Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center seeks property tax exemption; finance committee asks for documentation, pauses decision

The Pawtucket Finance Committee met to consider communications from the Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center seeking property tax exemptions for 727 Central Avenue and 1202 Newport Avenue and decided to file the materials while asking the nonprofit and city staff for additional documentation before taking final action.

The committee filed both communications and then heard from Tony Marie Roderick, who described the Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center’s services and funding. "We provide services to victims of ... domestic violence," Roderick said, adding the agency "is the largest member agency of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence." She told the committee the organization moved into 727 Central Avenue in summer 2023 and that the site is used for confidential, appointment‑only office and case‑management services; she said the agency does not provide residential services at that location.

Committee members said they want proof the organization is eligible for exemption and that any prorated taxes owed at the property’s sale be resolved. The committee asked Roderick to provide current federal/state nonprofit paperwork, a recent Form 990, zoning confirmation or a certificate of occupancy, and copies of any correspondence from the fire marshal.

Why it matters: municipal tax exemptions can shift local tax burdens and require clarity that an organization qualifies as a nonprofit under state and federal rules. Committee members repeatedly raised the prospect that unpaid, prorated taxes from the property sale should be collected by the city before exemption is applied.

During the discussion Councilor Rubio and Councilor Moran moved and seconded a motion to file both communications; the motion passed on a roll call. Members asked the administration and the organization to return with the requested documents and suggested the earliest practical return to committee in May. Committee members also advised the nonprofit to contact the state legislative delegation: a council member said the council should pass a resolution of support to accompany any bill because the exemption process will require enabling legislation at the state level.

Roderick told the committee the agency is federally funded through the Violence Against Women Act and the Victims of Crime Act and said, "we are not allowed to charge any service for any services we provide. We are truly a nonprofit." She said the agency has nine employees at the Pawtucket office and 42 overall, and that fire inspections are current.

Committee directions and next steps: the Finance Committee requested the nonprofit provide (1) proof of 501(c)(3) status and recent Form 990 filings, (2) a certificate of occupancy or equivalent zoning/inspection confirmation, (3) any closing documentation showing prorated taxes, and (4) correspondence from the fire marshal showing inspections are current. The committee also asked the clerk and administration to help the agency secure a state legislator to introduce enabling legislation and set a tentative return to the committee in early May to allow time for the documentation to be collected.

The committee did not grant a tax exemption at the meeting; it filed the communications and postponed substantive action pending the requested materials and resolution of any prorated taxes owed.