[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6115604,"mediaKeyId","2737924-519e42ff361efef7d22590a3d635e0df","parentId",2737924,"title","Council approves Parks & Recreation contracts, buys new recreation software; officials discuss fees and parking features","audioSeconds",178,"startMs",3089380,"endMs",3267830,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2737924-519e42ff361efef7d22590a3d635e0df&start=3089&end=3267","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2737924-519e42ff361efef7d22590a3d635e0df/thumbnail_3089380.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6115604/Narragansett/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Council-approves-Parks-Recreation-contracts-buys-new-recreation-software-officials-discuss-fees-and-parking-features","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115604-bc30413e6b6b4ac513fda87d3dc6e518/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151722&Signature=MYpJJNO4TfGl1AR771y2-~lubn6s5wP22JeDyfcd968irVTlZ5Slr8dGse5fU4Uu7jbzZPz67QzVCt1njH1DVuIIotIvTjRqIRbnXyEA0Zk6ecQXisiCDbcS9Kw-4VYB3afEfqjyZPOZTEQx9XrsszxGiceWcevZBGNdNU6HWFln-YM9APO2vOP5G1dQm0HbE8nKDy3uwusp22fQrHzf1ilkpTf5xciaFQFJPepQKjhOewetreQhKa5XT8z~WCrpDC9SdPiHnyZe3TMbEdB2BGzEQH8SrzpuxJyFAtdXQ2BrfOSgdD5DrpJiNLvuygPhGwgOaZwLZX2eRzY6eDDLHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Narragansett Town Council","date","2025-01-06T00:00:00Z","article","The Narragansett Town Council on Jan. 6 approved multiple Parks & Recreation items and authorized the purchase of new recreation-management software.

Councilors unanimously approved a five-year food and beverage concession agreement at Sprague Park with the Narragansett Little League and a five-year facility-use agreement between the Little League and the Parks & Recreation Department (April 1, 2025–Oct. 31, 2029). The council also approved a three-year contract with Natural Fitness for yoga at the town beach and granted a permit to Road Races and Events Inc. to run the annual Ocean State Marathon/half marathon/5K on Oct. 26, 2025; all motions passed 5-0.

The council voted 5-0 to purchase new recreation software from Explore Recreation: $30,000 per year for five years plus a one-time installation fee of $19,000. Michelle (Parks and Recreation director) briefed councilors on the system’s capabilities, saying the software “will not only allow for people to use a mobile app and on the fly sign up for programs, create their own usernames, passwords, etcetera,” and that it can manage beach passes, marina payments and programming. She said some beach-hardware upgrades (for scanning beach passes) would be needed in a two- to five-year timeframe to realize all features.

Council discussion focused on user fees and credit-card processing costs. The town currently absorbs credit-card fees; councilors heard that the beach enterprise fund paid nearly $50,000 in card fees in the last year. Town staff said they are evaluating whether to shift convenience fees to customers and will present options to the council for policy consideration. Councilors also discussed parking/resident-permit functionality; staff said the software might support such features but would need to confirm specifics with the vendor and noted that dedicated electronic parking enforcement is a different system.

Public comment raised questions about how race organizers distribute proceeds; a resident asked whether contributions from private race organizers should be directed to town organizations. Councilors said they would review the race contribution practices with staff.

All Parks & Recreation items and the software contract were recorded as approved (vote recorded as 5-0 for each item).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Narragansett Town Council - January 6, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The town council approved multiple Parks & Recreation contracts and authorized purchase of a new recreation-management system from Explore Recreation.","taxTitle","Narragansett, Washington County, Rhode Island","taxId",79580,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6115607,"Council schedules Feb. 18 public hearing on zoning amendment amid public concerns about 'unrelated' ordinance and short-term rentals",95,846720,942305,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2737924-519e42ff361efef7d22590a3d635e0df&start=846&end=942","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2737924-519e42ff361efef7d22590a3d635e0df/thumbnail_846720.jpg","/articles/6115607/Narragansett/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Council-schedules-Feb-18-public-hearing-on-zoning-amendment-amid-public-concerns-about-unrelated-ordinance-and-short-term-rentals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115607-e70f10c56e9ff08c6e525faa6d32d085/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151722&Signature=OBWfqHSJDsI~wkdXhnqx4eHKZSYU0dgcRmvj3nYF61o3qA6BhMdxPTV~I0415vBMFT6NDXFSfTVjxFqFjSL369dgWgfgjXw2U0oaVBkgOK8vBVJFYTPXSpyhEcybkqioGQw2ekROO4-p8WW3sqV0ULhgERgjHbYTenZvQQmvZEIzKP2-p3eaMOMRorb4BkDN~evvsODs7nflAaWBo~sdR53dkHj3NdmYkXFPQ4Z5IjFEpiLjc6~RZ1zY6c9oC4OkEZxEyz74hW8w7JhIpxLGeokxgFUrQY4r0qGHNmw3N8tmArdOr6EsLKc7WJsx2QDFV-12soPimuD6fRD9KDP3sA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Narragansett Town Council scheduled a public hearing for Feb. 18, 2025 on an ordinance to amend Appendix A of the town code (zoning), voting 5-0 to place the item on the calendar.

At the meeting several residents urged caution and urged councilors to wait for state-level action before changing local rules. Catherine Celebrato (resident) told the council it was “premature” to amend the town’s unrelated-occupancy ordinance while the General Assembly is expected to consider changes at the state level and while litigation and temporary restraining orders involving short-term rentals remain active. Celebrato said the town should wait until the state rewrites the enabling statute before changing local rules.

Celebrato also urged the council to make accessory dwelling units (ADUs) annual rentals, saying the state statutory minimum of 30 days is easy to circumvent and warning that without an annual-rental requirement ADUs may become short-term or student housing rather than units that attract families. “Unless you mandate that those are annual rentals, you're not going to add to the affordable housing in this town at all,” she said.

Dr. Al Alba, another resident, recommended the council move forward carefully but said the town should comply with state law to avoid litigation, noting the town has faced lawsuits in the past. The council clarified that the Feb. 18 hearing is to consider the zoning amendment; councilors invited residents to testify at that hearing and said the council wanted more community input.

The motion on the floor was recorded as: schedule a public hearing on 02/18/2025 on an ordinance amending Appendix A of the Code of Ordinances of the Town of Narragansett, Rhode Island, entitled Zoning (motion passed 5-0). The council emphasized the hearing will provide an opportunity for residents to offer testimony before any final vote.","The town council set a public hearing for Feb. 18 on an amendment to Appendix A (zoning). Members of the public urged caution, arguing the council should wait for state action on a related 'unrelated' ordinance and urged the town to consider limiting accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rentals to annual leases.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6115613,"Narragansett council appoints judge, magistrate clerk, town solicitor and town sergeant",773,13625,787320,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2737924-519e42ff361efef7d22590a3d635e0df&start=13&end=787","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2737924-519e42ff361efef7d22590a3d635e0df/thumbnail_13625.jpg","/articles/6115613/Narragansett/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Narragansett-council-appoints-judge-magistrate-clerk-town-solicitor-and-town-sergeant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115613-d11704e0018487625516d4011cd00bfe/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151722&Signature=nk8ysgFP3u-TvHlgl~3rzBrBb3tMHTVIC~DX6a~-RzKaq2nyC2Ptp5dhsmq-D66i4N1ngkd2hfes277sgdjqz5nAND0wKkuW6JYd2izIUzv-YxHyR2PXTzvHsw46qlaW4h4DNTB5wQeeLruGhEwYVvZtRDmccK~p7tsOhN6O1O2GrqEZ3KPbdUS0j4tgDKA-HdAGGB2hMXCBJ7NS74s9rG-ogGSA0LE~4JcX6FdtsxGaybj7Mhjc1ETz1w7xu~ZXlzQmi8RcW~8JsFZrHXO7P885Av1rhlYTUzLiGVZ7TfZmd4BtZejl9g7uBeHB~QqeqMbsdosHmp7HF1PRUoqMQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Narragansett Town Council on Jan. 6 approved a slate of municipal appointments, voting unanimously on each motion.

The council voted 5-0 to reappoint Judge John DeCubilis as municipal court judge and to appoint Sarah Masson as magistrate clerk. The council also approved the appointment of James Callahan as town solicitor and Bob Craven as assistant town solicitor, and confirmed Thomas Hirschin as town sergeant; each motion passed 5-0.

The appointments drew brief public comment related to the town’s legal counsel. Mark Brady, speaking on behalf of the Planning Board, asked the council to “exercise leadership in renewing attorney Marsala,” saying the planning board had submitted a unanimous letter supporting Steve Marsala as planning-board legal counsel and citing Marsala’s “institutional knowledge of Narragansett.” Brady said planning-board workloads include time-sensitive subdivision and site-review deadlines and a two-year comprehensive-plan update that “may be delayed” without experienced counsel.

Town Manager Jim Tierney said the council had conducted interviews, reviewed résumés and letters of recommendation for the solicitor and assistant-solicitor positions and that council members “came prepared with asking questions specifically to each of the individuals who came and interviewed.” The manager and council members praised Sarah Masson’s organization and the qualifications of the solicitor candidates.

Several appointments included routine motions with no extended debate. The vote counts and outcomes recorded on the meeting record were: municipal court judge (approved, 5-0); continuation of the probate-judge appointment to the Jan. 20 meeting (approved, 5-0); magistrate clerk (approved, 5-0); town solicitor/assistant solicitor (approved, 5-0); town sergeant (approved, 5-0).

The council discussed swearing-in logistics for the new town solicitor. The council agreed to delay a formal oath until the required documents could be provided; Callahan may be sworn at the Jan. 21 meeting or at another mutually convenient time.

The council also invited public participation during appointment items; a small number of residents used that opportunity to request clarifications about the solicitor selection and its expected impacts on the planning and zoning boards.

Council President closed the appointments section after the motions passed and moved on to the next agenda items.","The Narragansett Town Council on Jan. 6 approved multiple personnel appointments including Judge John DeCubilis as municipal court judge, James Callahan as town solicitor and Thomas Hirschin as town sergeant; public comment urged retention of planning-board counsel Steve Marsala.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6115595,"Council transfers Maury Luncheon name to new library building and schedules workshop with state lawmakers",716,4814865,5531675,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2737924-519e42ff361efef7d22590a3d635e0df&start=4814&end=5531","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2737924-519e42ff361efef7d22590a3d635e0df/thumbnail_4814865.jpg","/articles/6115595/Narragansett/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Council-transfers-Maury-Luncheon-name-to-new-library-building-and-schedules-workshop-with-state-lawmakers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115595-2c18ed7a7eca0e0c7e16a62fbbf952a9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151722&Signature=VhxkSIBY~qwkzP6XwbbPR1tfec7PZ3ZT3EF~60LAJ2cnVK0h9Ela4-CXZ-IsCc4ZSsHeq0NEWZvwQuIsXGXpKRBC7-IFA85fEyvzfyTdmmh93~dC2yn~rigeYihuqgBZzBYo4TU3g2RkPryEboGligVIJYCblArhwcbXm3e-D5imP9do3CaPjND3kuRLSIXOnuJ2JA9LJZhRg2Ne5s~zV1WIvPx4a~pkZFNnZO6JLdBB6yGH7lgtStESOcxXMa8XY81zLj0tNAVfSwZMsRoo8HkBAxhB--smmVKp4XszeOnjlrSzAVBh4PeP5SZCCNzqRJdxDaiwkibphNE4ZswWsg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Narragansett Town Council on Jan. 6 voted to designate the new library building at 25 Peer Marketplace as \"Maury Luncheon's Memorial Library\" and approved a separate intergovernmental workshop with state legislators on Feb. 3, 2025.

Councilors recorded a motion approving the transfer of the library name from the old facility to the new library; the motion passed unanimously (5-0). Council discussion noted that the library institution previously carried the name and that the action updates the official name to the new building. A council speaker referenced prior council action in February 2007 that named the library in Maury Luncheon’s honor and said subsequent naming-rights rules (adopted in 2012) apply to new gifts requesting naming privileges but do not preclude the council from transferring an existing institutional name.

Multiple residents addressed the council in favor of retaining the Luncheon name. Laurie Kelly, speaking for library supporters, said the library has long operated under that name, had a public ballot at the library that favored keeping the name roughly two-to-one, and noted the institution received significant private donations during fundraising. A resident who identified an address on Daytona Avenue recalled Luncheon’s decades of service to the town. Dr. Al Alba also urged the council to retain the name, saying Luncheon “showed the utmost respect to everyone.”

Separately, the council accepted a January 6 recommendation from state Sen. Alana DeMario to hold a workshop with state representatives Carol Hagan McEntee and Teresa Tanzi and Sen. DeMario on Feb. 3 at 6 p.m. to discuss legislative priorities for the town. The council invited public attendance and urged residents to come prepared with questions and issues for state lawmakers.

The town solicitor summarized state authority for municipal naming of facilities and cited the relevant state statute (identified in the meeting as R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-2-16) as the statutory source of municipal naming authority. The council recorded the library-name motion and the workshop scheduling as approved with unanimous votes.","The council approved naming the new library building 'Maury Luncheon's Memorial Library' and set a workshop for Feb. 3 with state representatives to discuss legislative priorities; public commenters supported retaining the historical name.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6115600,"Council delays vote on seasonal trash collection contract after public alleges conflict of interest",85,3547360,3633030,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2737924-519e42ff361efef7d22590a3d635e0df&start=3547&end=3633","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2737924-519e42ff361efef7d22590a3d635e0df/thumbnail_3547360.jpg","/articles/6115600/Narragansett/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Council-delays-vote-on-seasonal-trash-collection-contract-after-public-alleges-conflict-of-interest","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115600-a0edeb24e8aa2e745a8a6b7808332671/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151722&Signature=OeUS9ZJdH0FVPQTrICoccfwGFq6zztxr~PNgIQjNVBxbyos8~kEpZ4b7Pzz8r4kmRjX7Ba1eEBmO2aB8s-h2-HgC0R0EWO4Ck7lYFMZE2giFH9tWI9xdlI6i55g-xDtzWTF0ZDJRdSEoMLt2KXTUULDbHx74VoXAD4Mxuq3bEY9ELl740dm8ya9LK5nGu-METZlkGexkWlrgUHvViEcuVr8G6mRryzliI5itKew9SODymwiM~Kwmzn4Vy2cRjI5-KkuypUB9BfG5QqHEJAUhfC1s0KgrtmYLCRhg3jaJBScad-t6u9Z4j8m6rcS9AppBitn90RwUetgdyJ48QKumTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Narragansett Town Council on Jan. 6 continued consideration of a bid award for seasonal trash-receptacle collection after a member of the public raised concerns that the lowest bidder is a town employee and that awarding the contract could violate the town charter.

The council had put forward a motion to award the contract to Joe Harvey Landscaping LLC at the quoted prices (the meeting record cites \"$50,387.5 per barrel\" in the agenda item text). During public comment a resident alleged the contract had been given to a town employee without appropriate opportunity for municipal employees (union members) to perform the work and that the charter “prohibits giving a contract to a town employee.” The commenter said he would consider filing a complaint with the state attorney general if the council proceeded.

Dr. Al Alba, a resident, said he saw no issue if the award had gone through a competitive process and the price was substantially lower than alternatives, and he suggested the town solicitor review the matter. Town counsel recommended further review; the council voted to continue the item to the Jan. 21, 2025 meeting to allow staff and the solicitor time to examine the legal questions. The continuation motion passed 5-0.

Councilors noted that the bid process included two bidders and a substantial price difference between them; some council members said they did not want to withhold action without reviewing the charter provision and procurement history. The item will return to the agenda after the town solicitor and staff provide legal guidance.","A contract award for seasonal trash receptacle service drew public criticism alleging the vendor is a town employee and possible charter conflict; the council voted to continue the item to the Jan. 21 meeting to allow legal review.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves Parks & Recreation contracts, buys new recreation software; officials discuss fees and parking features

Council schedules Feb. 18 public hearing on zoning amendment amid public concerns about 'unrelated' ordinance and short-term rentals

Narragansett council appoints judge, magistrate clerk, town solicitor and town sergeant

Council transfers Maury Luncheon name to new library building and schedules workshop with state lawmakers

Council delays vote on seasonal trash collection contract after public alleges conflict of interest