[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6050469,"mediaKeyId","3462765-0224bb809eb4645760582441cdad0fad","parentId",3462765,"title","Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center seeks property tax exemption; finance committee asks for documentation, pauses decision","audioSeconds",975,"startMs",297000,"endMs",1272000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3462765-0224bb809eb4645760582441cdad0fad&start=297&end=1272","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3462765-0224bb809eb4645760582441cdad0fad/thumbnail_297000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6050469/Pawtucket/Providence-County/Rhode-Island/Blackstone-Valley-Advocacy-Center-seeks-property-tax-exemption-finance-committee-asks-for-documentation-pauses-decision","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6050469-cd484b8d5be9ff4a828e03a370d67d5a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771078808&Signature=R8JICSlB3K5HQmsE5xzsdVbcXgyQHxVhFwcOrFyz0SNqUb6EVQGY7QvPxSYxBvWHxOGO2NikzDcxpBMKpJPnmMLJuU3sWuAcjvjuLZT2CeSq6qiIZeYmX-MbFihjKqYue6lF4HCS1VxyqMNDdqNt-Hz0qfeBtcFFryWtXDOUWGHVg2Wyp8Syy~8ALrWWQC4Vn~DQp68dCMid89OznELnllVWAZdcWSsDUm62sLRHGeUm9Evk4FNoGy1SL5Flq427LheqoPSUqiI4jwwSX6F7IIqOvF~jiFjvwVvFY3xdxcVe~82FpiRAvA2VfvUajxNq8STRhBLafzz6mUOhbj4New__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pawtucket City, RI ","date","2025-04-09T00:00:00Z","article","The Pawtucket Finance Committee met to consider communications from the Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center seeking property tax exemptions for 727 Central Avenue and 1202 Newport Avenue and decided to file the materials while asking the nonprofit and city staff for additional documentation before taking final action.

The committee filed both communications and then heard from Tony Marie Roderick, who described the Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center’s services and funding. \"We provide services to victims of ... domestic violence,\" Roderick said, adding the agency \"is the largest member agency of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence.\" She told the committee the organization moved into 727 Central Avenue in summer 2023 and that the site is used for confidential, appointment‑only office and case‑management services; she said the agency does not provide residential services at that location.

Committee members said they want proof the organization is eligible for exemption and that any prorated taxes owed at the property’s sale be resolved. The committee asked Roderick to provide current federal/state nonprofit paperwork, a recent Form 990, zoning confirmation or a certificate of occupancy, and copies of any correspondence from the fire marshal.

Why it matters: municipal tax exemptions can shift local tax burdens and require clarity that an organization qualifies as a nonprofit under state and federal rules. Committee members repeatedly raised the prospect that unpaid, prorated taxes from the property sale should be collected by the city before exemption is applied.

During the discussion Councilor Rubio and Councilor Moran moved and seconded a motion to file both communications; the motion passed on a roll call. Members asked the administration and the organization to return with the requested documents and suggested the earliest practical return to committee in May. Committee members also advised the nonprofit to contact the state legislative delegation: a council member said the council should pass a resolution of support to accompany any bill because the exemption process will require enabling legislation at the state level.

Roderick told the committee the agency is federally funded through the Violence Against Women Act and the Victims of Crime Act and said, \"we are not allowed to charge any service for any services we provide. We are truly a nonprofit.\" She said the agency has nine employees at the Pawtucket office and 42 overall, and that fire inspections are current.

Committee directions and next steps: the Finance Committee requested the nonprofit provide (1) proof of 501(c)(3) status and recent Form 990 filings, (2) a certificate of occupancy or equivalent zoning/inspection confirmation, (3) any closing documentation showing prorated taxes, and (4) correspondence from the fire marshal showing inspections are current. The committee also asked the clerk and administration to help the agency secure a state legislator to introduce enabling legislation and set a tentative return to the committee in early May to allow time for the documentation to be collected.

The committee did not grant a tax exemption at the meeting; it filed the communications and postponed substantive action pending the requested materials and resolution of any prorated taxes owed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Pawtucket City Council 04-09-2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Pawtucket Finance Committee met to consider communications from the Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center seeking property tax exemptions for 727 Central Avenue and 1202 Newport Avenue and decided to file the materials while asking the nonprofit and city staff for additional documentation before taking final action.","taxTitle","Pawtucket, Providence County, Rhode Island","taxId",76478,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6050464,"Pawtucket council backs enabling legislation for new tax class; confirms canvassers and advances ordinances",883,3077000,3960000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3462765-0224bb809eb4645760582441cdad0fad&start=3077&end=3960","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3462765-0224bb809eb4645760582441cdad0fad/thumbnail_3077000.jpg","/articles/6050464/Pawtucket/Providence-County/Rhode-Island/Pawtucket-council-backs-enabling-legislation-for-new-tax-class-confirms-canvassers-and-advances-ordinances","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6050464-8be7abe51796ec4722b5dd522efc4caa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771078808&Signature=NCmmwB9Ln05V-RTizNLGkc~xGW~psN6OWhEj9vPC60BIY9-KDptxDgx7GrPRuZSMLU8mUPH5kWGUl7~EE9H4QQMhm6JndX4LtcXT9dGe7at~CEGU52VmBR2wNkTqLRlIu9W3pQDg55LK3FCUy3XTCuHAEoLCdLP-X1aSwp~29mRWBgn-BgdXraf-P2PspdaGQitj2L86K-dG0lyfzjyqIMqYhndMiwb-EZp5u2QS7WYxFVM0G8FAqLiixhWnCt-XgkvYIq5J~cEhzmRIMQ1qfnxJ-ezoDXine1DQQwPcbzClCoZco2PBqjmTEMNTiVAXKT4PDHogqktJ~H9kGjk9GQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Pawtucket City Council voted unanimously to approve a resolution supporting enabling legislation to create a fifth tax classification for non‑owner‑occupied residential properties of five units or less, and carried a slate of confirmations and ordinance second‑passages during the meeting.

Council members said the resolution does not itself change tax rates but would allow the city an additional tool to use in the budget process if city leaders choose to employ it. \"It can't happen unless legislation passes,\" a council member said during debate, and several members described the resolution as a way to \"start the ball rolling\" on an option that would apply to absentee landlords owning small multifamily properties.

The council confirmed Monica T. Contreras as an alternate Republican member of the Board of Canvassers and reappointed Robert W. Castle to the board; both confirmations passed on roll call votes, 9–0. The council also approved the reappointment of James Hoyt to the Riverfront Commission, 9–0.

On ordinances, the council gave second passage to an amendment concerning the sealer of weights and measures (repealing article 10 of chapter 50 and amending article 6 of chapter 63 of the code of ordinances) and to an amendment related to Tidewater Stadium zone parking; both passed on roll call votes, 9–0.

Public input: preservation and city‑hall concerns

During public input, Zachary Russell of the Heritage Alliance of Pawtucket urged the council to prioritize preservation of City Hall and other historic sites and to ensure the city uses multiple independent assessments when evaluating restoration versus demolition. Russell presented estimated cost figures discussed at a public forum—removal of the City Hall tower, demolition, and full renovation estimates—and urged transparency on grant‑seeking and consultant selection. In response a council leader said, \"we are doing all of our due diligence under the guidance of Chairman Araujo\" and noted the committee is seeking an additional review beyond the single contractor that had provided an estimate.

Why it matters: The proposed fifth tax class targets non‑owner‑occupied small multifamily properties and could shift tax burdens depending on whether the city elects to use it in budget decisions. Confirmations and ordinance passages affect election administration, riverfront planning and local traffic/regulatory rules.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution: Support enabling legislation to create a fifth tax class for non‑owner‑occupied residential properties of five units or less — approval: roll call 9–0 (motion: Councilor Wildenhayn; second: Councilor Moran).
- Appointment: Monica T. Contreras, alternate Republican member, Board of Canvassers — confirmed 9–0 (motion: Councilor Moran; second: Councilor Caudier).
- Reappointment: Robert W. Castle, Board of Canvassers — confirmed 9–0 (motion: Councilor Moran; second: Councilor Stokovic).
- Reappointment: James Hoyt, Riverfront Commission — confirmed 9–0 (motion: Councilor Cote d S; second: Councilor Moran/Ruggio).
- Ordinance (second passage): Repeal article 10 of chapter 50 and amend article 6 of chapter 63 regarding sealer of weights and measures — approved 9–0.
- Ordinance (second passage): Amendment to vehicle and traffic code for Tidewater Stadium zone parking — approved 9–0.

The council also received an annual audit from the Pawtucket Redevelopment Agency; a councilor asked for additional explanation of the agency’s interaction with city finances and requested follow‑up with the solicitor's office and possible audit representative input at a future meeting.

The meeting concluded after additional routine business and adjournment.","The Pawtucket City Council voted unanimously to support enabling legislation that would create a fifth tax class for non‑owner‑occupied residential properties of five units or less and confirmed appointments to the Board of Canvassers and Riverfront Commission.","actionData","errors"]

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Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center seeks property tax exemption; finance committee asks for documentation, pauses decision

Pawtucket council backs enabling legislation for new tax class; confirms canvassers and advances ordinances