Pawtucket council approves up to $50 million in water revenue bonds on second passage

The Pawtucket City Council voted 8-0 on second passage to approve an ordinance authorizing the issuance of water revenue bonds and notes not to exceed $50 million to finance improvements to the city’s water supply system.

The vote matters because it clears the way for the city to raise funds for capital work on the water supply system through revenue bonds; second passage on a roll-call vote advances the ordinance toward finalization and implementation.

Councilor Will de Haines moved the measure and the council held a roll-call second-passage vote. Clerk roll-call results recorded President Mercer and seven councilors voting yes and no opposing votes. Councilors discussed the ordinance briefly before the vote but did not amend the amount during the session.

Per the ordinance language presented at the meeting, proceeds would be used for improvements to the Pawtucket water supply system; council staff and the clerk will complete the ministerial steps required to issue the bonds after finalization. The council did not specify project-level allocations or an issuance schedule at the meeting.

The council’s approval on second passage does not itself issue bonds; it authorizes the city to issue bonds and notes up to the stated cap subject to subsequent administrative actions and any required legal documents. Council records show the vote was recorded on the meeting roll.