North Providence council summons businesses over unpaid police details, sets Jan. 21 insurance deadline

At its Jan. 14 meeting, the North Providence Town Council directed the owner of 787 Centennial Revival to meet with the police chief and to work out a payment plan for roughly $56,447.79 in unpaid police-detail charges, and set a Jan. 21, 2025, deadline for proof of insurance from 787 Centennial Revival and Stella Suites.

The matter arose during an item on liquor and entertainment license noncompliance. “They currently owe the North Providence Police Department and back details $56,447.79,” the Police Chief said, recounting a timeline of patrol details that began in 2021 and several partial payments. The chief described periodic reductions in police coverage to reduce the operator’s costs — from multiple nights with cruisers in 2021 to a single officer with no cruiser on Fridays and Saturdays — and said the business had paid $5,000 in September and another $5,000 in November 2024 but remained in arrears.

Why it matters: the council said the unpaid detail fees and missing insurance documentation raise both fiscal and public-safety questions for businesses that hold liquor and entertainment licenses. The council’s actions require licensees to provide documentation or appear before the council and give the police department assurances that outstanding charges will be addressed.

Council discussion focused on the size and accrual of the debt and on how best to secure future payments. “If we just pull the licenses, you're not going to get the money,” Councilman Pollock said, arguing for a payment plan rather than immediate license revocation. Councilman Luparzio suggested adding a nominal interest charge to incentivize repayment.

The council voted to summon the owner/operator of 787 to the February meeting and to ask the owner to work with the police chief on a payment plan that would reduce the balance while covering ongoing detail charges. Councilman Famagetti made the motion that 787 appear next month and negotiate a payment plan; Councilman Pollock seconded, and the motion passed with the ayes prevailing.

Separately, Councilman Famagetti moved and the council approved a requirement that 787 Centennial Revival and Stella Suites provide proof of insurance to the town clerk’s office by Jan. 21, 2025; if they fail to provide proof, the council said their licenses will be canceled. The motion was seconded by Councilman Bacala and carried.

The council also directed the clerk to send letters to the other named businesses (including Dennis Lounge, Green Basil, Saturday Bridal, Tumblesaults, and Acorn Room as listed on the agenda) giving them one week to respond to requests for missing documentation; the council said it would hold a special meeting if those licensees do not respond.

What the record shows: the Police Chief provided specific figures for past payments and the current balance and described past operational changes made to reduce the licensee’s cost burden. Council members repeatedly asked for clarification about the monthly/weekly accrual rate (about $1,000–$1,200 per busy weekend, per the chief). The town clerk said the listed license statuses had not been clarified as of the meeting.

Ending: Council members directed staff and the police chief to work with the businesses before the February meeting; if documentation or payment plans are not forthcoming the council said it would reconvene to consider license cancellations or further enforcement.