The Pawtucket joint Finance and Property committee voted to amend a proposed lease in lieu of taxes for 1202 Newport Avenue, approving a change from a two-year term to a three-year term and adding language to allow the Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center shared use of the property on weekends and other non-school hours.

Committee members said the two-year proposal originally reflected a calculation tying outstanding back taxes to a fair-market rental value. Staff reported outstanding back taxes of about $16,661.06 and an estimated annual fair-market rent of $8,550, which when multiplied by two closely matched the tax figure. Committee discussion centered on whether a third year should carry the same consideration and how routine upkeep would be handled.

Toni Marie Roderick of the Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center was present; the committee said she indicated the organization would be amenable to a three-year term. Councilors asked that the lease include a maintenance clause obligating the lessee to maintain the premises, including snow removal and general upkeep, and directed DPW to clean and prepare the lot if the council approves the amended lease.

A motion to amend the lease to a three-year term and to allow weekend and non-school-hour shared use was made and seconded; both the Finance and Property committees recorded roll-call votes of 3–0 in favor. The committee asked staff to draft the amended language, share it with the lessee for review, and return the item to the full council for final action in January.

The committee also accepted and forwarded a related communication from the Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center asking for tax-exemption consideration for two properties (727 Central Avenue and 1202 Newport Avenue) with a recommendation to approve; zoning and fire approvals were noted during discussion.