Colonial Settlement

on 02-14-2009 02:20

By DONNA KENNY KIRWAN

PAWTUCKET - The City Council reappointed its city solicitor and other officers on Wednesday night and appointed its first female sealer of weights and measures.

In votes that were unanimous, Margaret M. Lynch-Gadaleta was reappointed to another two-year term as city solicitor and John F. McBurney III was reappointed to another three-year term as municipal judge. Also receiving reappointments to two-year terms were Christine McBurney as judge of probate and Ronald Gauthier as city sergeant.
The board also appointed Barbara Butler as the city's new sealer of weights and measures. She is the first female to ever hold the position, noted City Councilor Thomas Hodge.
The council also appointed Christopher McDonald to the Parks Commission to fill the unexpired term of Robert Gosselin, and Victor Ventura to the Parks Commission to fill the unexpired term of James E. Langlois.
In other matters, the council approved the renewal of a peddler license for Ignacio F. Fuentes, who does business as Tacos Don Nacho on Barton Street.
However, citing complaints about traffic congestion, the council denied peddler licenses to Alaa Hussein and Abnalia Bellal, both of 407 Pleasant St., to sell shoes and linen at 234 Barton St. Councilor James Chadwick said city officials made several attempts to work with the business owners, but have not been able to resolve the issues. He recommended that the license not be renewed.
Also on Wednesday, City Councilor Thomas Hodge expressed concern about the poor condition of some American flags he has seen flying at city schools and municipal buildings. He suggested that the council send a letter to the department of public works and the city's public schools stating that all flags should be in good condition or removed.
Hodge said he had noticed a flag at the cemetery on Central Avenue that was "literally in ribbons" and asked that it be removed, and also said he has seen other flags that are worn and tattered at schools and other municipal sites.
The councilor added that, especially with so many soldiers fighting overseas, it is important to show respect. "If you can't fly a flag worthy of being flown, don't fly it at all," Hodge said.
Also on Wednesday, at a meeting of the City Council's Board of License Commissioners, the board voted to continue a hearing on a request from Gee's Liquors to move from its present location at 347 Broadway to another building at 400 Broadway.
The business owner, John A. Santos, reportedly couldn't attend the hearing as he was out of the country, but sent his attorney. Several neighbors testified against the proposed move, citing concerns about increased, traffic, noise and littering in a largely residential area.
The board also agreed to schedule formal public hearings on Feb. 25 to hear testimony about alleged alcohol sale to underage customers at the CV Lounge, LeNoir and Peddler Inn, and alleged gambling and narcotics violations at Ray's Boulevard Tap.