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PAWTUCKET CITY COUNCIL

PAWTUCKET MUNICIPAL ANNEX, 100 FREIGHT STREET

2^nd FLOOR – TEMPORARY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

ENTER PARKING LOT AT 75 SABIN STREET

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 2026

7:00 PM

A regular session of the Pawtucket City Council was held on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at 7:15 p.m., in the Temporary City Council Chambers, 2nd Floor, 100 Freight St., Pawtucket, RI.

Present – President Mercer; Councilors Araujo, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, and Wildenhain.

Absent – Councilors Coderre, Rubio and Stachowiak.

President Mercer presided.

THE COUNCIL RECESSED AT 7:16 PM TO CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE FOLLOWING:

AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 410 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET, 1996, ENTITLED “ZONING.” CHANGE IN OFFICIAL ZONING MAP FOR 264 WEEDEN STREET (AP45, L455) FROM RESIDENTIAL MULTI FAMILY (RM) TO CONANT THREAD (CT) DISTRICT

THE CITY COUNCIL RECONVENED AT 7:21 PM.

1. The reading of the records of the March 25, 2026 Snow Removal Committee meeting, Finance Committee meeting, Ordinance Committee meeting and City Council meeting was dispensed with and the records were APPROVED as prepared by the Clerk.

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZED COUNCILOR ARAUJO.

2. Upon motion made by Councilor Araujo, seconded by Councilor Moran, the agenda was amended to include the following communication, on a unanimous voice vote:

Communication from Carl Johnson, Zoning Director, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council (Rodent Abatement Program)

Upon motion made by Councilor Araujo, seconded by Councilor Moran, the following communication was READ AND ORDERED FILED, on a unanimous voice vote:

Communication from Carl Johnson, Zoning Director, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council (Rodent Abatement Program)

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZED COUNCILOR WILDENHAIN.

3. Upon motion made by Councilor Wildenhain, seconded by Councilor Gregor, the agenda was amended to include the following communication, on a unanimous voice vote:

Communication from Robert Burns, Tax Assessor, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council (Tax Stabilization Request for 258 Pine St. (AP52, L567 & L568))

Upon motion made by Councilor Wildenhain, seconded by Councilor Gregor, the following communication was READ AND ORDERED FILED AND REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, on a unanimous voice vote:

Communication from Robert Burns, Tax Assessor, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council (Tax Stabilization Request for 258 Pine St. (AP52, L567 & L568))

4. Upon motion made by Councilor Araujo, seconded by Councilor Moreno, the *Consent Agenda was APPROVED on a unanimous voice vote:

*THE FOLLOWING COMMUNICATIONS WERE READ AND ORDERED FILED

A. Resolutions from the Richmond Town Council Requesting the General Assembly Consider Action to Change the Date of the September 2026 RI Statewide Primary Election Due to Concerns Regarding the Labor Day Holiday; and in Support of RI House Bill H-7224 – Award of Municipal Contracts

B. Resolutions from the Town of Portsmouth in Support of House Bill H-8013 – Mobile and Manufactured Homes; in Support of House Bill H-7678 Creating Joint Legislative Commission on City and Town Affairs; in Support of House Bill H-7971 – Labor and Payment of Debts by Contractors

C. Resolutions from the East Greenwich Town Council Supporting the Implementation of the RI Blue Ribbon Commission on Education Funding Recommendations; and Regarding Low and Moderate Income Housing

D. Resolutions from the Lincoln Town Council in Opposition to House Bill H-8073 and Senate Bill S-2710 – Relating to Criminal Offenses -- Unlawful Sale of Prohibited Firearms; Related to Low and Moderate Income Housing; in Support of Municipalities Collaborating in Reviewing, Analyzing, and Responding to the 2024 and 2025 Affordable Housing Laws; Requesting an Amendment to Title 44 Chapter 3 of the RI General Laws to Enable the Lincoln Town Council to Enact a Tax Credit for Veterans; Congratulating the Enrico Caruso Society on the 100th Anniversary of its Founding; in Support of House Bill H-7971 – Labor and Payment of Debts by Contractors; and in Support of House Bill H-7678 Creating a Special Joint Legislative Commission on City and Town Affairs

E. Communication from Jordan Karlik, Blackstone Distribution Center, LLC, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council (1 Moshassuck St. Q1 2026 Construction Update) WAS POSTPONED TO THE APRIL 22, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MEETING

F. ** Communication from Randy A. Buck, Superintendent, Pawtucket School Department, to His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, and the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council (Quarter 3 Reporting Update – $500,000.00 City Grant)

G. Communication from Megan Havrilla, Associate Director, Colliers Project Leaders, to Pawtucket School Department & Others (Pawtucket High School Construction Report)

H. Communication from Daniel Ashworth, Detective Lieutenant, Pawtucket Police Department, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council (2025 Justice Assistance Grant)

I. ** Communication from the Honorable Clovis C. Gregor, 5th District Councilor, to the Honorable Terrence E. Mercer, City Council President, and the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council (Amendments to the Proposed Outdoor Burning and Cooking Ordinance)

J. ** Communication from the Honorable Clovis C. Gregor, 5th District Councilor, to John Trenteseaux, Chief, Pawtucket Fire Department (Amendments to the Proposed Outdoor Burning and Cooking Ordinance)

K. Communication Susan L. Reed, Library Director, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council (Library Quarterly Report)

L. Communication Susan L. Reed, Library Director, to Richard J. Goldstein, MMC, City Clerk (Lease Renewals for Library Parking)

M. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET TO ENTER INTO A ONE-YEAR LEASE EXTENSION AGREEMENT WITH CORE COLLABORATIVES, LLC, FOR THE PERIOD ENDING FEBRUARY 28, 2027, FOR USE OF 10 SPACES IN THE PARKING LOT AT 217 MAIN STREET FOR THE PAWTUCKET PUBLIC LIBRARY – WAS REFERRED TO THE CITY PROPERTY COMMITTEE

N. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET TO ENTER INTO A FIVE-MONTH LEASE EXTENSION AGREEMENT WITH NEXUS PROPERTY MANAGEMENT LLC, FOR THE PERIOD ENDING JULY 31, 2026, FOR USE OF 13 SPACES IN THE PARKING LOT ON SUMMER STREET FOR THE PAWTUCKET PUBLIC LIBRARY – WAS REFERRED TO THE CITY PROPERTY COMMITTEE

O. Communication from Robert Burns, Tax Assessor, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council (Abatement Recommendations for October, November, and December 2025)

P. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ABATEMENT OF TAXES FOR MOTOR VEHICLES, REAL ESTATE AND TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY FOR OCTOBER, NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 2025, IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $38,696.76 – WAS REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE

Q. THE FOLLOWING CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY WAS REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS AND PENDING SUITS:

Laura Agostini Lynch – $85.00 (Property Damage)

Stacey DaCruz – $707.41 (Pothole)

Barbara O’Neil – $1,480.00 (Pothole)

Tyler Macedo – $235.00 (Pothole)

Miguel Miranda – $307.14 (Pothole)

Fredy Osorio – $283.88 (Pothole)

Nicole Rafferty – $571.36 (Manhole)

R. THE FOLLOWING CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY WAS REFERRED TO THE LAW DEPARTMENT AND RI INTERLOCAL TRUST:

Mary Funchion by Rob Levine & Associates – No amount specified (Slip and Fall)

Clara Goncalves – $5,684.36 / $6,213.42 (Property Damage)

** TAKEN OFF CONSENT AGENDA FOR COMMENTS ONLY, NO OTHER ACTION TAKEN

5. Communication from Matthew Braga, Sergeant, Pawtucket Police Department, to Tina Goncalves, Chief, Pawtucket Police Department (Coastal Collision Failure to Comply with the City’s Towing Policy) – WAS READ AND ORDERED FILED AND A FORMAL HEARING WAS SET FOR MAY 6, 2026.

6. Communication from His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council, submitting the following appointment as a member of the Public Library Board of Trustees, FOR CONFIRMATION:

PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Mary Anne Quinn, 29 Homestead St., Pawtucket, RI 02860. Term expires the 1st Monday in January 2029 WAS READ AND ORDERED FILED.

The following nomination submitted by His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, for confirmation, was CONFIRMED on a roll call vote, as follows:

AYES – President Mercer; Councilors Araujo, Gregor, Moran, Moreno and Wildenhain

NOES – 0.

Mary Anne Quinn, 29 Homestead St., Pawtucket, RI 02860. Term expires the 1st Monday in January 2029.

7. THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVED ENTERING INTO A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT FOR THE FOLLOWING MATTER, ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:

AYES – President Mercer; Councilors Araujo, Gregor, Moran, Moreno and Wildenhain

NOES – 0.

City of Pawtucket, Rhode Island vs. Amerisourcebergen Drug Corporation, et al. (Case 1:18-cv-00139-WES-LDA) (Associated Pharmacies, Inc. (and American Associated Pharmacies); JM Smith Corporation; Louisiana Wholesale Drug Company, Inc; Morris and Dickson Co.; North Carolina Mutual Wholesale Drug Company, Inc.; United Natural Foods, Inc. (including subsidiaries SuperValu and Advantage Logistics))

8. UPON RECOMMENDATION FROM THE CITY PROPERTY COMMITTEE, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS APPROVED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:

AYES – President Mercer; Councilors Araujo, Moran, Moreno and Wildenhain

NOES – Councilor Gregor.

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET TO ENTER INTO A PURCHASE AND SALES AGREEMENT FOR THE FORMER JAMES A. RYAN VFW POST #33 IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $165,000.00 FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 142 SOUTH BEND STREET (AP24, L599) AND 0 DIVISION STREET (AP24, L608)

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZED COUNCILOR MORAN

9. Upon motion made by Councilor Moran, seconded by Councilor Araujo, the agenda was amended to include the following ordinance, on a unanimous voice vote:

AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 410 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET, 1996, ENTITLED “ZONING” ARTICLE IV ENTITLED “FLOOD HAZARD DISTRICT”

10. Upon motion made by Councilor Moran, seconded by Councilor Araujo, the following ordinance was LAID ON THE TABLE AND REFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE AND TO SET A PUBLIC HEARING AT THE MAY 6, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MEETING, on a unanimous voice vote:

AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 410 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET, 1996, ENTITLED “ZONING” ARTICLE IV ENTITLED “FLOOD HAZARD DISTRICT”

11. The following ordinance was RECOMMITTED TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE on a voice vote:

Councilor Wildenhain voted no.

AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 210 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET, 1996, ENTITLED “FIRE PREVENTION CODE”. (Outdoor Burning and Cooking)

12. The following ordinance was read for the SECOND time and APPROVED on a roll call vote, as follows:

AYES – President Mercer; Councilors Araujo, Gregor, Moran, Moreno and Wildenhain

NOES – 0.

AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 3124 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET, RHODE ISLAND, 1996, AMENDING THE 2017 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN (10 Newport Avenue – AP40 L1015)

13. The following ordinance was read for the SECOND time and APPROVED on a roll call vote, as follows:

AYES – President Mercer; Councilors Araujo, Gregor, Moran, Moreno and Wildenhain

NOES – 0.

AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 410 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET 1996, ENTITLED “ZONING” (Amendment to Zoning Map from Residential Single Family (RS) to Commercial General (CG) Zoning District: 10 Newport Avenue, AP40 L1015) AS AMENDED

14. UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE, THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS READ FOR THE FIRST TIME AND PASSED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:

AYES – President Mercer; Councilors Araujo, Gregor, Moran, Moreno and Wildenhain

NOES – 0.

15. UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS AND PENDING SUITS, THE FOLLOWING CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY WERE APPROVED FOR PAYMENT ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:

AYES – President Mercer; Councilors Araujo, Gregor, Moran, Moreno and Wildenhain

NOES – 0.

Wendy Allard – $300.00 (Pothole)

Jodie Caruolo – $300.00 (Pothole)

Patrick Kapsner – $173.25 (Pothole)

Michael Pate – $300.00 (Pothole)

Maria Sokolova – $267.05 (Pothole)

Jhoanna Tataje – $300.00 (Pothole)

Keely Taylor – $294.94 (Pothole)

16. UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS AND PENDING SUITS, THE FOLLOWING CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY WERE DENIED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:

AYES – President Mercer; Councilors Araujo, Gregor, Moran, Moreno and Wildenhain

NOES – 0.

Rachel Da Moeda – $590.29 (Pothole)

Janeen Smith – $144.87 (Tow)

17. UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS AND PENDING SUITS, THE FOLLOWING CLAIM FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY WAS DENIED AND REFERRED TO JR VINAGRO CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:

AYES – President Mercer; Councilors Araujo, Gregor, Moran, Moreno and Wildenhain

NOES – 0.

Frederick Niles – $1,789.82 / $2,671.83 (Property Damage)

18. UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS AND PENDING SUITS, THE FOLLOWING CLAIM FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY WAS DENIED AND REFERRED TO THE CITY OF PROVIDENCE ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:

AYES – President Mercer; Councilors Araujo, Gregor, Moran, Moreno and Wildenhain

NOES – 0.

Laurie Cheriza – $232.62 (Pothole)

19. UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS AND PENDING SUITS, THE FOLLOWING CLAIM FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY WAS DENIED AND REFERRED TO THE CITY OF CENTRAL FALLS ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:

AYES – President Mercer; Councilors Araujo, Gregor, Moran, Moreno and Wildenhain

NOES – 0.

Suzanne Hoyle – $477.58 (Vehicle Damage)

20. UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS AND PENDING SUITS, THE FOLLOWING CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY WERE DENIED AND REFERRED TO THE RI DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:

AYES – President Mercer; Councilors Araujo, Gregor, Moran, Moreno and Wildenhain

NOES – 0.

Patricia Barros – $1,507.51 (Pothole)

Howard James Baskins – $269.00 (Pothole)

Ernest Eesiah – $453.92 (Pothole)

Diana Farinho – $414.45 (Pothole)

Richard Grady – $198.38 (Pothole)

With no further business to take up, the meeting was adjourned by President Mercer at 7:57 p.m. in memory of David Goldstein, Marcelino Giraldo, Dawn Olander, and Thomas J. Calabro.