City Council Backs State Pension Reform

The City Council voted unanimously to back a resolution supporting legislation for state pension reform after much discussion in a two-hour session Monday night.  

With Council Vice Chair Stella Brien presiding, council members and city officials expressed several concerns about a possible 12 percent increase in taxes should measures not be taken.

 “This is such an important issue because of the impact it’s going to have on us,” said Mayor Leo Fontaine, speaking before 11 members of the public and several city officials. “If the state does nothing then we’re going to have to shoulder an additional $6 million burden."

 "If we don’t act now, our pension costs for municipal workers will rise by 313 percent, increase by 59 percent for teachers and 112 percent for fire and 102 percent for police,” read Councilman William Schneck in a written statement prepared on behalf of the City Council. “The cost of those proposed increases will amount to an increase of 12 percent in property taxes beginning the next fiscal year, three times the maximum tax levy increase allowed by law.” 

 “The increase of $6 million is the largest of any municipality in the state,” said City Finance Director Tom Bruce. “If there is a state pension reform bill passed, then this will soften the effect when the tax increases take effect next July 1 and break up the increases over several years.”

 “This is a problem that is titanic in nature,” said Councilman Roger Jalette. “As much as I admire unions, they are not going to go down without a fight. This has to pass because without us and the state doing what we have to do we are going to go down. Hopefully this will rectify the situation that is going to affect everyone, not just workers.”

Cicilline at City Hall

Council members also voted 5-1, with Jalette in the negative, for a $100-per-month rental of a 50-sq-foot space at City Hall by Congressman David N. Cicilline until January of 2013.

Councilman Christopher Beauchamp said he's spoken with Cicilline about the rental. “We are a distressed community like Pawtucket and Providence and others, and it is commendable he would be available to us from time to time. It is a matter of getting the people to be accessible to the next level of government."

 “It is very little space but it will give us access to congressional offices,” confirmed Mayor Fontaine. “It will allow our citizens to develop an ongoing rapport and relationship with their staff and that will be of great benefit to us."

"I feel it’s wrong and it should be in the Post Office or in another private place,” said Jalette. 

Wastewater treatment plant

The focus turned briefly to wastewater treatment. "Perhaps we can discuss extension of improvements to the wastewater plant,” said Councilwoman Vadenais. “Even a $30 increase in water and sewer bills is difficult for anyone with fixed incomes.”

Sheila McGauvran, Director, said the city should try to significantly reduce the potential cost of the wastewater treatment plant. "Maybe we can get the cost to $35 million instead of $45 million or more," she said.

Among other new resolutions adopted were: recognition of the United Veterans Council of Woonsocket as the advisor to the Council on Veterans’ matters and permission granted to the following for functions on city property: Northern Rhode Island Council of the Arts to use River Island on September 8, 2012; Aaron Boureault to use River Island Park on October 8, 2011; and for Vicente Morales and Edwin Ortiz to use River’s Edge recreation Complex for a car show on august 15, 2012

"It is crucial for the public to get involved,” said Brien. "They need to make a statement one way or the other through emails and calls to City Hall and to council members.

Brien and other council members also reminded voters of the primary elections next Tuesday. The meeting ended on an upbeat note.

 “This is our 33rd annual Autumn Fest, so everyone go out and buy a button,” said Shneck of the popular city-wide event which begins on Thursday from 6 to 10 p.m. and goes on through the weekend.