Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Learning Center topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council funds temporary Community Learning Center coordinator while city evaluates bids for $6.9M project
Summary
The mayor said two bids for the $6.9 million Community Learning Center are within budget and a groundbreaking is planned for Aug. 28. The council approved a short-term funding arrangement for a coordinator post so work can move forward while the administration secures longer-term funding.
The Woonsocket City Council on July 14 authorized short‑term funding for a Community Learning Center coordinator while the administration completes bid evaluations and seeks permanent funding.
Mayor Chris Beauchamp said the city received six bids for the project and that two bidders were within the city’s budget depending on alternates; the project is estimated at $6.9 million and a groundbreaking with state officials is tentatively planned for Aug. 28. The administration said about $600,000 has already been spent on infrastructure work.
Councilman Kenoyer and other members expressed concern about using contingency funds to create a new, ongoing position, citing other budget pressures including outstanding audit fees and known settlements. After discussion the council approved an amended transfer ordinance (25 O 46) that reallocated existing budgeted dollars and provided roughly 15 weeks of funding for a coordinator position at an annualized rate of $75,000 while the administration seeks a longer‑term funding solution. The ordinance passed as amended, 6–0.
Council members said the short‑term arrangement preserves council oversight of fiscal impacts and buys time for the mayor to identify grants or reassign vacant positions to cover the role without increasing the city’s long‑term personnel costs. Councilman Kenoyer and others said they would not support drawing additional contingency funds beyond those already earmarked for identified liabilities.
Council also approved related salary and officer‑salary ordinances on first passage (25 O 45 and 25 O 47) that update pay tables within the city payroll structure; those ordinances passed on the meeting agenda as first‑passage items and will return for any required subsequent action under charter procedure.
The mayor said the administration will provide further budget detail, a timeline for hiring the coordinator and updates on the bid results and contractor qualification process to council members in the coming weeks.
