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Finance committee forwards package of licensing fee updates to full council
Summary
The Pawtucket finance committee recommended first passage of an ordinance amending multiple code chapters to update various license fees, with committee members saying increases were modest and some categories (notably private clubs) were left unchanged to avoid burdening struggling operators.
The Pawtucket Finance Committee recommended first passage Wednesday of an ordinance that would amend six chapters of the city code to update various license fees, sending the measure to the full City Council for final action.
The committee vote took up an ordinance amending chapters 108, 112, 193, 251, 260 and 302 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Pawtucket (1996) to revise fee schedules for several license categories. Committee members said many of the fees had not been updated in years and that the proposed changes were measured rather than drastic.
Chairman Wilberhane opened discussion by noting the ordinance package had not been updated in many years. "They haven't been changed since 02/2003," he said. Councilor Rubio, who moved to take up the measure, and Councilor Moran, who seconded the motion, said staff compared local caps with other cities and towns when setting proposed new levels.
Committee members described the increases as modest in most cases. "I still have for the most part, I think the max increase is, like, a $150 on some of the license fees," one member said, adding the committee chose not to push every fee to the statutory maximum. The committee also chose not to raise fees for private clubs, citing concern that clubs were "suffering to get members" and that increasing their fees would not be beneficial.
The ordinance package includes increases to entertainment and billiard-house-related fees; committee members noted the billiard-house license was raised to $1,800 under the proposal and that the group deliberately did not maximize some caps. Committee discussion emphasized the need to balance revenue with the economic burdens on small operators.
After discussion, Councilor Rubio moved and Councilor Moran seconded a motion recommending passage and forwarding the ordinance to the full council; the committee approved the recommendation 3–0.
The ordinance will be scheduled for first passage before the full City Council. The committee record shows the recommendation was unanimous; the full council will vote at a subsequent meeting.
Why this matters: The proposal touches multiple licensing categories that affect local businesses and event organizers. Updating long-dormant fees can affect city revenue projections, but committee members said they aimed to keep increases modest and to preserve relief where local businesses remain fragile.
Votes at committee: Motion to recommend passage — moved by Councilor Rubio, seconded by Councilor Moran; committee recommendation adopted 3–0.
What’s next: The measure goes to the full City Council for first passage; if approved there it will return for second passage and adoption per the city's ordinance process.
