City Council Preview: Feb. 6, 2012

The Woonsocket City Council will hold their regular meeting tonight at 7 p.m. in Harris Hall. The following items are on the docket:

Dogs-

Woonsocket Police Chief Thomas Carey will deliver a report from the Animal Control Officer on the number of dogs taken into posession of the Animal Control Department as a result of of being abandoned, neglected or injured. According to the report, in 2011, 174 dogs were taken in.

Solid Waste-

The council will vote on a resolution authorizing temporary use of city funds to purchase a Solid Waste vehicle. Waste management of Rhode Island has approved 100% reimbursement for the cost of the new equipment. The group will also vote on a resolution extending the city's contract with Waste Management.

Kevin's Galley-

One item on the agenda for the Board of License Commissioners is the transfer of the victualing license for from Gary McLaughlin to Kevin Smith.

Odor-

Wastewater Superintendent John Oatley will deliver the odor report for the month of December tonight. According to the document, there were eight complaints during the month, including two on Robinson, two between Dulude Avenue and Wood Avenue and three on or near Cumberland Hill Road. During the investigation by Veolia Water and Synagro, they found that none of the reporting parties had left a name or call back number. In visits to the areas, inspectors report that they "couldn't smell anything unusual."

Financial Audit Committee-

Up for second passage tonight is an ordinance creating a Financial Audit Committee. The purpose of the committee, in part, would be to report to the City Council on a monthly basis on Woonsocket's financial reporting processes, internal controls and independent auditors.

Waste to Energy-

The council will vote tonight on a resolution in support of House Bill 2012 H 7049 to facilitate creation of a waste to energy facility in the City of Woonsocket. The bill, introduced by Representatives Brien, Baldelli-Hunt and Phillips, would eliminate a 20 year state ban on incineration of solid waste to allow creation of a single facility in Woonsocket. "The City of Woonsocket, as a fiscally distressed community, desires to consider every means available to provide tax relief to our citizens," the resolution states. For more on this issue and the debate regarding the 2011 bill, look .

The full agenda and docket for tonight's meetings are attached above.