NORTH PROVIDENCE —– At the urging of the town’s Substance Abuse Task Force and other school and town officials, the Town Council signaled its support last night for the creation of a Juvenile Hearing Board as an alternative way of dealing with juveniles who have been arrested for misdemeanors, but not felonies.

In a unanimous vote, the council directed legal counsel to draft a resolution next month asking the General Assembly to set up a Juvenile Hearing Board next year.

Sherry Arlia, who has coordinated the Substance Abuse Task Force, and Jean Vickers, preventive services coordinator for the Tri-Town Community Action Agency, said the creation of such a board in North Providence is long overdue; it is one of only four cities and towns in the state that don’t have one.

The board would be authorized to hear all cases referred by the Police Department’s juvenile division or the chief of police or his designee and, according to advocates, may prove even more effective than Family Court in dealing with many juvenile offenses. The board might be in a better position to immediately require youths accused of misdemeanors or so-called status offenses — such as underage drinking — to undertake community service, receive appropriate counseling, set curfews and fines.

Vickers said some of the offenses that might typically go before the board are shoplifting, first-time possession of marijuana and simple assault. If the juvenile were referred to Family Court, they might not be able to apply for college financial aid. With the hearing board, the record could be erased if the young person abides by the sanctions.

As proposed, the five-member panel would have two members appointed by the mayor, two appointed by the Town Council and one appointed by Tri-Town, with two auxiliary members who could serve in another’s absence.

In other action last night:

•Robert Ciresi, lawyer for Churchill & Banks, confirmed that the development firm is requesting a zone change that would allow it to build a 30,000- to 40,000-square-foot retail building on 6.5 acres behind the Knights of Columbus hall on Mineral Spring Avenue across the street from North Providence High School.

Saying that the store would not be a Super Stop & Shop, Ciresi said the developer would be ready to present its plans at a special hearing of the Town Council as early as next month, leaving the date for the council to decide.

John Wayland, of 15 Beach St., who was joined by about two dozen people at the meeting, said he had a petition signed by more than 100 residents who are opposed to a zone change. Council members said the meeting may have to be held at the high school auditorium.

•Members unanimously voted to defer for six months a request by Curtis Bryant, who purchased Bickford’s Family Restaurant at 1460 Mineral Spring Ave. in July, for a full BV liquor license to allow him to sell alcoholic beverages other than beer and wine.

Bryant said he needs the expanded license to allow him to compete with other nearby restaurants that have full licenses.

One abutter, Ron Marcello, said he was said he was concerned that the full license would lead to disturbances and rowdiness.

Virginia Maher, another abutter who lives on Spicer Street, said she wasn’t opposed to the license, but wanted stipulations that the owner would keep the premises free of litter, maintain a safe environment and take steps to keep motorists from using the parking lot as a short cut to David Street.

Council members said that by deferring action they would be able to see if there was a problem.

•Lisa DiIorio, of 77 Atlantic Ave., sought an entertainment license to allow her family to set up a wrestling ring on their property for twice-a-month matches among family and friends.

She said her lawyer didn’t think such a license was necessary, and council members agreed, deciding to take no action, but warning that she could be cited by police if the events create a disturbance.

rdujardi@projo.com