[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":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,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6524385,"mediaKeyId","3846355-c04f028026f4b3c7174d90e39d26ee05","parentId",3846355,"title","Council amends award and selects Rhode Island Tax Titles after conflict concerns in tax‑sale procurement","audioSeconds",1032,"startMs",4906000,"endMs",5938000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3846355-c04f028026f4b3c7174d90e39d26ee05&start=4906&end=5938","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3846355-c04f028026f4b3c7174d90e39d26ee05/thumbnail_4906000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6524385/Woonsocket-City/Providence-County/Rhode-Island/Council-amends-award-and-selects-Rhode-Island-Tax-Titles-after-conflict-concerns-in-taxsale-procurement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6524385-a993a2bf17ebbd08218eb98dc68b24a9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170675&Signature=iJID344Xrqh5yZ8b7aBrelDwqwEnVKNDTJl~Yq8xx6l~BLt5iQPh7QRRcYOiulDFEaJchDzsfS4y1pJiUxxi4BPTGCxoPBYa-5ECt6p2A5VPRr9sDFvWknFNe2DHmEK1mdpA0KelfghZKYC1eqTHWyIPu7waUQf2LV1zXH-93AdRLQAGNxwKpXRJhhoJWjQjgsSoEGyEUekbQ21qpHvmNzJDwJ-348FjQl6NvR9SRKyF-ITpNbTBLHprhFb~fvEAG0L9qOt3vQs-dm9-m6SVH2LFYX38P7ksQK0Llw~WmjRCRVF0aN1KKo9OXn2h-lbAoB5D70ZqiWJTu74KmfY9EQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Woonsocket, RI","date","2025-06-17T01:11:10Z","article","A contentious discussion over the city’s procurement of tax‑sale services ended with the Woonsocket City Council amending a resolution and voting 7–0 to award the contract to Rhode Island Tax Titles LLC.

Council members raised concerns during debate that a law firm affiliated with the city solicitor had submitted the low bid. Councilman Kenoyer and Councilwoman Sierra said the arrangement raised an appearance‑of‑conflict question because the solicitor’s office has duties at tax sales and the procurement documents require that contractors not be employees or have direct or indirect interests tied to city officials. Kenoyer pointed specifically to bid‑package math and to requirements in the solicitation about references and independence.

Mayor Christopher Beauchamp said he had called references and understood the firm identified in the bid performs tax‑title work for other municipalities; the mayor asked the council to consider the city’s need to proceed with the tax sale after multiple delays. After debate Kenoyer moved to amend the resolution to award to Rhode Island Tax Titles LLC of Lincoln, Rhode Island; the council approved the amendment and then the main motion as amended.

Council members noted they would expect the finance department to execute the contract and to confirm details of unit pricing and the number of parcels before the tax sale is run. The resolution, as amended, passed unanimously. Council members also recorded that the solicitor and another council‑related attorney filed conflict disclosures and briefly left the room while the council discussed the item.

The procurement discussion included a review of estimated per‑unit fees and a projected sample parcel universe; the finance director explained the fee estimates are based on prior tax‑sale experience and that final numbers will depend on how many accounts ultimately proceed to sale.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Regular Meeting - June 16th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","After debate over a potential conflict of interest because the city solicitor’s firm submitted a bid, the Woonsocket council amended a resolution and approved awarding tax‑sale services to Rhode Island Tax Titles LLC.","taxTitle","Woonsocket City , Providence County, Rhode Island","taxId",52804,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6524390,"Council approves roadside memorial ordinance and proposes memorial garden with tree‑planting option",2261,4379000,6640000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3846355-c04f028026f4b3c7174d90e39d26ee05&start=4379&end=6640","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3846355-c04f028026f4b3c7174d90e39d26ee05/thumbnail_4379000.jpg","/articles/6524390/Woonsocket-City/Providence-County/Rhode-Island/Council-approves-roadside-memorial-ordinance-and-proposes-memorial-garden-with-treeplanting-option","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6524390-7936c252a8657a5044cd990492586943/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170675&Signature=cxSS9ERRhCpJwT7M~-jm-78iWq2KfG~~LYB~Ku3HI2nT5edkOLorDyG4nAGvnYzKDRmMEUt~~K7ZmvNJLIF1kHphW0dSj4Ln9WUndYXD8tGuTfeXsRrqkBxhjd4G~v~EbDN9mI4eryOYQaMezkvs4M6~Hf5OUno93IaGhiiIaHVAEoWYT74lAXSRvXRdPtRkA6~gdnl2I~pkJ~0YLL4TI9vU8UDhDnQ3RVBsRYvzcAKwUILvKawDM1OLCbhmtMaoBJzb2zm1tkSTXudqAXa5nhLIiQXIUMBe14S78uslhjneyVlE1CmbDSsTW84hy5-0P0umNoc7b6pO~lDmAVrD~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Woonsocket City Council on June 16 approved changes to the municipal code to regulate roadside memorials and also passed a resolution creating a memorial garden program that would offer an alternative to ad‑hoc memorials in rights‑of‑way.

Vice President Councilwoman Sierra introduced the ordinance (25 O 41) and the related resolution (25 R 81). Sierra said the code change would allow the director of public works and the safety director to remove roadside memorials no sooner than 15 days after they are created, except when the memorial contains a dangerous item such as a lit candle that poses an immediate hazard. Sierra framed the policy as a response to memorials that have been neglected and become unsanitary or hazardous.

On the resolution creating a memorial garden program, Sierra said she had contacted a local supplier, Central Nurseries in Burrillville, which \"agreed to sell the products\" at a discounted price so that citizens could purchase trees and the city would plant and maintain them at no cost to families. During discussion Councilwoman Gonzales expressed support for a memorial garden and Councilwoman Fox noted the proposal could help the city's effort to reach Tree City USA status. Director D'Agostino and Council members discussed logistics including how long removed items would be stored and who would determine where plantings would be placed; parks and recreation and an appointed garden society were suggested as possible managers.

Council members clarified the policy would include outreach to families before removal and that items removed from public rights‑of‑way could be held by the city with a grace period for retrieval. Councilmember questions included whether the program should begin at Cold Spring Memorial Park; Sierra said she favored starting there because it needs beautification and has a riverfront path.

The resolution and ordinance both passed 7–0 (ordinance on first passage), and the council directed administration staff to work with the sponsor to finalize implementation details.","The council approved an ordinance allowing city removal of roadside memorials after a minimum 15‑day posting and passed a companion resolution to create a memorial garden program that would include city‑planted commemorative trees.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6524394,"Heated public remarks at Woonsocket council meeting over Pride month recognition",574,2540000,3114000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3846355-c04f028026f4b3c7174d90e39d26ee05&start=2540&end=3114","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3846355-c04f028026f4b3c7174d90e39d26ee05/thumbnail_2540000.jpg","/articles/6524394/Woonsocket-City/Providence-County/Rhode-Island/Heated-public-remarks-at-Woonsocket-council-meeting-over-Pride-month-recognition","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6524394-07b8a030b0a0325db797ae3b6a771736/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170675&Signature=Mop2GITQMLS3iCnExN7nnccRUEbC2w9T0w1bkZr9oTfIqBLRtExrg70pgLDTz1na2QAu1AI1GFZ1IsMBSob~CDdT17~jVHaBMg~ZmoJrAZ6m-LxchERNf1vIWIRUCFr2vI4M65Bgqz78L-IRtJYyIy9w7f8bo9MKQfS63mihotp-uIUtVzM8RaZmNFJvbwTT9gLIfZhS7VoQueO1UD9JIIaJApBD6GYOdy~yUHZmOdUIaWqUlwJdfhKfni2Bd-M4AH99gj8MwqQwzdSz2k37IYTjQEBwRHS~RdAitnqmWo2WQsX~GmaWlbnG5toaIpOEJIZA~6LhARY~jFNlwe-ATQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public comment at the June 16 Woonsocket City Council meeting centered in part on whether the city should commemorate Pride month and keep a pride flag on city property.

Several speakers urged the council to remove the flag or oppose formal recognition. At the podium, Reverend Rhonda Sharon of 1025 Park Avenue said she did not agree with Pride month and called it \"attention seeking,\" adding that she had several gay friends but still opposed the observance. John Reynolds Jr. of 1240 Diamond Hill Road told the council he regarded the flag as \"a representation of an unnatural behavioral disorder\" and urged that the flag be removed from the Market Square pavilion. Stephen Weber and other speakers also expressed opposition to Pride displays on city property.

Councilwoman Fox, who introduced agenda item 25 P 30 to \"celebrate Pride month 2025 and honor the legacy and contributions of the Woonsocket LGBTQ community,\" delivered an extended statement in support. Fox said she felt \"very fortunate to have been born a queer woman\" and recounted experiences that, in her view, showed why civic recognition and protections matter. Fox urged respect and acceptance and described the recent downtown Pride event as \"phenomenal,\" saying, \"it was phenomenal to see River Island Park so alive with vendors, with food trucks, with so many people, just out and about being happy, feeling safe.\" She noted ongoing challenges for queer and trans people including access to health care and housing insecurity for youth.

Andrew Liles of 887 Park Avenue spoke in favor of Pride recognition, saying he appreciated the city's support. There were no council votes recorded on removing the flag during the meeting; the petition item was a request to address the council on the topic.

The exchange illustrated strong community division on public displays tied to identity and raised questions about how the council balances differing constituent views when it takes up ceremonial recognitions or uses of city property.","Public commenters and council members exchanged sharply divergent views on LGBTQ+ Pride month and a pride flag displayed downtown; Councilwoman Fox delivered a remembrance and endorsement of Pride month.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6524400,"Woonsocket council approves ordinances, tables police detail MOA; tax-sale contractor selected",0,123000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3846355-c04f028026f4b3c7174d90e39d26ee05&start=123&end=123","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3846355-c04f028026f4b3c7174d90e39d26ee05/thumbnail_123000.jpg","/articles/6524400/Woonsocket-City/Providence-County/Rhode-Island/Woonsocket-council-approves-ordinances-tables-police-detail-MOA-tax-sale-contractor-selected","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6524400-e3dd9a21fb00bf2fff39b292ac6d314d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170675&Signature=jqsOXGdPZccKTZmSr8tnAjEFaw3Uyb0k96Pi3y6fE9NZWyZo0FS6LJPY4lDheV1n0Fl7jKEEvStTJbn~TdUB1gNn6SrIRwhlIoIGR3CeZEXEpCj7nvIOPDvzHNqgl2d1EV-aBdY5EssXsEmrBImai-4LxQSk9vTd2Ezw2oXboNzLgPUYQDn5OQlrAnJ5h69xHQkQOyvWWJWVRG3hw7qcf~UhrFYBBZn9r~lkbXqMm8pa~7fQw5UaaWvv4efjnRsVcLrC6LHeVfkh29HP9oVoctCIgVfwgLGx7L~wMak39QjOh6HfRsbvtSi6XiGM1GPakPsCmcEF2aQzitCiCunBJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Woonsocket City Council on Monday approved several ordinances and resolutions, including updates to staffing and salary ordinances, a city easement for Narragansett Electric and amendments to on‑street parking penalties. The council also tabled a memorandum of agreement on police private‑detail rates and, after debate and an amendment, awarded tax‑sale services to Rhode Island Tax Titles LLC.

The council voted on a wide range of measures in a meeting that combined routine items with several contested decisions. Councilmembers unanimously approved multiple personnel and salary ordinances (25 O 31, 25 O 32, 25 O 33, 25 O 34) and an easement for Narragansett Electric (25 O 25). The council also approved a three‑year lease extension with AgentWell Inc. for property at 84 Social Street (25 O 39) and gave first passage to an ordinance revising penalties for on‑street parking and prohibiting overnight parking in municipal lots (25 O 40).

During the meeting the council voted to table resolution 25 R 80, authorizing the mayor and police chief to execute a memorandum of agreement regarding police private‑detail rates with the New England Police Benevolence Association, Inc., local 808, saying additional work was needed on that resolution. The council debated a procurement for tax‑sale services (25 R 79); several members raised concerns about the appearance of a conflict because the city solicitor’s firm had submitted a bid. Councilman Kenoyer moved and the council then amended the resolution to award the contract to Rhode Island Tax Titles LLC; the amended measure passed 7–0.

Other approvals included: an application to hold a firefighter \"fill the boot\" tag day (25 L C 24) approved 6–1; a consolidated licenses renewal package (25 L C 25) approved 6–0 with Councilwoman Gonzales recused; an ordinance authorizing a pole relocation petition for Narragansett Electric on Pond Street and Mechanic Avenue (25 O 36); and a transfer from contingency to the finance department to cover audit fees (25 O 42).

Votes at a glance (selected items):
- 25 L C 23 (public hearing, application for Class B/B liquor license, Andino's Bar, 350 River Street): public hearing closed and the application tabled (motion to table carried 7–0).
- 25 L C 24 (Woonsocket Firefighters Association tag day): Approved 6–1 (chair recorded as voting no).
- 25 L C 25 (licenses/renewals): Approved 6–0; Councilwoman Gonzales recused.
- 25 R 80 (police private‑detail MOA with NEPBA): Tabled on motion, pending more work.
- 25 R 79 (contract for tax‑sale services): Amended on the floor to award to Rhode Island Tax Titles LLC; approved 7–0 after amendment.
- 25 O 25 (easement to Narragansett Electric on Smithville Road): Approved 7–0 (first passage).
- 25 O 31, 25 O 32, 25 O 33, 25 O 34 (personnel/salaries/codified staffing): Approved (votes recorded as 7–0 where roll calls were given).
- 25 O 40 (revise penalties for on‑street parking; prohibit overnight parking in municipal lots): Approved on first passage 7–0.
- 25 O 41 (amend city code to regulate roadside memorials): Approved on first passage 7–0.
- 25 O 42 (transfer from contingency to finance for audit fees): Approved 7–0; council discussion noted the budget projection did not anticipate spending contingency and the transaction may require future backfill.
- 25 R 81 (resolution creating a memorial garden program): Approved 7–0.
- 25 R 82 (permission to use city property for an annual event): Approved 6–0; Councilwoman Fox recused.
- 25 R 83 (application for HUD technical assistance): Approved 7–0.

Many items were routine and passed by unanimous roll call. When votes were not unanimous the transcript records the tallies above. Several ordinances were recorded as first or second passage as required by city code.

The council adjourned at 8:51 p.m.","The Woonsocket City Council on June 16, 2025, approved a slate of ordinances and resolutions, tabled a memorandum of agreement on police private-detail rates and amended a resolution to award tax‑sale services after debate over a potential conflict of interest.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council amends award and selects Rhode Island Tax Titles after conflict concerns in tax‑sale procurement

Council approves roadside memorial ordinance and proposes memorial garden with tree‑planting option

Heated public remarks at Woonsocket council meeting over Pride month recognition

Woonsocket council approves ordinances, tables police detail MOA; tax-sale contractor selected