Woonsocket Council approves licenses, contracts, zoning amendments and $1M ARPA transfer; backs state bill to curb grocery covenants

The Woonsocket City Council voted unanimously Monday to approve multiple business licenses, award a municipal solid-waste contract and advance several ordinances on first passage, including a $1,000,000 American Rescue Plan Act transfer to pay a tax settlement.

Council members also approved a resolution supporting state legislation that would limit the use of restrictive covenants that prevent grocery stores from occupying certain properties.

Why it matters: The approved actions affect local economic activity (new restaurant and retail licenses), municipal services (waste collection contract) and city finances (ARPA transfer and tax abatements). The resolution supporting state legislation aims to address long-term access to grocery retailers in Woonsocket.

Most significant votes and outcomes

- License approvals: The Board of License Commissioners approved four new licenses — Lucky’s Boba Cafe (first-class victualling license, 562 Cass Ave., 25LC11), Lao Tai Kitchen LLC (class BL liquor license, 83 Main St., 25LC12), Mia Kitchen LLC (first-class victualling license, 6 Florida St., 25LC13) and Competitive Auto (secondhand dealer merchandise license, 773 French St., 25LC14). Each passed by voice vote with an announced 7–0 result.

- License renewals: A package of license renewals and miscellaneous license types (25LC15) covering uses including automotive junkyard, bowling alley, class F entertainment, seasonal secondhand dealer, street vendor and mobile food was approved 7–0.

- Waste contract (25R63): The council authorized award of Bid No. 6267 for solid waste, recyclables and yard waste collection, transportation and disposal to Waste Management of Rhode Island, approved unanimously. Council staff noted a standard competitive review and acknowledged the purchasing agent and a participant in the RFP review.

- Zoning amendment (25O16): An amendment to Appendix C (zoning) to comply with previously enacted state legislation was approved on first passage, with the council adopting five technical corrections identified by the planning board. Vote: 7–0 (first passage).

- Personal exemptions ordinance (25O18): An ordinance codifying personal exemptions, including a veterans deduction adjusted from $158.76 to $160 (rounded), passed first passage 7–0. City staff said they will provide council options showing cost implications for larger exemption amounts before later passage.

- ARPA transfer for tax settlement (25O19): The council approved appropriating $1,000,000 of ARPA interest-only funds to pay the FY2025 payment due under a tax settlement with Walnut Hill Holdings LLC. Vote: 7–0.

- Building-permit late fee ordinance (25O20): The council approved an ordinance setting a minimum late-filing penalty for work done without the necessary building permits; language ties the fine to either a minimum dollar amount or a percentage of the regular permit fee. Vote: 7–0 (first passage). Staff described the measure as a deterrent aimed at contractors who perform work without permits and noted the measure can also apply to violations of cease-and-desist orders.

- Resolution supporting state action on grocery covenants (25R64): The council passed R64, amended to add language referencing a companion Senate bill, expressing support for state legislation to limit restrictive covenants that prevent grocery stores from opening on some properties. The motion carried 7–0 after a brief explanation from an aide from the lieutenant governor’s office about the policy rationale.

- Other resolutions and routine items: The council unanimously authorized use of city property for a 10-week summer concert series (25R57), approved use of the River’s Edge parking lot for an adventure race (25R58), authorized a police uniform contract (25R59), and approved three items authorizing cancellation or abatement of taxes (25R60, 25R61, 25R62). The minutes and consent agenda were approved 7–0; the meeting adjourned at about 8:20 p.m.

What councilors and staff said

Council members used roll-call votes for ordinance passages and routinely made motions and seconds on license approvals. City staff and a planning official confirmed that the zoning amendment was amended to correct citation and typographical errors identified by the planning board, and that the hazard-mitigation plan had been updated for other, separate items heard that evening.

Next steps

Several ordinances were approved on first passage and will return for final passage at a subsequent meeting. The ARPA appropriation and contract awards were approved as presented; the zoning amendment will carry technical corrections adopted by the planning board into the final ordinance.

Votes at a glance (selected items)

- 25LC11 Lucky’s Boba Cafe (first-class victualling) — approved 7–0 - 25LC12 Lao Tai Kitchen LLC (class BL liquor) — approved 7–0 - 25LC13 Mia Kitchen LLC (first-class victualling) — approved 7–0 - 25LC14 Competitive Auto (secondhand dealer merch.) — approved 7–0 - 25LC15 Licenses and renewals package — approved 7–0 - 25R63 Waste Management contract award — approved 7–0 - 25O16 Zoning amendment (first passage) — approved 7–0 (adopted with five planning-board corrections) - 25O18 Personal exemptions ordinance (first passage) — approved 7–0 - 25O19 ARPA $1,000,000 transfer for tax settlement — approved 7–0 - 25O20 Building-permit late fee (first passage) — approved 7–0 - 25R64 Resolution supporting state bill limiting grocery restrictive covenants (amended to include companion Senate bill) — approved 7–0 - 25R57, 25R58, 25R59, 25R60, 25R61, 25R62 — approved 7–0

An itemization of formal motion text, movers/seconders, and vote tallies for each action appears in the city minutes and is reflected in the council’s public docket for April 7.