Cranston City Council Safety Services and Finance Committees Meetings - October 6, 2025

On Monday, October 6, 2025, the Cranston City Council first convened the Safety Services and Licenses Committee at 6:00 PM, followed by the Finance Committee at 7:02 PM. Both meetings considered a range of licensing, salary, and tax abatement matters. All votes were unanimous unless noted.

Consent Calendar

• Safety Services Committee: Minutes from September 8, 2025, approved unanimously.
• Finance Committee: Minutes from September 8, 2025, approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made during either meeting; the chair closed public comment for docketed items.

Safety Services and Licenses Committee – Discussion Items

• New Matters – Body Works Personnel: Approved two reflexology business licenses (Shenzheng Tony and Yang Fang Lu, both doing business as Alisa Foot Reflexology) without discussion.
• Victoring License – Anna Takura (taco restaurant): The applicant, Gina Venecia, stated they are missing a Rhode Island Department of Health license but have an appointment for November 23, 2025. The committee approved the license subject to receipt of that health department license. Council members expressed support for the business’s transparency.
• Class A Liquor License Renewals: Multiple renewals were approved individually or in blocks, many subject to receipt of a letter of good standing from the Rhode Island Division of Taxation due to state backlogs. The clerk noted licenses will not be issued until the city receives those letters.
• Show Cause List: The committee identified a concerning list of businesses operating without proper licenses as of September 25, 2025. Chair announced a special Safety Services meeting will be scheduled to require these businesses to show cause. Solicitor noted that letters of good standing for taxes are different from fire inspection violations.
• Auto Repair License – Glass America: Denied after three continuances due to a missing fire inspection. Solicitor advised issuing a cease and desist letter and potential legal action; the license was denied unanimously.
• Indoor Entertainment License – Lunchbox Cafe: Continued to the next Safety Services meeting (October 16, 2025) to allow the applicant to present a completed security and parking plan. Councilmembers cited neighbor concerns about noise and parking in a residential area.
• Victoring License Expansions: Approved a block of 57 of 59 victoring license renewals, with two items (numbers 12 and 38) continued due to outstanding tax issues. Number 12 (Cersei Prime) owed over $5,000 in first-quarter taxes; number 38 (Masifa Co-op) owed $78.24.
• Block Approvals: Numerous other licenses (e.g., Class D liquor renewals, seasonal expansion for Legal Sea Foods, entertainment licenses for multiple venues) were approved as blocks without objection.
• Septic Hauler License: Approved for Base State Sewer Disposal (Lakeville, MA). Discussion arose about odor complaints near the wastewater plant; the solicitor agreed to investigate and report to the council.

Finance Committee – Discussion Items

• Assistant Fire Chiefs’ Salary Increase: The administration proposed increasing the salaries of the two assistant fire chiefs from approximately $114,441 (after a July 1, 2025 raise) to $120,000 each, an increase of about $5,559 per chief. The total additional cost is approximately $11,102. Council members expressed strong support, noting that assistant chiefs receive no overtime while deputy chiefs do, and that the salaries are not competitive with peer cities. Discussion noted the funding comes from savings due to two retirements in the fire department’s $16.2 million budget. Councilwoman Graziano questioned why the increase was not addressed during the budget season, but supported the motion. The increase was approved unanimously.
• Real Estate Tax Abatements: Approved as a block.
• Tangible Tax Abatements: Approved as a block.

Key Outcomes

• All votes in both committees were unanimous (6-0).
• Safety Services Committee: Approved dozens of liquor licenses, victoring licenses, and other permits, many subject to pending tax letters.
• Denied auto repair license for Glass America due to fire inspection non-compliance.
• Continued Lunchbox Cafe entertainment license and two victoring licenses (Cersei Prime and Masifa Co-op) for follow-up.
• Special show cause meeting to be scheduled for businesses operating without proper licenses.
• Finance Committee: Adopted assistant fire chiefs’ salary increase retroactive to July 1, 2025.
• Approved tax abatements.
• Both meetings adjourned without further business.