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Woonsocket City Council roundup: approvals, tablings and a defeated Environmental Justice grant bid (Feb. 3, 2025)
Summary
Council acted on several ordinances and resolutions: ARPA adjustments and several ordinances passed, a mutual-aid resolution (WARN) passed 6–1, an Environmental Justice grant application was defeated 4–3, and several items were tabled or referred for further review.
The Woonsocket City Council considered multiple ordinances and resolutions during its Feb. 3 meeting. Below are the formal actions taken, with vote tallies and key notes.
Votes at a glance
- Class F liquor license (Aging Well): Motion to approve passed 6–0 with Councilwoman Valerie Gonzales abstaining on that single license; the council approved the license on the consent agenda (recorded as 6–0, Gonzales abstained). (Agenda item: 25LC04.)
- Ordinance 25-001 (adjust American Rescue Plan Act allocations for Opera projects): Approved, second passage, 7–0.
- Ordinance 25-002 (create tax-amnesty section 2-14.202 — tax amnesty period FY2025): Approved, second passage, 7–0.
- Ordinance 25-004 (repeal omnibus tax stabilization program amendments): Approved, second passage, 7–0.
- Ordinance 25-007 (grant petition for new joint pole location on Rivers Street for Rhode Island Energy and Verizon New England Inc.): Approved, first passage, 7–0.
- Ordinance 25-008 (amend city code on carts/garbage and trash): Approved, first passage, 7–0.
- Ordinance 25-009 (amend zoning filing fees — Appendix C): Initially approved on first passage (vote recorded), then the council rescinded that vote and formally referred the ordinance to the Planning Board for recommendation. Final action: referred to the Planning Board for review (motion to rescind the prior vote carried; then motion to send to Planning Board carried; roll-call votes affirmative).
- Ordinance 25-010 (adjust ARPA allocations — referenced Schedule 1 missing from docket): Motion to table carried unanimously. Item tabled to next regular meeting.
- Ordinance 25-011 (authorize out-of-city connection to Woonsocket Waterworks System): Motion to table for a work session carried unanimously; staff to prepare cost and design analyses.
- Ordinance 25-012 (transfer funds from miscellaneous accounts to controls): Approved, 7–0 (considered an appropriation).
- Resolution 25-R-01 (authorize participation in mutual aid and assistance program for water and wastewater utilities — WARN): Approved 6–1; Councilwoman Valerie Fox voted no. Council debate emphasized that the agreement creates a voluntary framework and does not obligate the city to respond to requests for assistance.
- Resolution 25-R-17 (authorize cancellation of certain taxes): Approved, 7–0 (total $1,872.79 in prorated homestead adjustments).
- Resolution 25-R-18 (continue use of Fuss & O'Neill, Inc. for green infrastructure program on Truman Drive; amend professional services agreement): Approved, 7–0.
- Resolution 25-R-19 (support Planning & Development application for $350,000 Environmental Justice grant): Defeated, 4–3 (Yes: Councilwoman Valerie Fox, Councilwoman Valerie Gonzales, Councilwoman Harmon; No: Councilman Kenoyer, Councilman DuBois, Councilwoman Sierra, President Gendron). Council debate covered grant administration capacity and overlapping services; proponents argued failing to apply would forfeit $350,000 of federal funds already allocated to the program.
Other procedural actions
- Minutes of Jan. 13 regular meeting and Jan. 21 special meeting approved unanimously.
- Consent agenda received and placed on file unanimously with two items pulled for separate discussion.
- The meeting adjourned at 9:13 p.m.
Detailed action records and next steps are listed below.
