Woonsocket City Council Spikes Trash Fee Hike

"The sense of the Council is, 'Screw you'," said Woonsocket City Council President John Ward, summing up reaction to the Budget Commission's proposed trash fee hike from $96 to $192 per household Monday night.

Ward said his assessment was, "Just a hunch," but Councilors voted against the hike unanimously after heated comments against the idea from councilors and citizens.

The hike would raise $1 million annually as part of the Budget Commission's 5-year plan. Councilors and a room of about 30 voters railed against the increase, but Ward and one member of the public acknowledged the Budget Commission has the power to overrule them. 

"As far as I'm concerned, it's tabled and it's DOA," said councilman Albert Brien, "It's not going to resurface."

"I think this is just the Budget Commission's way of nickel and diming the taxpayer," said Councilman Marc Dubois.

Counilman Bob Moreau said the hike was just another way to raise taxes on citizens. 

Councilman Roger Jalette asked DPW Chief Sheila McGauvran if there was anything in the proposed resolution that would prevent groups of homeowners from teaming up to pay for their own trash collection.

McGauvran said even with the fee hike, residents wouldn't find a lower price with private trash haulers. "That would not be a cheaper option," McGauvran said.

The Council opened the meeting for public comment, hearing from a number of people who said they can't afford more, taxes or fees.

"My dog eats better than me," said Richard Fagnant, because he cares for his pet first, and there's not much left after. Fagnant said that despite their protest and the Council's vote, he expects the Budget Commission to raise the trash fee. He chastised the council members who voted to ask in the Budget Commission to aid the city through its financial problems. "We should've never turned it over to them," he said.

"You can't get blood out of a stone, and I'm out of stone," said Estelle Bubble, a landlord who said her tenants aren't paying her rent, which means she can't pay her bills. "We can't do it anymore. We cant. We've just had it," Bubble said.

Marcelle Caracino suggested people who don't own property ought to contribute more instead of homeowners. "Let them pay some tax. Let them do something. If they can't pay, do community work," Caracino said.

"I guess the message is we have to come up with another plan, which I don't know will happen, folks," Ward said.

An amendment to the city ordinance on trash collection fees is on the Budget Commission agenda for this morning at 11 a.m.