Town Council - Special Meeting

I don't know if you really hear him, but No, we just Okay, put it on there. All right, just

I'm ready when you are.

All right. Okay. Okay, I will call the 5:30 September 15, 2025, North Province Town Council meeting to order. For purposes of item number one, Steven only house town council request discussion and possible vote to purchase the Steven only house at 138 Smithfield Road. Um, I'm going to read a letter into the record from the chairperson, Mr. James Laughler of the Historic District Commission. Dear Chairperson Laughler, I am writing in regard to the Steven only house at 138 Smithfield Road, North Providence, and in strong support of its preservation. As an architectural historian and the chair of the National Register Review Board for Rhode Island, I feel that this is exactly the kind of structure that should be preserved as a reflection of local state and national history. This house has long been recognized for its architectural and historical associations with the revolutionary war hero and prominent native resident Steven only who built it in 1802 in 1974. It was one of the earliest nominations of the National Register of Historic Places in the area and was noted as a very intact and significant historic structure. The house is a good example of late 18th early 19th century rural farmhouse with five bays beneath a gabled roof. Does not have any it does not have the high style elaborate detailing of urban houses but instead reflects the more rural character of simple exterior details except for the main entry doorway surround. The main house interior features a central hall and four room plan with two exterior chimneys. Like many houses which remained in families for generations, there there were additions in the 19th

century to the original house which themselves have gained historical significance as record of developments in the only family. It is also worth noting that the NR nominating papers state there is some evidence that the main 1802 structure might have been an enlargement of an earlier smaller residence on the same site. In addition to its architectural integrity, the only house was has a primary association with Steven only who went off to the revolutionary war at age 19. Was involved in numerous battles and actions including at Boston, Long Island, Princeton, and Yorktown, where he was a familiar to the noted Frenchman. The Maris de Lafayette, eventually rising to the rank of captain based at least in part of on his personal bravery. wounded in action. One of his most notable accomplishments was his saving James Monroe, the future president of the United States during the Battle of Princeton. In the postrevolutionary war era, only unlike Washington before him, reflected the Roman ideal of a citizen warrior returning to his family land after the war, turning his swords into his plowshares. He goes on to play an important role in agricultural circles and local affairs. Part of a long-standing family in the area. Steven only built a residence in 1802 that would that would house successive generations of his family members for over 150 years. Although the extensive farm acreage on which on's house sat has been reduced through later development, the house today is still happily surrounded on three sides by a city park that gives some sense of its original open agrian site. Given its unique importance as the building as the building most closely associated with the only f only in his family as well as being an excellent

example of a federal period farm dwelling. The Steven only house clearly deserves to be well protected, preserved and ultimately interpreted for future generations. Anything the town can do to assist in its preservation would be more than worthwhile a more than worthwhile endeavor. Sincerely, Ronald J. Honorado. Okay, for the keep that in the record. Um, is there any questions? We discussed this at the last meeting at length. Any questions on the purchase of the property? Okay. Do I have a motion to purchase the Steven only house at 138 Smithfield Road?

So, chairman, I proudly make that motion that uh we allow the mayor to attempt to purchase that property. I think it's a important piece of history for not only our country but our state and our town. So I probably make that motion. Okay. Motion has been made by Councilman Pollock. Is there a second? Second by Councilman Dorenzo. Any questions? Any comments? Maybe none. All those in favor? I.

All those opposed? The eyes have it. Okay. Congratulations. Maya October 12th I think would be uh I think 270th birthday and October 12th will be our first birthday for the Steven only property and his um as I stated we're going to celebrate 260. Correct?

Yeah. This year we're celebrating 260 our history. So, it's a great great time for the town of North Providence and um I think everyone that I've spoken with appreciates what we're doing. Thank you. Thank you.

Okay. Okay. Item number two, town council discussion and action with the possible vote in regard to the list of tax addendas received from the tax assessor in the amount of 1,812,9657 for real estate and $1,629,34611 for tangibles. Uh the tax assessor, state name for the record, please. Uh Angelina Broccley. Thank you. Anybody have any questions for Angelina? Councilman. Hi. Hello.

So, the first question I have is I'll direct it to you. I think I want to direct it to the mayor as well. This money now is coming in. It's set in stone. This money is coming in. It's not guaranteed that it's coming in. Um, that's the reason for

correct. So, their accountant, our CPA had called and asked um the closing was going through within a week or two. She said she wanted to know what the 2024 and 2025 taxes were. Um, and we did not have the 2025 taxes in the system because we did remove them from the certification. So, it's still not 100% guaranteed. But, um, she did say that they did say within the closing that 24 and 25 taxes are supposed to be taken care of, but there's nothing on paper at this point. It's just proposed at this point. Correct.

Okay. I think in fact councilman provides just because of the call this could be great payday for the towns. And I also would just like to note um due to a value update on their tangible account um from what they filed for their 2025 return, the next council meeting which will be before October 15th um I will be sending up another $161,72744. That's going to be just for tangible agenda. Um that would complete their total taxes of what they should be paying for the 2025 tax rule. This is their first year completely out of a stabilization agreement, meaning that the town has the opportunity to 100% tax them based off of what their assessed values are.

Okay. So, we got we have 1.8 and change coming from the uh taxes for real estate. Correct. Right. So, then another 1.6 possibly coming for tangible stat to us for two years. Am I correct? Correct. Well, this is so the ones that are coming in agenda that is just for 2025. 2024 bill already exists. That's just owed taxes that are passed to. Okay. So, this is just for the 2025 tax billing. So, the the 2024 taxes would have been pre-bankruptcy. So, those would be put in through the bankruptcy estate.

Correct. We can't per se get the interest, but we can get the base amount of what they were built. Correct. 2025 is a bill that came due after the bankruptcy. It's the assessed value as of 1231 2024. Um so they were not considered nonprofit at the time. It wasn't within the bankruptcy. Um just because of how we bill a year behind. So it's whatever they were as of 1231 2024 and they were not nonprofit. So So theoretically this is this is the tax bill they would have gotten in July. Correct. There's another 1.8 that's that we filed the proof of claim in the bankruptcy estate.

Um so the total would be with real estate and tangible um without interest is 1884. So okay so so you're really talking about like over both years 3.6 for real estate roughly. So total for real estate and personal property without interest um 2024 and 25 the total be 5,487852.44. Okay. Can I have that first number again? So it' be um with the 5 million 5,487 852.44. I have a copy of this too if any of you guys want it. I have actually

Yeah. And and when we say um agenda does this would be 2025. So if I remember correctly in our budget discussions, we did not anticipate getting this revenue. Correct. So we would be adding this to our expected revenue. Is that is that what the agenda is? If it was to come in, yes, it this would be expected to come in for the billing. Correct. And go ahead. And so, and this happens on a smaller scale sometimes. When that money comes in, where does it go? Does it just go into the general fund?

It goes well through a collection office and then wherever to our general fund. Yes. And gets distributed throughout finance. Okay. So, that Okay. So, that's kind of my question in a different form. Uh, so let's assume we get the windfall of $1.8 million you got coming. Where's that money going? Where is that money going?

That money will go to the general fund until such time as we meet with you. That's why I said a few minutes ago could be a good deal. We're not sure. We're just hoping at this point in time. By the way, we'll be able to uh

Yeah. I mean, my my my understanding of it is is when you put a proof of claim in on the bankruptcy taxes would be a priority claim, but the reality is there's not going to be much money, I don't think, in that bankruptcy estate. We may not get that, but but theoretically, they are required to pay they're in bankruptcy. They're still required to pay their bills as they come due. So, correct, we certainly should be getting the 2025. 2024, we may end up getting pennies on the dollar if correct that works its way through the bank. Yes. Okay. Why? We were a little I shouldn't say excited, but when we got that call that they were asking for some information, you know, the tax situation kind of interesting.

So this may never happen. This may never happen. Yeah, I think because I Yeah, I think so. If I'm not mistaken, bare minimum, you're looking at at least three million then, right? You'd be looking at three million if you didn't get the one from more than that. 24 million. That's what we're talking about. 24 million. You may not get you may get five cents on a dollar. You don't know, but you may get to three million between the other two, right? Yeah. Close to four, right? Close. Yes. It I'd rather think low and get more. See that? We didn't think we were getting anything. So,

exactly. All right. Any other questions? We know one thing about council talking with different people. Look, we statewide can't afford you. I'm sorry. We statewide can't afford for Roger Williams and Lady of Fatima to close. So, are we allowed to approve this or does this have to go to finance? I have to send it to finance first, then you you have to approve it out of the committee. Okay.

Okay. Do I have a motion to send this to the finance committee? Motion been made by Councilman Dorenzo, seconded by Councilman Bala. Any other questions? All those in favor? All those opposed? The eyes have it. Thank you for coming. I have a motion to adjurnn. So I get 250 years 250 home They don't.

I I get that.