Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Woonsocket council: key votes and outcomes from the March 17 meeting
Summary
The council approved a package of routine license renewals, ordinances and resolutions, moved several items to other bodies, and approved a tax-settlement payment; two homelessness resolutions were tabled.
The Woonsocket City Council on March 17 considered and voted on a number of items. Below are the principal actions approved and pending; tallies reflect votes recorded at the meeting.
Votes approved (selected): - 25LC9 — Transfer application of Class A liquor license (Thornton Enterprises Inc., Providence Street Liquors, stock transfer at 800 Providence Street): approved, 7–0 (motion by Councilman Kenoyer; second by Councilwoman Fox). - 25LC10 — Licenses and renewals (various types including automobile junkyard, pawn broker, secondhand dealers, mobile food and tobacco): approved, 7–0 (motion by Councilwoman Gonzales; seconded by Councilwoman Sierra and Councilwoman Harmon). - 25 0009 — Ordinance (appendix C zoning: filing fees for zoning board of review): second passage approved, 7–0. - 25 016 — Ordinance (zoning compliance with state legislation): tabled and forwarded to the planning board for recommendation, 7–0. - 25 017 — Ordinance transferring funds from finance to controls: approved, 7–0. - 25R46 — Resolution supporting Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns 2025 legislative priorities: approved, 7–0. - 25R47 — Resolution requesting restoration of general revenue sharing from the state: approved, 7–0. - 25R48 — Resolution authorizing continued engagement of CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) for temporary internal assistance to finance department: approved, 7–0. - 25R50 — Settlement authorization: Walden Hill Holdings LLC tax dispute settlement approved; council amended the resolution to require an appropriation ordinance be submitted for council approval at the first regular meeting in April to appropriate funds necessary to pay the FY25 payment; final vote approving the settlement as amended: 7–0. - 25R51 — Resolution inviting bids for official newspaper for legal notices: approved, 7–0. - 25R52 — Granting permission to use city property for the Georgian City walk/run (Memorial Day): approved, 7–0. - 25R54 — Resolution authorizing cancellation/abatement of certain old motor vehicle taxes: approved, 7–0. - 25R55 — Resolution declaring May as Foster Care Awareness Month: approved, 7–0.
Items tabled or sent for further work: - 25R49 — Resolution requesting law department contact private property owners about encampments: tabled and referred back to the homelessness subcommittee for drafting of a proposed letter to owners (motion to table carried). - 25R53 — Resolution to implement an incentive program to encourage cleaning of homeless encampments (pilot using municipal homeless grant funds to buy small gift cards for site residents who participate): tabled on a 5–2 vote; council requested clearer operational rules, safety thresholds and coordination with Human Services before reintroduction.
Administrative/consent actions: - 25CO48 — Community-wide water metering system upgrade by Hydro Utilities: approved; installation is mandatory and will be performed by Hydro Utilities; customers to receive scheduling instructions by mail; installation estimated at 30 minutes and requires an adult 18+ to be present.
Why it matters: The meeting combined routine licensing and housekeeping matters with higher-profile decisions on municipal finance and a tax settlement. Two homelessness measures were tabled after extended debate. The council also signaled further work on zoning language and expects follow-up items at future meetings.
