Pawtucket, R.I. — After 16 years under Mayor Donald R. Grebien, Pawtucket is poised for a period of political change with Adam Greenman’s recent victory in the Democratic mayoral primary. Greenman, a former president and CEO of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, secured the nomination with 54.6 percent of the vote on Sept. 9, defeating Grebien. With no Republican or independent challengers in the upcoming Nov. 3 general election, Greenman is expected to become the city’s next mayor.

Following his primary win, Greenman outlined several key priorities for his administration, including re-evaluating the city’s use of Flock automated license plate reading cameras, replacing the police chief, preserving a fully elected school committee, instituting mayoral term limits, reopening Morley Field in the Woodlawn neighborhood, and addressing public health issues such as rodent control through the distribution of birth control for rats.

One of Greenman’s earliest planned actions is to review the Flock camera system, which has been in use by the Pawtucket Police Department. Greenman described his personal opposition to the technology, citing concerns about civil liberties, but emphasized his intention to hold public hearings before making any decisions. He aims to assess the cameras’ effectiveness in solving crimes and the safeguards in place to prevent misuse. Police Chief Tina Goncalves has publicly defended the cameras as “highly useful,” and officials plan to continue their use pending a comprehensive review.

Greenman also expressed his intention to meet with Grebien before finalizing decisions on police department leadership. While he has indicated support for a change at the department’s top, he has yet to confirm whether Goncalves will be replaced. Greenman critiqued the current dual role of Goncalves as both police chief and public safety director, calling it a potential conflict of interest.

The condition and future of the shuttered Memorial Hospital site in Pawtucket is another focus for the new mayor. The 600,000-square-foot facility, closed in 2017, has faced ongoing challenges. Greenman plans to engage with the property owner and developer to clarify what redevelopment efforts are feasible. He pledged to deliver a realistic redevelopment plan within his first year in office.

Greenman has also committed to maintaining Pawtucket’s fully elected school committee, opposing recent proposals for a hybrid model combining elected and appointed members. However, he favors restructuring the school committee on a ward basis to ensure better neighborhood representation. He supports calling for a charter review commission to consider such changes along with the implementation of eight-year mayoral term limits, a shift from the current two-year terms without term limits.

Addressing quality-of-life concerns, Greenman cited increased rat activity linked to recent construction projects, such as the soccer stadium and new high school, as an issue requiring intervention. He advocates for “common sense solutions,” including the use of rodent birth control, and expressed a desire to improve bulk trash collection services.

Among his commitments is the swift reopening of Morley Field, an athletic facility that was closed during development of an adjacent warehouse and distribution center. Greenman indicated a broader intention to expand green space within affected neighborhoods.

With a campaign message centered on change and new leadership, Greenman told voters he sees term limits as a way to prevent complacency and encourage fresh ideas, stating, “If it was good enough for George Washington, it’s good enough for me.” As he prepares to transition into office, Pawtucket residents can expect an active agenda aimed at addressing long-standing issues and reshaping the city’s governance.