[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6330572,"mediaKeyId","2313840-089fa82d7bbe73257ece39ae76291292","parentId",2313840,"title","Council rejects $350,000 resiliency-hub grant application after split vote","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",6479000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2313840-089fa82d7bbe73257ece39ae76291292&start=6479&end=6479","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2313840-089fa82d7bbe73257ece39ae76291292/thumbnail_6479000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6330572/Woonsocket-City/Providence-County/Rhode-Island/Council-rejects-350000-resiliency-hub-grant-application-after-split-vote","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6330572-26c45a84b9aaf02a0bc279b523f887d1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143838&Signature=Yx2I4t86hXWFQ9ee1IFa8ckckdvUt6vKMvLotUWPEHRW-W7Ndo3~9OVJ5umfFfrF1~MUqkz9354-sp3ybVHFckmalOU3oBsqr4WQ21UXBukM1MFyRb2Izu4OWWv-r5Tr0DEgaqVuVBtiCa1iLZR0y0G9Sq1hMkPeEQ~km-IVsQO28NasaXieEaQ7ICE3JhT6dGV7UEOITyEglUMOjw1cp5pOjX8gUQ8iu6Ixy-U3hxO1FgXipQS23n2Eu9Rhkc13ffbwF9SNRIwSQyg9vvG92MlVpSEowttVn8j3H3cqIrbnlP1nBxQdCWkqlQXMi3nqAiqvIKX2uU0yE9zRHGD4oA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Woonsocket, RI","date","2025-02-03T00:00:00Z","article","The Woonsocket City Council on Feb. 3 considered a resolution (25-R-19) authorizing the planning department to submit an application for up to $350,000 from Environmental Justice of New England to create a resiliency hub. After extended debate, the measure failed on a 4–3 roll call.

Proponents — including Councilwoman Gonzales, Councilwoman Fox and Councilwoman Harmon — described a resiliency hub as a local resource center for environmental education, public-health outreach, workforce and small-business support targeted at underserved neighborhoods. Director Pagliarini said the grant includes a 25 percent advance and would fund space, programming and partnerships. Councilwoman Fox said the hub could co-locate with existing community services and the city’s new business-development hub to provide cross-cutting resources.

Opponents argued the city’s administration is already managing multiple projects and raised concerns about the city’s capacity to administer new grant programs and to manage related reporting and financial tracking. Councilman Kenoyer and Councilman Dubois cited unfinished audits and possible future large capital needs — including wastewater treatment investments and potential school projects — as reasons to decline taking on additional grant programs now.

The roll call produced four votes against and three in favor; the resolution was defeated. Supporters said they will continue to pursue external partnerships and that parts of the hub concept may be achievable through community partners absent city administration as lead.

Ending: The council did not authorize the grant application at this time; proponents signaled they may pursue nonmunicipal partners to advance parts of the hub concept.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Hall Council Meeting - February 3rd, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A proposed $350,000 Environmental Justice of New England grant to fund a local resiliency hub was rejected 4–3 after council debate over administrative capacity and competing budget priorities.","taxTitle","Woonsocket City , Providence County, Rhode Island","taxId",52804,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6330577,"Council tables out‑of‑city water-connection ordinance after debate on infrastructure costs and cost recovery",5253,1017000,6270000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2313840-089fa82d7bbe73257ece39ae76291292&start=1017&end=6270","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2313840-089fa82d7bbe73257ece39ae76291292/thumbnail_1017000.jpg","/articles/6330577/Woonsocket-City/Providence-County/Rhode-Island/Council-tables-outofcity-water-connection-ordinance-after-debate-on-infrastructure-costs-and-cost-recovery","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6330577-d42750bb3bef3666c948c13eda8911df/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143838&Signature=ou762fSZ1aUvRlmo2Qp-EJSBqkPfyLN-AyUAj~dEmGnFqEL~-IQTcP~bnbI4jXiywWrXC1HpSxUVdGCtyV3mq238UWXOJ7O78q8ctOoHwXtZxApiv3FcWD3oz2lFf2u3CscMTDHzcQaFwNzx4euKZ-XYhQ~G-pTas8U~X~I0VzaDz5wEmcsMeS1jkYlhntnZv9zuwcz7v-4TGhzf3OyktNjYpYODQz90Knwy~iAY6hBCaaTlSS84raHF2sP8Rifc2bbk7AD2aAI9LnRBGKJDUT10ofrc8hM8wFt~zY2fLNWXI-iv26eT3q1mUGrNq9K5Tr35QWYaR44TU658WJE-pQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council members on Feb. 3 voted to table an ordinance (25-O-11) that would authorize an out-of-city connection to the Woonsocket Waterworks System, after staff and elected officials raised questions about infrastructure costs and rate recovery.

Planning and Public Works staff explained the proposed connection would require roughly 1,000 feet of 12-inch water line along Route 146. Director Pagliarini told the council that contractor estimates for that work range from about $300 to $500 per linear foot, which would place the construction cost in the low hundreds of thousands of dollars. He said recouping that cost from water sales can take many years: \"Even on the low end, that's $300,000 for just the pipe... how many years will it take you to recoup that money?\" Pagliarini said, adding that a comparable local water user paid roughly $27,000 in FY 2024 on similar volume and that full cost recovery is unlikely in a short timeframe.

Council members emphasized that the ordinance's written language requires the out-of-city applicant to pay for the infrastructure and maintenance in perpetuity, but several members wanted additional written assurances and engineering detail. Councilman Kenoyer moved to table the ordinance to permit a work session and a fuller review of costs; the motion to table carried and the council scheduled a work session to examine the infrastructure and cost-recovery proposal.

Ending: The council directed staff to prepare engineering details and cost scenarios for the next meeting and to return with options for contract terms that protect the city's long-term fiscal interest.","An ordinance to allow a water connection to a property in North Smithfield (25-O-11) was tabled for a work session after council members questioned the long-term cost of installing about 1,000 feet of 12-inch main and whether the city could recover those infrastructure expenses.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6330582,"After child struck, Woonsocket council debates cameras, engineering and traffic-calming; work session planned",3086,1493000,4579000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2313840-089fa82d7bbe73257ece39ae76291292&start=1493&end=4579","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2313840-089fa82d7bbe73257ece39ae76291292/thumbnail_1493000.jpg","/articles/6330582/Woonsocket-City/Providence-County/Rhode-Island/After-child-struck-Woonsocket-council-debates-cameras-engineering-and-traffic-calming-work-session-planned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6330582-c23641255becf0a9dc9d41d132e254e0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143838&Signature=XTHnbgpIR46XCn8RsB~XJMkT-JAfdvVc6O5KW~woixxWzILHO8u~sa5jtn9a~-yMh-mCP4dIFshVEKsmN14Bwsv4HzQvMydXfqWIIpuNOgFAzhQ3FNbkjdMlYM33rtrkDE4ix7vN6dFM0kow6766K2zYdOrkKGB7SbaCvdG9HESd4YfCblnI1nQUvhUnLGvsSZdgllTKjLJ5tN4HYxaAREipTeAeNYruPAHgkw0-zPFhilF2gFdSSPAMbQUFrN1oLkl8EwJdzTbtvx2-BlLk5itf6oqoH97KfDvO38bFKXyyidy-1-Y-lMljXqLoy5FAxxBZWV7MdjW45MWsoaj2UA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A recent collision that injured a woman and a 4-year-old child prompted extended discussion at the Feb. 3 Woonsocket City Council meeting about traffic enforcement, automated cameras and safety-oriented street design.

Councilwoman Fox urged a staged approach if the council adopts speed or red-light cameras: public notice, an installation period, a probationary period and then activation. \"We need to let folks know that when this goes up, it's coming,\" Fox said, describing a public-information and probationary schedule modeled on Providence's rollout.

Mayor Chris Beauchamp described the incident as personally affecting his view of traffic behavior and said, \"I don't know if cameras is the answer, but I mentioned it because it's 1 of the thoughts that I've had because I've seen them work in other communities.\" He and the council discussed a mix of short-term and structural measures — signage, raised crosswalks, speed bumps, lane narrowing and protected bike lanes — and not relying solely on cameras.

Council President and others urged greater emphasis on engineering. A council member cited prior local Safe Routes to School projects that changed pedestrian patterns by physically directing people to safer crossings; the council president said such engineering, rather than cameras alone, \"will actually make a difference.\" Director Pagliarini and the mayor said they will meet on Monument Square options the next day and asked for a council workshop to weigh engineering, enforcement and grant-funding sources such as Safe Routes and TIP (Transportation Improvement Program) dollars.

Councilwoman Fox proposed using a portion of any citation revenue from cameras to a restricted account for transportation improvements in trouble spots and to help the police department recruit officers; other council members cautioned that some camera revenues may be restricted in use by state rules.

Ending: The council agreed to schedule a workshop and to pursue engineering reviews, DOT coordination and grant options before deciding on automated enforcement or capital street changes.","Following a recent traffic incident in which a woman and a child were struck, the council discussed speed and red-light cameras, traffic engineering, and longer-term pedestrian improvements. Council members and the mayor planned a work session to evaluate engineering options and funding.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6330587,"Residents and council split on Woonsocket 'WEDI' advisory board name and role",2577,268000,2845000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2313840-089fa82d7bbe73257ece39ae76291292&start=268&end=2845","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2313840-089fa82d7bbe73257ece39ae76291292/thumbnail_268000.jpg","/articles/6330587/Woonsocket-City/Providence-County/Rhode-Island/Residents-and-council-split-on-Woonsocket-WEDI-advisory-board-name-and-role","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6330587-31369be359270e394a88c9dcb821231c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143838&Signature=Lwp~0SIIfK7RA2I-nWHi8jHatISDI9iynsSCz38noJYlNmCSYXN0Pr4wvWlzE5YlG-rtjUO3~lx0YOkriyAEVNlW09VwuH17YtJTNCaaEAJmJGxngaV1Cj3VFnSd-Y6wWDbiCWRsO1QubRyS8V7a8CtrJzr4BRG2OWEYuVbfaYAoW76RRIsd9RLI-xuu01tKBimEBMkpzvF7YFpeXxNswRAdPGaPJa7w9Jw1JT8S8Sw5S7cO2Sto5I0xGSuhUmufI6b~JGOguwxgrF7bCB2s3EKVtJqSdIcVHNSzdXa-f0mQb3Za7fZTjpfGGTzwbyUlvEo-~cCv~gYgn~h6QvYq1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public comment and a later council exchange on Feb. 3 focused on the city’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion advisory board — referred to in council discussion as WEDI (Woonsocket Equity, Diversity and Inclusion).

Several public speakers urged the council to drop the DEI acronym or disband the advisory board. Gregory Duhamel told the council he had been interrupted in a phone call when he tried to discuss the board and asserted the committee’s work had produced \"useless spending\" and \"reverse racism\" claims; Arthur Roy, chair of the Woonsocket Republican City Committee, urged the council to “focus on who's the best person for the job.”

Council members defended the advisory board’s work and in-council nominations. Councilwoman Valerie Gonzales said the board had produced cost savings and identified human-resources issues that could have led to fines or lawsuits. Councilwoman Harmon, a former advisory-board member, said the committee helped the city address discrimination and bring people together. Councilwoman Fox opposed changing the name, saying acronyms have repeatedly been targets of controversy and that the substance of the work matters more than the label.

Councilwoman Gonzales offered to explore a name change to a less-charged label such as \"Opportunity for All Committee\" and said she would bring a proposal back to the council. The council ultimately received the nominations for the advisory board and placed the item on file unanimously.

Ending: Council members said they would continue to discuss the advisory board’s branding and work; Gonzales said she would reach out to colleagues to find consensus on a name change as needed.","Public commenters and council members debated the city’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion advisory board (referred in town as WEDI). Some residents urged renaming or elimination; supporters and several council members defended the board’s work and recommended a simple renaming if it reduces controversy.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_46":116,"_48":117,"_50":118,"_52":119,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":120,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":121,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6330591,"Woonsocket council clears multiple ordinances, tables two major items; WARN mutual-aid resolution passes",1,7000,8036,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2313840-089fa82d7bbe73257ece39ae76291292&start=7&end=8","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2313840-089fa82d7bbe73257ece39ae76291292/thumbnail_7000.jpg","/articles/6330591/Woonsocket-City/Providence-County/Rhode-Island/Woonsocket-council-clears-multiple-ordinances-tables-two-major-items-WARN-mutual-aid-resolution-passes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6330591-1230f366246c82ad704f5d7f8466bb67/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143838&Signature=QCsUSnrEL8oD2tL25NQSqvT0EXDD6A2ROYOZPk~h416CMqd7GnOYFOVnVVOgWWlUMPISLCcgzpIT6M2h4xQIqDEPGxJJ09Hg8xgsaTDNYTu1t8Kr1wNHSHF~g36fww9TUCi3jh9ZAMRiDeb9D8GUksMaUSiRNOSujd~K7dVrd5VU-1~4r1MIh0pI1XRWXeg-lnqUzUcwoyLfmFZbSKzqnBcaI5TJ161Y1y9PMhi50L~chBKi3IRvFBRedmFc5fXTUilne8AuL4PkS4yv0kdB-zWVbEwX5tK8bganNGBpPNS0ij1oEEBPhp9pLTaNzyPWwiUYpbqB0AiAHOWAL4Al-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Woonsocket City Council on Feb. 3 approved a package of ordinances and resolutions, placed several items on file and tabled two measures for additional review, while voting 6–1 to join an updated interstate mutual-aid agreement for water and wastewater utilities.

The council voted, by roll call, to approve adjustments to American Rescue Plan Act allocations (25-00-01) and a tax-amnesty ordinance (25-00-02), each on second passage, and repealed an omnibus tax-stabilization ordinance for the downtown revitalization area (25-00-04). Several zoning and operational code changes received first-passage approval or were referred to the planning board for recommendation. The council also approved a professional-services amendment for green infrastructure work with Fuss & O'Neill (25-R-18) and authorized cancellation of certain prorated homestead tax amounts (25-R-17).

The council approved routine items including a joint-pole permit for Rhode Island Energy and Verizon (25-00-07) and an amendment to the city code on refuse carts (25-00-08). One ordinance (25-00-10) was tabled because a referenced schedule was missing from the docket; another ordinance authorizing an out-of-city connection to the Woonsocket Waterworks System (25-O-11) was tabled for a work session after council members raised questions about long-term infrastructure costs.

On the WARN interstate mutual-aid resolution (25-R-01), which would permit the city to participate in an interstate mutual-aid framework for water and wastewater utilities, the council approved the resolution 6–1 after debate. Council members emphasizing the measure said it establishes a voluntary framework and does not obligate the city to commit resources. Councilwoman Fox voted no.

A proposed $350,000 grant application to create a resiliency hub through Environmental Justice of New England (25-R-19) drew extended debate and failed on a 4–3 vote. Supporters described the hub as a localized resource center for environmental, public-health and workforce services targeted at underserved neighborhoods; opponents cited limited city administrative capacity and competing budget priorities.

Votes at a glance (selected items):
- 25-00-01 (ARPA allocation adjustments): approved, roll call 7–0 (second passage).
- 25-00-02 (Tax amnesty): approved, roll call 7–0.
- 25-00-04 (Repeal omnibus tax stabilization): approved, roll call 7–0.
- 25-00-07 (Joint pole location, Rivers St.): approved first passage, roll call 7–0.
- 25-00-08 (Amend garbage/cart code): approved first passage, roll call 7–0.
- 25-00-09 (Zoning filing fees): initial vote rescinded; item sent to planning board for recommendation.
- 25-00-10 (ARPA schedule adjustment): tabled because schedule missing from docket.
- 25-O-11 (Out-of-city water connection to Woonsocket Waterworks): tabled for work session.
- 25-12 (Transfer of miscellaneous funds to controls): approved, roll call 7–0 (treated as appropriation).
- 25-R-01 (WARN interstate mutual-aid resolution): approved 6–1 (Councilwoman Fox opposed).
- 25-R-17 (Cancellation of certain taxes): approved, roll call 7–0.
- 25-R-18 (Amend professional services, Fuss & O'Neill — Truman Drive green infrastructure): approved, roll call 7–0.
- 25-R-19 (Resiliency hub grant application): defeated 4–3.

The meeting concluded with routine motions to approve prior meeting minutes, receipt of the consent agenda and adjournment. Several items that drew substantive comment were sent for additional review or work sessions.

Ending: Most of the measures were routine; the council paused or directed more work on the out-of-city water connection and on a missing-schedule ordinance, and split over the resiliency-hub grant application.","The Woonsocket City Council approved several routine ordinances and resolutions on Feb. 3, 2025, tabled an out-of-city water connection and a funding ordinance for further work sessions, and approved an interstate mutual-aid agreement for water and wastewater utilities. A $350,000 resiliency-hub grant application was defeated 4–3.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council rejects $350,000 resiliency-hub grant application after split vote

Council tables out‑of‑city water-connection ordinance after debate on infrastructure costs and cost recovery

After child struck, Woonsocket council debates cameras, engineering and traffic-calming; work session planned

Residents and council split on Woonsocket 'WEDI' advisory board name and role

Woonsocket council clears multiple ordinances, tables two major items; WARN mutual-aid resolution passes