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Residents urge silent fireworks, school repairs and community programs during public comment
Summary
During public comment at the Woonsocket City Council meeting, residents asked the city to use silent fireworks, raised concerns about school building repairs and funding, promoted a local nonprofit’s financial literacy classes tied to Rhode Island Works, and announced a communal wedding event for residents.
Several residents and community leaders used the meeting's public-comment period to raise issues ranging from fireworks noise and public-records delays to school maintenance, local nonprofits and a community wedding event.
Reverend Rhonda Sharon of 1025 Park Avenue urged the city to use "laser or the silent ones" for the upcoming fireworks display to reduce harm to veterans, people with PTSD and animals. Sharon also said she had submitted a public records request last July, resubmitted it six weeks ago, and had not yet received a response; she asked whether there is a time limit for responses.
Charlene Martinez, CEO and founder of Sincere Multi Service, said her nonprofit provides financial literacy education and that it holds an exclusive contract with Rhode Island Works for required participant coursework. Martinez said the organization will begin offering classes locally in Woonsocket at A C C A, 68 Cumberland Street, and that the program covers budgeting, financial planning, credit repair and debt management. She said online classes are available and that participants sometimes require state approval to enroll.
Melissa Bubble, of 650 Third Avenue, spoke about school finances and facilities. She said she opposes construction of a proposed new school because the school committee must pay a remaining 7% of costs (she said the city share originally began at 3% in 2016), and she expressed concern about perceived mismanagement of maintenance funds. Bubble reported that Globe School has been closed due to ongoing roof leaks and that the superintendent described the roof as "essentially now become non patchable," leaving some classrooms at risk of closure.
Vicky Egan, who said she is a wedding officiant and has moved back to the city, announced a communal wedding event planned for Saturday, April 19 at the Tyro Club, 119 West Street. Egan said vendors and volunteers will donate services; the only cost to couples will be the $24 marriage license fee. She thanked the city clerk's office for assistance and invited local businesses to promote the event.
Other public commenters urged the council to pursue economic development grants, reconsider city-owned property holdings, and to make meeting recordings available (one speaker said a school committee YouTube video had not been posted). The public-comment speakers asked the council to act on practical issues such as greater transparency on public records requests and more proactive maintenance budgeting for school facilities.
Council members asked follow-up questions, including details about program locations and enrollment for the financial literacy classes; the clerk and council president assisted in connecting speakers with staff and community partners for next steps.
