NBC 10 I-Team: Battle brews in Woonsocket after 2 residents appointed to same housing seat
WOONSOCKET, R.I. (WJAR) — A commissioner seat on the Woonsocket Housing Authority has been in flux for weeks as fallout continues from Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt's removal and reelection last year.
Two people were seemingly appointed to the same position by two different mayors, and one of the appointees isn’t willing to back down without a fight.
Michael Dubois was appointed a member of the Woonsocket Housing Authority, or WHA, on Nov. 28, 2022, by then interim Mayor Daniel Gendron.
Gendron assumed the position after the City Council ousted Baldelli-Hunt, who was re-elected by voters in November.
“I was sworn in on November 30th with another commissioner, Arthur Benoit,” Dubois said. “Everything was fine. I was welcomed by the chairman, Michael Houle, and also the acting executive director.”
Dubois started the orientation process, which included the assignment of a city laptop and paperwork, but days later it all came to a screeching halt.
“One week later on December 7th, I got a very interesting email from Michael Houle telling me that my appointment was put on hold,” Dubois said.
Houle, who chairs the WHA, was advised by a WHA attorney not to go on camera.
In a phone call, he said Baldelli-Hunt had appointed two commissioners on Oct. 3, including John Egan, who was appointed the same position as Dubois. He said the mayor was ousted so quickly the paperwork never left her desk.
Houle said the appointments were still legitimate and should be honored, but state law may argue otherwise.
“I was legally put in by Rhode Island General Law 45-25-10,” Dubois said.
A copy of Title 45 under Rhode Island state law reads in part: "A mayor shall file with the city clerk a certificate of the appointment or any reappointment of any commissioner, and the certificate is conclusive evidence of the due and proper appointment of the commissioner.”
In the case of Dubois, a certificate was filed with the city.
Woonsocket City Clerk Christina Harmon told the NBC 10 I-Team she never got appointment letters from Baldelli-Hunt before she was forced from office.
In a phone call, Baldelli-Hunt couldn’t say much due to the involvement of attorneys but did confirm she appointed two commissioners before Gendron appointed Dubois.
Gendron’s appointments were one of his last items of business before vacating the office. The appointments were made on Nov. 28, about a week before Baldelli-Hunt was sworn in.
As for the legality surrounding who was properly appointed, Baldelli-Hunt said that’s now an issue for the Housing Authority and legal counsel to determine.
The NBC 10 I-Team reached out to the attorneys involved.
The WHA attorney said he’s not sure whether he can comment, then never responded again.
The city solicitor said he could offer a legal opinion, but it’s ultimately up to the WHA.
Dubois said he believes the position is rightfully his.
“I just want to get to work with the authority and I think that what they need to do at this point is they need to acknowledge me as being the properly appointed commissioner," Dubois said.
When asked what would happen if they don’t, Dubois responded, “If they don’t, we will proceed to other steps.”
Dubois chose not to comment on whether the matter will end up in court.
Meanwhile, the city solicitor says if the WHA can't resolve this on its own, it may have to file a civil complaint, allowing a judge to decide.
That would thrust the city into another lawsuit, costing taxpayers more money.
When we asked Dubois whether he’s willing to put the city through a lawsuit, he responded, “I can tell you right now that with the Woonsocket Housing Authority counsel, some people are pointing to the city solicitor, with all these attorneys involved, everybody is just pointing fingers at everybody else and I think what they need to do is they need to be honest with themselves, and they need to reach out to the mayor and say he is the properly appointed commissioner.”
Seven members sit on the Woonsocket Housing Authority, which meets once a month.
The position is unpaid.
Dubois said at this point, it’s about the principle.
“I initially accepted Dan Gendron’s appointment because I just want to serve the city. The Housing Authority has been in crisis for a while, they’ve gone through multiple executive directors, they’ve had multiple resignations on their board over the last few years, including my brother,” he said. “I know what’s been happening inside there.”
Dubois said his wish to be a part of the committee isn’t motivated by what happened to his brother, but rather, his goal to do good for the city of Woonsocket.
“I believe in true government,” Dubois said. “Government was set up for the people, by the people, and it’s represented by the people. It doesn’t always have to be who you want to have an office or in an appointed position. Yes, it’s not a paid position, we meet only once a month. It’s the principle behind it.”
The WHA has continued to meet despite the vacant seat.