City of Central Falls

Special City Council Meeting

Thursday January 29, 2026

Second Floor Council Chambers

580 Broad Street,

Central Falls, RI 02863

6:00 p.m.

 

Date Posted: January 25, 2026

Time Poste: 12:30pm

Minutes

 

President Pro Tempore Alberto Rivas called the meeting to order at 6:02 pm

 

I.            Roll Call

City Clerk Alberto de Burgo conducted the roll call. Present were Councilpersons Baena, Kazarian, Peguero, Solano, Rosado Martinez and Council President Pro Tempore Rivas Lugo. Council President Ferri was absent

 

 

II.            Pledge of Allegiance

Council President Pro Tempore Rivas Lugo led the Council in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

 

III.            Public Comment

Council President Pro Tempore Rivas Lugo opened public comment. Seeing no individuals signed up to speak, public comment was closed

 

IV.            Approval of Records

 

a.       Meeting Minutes of January 12, 2026, Special City Council Meeting

The Council may vote on this item

       

 Council President Pro Tempore Rivas Lugo asked if there were any questions regarding the minutes of the January 12, 2026, Special City Council Meeting. Seeing none, he requested a motion to approve. A motion to approve was made by Councilperson Rosado Martinez and seconded by Councilperson Peguero. The motion passed by a vote of 6–0.

 

Council President Pro Tempore Rivas Lugo requested, without objection from the Council, to enter into the record a Proclamation from Mayor Maria Rivera recognizing the culture and heritage of Taíno descendants in the State. A motion to enter the Proclamation into the record was made by Councilperson Baena and seconded by Councilperson Solano. The motion passed by a vote of 6–0.

 

A Proclamation from Mayor Maria Rivera recognizing the culture and heritage of Taíno descendants in the State was introduced.

 

b.      Meeting minutes of January 12, 2025, City Council Meeting

The Council may vote on this item

 

Council President Pro Tempore Rivas Lugo asked if there were any questions regarding the minutes of the January 12, 2026, City Council Meeting. Seeing none, he requested a motion to approve. A motion to approve was made by Councilperson Peguero and seconded by Councilperson Rosado Martinez. The motion passed by a vote of 6–0.

 

 

V.            Executive Communications

 

a.       Consideration of appointment by Mayor Maria Rivera of Richard Taylor as the Central Falls Tree Warden with a term set to expire January 26, 2027.

The Council may vote on this item

 

Chief of Staff Lorraine Quintero addressed the Council and introduced Mr. Richard Taylor as the Mayor’s appointee for Tree Warden. Mr. Taylor addressed the Council, providing background information and outlining his experience. He responded to questions from Councilpersons Baena and Peguero. Councilpersons Solano and Rosado Martinez commented on the role of the Tree Warden in the community and its overall impact.

 

VI.            Schedule of Bills-Hearing and/or Consideration

 

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

The Council may vote on this item

 

Council President Pro Tempore Rivas Lugo opened the public hearing. Lorraine Quintero, Chief of Staff to Mayor Rivera, addressed the Council and provided context regarding the ordinance. Council President Pro Tempore Rivas Lugo then closed the public hearing and requested a motion for approval. The motion was made by Councilperson Kazarian and seconded by Councilperson Rosado-Martinez.

 

Council President Pro Tempore Rivas Lugo called for a roll call vote. Councilperson Baena abstained; Councilperson Kazarian voted yes; Councilperson Peguero voted yes; Councilperson Rosado-Martinez voted yes; Councilperson Solano voted yes; and Council President Pro Tempore Rivas Lugo voted yes. The motion passed by a vote of 5–0, with one abstention.

 

VII.            Adjournment

 

A motion to adjourn was made by Councilperson Rosado Martinez and Seconded by Councilperson Peguero.  The meeting adjourned at 6:19 pm.

 

 

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

 

Approved by City Council: February 9, 2025, City Council Meeting

 

Alberto M. de Burgo

City Clerk