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Council tables two encampment measures after heated debate; subcommittee to draft notification letter
Summary
The council tabled two homelessness-related measures — a resolution asking the law department to notify private property owners of encampments and a subcommittee-backed incentive program to pay small gift cards for cleanup — and sent the property-notification measure back to the homelessness subcommittee to draft a notice.
The Woonsocket City Council on March 17 voted to table two measures addressing homeless encampments after extended debate over property-owner liability, enforcement and the best way to help unhoused residents.
Councilwoman Sierra, chair of the city’s homelessness subcommittee, had presented a draft resolution asking the city law department to notify private and public property owners that encampments exist on their land and to outline possible risks and next steps. Sierra said the intent was to open communication with owners of the 14 encampments located on private property so the city could, after notice, discuss remediation plans or offer assistance. "The thought is that once the property owners receive these letters ... it gives the ability for the city to reach out after 30 days and say, hey, what do you want to do about the encampment?" she said.
Council members raised concerns about the…
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