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Pawtucket approves three pothole claims at $300 limit; one claim denied and referred to contractor
Summary
The committee of claims and the City Council approved three resident claims for pothole damage at the state $300 maximum and denied a fourth claim, referring it to the contractor named in the claim.
The Pawtucket committee of claims and later the City Council approved three claims for vehicle damage from potholes at the state statutory maximum of $300 each and denied a separate claim, referring it to the contractor the claimant named.
At the committee meeting, councilors took up claims from Ronald Bacalar Jr., Lorena Rivera and Luis Rosario for tire and wheel damage allegedly caused by potholes. Each claim was approved for the municipal maximum of $300. Lorena Rivera participated remotely and described the incident; staff confirmed her claim filing was timely after checking email and clerk timestamps.
The council also considered a claim from Gail Robinson for $265.52 for a damaged tire. After inspection and discussion, committee members determined the location was part of recent stadium-related construction and that the contractor (Dimeo Construction) might be responsible. The committee moved to deny Robinson’s claim and refer it to Dimeo Construction for resolution.
On the City Council floor the committee’s recommendations were adopted: three $300 claims approved and the Robinson claim denied and referred. Roll-call confirmations were recorded in the minutes and the motions carried by affirmative votes.
The actions reflect the municipal practice of applying a statutory per-claim maximum for certain minor-damage claims and using referral to contractors where evidence suggests third-party responsibility. The denials or referrals do not preclude claimants from pursuing other remedies outside the municipal claim process.
