Budget Commission Tables Vote to Replace Woonsocket Building Inspector

The Woonsocket Budget Commission tabled a vote to hire a new Building Inspector after City Councilor Al Brien suggested the City may be compelled via arbitration to reinstate the last one, recently fired, he said.  

Brien did not mention Chris Chianese, the City's sole Building Inspector, by name. 

A call to the Woonsocket Building Inspector's office revealed that Chianese no longer works for the City. Council President John Ward declined to comment, saying he was wary of violating the confidentiality of a personnel matter. Mayor Leo Fontaine was not immediately available for comment.

Chianese was still working for the City in September, when he ruled Sims Metal Management's application for a second-hand dealer's license at 433 Cumberland Hill Road was allowed on the property by right.

Brien asked the Commission to table the vote to fill the position, since the last person to hold it was terminated, and may yet be reinstated as a result of arbitration. "I think we're going to have to make do with a temporary substitute," Brien said. He also requested that the Commission table agenda item 7, a vote to fill plant maintenance mechanic and utility person positions in the Water Department.

"I'm going to table numbers six and seven and honor that request not to vote on them tonight," said Commission Chair Dina DuTremble.