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City Council, February 8, 2023
A regular session of the Pawtucket City Council was held Wednesday, February 8, 2023, at 7:42 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 137 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket, RI. 
Present – President Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio, Stachowiak, and Wildenhain.
Absent – 0.
President Mercer presided.
The reading of the records of the January 25, 2023 City Council meeting and City Property Committee meeting was dispensed with and the records were APPROVED as prepared by the Clerk.
Upon motion made by Councilor Araujo, seconded by Councilor Coderre, the *Consent Agenda was APPROVED on a unanimous voice vote:
| | * THE FOLLOWING COMMUNICATIONS ARE READ AND ORDERED FILED |
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| 028 | A. Resolution from the Town of Foster Urging Rejection of Changes to the Rhode Island Enabling Act as Proposed by the Rhode Island House of Representatives Land Use Commission Dated November 10, 2022. |
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| 028 | B. Resolution from the Town of Tiverton Seeking General Assembly Authority to License Short-Term Rental (STR) by Municipalities. |
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| ** 028 | C. Resolution from the Town of Richmond Urging the Rhode Island General Assembly to Make Juneteenth Independence Day an Official State Holiday. |
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| 028 | D. Communication from Mark E. Amesbury, Polytechnic, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council (Radio Master Box System) |
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| 15 | E. Communication from Susan Reed, Library Director, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council (Quarterly Report to the City Council) |
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| 061 | F. Communication from Jeannine S. Bourski, Acting Finance Director, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council. (Statement of estimated realized and unrealized revenues for the fiscal period July 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022) |
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| ** 590 | G. Communication from His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council (Bulky Waste and Recycling Programs Press Release) |
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| ** 630 | H. Communication from Robert Burns, Tax Assessor, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council (Annual Report of Tax Stabilization Agreements) |
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| 3 | J. Communication from Joanne Bonollo, School Committee, to His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien and City Council President Mercer (Unified High School Facilities Committee) |
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| 591 | K. Communication from City Council President Mercer to Joanne Bonollo, School Committee (Response – Unified High School Facilities Committee) |
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| | M. Communication from Vertical Bridge Acquisitions III, LLC to the City of Pawtucket (Letter of Intent to Acquire Rooftop Rights) IS REFERRED TO THE CITY PROPERTY COMMITTEE: |
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| | N. THE FOLLOWING CLAIM FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY TO BE REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS AND PENDING SUITS. Nichol Goncalves – $600.00, $555.39, $341.47 (Pothole) |
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| | O. THE FOLLOWING CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY TO BE REFERRED TO THE LAW DEPARTMENT AND RI INTERLOCAL TRUST. Gladys Nunez – No amount specified (Sewer backup) |
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| ** | TAKEN OFF CONSENT AGENDA FOR COMMENTS ONLY, NO OTHER ACTION TAKEN. |
| 592 | I. Communication from Camerin Bennett, Assistant Planning Director, to the Honorable members of the Pawtucket City Council (FEMA Community Rating System Recertification) WAS POSTPONED UNTIL 2/22/2023 |
| 028 | L. Communications between Karen Alzate, State Representative, and Cynthia McCarthy, Acting Director of Government and Legislative Affairs, RI Department of Transportation (I-95 South Bridge) WAS READ AND ORDERED FILED |
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZED COUNCILOR STACHOWIAK
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Stachowiak, seconded by Councilor Rubio, was PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:
The Clerk was instructed to send a communication to Karen Alzate, State Representative, thanking her for advocating to RIDOT on behalf of the City of Pawtucket regarding cleaning up the debris under the overpasses on Rte. 95.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZED COUNCILOR STACHOWIAK
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Stachowiak, seconded by Councilors Rubio and Gregor, was PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:
The Clerk was instructed to send a communication to Dylan Zelazo, Director of Administration, with questions regarding the opening of the warming center at 1139 Main Street: How did the opening of the center go last weekend? Were they able to move people to the center? How did the process work? Is there a date now for the bridges to be cleaned? Where is the city at this point and what will be happening going forward?
At the request of Councilor Gregor, the Council also asked how the city was able to purchase that building for use as a homeless shelter and warming center without any prior notice to the public or the district councilor?
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZED COUNCILOR STACHOWIAK
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Stachowiak, on behalf of Council President Mercer, seconded by Councilor Rubio, was PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:
The Clerk was instructed to send a communication to Derek Torrey, Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration (FWA), requesting that the FWA instruct RIDOT to clean up the area under two Rte 95 overpasses in Pawtucket which are full of debris or provide the city with an alternative resolution to the problem.
In addition, the council was asking if RIDOT is authorized to create internal policies that allow people to live along the interstate highway, under its overpasses.
589 Communication from His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council, submitting the following reappointment as the City Solicitor of the City of Pawtucket, FOR CONFIRMATION:
CITY SOLICITOR
Frank J. Milos, Jr., was READ AND ORDERED FILED.
The following nomination submitted by His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, for confirmation was CONFIRMED on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES – President Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio, Stachowiak and Wildenhain
NOES – 0.
CITY SOLICITOR
Frank J. Milos, Jr.
THE COUNCIL TOOK UP THE FOLLOWING:
ELECTION OF CITY OFFICERS
CITY SERGEANT (2-YEAR TERM)
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZED COUNCILOR MORENO.
Upon motion made by Councilor Moreno, seconded by Councilor Stachowiak, the name of AL HERVIEUX was placed in nomination to serve as the City Sergeant.
With no other nominations offered, AL HERVIEUX WAS RE-ELECTED CITY SERGEANT (Two Year Term) on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES – President Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio, Stachowiak and Wildenhain
NOES – 0.
SEALER OF WEIGHTS & MEASURES (2-YEAR TERM)
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZED COUNCILOR GREGOR.
Upon motion made by Councilor Gregor, seconded by Councilor Coderre, the name of JEREMY BAPTISTA was placed in nomination to serve as the Sealer of Weights & Measures.
With no other nominations offered, JEREMY BAPTISTA WAS RE-ELECTED SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES (Two Year Term) on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES – President Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio, Stachowiak and Wildenhain
NOES – 0.
JUDGE OF PROBATE (2-YEAR TERM)
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZED COUNCILOR CODERRE.
Upon motion made by Councilor Coderre, seconded by Councilors Moran and Wildenhain, the name of CRISTINE MCBURNEY was placed in nomination to serve as the Judge of Probate.
With no other nominations offered, CRISTINE MCBURNEY WAS RE-ELECTED JUDGE OF THE PROBATE COURT (Two Year Term) on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES – President Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio, Stachowiak and Wildenhain
NOES – 0.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZED COUNCILOR GREGOR
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Gregor, seconded by Councilor Wildenhain, the agenda was amended to include the following:
Water damage at Winters Elementary School.
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Gregor, seconded by Councilor Wildenhain, was PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:
The Clerk was instructed to send a communication to Lisa Benedetti-Ramzi, Acting Superintendent of Schools, regarding the burst pipe at Winters School. The Council asked:
1. What was the cause of the pipe break in this brand-new facility?
2. Who is responsible for the break?
3. What is the current condition of the school and will it be able to be repaired to the brand-new condition it was before the break?
4. When is the school expected to reopen?
The council requested that if there is a major situation at the schools in the future, that all city councilors be notified so that they may properly respond to any questions from their constituents.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT MERCER APPOINTED COUNCILOR ROBERTO H. MORENO TO SERVE ON THE ARTS PANEL REVIEW COMMITTEE. Term Expires June 1, 2025.
THE FOLLOWING APPOINTMENT BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT MERCER TO THE ARTS PANEL REVIEW COMMITTEE WAS CONFIRMED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:
AYES – President Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio, Stachowiak and Wildenhain
NOES – 0.
591 Tammie Worthington-Witczak, 145 Sheffield Avenue, Pawtucket, RI 02860.
Term Expires June 1, 2025.
UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY PROPERTY COMMITTEE, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS APPROVED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:
AYES – President Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio, Stachowiak and Wildenhain
NOES – 0.
The following resolution was APPROVED on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES – President Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio, Stachowiak and Wildenhain
NOES – 0.
588 RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING THE SAINT RAPHAEL ACADEMY FOOTBALL TEAM FOR WINNING THE DIVISION 2 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
The following resolution was APPROVED on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES – President Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio, Stachowiak and Wildenhain
NOES – 0.
UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS READ FOR THE FIRST TIME AND PASSED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:
AYES – President Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio, Stachowiak and Wildenhain
NOES – 0.
UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS AND PENDING SUITS, THE FOLLOWING CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY WERE APPROVED FOR PAYMENT ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:
AYES – President Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio, Stachowiak and Wildenhain
NOES – 0.
Gabriel Goncalves – $300.00 (Pothole)
Brian J. Cote – $1,765.00 (Tree Damage)
UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS AND PENDING SUITS, THE FOLLOWING CLAIM FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY WAS DENIED AND REFERRED TO THE PROVIDENCE AND WORCESTER RAILROAD COMPANY, ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:
AYES – President Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio, Stachowiak and Wildenhain
NOES – 0.
Phyllis Kelliher – $316.68 (Pothole)
Upon motion made by Councilor Araujo, seconded by Councilor Moran, the meeting was adjourned at 8:35 PM.