Street, Central Falls, addressed the Council and expressed her opposition to extending the mayor’s term limits, outlining her concerns regarding the potential impact on democratic accountability.

Deputy Fire Chief Daniel Petrin addressed the Council to recognize the firefighters who responded to an incident on December 23, 2025. The Council and the Mayor’s Office issued citations to Lieutenant John Garvey, Lieutenant Ezequiel Mejia, Firefighter Michael Labonte, Firefighter Tyler Carr, Firefighter Samuel Keeler, Firefighter Tyler Segee, Firefighter Alexander Kwarta, and Firefighter Dylan Mendes for their swift and courageous actions. Due to the professionalism and bravery performed these members, the incident was mitigated efficiently and effectively, and lives were saved.

 

IV.            Approval of Records

 

a.      Meeting minutes of December 8, 2025, City Council Meeting
The Council may vote on this item

Council President Pro Tempore Rivas-Lugo asked the Council if there were any questions or concerns regarding the minutes. Seeing none and hearing none, he requested a motion to approve. Councilperson Rosado-Martinez made a motion to approve, which was seconded by Councilperson Peguero. The motion passed by a vote of 6-0.

 

V.            Executive Communications

 

a.       Consideration of appointment by Mayor Maria Rivera of Belmiro Bala of Central Falls, to the Board of Canvassers and Registration with a term set to expire January 12, 2032.

The Council may vote on this item

Lorraine Quintero, Chief of Staff to Mayor Maria Rivera, addressed the Council and introduced Mr. Belmiro Bala for consideration for appointment to the Central Falls Board of Canvassers.

Mr. Bala responded to questions from the Council. A motion to approve the appointment was made by Councilperson Baena and seconded by Councilperson Solano. The motion passed by a vote of 6—o.

 

b.      Consideration of reappointment by Mayor Maria Rivera of Aly Chatham of Central Falls, to the Personnel Board with a term set to expire January 12, 2029.

The Council may vote on this item

Ms. Aly Chatham was introduced to the Council by Chief of Staff Lorraine Quintero for reappointment to the Personnel Board. Ms. Quintero provided the Council with background information before inviting Ms. Chatham to address the Council.

Ms. Chatham responded to questions from Council members regarding her reappointment. A motion to approve was made by Councilperson Rosado-Martinez and seconded by Councilperson Baena. The motion passed by a vote of 6-0.

 

c.       Department Financial Reports- December 2025

 

                                i.            City Clerk’s Office

                              ii.            Department of Public Works & Code Enforcement.

                            iii.            Fire Department

                             iv.            Police Department

A motion to approve the Director’s financial report was made by Councilperson Solano and seconded by Councilperson Rosado-Martinez. The motion passed by a vote of 6-0.

 

VI.            New Business

a.       City Council sitting as Board of License Commissioners

                                i.            Hearing and Consideration of Petition of License

 

License - Class C-Variety Transfer

 

Edwin Jimenez

D/B/A El senor Minimarket, Inc.

791 Broad Street

Central Falls

Transferred from: Esperanza Convenience Store, LLC
The Council may vote on this item

Mr. Edwin Jimenez did not appear before the Council for approval of his business license. A motion to table the matter until the February meeting was made by Councilperson Baena and seconded by Councilperson Peguero. The motion passed by a vote of 6—o.

 

b.      Petition to the Central Falls City Council
Narragansett Electric and Verizon New England Inc. for joint or identical pole location: Central St, Relocate JO P2

The Council may vote on these items

 

Council President Pro Tempore asked the Council if there were any questions under discussion. Seeing and hearing none, a motion to approve was made by Councilperson Kazarian and seconded by Councilperson Solano. The motion passed by a vote of 6-0.

 

VII.            Schedule of Bills-Hearing and/or Consideration

 

a.       Resolution Authorizing the Mayor and/or City Solicitor to effectuate the acquisitions of 326 Broad Street and 767 Lonsdale Avenue in Central Falls, RI 02863 for fair market value for the purpose of housing redevelopment and green infrastructure.
(Councilperson Rivas Lugo by request)
The Council may vote on this item

 

Council President Pro Tempore Rivas-Lugo asked City Solicitor Matthew Jerzyk to provide the Council with context regarding the resolution. Solicitor Jerzyk addressed the Council, explaining the purpose of the acquisitions and how the properties would be used for housing redevelopment and green infrastructure. He also responded to questions from Council members concerning the resolution and its anticipated outcomes.

 

A motion to approve the resolution was made by Councilperson Peguero and seconded by Councilperson Solano. Council President Pro Tempore called for a roll call vote: Councilperson

Baena voted yes; Councilperson Kazarian recused from voting; Councilperson Peguero voted yes; Councilperson Rosado-Martinez voted yes; Councilperson Solano voted yes; and the Council President Pro Tempore also voted yes. The motion passed unanimously, 5—0, with one recusal.

 

b.      Resolution Authorizing the Mayor and/or City Solicitor to effectuate the acquisition of 67-69 Brook Street and a permanent easement at 63 Brook Street in Central Falls, RI 02863 for fair market value for the purpose of supporting the new high school.

(Councilperson Rivas Lugo by request)

The Council may vote on this item

 

City Solicitor Matthew Jerzyk addressed the Council, providing context for the resolution and explaining how the acquisitions and easement would support the new high school. Following his presentation, Solicitor Jerzyk responded to questions from Council members regarding the easement and its implications for the project.

 

A motion to approve the resolution was made by Councilperson Kazarian and seconded by Councilperson Rosado Martinez. Council President Pro Tempore called for a roll call vote: Councilperson Baena voted yes; Councilperson Kazarian voted yes; Councilperson Peguero voted yes; Councilperson Rosado-Martinez voted yes; Councilperson Solano voted yes; and the Council President Pro Tempore also voted yes. The motion passed unanimously, 6-0.

 

c.       Ordinance Relating to Noxious Vegetation and Poison Ivy as a Public Nuisance-

Second Reading (Councilperson Baena)

The Council may vote on this item

 

Council President Pro Tempore opened the public hearing. Seeing that no one had signed up to speak, he closed the public hearing and asked if the Council had any questions. Seeing and hearing none, he called for a motion to approve.

 

A motion to approve the ordinance was made by Councilperson Rosado-Martinez and seconded by Councilperson Peguero. Council President Pro Tempore then called for a roll call vote: Councilperson Baena voted yes; Councilperson Kazarian voted yes; Councilperson Peguero voted yes; Councilperson Rosado-Martinez voted yes; Councilperson Solano voted yes; and the Council President Pro Tempore also voted yes. The motion passed unanimously, 6-0.

 

d.      Ordinance Amending Central Falls Zoning Ordinance -School R 3-Adopted 10-15-2025-SubA- Second Reading (Council President Ferri by request)

The Council may vote on this item

 

Council President Pro Tempore opened the public hearing. With no members of the public signed up to speak, he closed the hearing and inquired if any Council members had questions. Hearing none, he called for a motion to approve.

 

Councilperson Rosado-Martinez made a motion to approve the ordinance, which was seconded by Councilperson Peguero. Council President Pro Tempore then called for a roll call vote: Councilperson Baena voted yes; Councilperson Kazarian voted yes; Councilperson Peguero voted yes; Councilperson Rosado-Martinez voted yes; Councilperson Solano voted yes; and the Council President Pro Tempore also voted yes. The motion passed unanimously, 6-0.

 

e.       An Ordinance Regarding Business Hours and Locations for retail Cannabis Establishments-Introduction (Councilperson Rivas- Lugo by Request)

The Council may vote on this item

 

Council President Pro Tempore asked the Council to take the new Ordinance and add it to the agenda since no action was being taken. He stated that Ordinance pertained to Cannabis retail locations in the city.

 

Council President Pro Tempore Rivas Lugo asked for a motion to add the Ordinance to the agenda. A motion to approve adding the ordinance into the agenda was made by Council Person Kazarian and Seconded by Councilperson Rosado Martinez. Council President Pro Tempore then called for a roll call vote: Councilperson Baena voted yes; Councilperson Kazarian voted yes; Councilperson Peguero voted yes; Councilperson Rosado-Martinez voted yes; Councilperson Solano voted yes; and the Council President Pro Tempore also voted yes. The motion passed unanimously, 6—o.

 

City Clerk Alberto de burgo then proceed to read the into the record the title of the Ordinance.

 

Introduced

 

Adjournment

A motion to adjourn was made by Councilperson Rivas Lugo and Seconded by Councilperson Solano. The meeting adjourned at 6:39pm.

 

Approved by Council: January 29, 2026, Special Council Meeting

Alberto 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