PAWTUCKET CITY COUNCIL

PAWTUCKET MUNICIPAL ANNEX

FIRST FLOOR -- CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

100 FREIGHT STREET

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2026

 

A regular session of the Pawtucket City Council was held Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 7:59 p.m., in the Temporary City Council Chambers, 2^nd Floor, 100 Freight St., Pawtucket, RI.

 

Present – President Mercer; Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Gregor, Rubio, Stachowiak and Wildenhain.

 

Absent – Councilors Moran and Moreno.

 

President Mercer presided.

 

1.      The reading of the records of the September 23, 2026 Finance Committee 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 Wildenhain, the *Consent Agenda was APPROVED on a unanimous voice vote:

 

            *THE FOLLOWING COMMUNICATIONS WERE READ AND ORDERED FILED

           

1. 061 Audit Report for Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2025, Prepared by CliftonLarsonAllen LLP

 

2. 028 2026 Biannual Report from the Pawtucket Commission on Arts and Culture

 

3. 061 Communication from Jeannine S. Bourski, Deputy Finance Director, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council (Statement of Estimated, Realized and Unrealized Revenues for the fiscal period July 1, 2026, through August 31, 2026)

 

6. 1 Communication from Det. Let. Daniel Ashworth, Pawtucket Police Department, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council (Application for the FY 2026 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program)

 

7. **622 Communication from Carl Johnson, Zoning Director, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council (Response – Narragansett Park Plaza – Property Inspection and Code Violations)

 

8. Communication from Joe Morais, Senior Project Leader, Department of Public Works, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council, (Easement for Rhode Island Energy to Install an Electric Utility Pole at 100 Freight Street – City Right-of-Way) – WAS REFERRED TO THE CITY PROPERTY COMMITTEE

 

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

Pericles Vieira – $1,349.08 (Tire)

 

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

Jose A. Lopes – $5,800.00 (Water Main Break)

Lynn Farinelli – $2,347,000.00+ (Three Claims for Relief)

Lynn Farinelli & Cristina Bento – $666,666.66 (Claim for Relief)

     

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

 

D.    591 Communication from the Honorable Marlena Martins Stachowiak, 6th District Councilor, to the Honorable Terrence E. Mercer, City Council President (Smithfield Avenue Roadwork) was READ AND ORDERED FILED.

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZED COUNCILOR STACHOWIAK

 

With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Stachowiak, seconded by Councilor Araujo, was PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:

 

The Clerk was instructed to send a communication to RI Energy and the RI Department of Transportation, requesting that they look into the concerns of the residents and businesses on that portion of Smithfield Avenue from about 160 Smithfield Avenue down close to the Providence line, which had utility work done on it by RI Energy.  The concerns stem from significant vibrations felt by residents in their homes when trucks drive over that portion of the road. This has been an ongoing problem for several months since the road work was done.  Even after re-patching, the problems persist.  The shaking has disturbed some resident’s ability to get a good night’s sleep.   Some residents have detected damage to their homes, which they fear may be caused by the vibrations.

 

The council requested that a comprehensive investigation be done of the affected section of Smithfield Avenue and a plan to correct the problems be found.  The hope is that these issues will be corrected before the weather turns too cold to make any necessary repairs.

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZED COUNCILOR STACHOWIAK

 

E.     With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Stachowiak, seconded by Councilor Gregor, was PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:

 

The Clerk was instructed to send a communication to Chief Tina Goncalves, Pawtucket Police Department; Chris Crawley, Acting Director of Public Works; and Carl Johnson, Zoning Director; addressing concerns regarding the illegal parking of large trucks and trailers, unattended trailers being left along the roadway, people working on their vehicles and leaving puddles of fluids on the street, speeding, illegal dumping and littering on and around the Moshassuck Industrial Highway near Galego Park and NETTTS. The Council requested that the police strictly enforce the parking ordinances, including, but not limited to the overnight parking ordinance for large trucks; as well as the speeding and dumping laws and provide an enhanced police presence to eliminate these issues.  They also requested that  the Zoning Department cite violators for illegal dumping in the area, and DPW make sure there is proper signage on the highway, and clean the area.

 

 

3.      Communication from Andrew McNaught, Supervisor, Distribution Design, RI Energy, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council, submitting a petition for installation at Freight Street was APPROVED PENDING THE APPROVAL FROM THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS

 

 

4.      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 Personnel Board, FOR CONFIRMATION:

 

PERSONNEL BOARD

589      Patricia Martinez

142 Oakland Ave.

Pawtucket, RI 02861

Term expires the 1^st Monday in January 2032, 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, Rubio, Stachowiak and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – Councilor Gregor.

 

PERSONNEL BOARD

 

Patricia Martinez, 142 Oakland Ave., Pawtucket, RI 02861. Term expires the 1st Monday in January 2032.

 

 

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

589      Jane Larson

255 Rice St.

Pawtucket, RI 02861

Term expires the 1^st Monday in October 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, Rubio, Stachowiak and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

ADVISORY COMMISSION ON ARTS AND CULTURE

 

Jane Larson, 255 Rice St., Pawtucket, RI 02861. Term expires the 1st Monday in October 2029.

 

 

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 Planning Commission, FOR CONFIRMATION:

 

PLANNING COMMISSION

589      Elizabeth Crowley

41 Kepler St.

Pawtucket, RI 02860

Term expires the 1^st Monday in January 2032, 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, Rubio, Stachowiak and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – Councilor Gregor.

 

PLANNING COMMISSION

 

Elizabeth Crowley, 41 Kepler St., Pawtucket, RI 02860. Term expires the 1st Monday in January 2032.

 

 

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 Purchasing Board, FOR CONFIRMATION:

 

PURCHASING BOARD

589      Nancy T. Pelletier

63 Calder St.

Pawtucket, RI 02861

Term expires the 1^st Monday in January 2030, 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, Rubio, Stachowiak and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – Councilor Gregor.

 

PURCHASING BOARD

 

Nancy T. Pelletier, 63 Calder St., Pawtucket, RI 02861. Term expires the 1st Monday in January 2030.

 

 

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 Water Supply Board, FOR CONFIRMATION:

 

WATER SUPPLY BOARD

589      James Bradford

118 Ferris St.

Pawtucket, RI 02861

Term expires the 1^st 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, Rubio, Stachowiak and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – Councilor Gregor.

 

WATER SUPPLY BOARD

 

James Bradford, 118 Ferris St., Pawtucket, RI 02861. Term expires the 1st Monday in January 2031.

 

 

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 Zoning Board of Appeals, FOR CONFIRMATION:

 

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

589      Paula A. McAloon

39 Ruth St.

Pawtucket, RI 02861

Term expires the 1^st Monday in January 2032, 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, Rubio, Stachowiak and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – Councilor Gregor.

 

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

 

Paula A. McAloon, 39 Ruth St., Pawtucket, RI 02861. Term expires the 1st Monday in January 2032.

 

 

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 Juvenile Hearing Board, FOR CONFIRMATION:

 

JUVENILE HEARING BOARD

589      Maribel Echeverry McLaughlin, Esq.

87 Varnum Ave.

Pawtucket, RI 02860

Term expires the 1^st Monday in December 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, Rubio, Stachowiak and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

JUVENILE HEARING BOARD

 

Maribel Echeverry McLaughlin, Esq., 87 Varnum Ave., Pawtucket, RI 02860. Term expires the 1st Monday in December 2029.

 

 

11.  Communication from His Honor Mayor Donald R. Grebien, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council, submitting the following reappointment as an alternate Democratic member of the Board of Canvassers, FOR CONFIRMATION:

 

BOARD OF CANVASSERS

589      Marilee E. Arsenault

7 Belgrade Ave.

Pawtucket, RI 02861

Term expires the 1^st Monday in January 2033, 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, Rubio, Stachowiak and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – Councilor Gregor.

 

BOARD OF CANVASSERS

 

Marilee E. Arsenault, 7 Belgrade Ave., Pawtucket, RI 02861. Term expires the 1st Monday in January 2033.

 

 

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

 

AYES – President Mercer; Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Gregor, Rubio, Stachowiak and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

330      AN ORDINANCE REPEALING AND REPLACING THE SCHEDULE OF PAY RATES FOR LOCAL 251 IN SECTION §88-12 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET, 1996 (Teamsters – 2026-2029)

 

 

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

 

AYES – President Mercer; Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Gregor, Rubio, Stachowiak and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

AN ORDINANCE REPEALING AND REPLACING THE SCHEDULE OF PAY RATES FOR LOCAL 3960 IN SECTION §88-12 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET, 1996 (Add: Parking Enforcement Officer)

 

 

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

 

AYES – President Mercer; Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Gregor, Rubio, Stachowiak and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

Cody Tavares by Progressive Subrogation – $1,301.83 (Fire Vehicle)

Antonia Ramos & Gerson Dos Santos – $2,100.00 (Vehicle Damage)

 

 

15.  UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS AND PENDING SUITS, THE MOTION TO DENY THE FOLLOWING CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY AND REFER TO JR VINAGRO CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION WAS APPROVED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:

 

AYES – President Mercer; Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Gregor, Rubio, Stachowiak and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

Carrie Cardoso – $350.14 (Tire)

Courtney Petter – $623.12 (Manhole)

Ryan Boudreau – $374.71 (Manhole)

Timothy Pacheco III – $1,717.78 (Vehicle Damage)

Karen Zapata – $1,172.50 / $2,029.80 (Property Damage)

 

 

16.  UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS AND PENDING SUITS, THE MOTION TO DENY FOLLOWING CLAIM FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY AND REFER TO THE PROVIDENCE & WORCESTER RAILROAD COMPANY WAS APPROVED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:

 

AYES – President Mercer; Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Gregor, Rubio, Stachowiak and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

Sherry Marshall – $266.19 (Tire)

 

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Araujo, seconded by the entire City Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:33 PM.