Woonsocket City Hall

Woonsocket to keep school open, receivership still looms

Posted: 8/9/2012 9:59:55 AM
Updated: 8/9/2012 10:08:25 AM

As receivership still looms over Woonsocket, the school committee voted against closing a local elementary school Wednesday night even though the move could have saved the city thousands.

The Fifth Avenue elementary school is the city’s oldest school dating back to 1917 but the building is in violation of several fire codes which could cost the city over $2 million to correct.

The district’s superintendent recommended the school be closed to save money. It is estimated that if the school were closed the city would save $198,000. The budget commission will vote on the measure Thursday evening.

Tom Bruce, Finance Director for the city of Woonsocket, told the WPRO Morning News with Tara Granahan and Andrew Gobeil that the city’s deficit is so large that the only really solution is concessions from unions and retirees and instituting a supplemental tax increase.  The nearly 13% supplemental tax increase was sent back to committee by the General Assembly at the request of Woonsocket Representatives Lisa Baldelli-Hunt and Jon Brien.

“The budget commission has indicated that it is going to have to go back to the General Assembly in the January February time and ask for their consideration,” said Bruce.

As the city struggles to stay above water Bruce noted, “Receivership still is out there as a possibility.”