By DONNA KENNY KIRWAN

PAWTUCKET — Showing they are not yet ready to give up on the issue, a group of supporters and organizers of several cultural and church feasts turned up at a recent City Council meeting to protest a new ban on live outdoor music after 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.

As they did at the previous council meeting on May 7, a large group filled council chamber seats in advance of Wednesday’s meeting.
A spokesman, Jorge Ferreira of the Portuguese American Citizens Committee of Rhode Island, addressed the council regarding the new ban, saying it would significantly reduce revenue and cut into public enjoyment of entertainment at such events.
Ferreira told the committee he was speaking on behalf of the Portuguese social club Grupo Amigos da Terceira, and St. Anthony’s Church. He asked that the time that the groups are allowed to feature live music for feast events be extended by a hour, to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.
At the May 7 meeting, David Andrade, president of the Portuguese American Citizens Committee, made similar comments, asking the council for a compromise on the 10 p.m. limit. He argued that the feasts and ethnic events serve to enhance the city’s growing “arts and culture movement.”
Outside the council chambers, Victor Santos, director of Grupo Amigos da Terceira, had spoken angrily to the press about the new ban, alleging that it was put into effect by the council without his knowledge.
As was the case on May 7, the council listened to its detractors but took no action on the issue.
Several councilors involved in drafting the ordinance, which went into effect in January, have indicated they are satisfied with it and are not willing to revisit the matter.
Councilor Henry Kinch, whose district includes the Grupo Amigos community center on Memorial Drive, has been the most vocal on the issue. Kinch said that in response to numerous complaints from neighbors, he met with the event organizers to let them know about last year’s change to an 11 p.m. end time for outdoor music, and to notify them that this curfew would be moved up to 10 p.m. in 2008.
Taking issue with Santos’ comments that he wasn’t notified about the change, Kinch forwarded e-mails between he and Santos in which the 2007 and 2008 commitments were outlined. Santos acknowledged the information and said he agreed with most of it; however, he did tell Kinch that “we do have an issue stopping at 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.”
Kinch reiterated that he had no intention of changing the ordinance, saying he didn’t believe that the one hour cutback would make a significant difference in the event or its revenue stream. He said the neighbors around the feast also have the right to enjoy their evening, after listening to music from 12 noon to 10 p.m.
In other matters Wednesday, the council approved first passage of an amendment pertaining to snow and ice removal that requires residents to shovel a path on their sidewalks within the first 12 hours of daylight after a snowfall, or be subject to a fine. The time has been extended from the previous period of four hours after snow stops falling.
Also, the City Council approved ordinances for the proposed annual operating budget and capital budget for fiscal year 2008-2009, and a capital improvement program for fiscal years 2009-13, to be laid on the table and referred to the Finance Committee. A public hearing will be held on the fiscal 09 proposal, which would raise the tax rate by 2.9 percent or 59 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation, on Wednesday, June 4, at 6 p.m.
The council also voted to approve the appointment of Lawrence J. Monastesse, of 42 Comstock St., to the Pawtucket Redevelopment Agency; and Janice McHale, of 20 Maryland Ave.; Morris Nathanson, of 134 Ivy St., Providence, and Lewis Soares, of 18 Chest St., to the Riverfront Commission.