City Council Won't Oppose Slashing Building Permit Fees

The City Council won't be opposing a bill now moving through the state legislature that would slash building permit fees in half to encourage more construction in Rhode Island.

A resolution expressing opposition to House bill 7867 failed when the council's vote on the matter split down the middle. Christopher Beauchamp, who proposed the resolution, was joined by Council members John Ward and Dan Gendron, while Albert Brien, Marc Dubois, and Roger Jalette all voted against the measure. Council member Robert Moreau was absent.

According to Beauchamp, cutting building fees could cost the city of Woonsocket $180,000. "How would we make up that revenue?" he asked. "At the expense of the taxpayers."

"Cutting fees is not something this city can sustain," added Gendron.

Mayor Leo Fontaine also spoke out against the bill. He pointed out that the sale of Landmark Medical Center to Steward Health Care will likely be finalized soon, and Steward is likely to then launch some major renovation projects at the hospital.  "We could be losing a tremendous amount in fees," he said.

The mayor also cited a recent poll of Rhode Island communities by the state's League of Cities and Towns. "They put out a questionaire asking how much their members could end up losing," he said. "The numbers were astronomical."

Brien argued the city may not lose any money, because the number of permits issued could rise. What's more, he added, new construction would add to the city's tax base. "This would enhance revenue by providing people with an incentive to take out permits," he said.

Business woman Jeanne Budnick, whose family owns , also spoke in favor of the bill. She noted it would also cut the state sales tax on lumber and other construction materials to 3.5 percent. She argued that would benefit both businesses and homeowners who've been forced to put off the expense of renovations.

"People will be crossing into Rhode Island from other states to spend their money," she said. "And look at the homes in this city, and you'll see many are in disarray. Think long and hard before you oppose this."

The measure has won support from two local state representatives, Lisa Baldelli Hunt and Jon Brien, the son of the City Council member.

The City Council considered another legislative package, a group of bills filed by Gov. Lincoln Chafee aimed at providing financial relief to Woonsocket, Providence, Pawtucket and several other Rhode Island cities now struggling with budget problems. The package includes bills aimed at controlling public school expenses and reducing the costs of municipal pension systems.

Five Council members voted in favor of a resolution urging passage of the governor's bills. Brien abstained, saying he had not had time to review the material.

The Council discussed another matter aimed at addressing the city's budget problems: health care plans for city and school department employees.

Gendron has proposed having a single plan for all Woonsocket employees, rather than have each city or school union negotiate seperate benifits. To help establish what that plan would be, he has proposed creating a municipal negotiating team, with someone from the City Council sitting in on contract talks with teachers and school janitors, and someone from the School Committee observing talks with police, firefighters, and city workers.

"I'd like some sort of discussion to see if it is legally possible, feasible, and benificial to the city," Gendron said. "Right now, when we're looking for concessions, the unions have no desire to move until they see what other departments are doing."

Fontaine voiced support for the proposal. "It becomes very difficult to reach a fair solution when everyone's looking to see who's done what," he said.  

Other Council members spoke in favor as well. "The employees of this city — of all cities and towns — should recognize that things have to be done to make the health care package more affordable," said Ward.

School Committee member Chris Roberts spoke in favor of the measure. "We've had some good communication with our unions lately," he said. "But they always get to the point where they feel they have to hestitate to see what the other unions are doing."

Gendron said he'll have to have some talks with the School Committee to firm up the plan before further action is taken.

The City Council also announced that improvements are on the way at . The city has recieved a $125,000 grant from the state's Department of Environmental Management to install a rubberized walking path, replace old timber edging, and make upgrades to the pond.