Smile, Woonsocket!

Updates, Events, and MORE!!!

January 2026

Greetings!

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Here is what is going on in the city for the Month of January:

• January 1 - City Hall will be closed in observance of New Years Day
• January 2, 6-8pm - Online Public Speaking Class through Eventbrite.com
• January 2, 7pm - Three Stooges Festival Movie Night at the Stadium Theatre
• January 11, 1:30pm - Looking Back 50 Years: 1976 & the Bicentennial Celebration panel discussion, Museum of Work & Culture
• January 12, 7pm - Woonsocket City Council Meeting, Harris Hall
• January 15, 6-8pm - Downtown Woonsocket Collaborative's I <3 Woonsocket Event
• January 17, 11am - Woonsocket MLK Community Committee Scholarship Brunch
• January 18, 11am - Dr. King Interfaith Worship Service, St. James Baptist Church
• January 18, 12-2pm - Walks in Woonsocket at Cold Spring Park
• January 19, 11am - Dr. King Memorial, Corner of Mason and South Main Streets
• January 19 - City Hall will be closed in observance of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
• January 25, 1:30pm - Remembering Through Resilience and Grief with Vimala Phongsavanh, Museum of Work and Culture

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend in Woonsocket

Woonsocket's

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Committee presents the

2026 Weekend Events:

Saturday 1/17, 11am - Reverend J.W. Hinson Scholarship Brunch at the Elks Club. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

Sunday 1/18, 11am - MLK Worship Service at St. James Baptist Church

Monday 1/19, 11am - MLK Memorial Service at the monument on the Corner of South Main St. and Mason St. Reception following at St. James Baptist Church.

The Woonsocket MLK Community Committee, in partnership with Saint James Baptist Church, will host the annual Weekend of events This year’s theme, “Love in Action,” is inspired by the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who reminded us that love must be paired with action to create real change. Rooted in the King Center’s philosophy of nonviolence, the weekend celebrates love-centered thinking and service that leads to personal, cultural, and societal transformation, and strengthens the Beloved Community we all strive to build.

The cornerstone event is the Scholarship Brunch which raises funds that get awarded to at least 2 first-year college student from Woonsocket, helping ease the cost of higher education. Established in 1961, the J.W. Hinson Scholarship has a long history of supporting Woonsocket students who demonstrate academic promise, financial need, and a strong commitment to community service. Each year, graduating seniors are encouraged to apply, with funds often used to cover books and other essential educational expenses.

The Scholarship Brunch is both a celebration and a call to action; honoring the past, investing in the future, and uplifting the next generation of Woonsocket leaders.

Winter Parks & Rec Update: Track Access & Ice Safety

The John R. Dionne Track is open with lights on until 7:00 p.m., weather permitting. To protect the surface, please do not shovel or use ice melt on the track. If the gates are locked, the track is closed.

Ice skating is a fun winter tradition, but please remember that all skating is at your own risk! With changing temperatures, we can’t guarantee the ice is thick enough to be safe.

Ice at Bernon Park is groomed when conditions allow, but safety and weather come first. Crews who groom the ice also plow roads, so we appreciate your patience. Cass Pond is not groomed, and extra caution is advised if you choose to skate there.

If the ice is slushy, please stay off. It will refreeze unevenly and make conditions worse for everyone. Thanks for helping keep our winter spaces safe and enjoyable! 

Winter skating safety tips:

1. Always skate with a friend
2. Never skate after dark
3. Leave the ice immediately if you notice any weak or slushy areas.

Goodnight Woonsocket: A Beloved Storytime Returns

Who will be the secret guest reader? Listen on New Year's Eve to find out!

A bedtime story and a good night’s sleep is the inspiration behind Goodnight Woonsocket, a recurring broadcast from the Woonsocket Education Department that features a surprise guest reading a story for children. Created by Woonsocket educators Jessica Donato, an instructional coach, and Heather Neil, a blended learning coach, the initiative was designed to foster a love of reading while strengthening connections between schools, families, and the community. New stories traditionally appear every Sunday evening at 7:00 p.m. offering students a calm, engaging way to wind down before the week ahead. Since its original launch, Goodnight Woonsocket has reached thousands of viewers and expanded to include stories in both English and Spanish, read by educators and community members alike. The Woonsocket Education Department is excited to relaunch Goodnight Woonsocket in 2026 with a very special first reader. As always, the reader’s identity will remain a surprise until the teaser message is released, keeping the magic of story time alive. At its heart, Goodnight, Woonsocket is about sharing stories, creating comfort, and bringing the community together, one bedtime story at a time.

An Easier Way to Pay City Bills

Paying your taxes just got a whole lot easier!



The new secure drop box located outside City Hall is now available for residents to conveniently submit tax payments 24/7. No stamps, no waiting in line, and no rushing to leave work early to make it before the doors close. Just drop off your payment whenever it works for you—it’s quick, easy, and hassle-free. Another simple way we’re working to make City Hall more accessible for everyone.

The dropbox is on the sidewalk right outside of the tax collector's division.

Polar Express Adventure!

WHS students with Polar Express Conductor and founder of the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, Bob Billington!

Thanks to the generosity of the Papitto Opportunity Connection and the incredible vision of Transform RI Scholarship winner Mariam Kaba (WHS ’24), 175 WED third graders and their guests, along with a few special friends from WHS, experienced the magic of imagination on Saturday, December 13, with an exclusive ride on the Woonsocket Polar Express! From festive fun to wide-eyed wonder, the day was filled with joy and holiday spirit. This unforgettable adventure was made possible through a collaboration between the Woonsocket Education Department, the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, and Leadership RI.

Solid Waste Holiday Collection & Hours Update

The Solid Waste Department would like to share a few important updates for the holiday season and early January.

Christmas trees will be collected on your regular trash day from Monday, January 5, 2026 through Friday, January 16, 2026. Trees must be placed at the curb and must NOT be wrapped, bagged, or covered, and all lights, ornaments, and decorations must be completely removed.

Curbside trash and recycling will run on a normal schedule on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Please note that any delays apply only to Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Thank you for your cooperation and for helping keep our city clean. The Solid Waste Department wishes everyone a safe and happy holiday season!

Recycling Center Holiday Hours:

• Wednesday 12/24: 7:00 – 11:45 a.m.
• Thursday 12/25: Closed
• Wednesday 12/31: 7:00 – 3:15 p.m.
• Thursday, 1/1: Closed

Millrace District Ribbon Cutting

Nearly two years after its groundbreaking, the NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley's Millrace project is complete and ready to be celebrated! A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on Monday, January 26 at 10:00 a.m., marking this important milestone. U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse will join Mayor Beauchamp at this event.



The ceremony will highlight the significance of affordable housing with the completion of 70 new residential units, along with new commercial and community space across three historic mill buildings. This transformative project represents a major investment in the city and reflects strong cross-sector collaboration, supported by more than 25 development and predevelopment funding sources.

The Woonsocket Education Center is launching the new year with exciting FREE workforce and technology training opportunities for residents and students during January and February 2026. Adult learners can enroll in no-cost workforce trainings in Microsoft Basics, Technical Assistance (TA), and Business Computing, designed to build practical skills for today’s workplace.

In addition, beginning February 3, the WOC will host Experience Tech After School, a FREE experiential learning program led by instructors from New England Institute of Technology. This hands-on program is open to students in grades 9-12 attending any Woonsocket high school. Students will explore technology through interactive, real-world projects in areas such as programming, web development, game design, computer science, information technology, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity.

These programs reflect a strong commitment to workforce development, student opportunity, and accessible education for the Woonsocket community.

Welcoming New Woonsocket Team Members!

We are proud to officially welcome our newest officers to the Woonsocket Police Department family. Each recruit brings a unique background, a shared commitment to service, and a strong dedication to protecting our community.

From military service and higher education to community involvement and experience within our own department, these officers represent the very best of public service. We were especially honored to see family members take part in the pinning ceremonies, a powerful reminder that behind every badge is a strong support system.



Thank you for choosing to serve the City of Woonsocket. We wish you safe, successful, and fulfilling careers as you begin this important journey.

Pictured above are the 5 new officers:  Officer Calvin Romero, Officer Shaira Diaz, Officer Patrick Mantos, Officer Brian Rooney, and Officer Jaden Esposito

Feeling Festive in Finance!

The Finance Department is showing off its holiday cheer with help from Stephen M. Renehan and Shayna Walls.

Stephen, a Collections Specialist in the Treasury Department, has been with the City for about two and a half years and holds an MBA in Finance. He loves tackling financial challenges, "the messier, the better!", and brings strong expertise and a positive attitude to the team.

Shayna, our User Billing and Reporting Specialist (or “sewer clerk” for short!), has been at City Hall for about a year and adores both her role and the Finance team’s strong communication and teamwork. She’s also the department’s unofficial candy and treat girl, so if you need something sweet, Shayna’s your go-to!



Together, they bring hard work, collaboration, and festive fun to Finance all season long.

Woonsocket Situation Table

The Woonsocket Situation Table is a multi-agency collaboration of local human service, health, education and criminal justice professionals that meets Wednesday mornings to address situations where an individual or family is at a significant risk of harm. The team develops an action plan to reduce the risk and works with the individual and their family to connect them with services and supports in the community. The City of Woonsocket is a proud member of this collaborative.

169 Main Street | Woonsocket, RI 02895

(401)762-6400