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PAWTUCKET CITY COUNCIL
PAWTUCKET MUNICIPAL ANNEX, 100 FREIGHT STREET
2nd FLOOR – TEMPORARY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
ENTER PARKING LOT AT 75 SABIN STREET
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2026
7:00 PM
A regular session of the Pawtucket City Council was held Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at 8:20 p.m., in the Temporary City Council Chambers, 2nd Floor, 100 Freight St., Pawtucket, RI.
Present – President Mercer; Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio, and Stachowiak.
Absent – Councilor Wildenhain.
President Mercer presided.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZED COUNCILOR MORAN
Upon motion made by Councilor Moran, seconded by Councilor Coderre, the agenda was amended to include the following communication, on a unanimous voice vote:
Communication from the Pawtucket Planning Commission, to the Honorable David P. Moran, 1st District Councilor, Ordinance Committee Chair (Recommendation on the Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance to Regulate Retail Cannabis Establishments)
Upon motion made by Councilor Moran, seconded by Councilor Coderre, the following communication was READ AND ORDERED FILED, on a unanimous voice vote:
Communication from the Pawtucket Planning Commission, to the Honorable David P. Moran, 1st District Councilor, Ordinance Committee Chair (Recommendation on the Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance to Regulate Retail Cannabis Establishments)
THE COUNCIL RECESSED AT 8:22 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” (Text – Table of Use and Special Use Permit Requirements for Retail Cannabis Establishments)
THE PUBLIC HEARING ADJOURNED AT 8:53 PM.
THE CITY COUNCIL RECONVENED AT 8:53 PM.
1. The reading of the records of the December 10, 2025 Joint Finance Committee and City Property Committee meeting, Finance Committee meeting, Committee on Claims and Pending Suits meeting, Joint Committee on Claims and Pending Suits Committee and Committee of the Whole meeting, and City Council meeting, was dispensed with and the records were APPROVED as prepared by the Clerk.
2. Upon motion made by Councilor Araujo, seconded by Councilor Gregor, the *Consent Agenda was APPROVED on a unanimous voice vote:
*THE FOLLOWING COMMUNICATIONS WERE READ AND ORDERED FILED
- Communication from Megan Havrilla, Senior Project Manager, Colliers Project Leaders, to Richard J. Goldstein, MMC, City Clerk (Pawtucket High School Construction Project Report)
- Resolution from the Town of Warren Preserving the Name, Significance and Observance of the Victory Day Holiday.
- Resolution from the Town of West Greenwich Regarding Low and Moderate Income Housing 2025-10
- Resolution of the Town of Hopkinton in Support of An Act of the General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island Authorizing the Town of Hopkinton to Confer Jurisdiction on the Hopkinton Municipal Court to Hear Certain Appeals
- Communication from His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council (Reappointment of Members to the Mayor’s Community Board)
- Communication from Randy A. Buck, Interim School Superintendent, to His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, and the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council (Quarter 2 Reporting Update – $500,000 City Grant)
- Communication from Carl Johnson, Zoning Director, to the Honorable Terrence E. Mercer, City Council President (Update on Permits Issued – 1 Moshassuck St. (JK Equities) as of December 24, 2025)
- Communication from Gregg T. Anderson, Human Resources Coordinator, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council (Review the Pay Plan Reclassification for the Pawtucket Water Supply Board)
- AN ORDINANCE REPEALING AND REPLACING THE SCHEDULE OF PAY RATES FOR LOCAL 1012 IN §88-12 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET, 1996. (Pawtucket Water Supply Board Reclassification) – WAS REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE
- THE FOLLOWING CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY WAS REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS AND PENDING SUITS:
RIPTA Claims Management – $824.76 (Police Vehicle)
Performance Food Group by Fleet Response – $1,685.24 (Vehicle Damage)
- THE FOLLOWING CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY WAS REFERRED TO THE LAW DEPARTMENT AND RI INTERLOCAL TRUST:
David Elel by GEICO – $2,870.30 (Fire Vehicle)
Noah LeBlanc by Edward C. Roy, Esq. – No amount specified (Fire Department)
Ruth Yawo by Brederson Law – No amount specified (Trip and Fall)
** TAKEN OFF CONSENT AGENDA FOR COMMENTS ONLY, NO OTHER ACTION TAKEN.
** L. Communication from Randy A. Buck, Interim School Superintendent, to Tracey Giron, Director of Administration (Requesting Extension of the Pawtucket School Department’s FY25 Audit)
** M. Communication from His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, et al., to David A. Bergantino, CPA, DFE, RI Auditor General (Pawtucket Fiscal Year 2025 Audit Extension)
3. 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 Personnel Board, FOR CONFIRMATION:
PERSONNEL BOARD
Joseph F. Shottek, Jr., 58 Flint St., Pawtucket, RI 02861. Term Expires the 1st Monday in January, 2031, 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, Coderre, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio, and Stachowiak.
NOES – 0.
PERSONNEL BOARD
Joseph F. Shottek, Jr., 58 Flint St., Pawtucket, RI 02861. Term Expires the 1st Monday in January, 2031.
4. 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 Riverfront Commission, FOR CONFIRMATION:
RIVERFRONT COMMISSION
Michael A. Lafond, 190 Littlefield St., Pawtucket, RI 02861. Term Expires the 1st Monday in June, 2026. To fill the unexpired term of Patrick J. McBurney, 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, Coderre, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio, and Stachowiak.
NOES – 0.
RIVERFRONT COMMISSION
Michael A. Lafond, 190 Littlefield St., Pawtucket, RI 02861. Term Expires the 1st Monday in June, 2026. To fill the unexpired term of Patrick J. McBurney.
5. Communication from His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council, submitting the following reappointment as a member of the Advisory Commission on Arts and Culture, FOR CONFIRMATION:
ADVISORY COMMISSION ON ARTS AND CULTURE
Isaac Amponsah, 957 Main Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860. Term expires the 1st Monday in October, 2028, 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, Coderre, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio, and Stachowiak.
NOES – 0.
ADVISORY COMMISSION ON ARTS AND CULTURE
Isaac Amponsah, 957 Main Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860. Term expires the 1st Monday in October, 2028.
6. Communication from His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council, submitting the following reappointment as a member of the Advisory Commission on Arts and Culture, FOR CONFIRMATION:
ADVISORY COMMISSION ON ARTS AND CULTURE
Damont Combs, 280 Washington St. Apt. 410, Providence, RI 02903. Term expires the 1st Monday in October, 2028, 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, Coderre, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio, and Stachowiak.
NOES – 0.
ADVISORY COMMISSION ON ARTS AND CULTURE
Damont Combs, 280 Washington St. Apt. 410, Providence, RI 02903. Term expires the 1st Monday in October, 2028.
7. Communication from His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council, submitting the following reappointment as a member of the Juvenile Hearing Board, FOR CONFIRMATION:
JUVENILE HEARING BOARD
Stevent Cleto Garcia, 8 Armistice Blvd. Apt. 3L, Pawtucket, RI 02860. Term expires the 1st Monday in December, 2028, 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, Coderre, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio, and Stachowiak.
NOES – 0.
JUVENILE HEARING BOARD
Stevent Cleto Garcia, 8 Armistice Blvd. Apt. 3L, Pawtucket, RI 02860. Term expires the 1st Monday in December, 2028.
8. Communication from His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council, submitting the following reappointment as a member of the Purchasing Board, FOR CONFIRMATION:
PURCHASING BOARD
Lisa Bessette, 15 Harding St., Pawtucket, RI 02861. 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, Coderre, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio, and Stachowiak.
NOES – 0.
PURCHASING BOARD
Lisa Bessette, 15 Harding St., Pawtucket, RI 02861. Term expires the 1st Monday in January, 2029.
BY ORDER OF COUNCIL PRESIDENT MERCER:
At the request of Councilor Gregor, Council President Mercer ordered the following:
The Clerk was instructed to send a communication to the Green Infrastructure Center inviting them to speak at a Pre-Council hearing at the next City Council meeting on January 21, 2025, regarding the city’s Strategic Tree Canopy Plan.
9. Communication from His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council, submitting the following reappointment as a member of the Public Library Board of Trustees, FOR CONFIRMATION:
PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Camille C. Carino, 30 Capwell Ave., 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, Coderre, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio, and Stachowiak.
NOES – 0.
PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Camille C. Carino, 30 Capwell Ave., Pawtucket, RI 02860. Term expires the 1st Monday in January, 2029.
10. Communication from His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council, submitting the following reappointment as a member of the Planning Commission, FOR CONFIRMATION:
PLANNING COMMISSION
Christopher Fontes, 150 Walcott St., Pawtucket, RI 02860. Term expires the 1st Monday in January, 2031, 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, Coderre, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio, and Stachowiak.
NOES – 0.
PLANNING COMMISSION
Christopher Fontes, 150 Walcott St., Pawtucket, RI 02860. Term expires the 1st Monday in January, 2031.
11. Communication from His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council, submitting the following reappointment as a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals, FOR CONFIRMATION:
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
Russell J. Ferland, P.E., 126 Slater Park Ave., Pawtucket, RI 02861. Term expires the 1st Monday in January, 2031, 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, Coderre, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio, and Stachowiak.
NOES – 0.
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
Russell J. Ferland, P.E., 126 Slater Park Ave., Pawtucket, RI 02861. Term expires the 1st Monday in January, 2031.
12. UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND CITY PROPERTY COMMITTEE, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS APPROVED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:
AYES – President Mercer; Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio, and Stachowiak.
NOES – 0.
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET TO ENTER INTO A THREE-YEAR LEASE AGREEMENT WITH BLACKSTONE VALLEY ADVOCACY CENTER FOR USE OF THE PARKING LOT AT 1202 NEWPORT AVENUE (AP11, L790)
UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS APPROVED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:
AYES – President Mercer; Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio, and Stachowiak.
NOES – 0.
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET TO EXEMPT FROM TAXATION THE REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY OWNED BY BVAC AT 727 CENTRAL AVENUE AND 1202 NEWPORT AVE
13. THE COUNCIL TOOK UP THE FOLLOWING:
AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 410 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET 1996, ENTITLED “ZONING” (Text – Table of Use and Special Use Permit Requirements for Retail Cannabis Establishments)
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZED COUNCILOR GREGOR
Upon motion made by Councilor Gregor, seconded by Councilor Stachowiak, the following amendment to the above ordinance was taken up:
Amend the following:
Section 410-60 X (5) (g) 3 – No cannabis retailer and hybrid cannabis retailer shall be located within four hundred (400) five hundred (500) feet from a residential zoning district or a property with a residential use.
Upon motion made by Councilor Gregor, seconded by Councilor Stachowiak, the following AMENDMENT was APPROVED on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES – President Mercer; Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio, and Stachowiak.
NOES – 0.
Amend the following:
Section 410-60 X (5) (g) 3 – No cannabis retailer and hybrid cannabis retailer shall be located within four hundred (400) five hundred (500) feet from a residential zoning district or a property with a residential use.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZED COUNCILOR MORAN
Upon motion made by Councilor Moran, seconded by Councilors Coderre and Gregor, the following amendment to the above ordinance was taken up:
Amend the following:
Section 410-60 X (5) (g) 1 – Five hundred (500) feet from an educational institution a pre-existing public or private school providing education in kindergarten or any grades one (1) through twelve (12).
Upon motion made by Councilor Moran, seconded by Councilors Coderre and Moran, the following AMENDMENT was APPROVED on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES – President Mercer; Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio, and Stachowiak.
NOES – 0.
Amend the following:
Section 410-60 X (5) (g) 1 – Five hundred (500) feet from an educational institution a pre-existing public or private school providing education in kindergarten or any grades one (1) through twelve (12).
UPON RECOMMENDATION FROM THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE, THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS READ FOR THE FIRST TIME, AS AMENDED, AND PASSED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:
AYES – President Mercer; Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio, and Stachowiak.
NOES – 0.
AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 410 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET 1996, ENTITLED “ZONING” (Text – Table of Use and Special Use Permit Requirements for Retail Cannabis Establishments) AS AMENDED
14. UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS AND PENDING SUITS, THE MOTION TO DENY THE FOLLOWING CLAIM FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY WAS APPROVED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:
AYES – President Mercer; Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio, and Stachowiak.
NOES – 0.
Boris Sical – $969.70 (Tire)
Upon motion made by Councilor Araujo, seconded by Councilor Rubio, the meeting was adjourned at 9:43 PM.
Posted: January 16, 2026
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