Pawtucket council backs enabling legislation for new tax class; confirms canvassers and advances ordinances

The Pawtucket City Council voted unanimously to approve a resolution supporting enabling legislation to create a fifth tax classification for non‑owner‑occupied residential properties of five units or less, and carried a slate of confirmations and ordinance second‑passages during the meeting.

Council members said the resolution does not itself change tax rates but would allow the city an additional tool to use in the budget process if city leaders choose to employ it. "It can't happen unless legislation passes," a council member said during debate, and several members described the resolution as a way to "start the ball rolling" on an option that would apply to absentee landlords owning small multifamily properties.

The council confirmed Monica T. Contreras as an alternate Republican member of the Board of Canvassers and reappointed Robert W. Castle to the board; both confirmations passed on roll call votes,…