[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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",[32,76,88],{"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6109497,"mediaKeyId","2761202-c7c3c8069697a154c36a444fb7558ebe","parentId",2761202,"title","Council approves beach ordinance change and higher bus‑rental fee; several routine items also passed","audioSeconds",130,"startMs",753550,"endMs",883685,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2761202-c7c3c8069697a154c36a444fb7558ebe&start=753&end=883","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2761202-c7c3c8069697a154c36a444fb7558ebe/thumbnail_753550.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6109497/Rhode-Island/Council-approves-beach-ordinance-change-and-higher-busrental-fee-several-routine-items-also-passed","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6109497-5982d3377bf15662ef11b5d1c58102d6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771051479&Signature=OdsvtpmP0G41C43UD2Q1Vu~nAbCzaLAHJ01Tw2ETdRbaA~UMBf3CBAASAqsFpg679iB9sBVIpNnbfSe3ZOoiWLBYcTTR4ZBWR-doF7R75nTGyilUkKnlMQM6Gx~rtKTF1SApy67-BWVKQd8X4842djmNLcT2lYYhVAqPcPh1-eBHvihRcJWuATR2E07BsI1WSSZ09Gx4Hf7Iew3Zw5xkafVHrkgfTqYtRxhHT7-ZrRBQpBx7n15lXV7QbDpvbzQZw0Gd4tMzyalC9RoenkGYtzgHOVBjA96SqWZvy6cjkrJutuBXj15-oTMzED0HMW5y6B69A6jyd-y2Yk~wAvofEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Kingstown, RI","date","2025-03-24T00:00:00Z","article","The North Kingstown Town Council on March 24 approved two ordinance changes affecting beach use and fees and cleared routine business on a single consent motion.

Councilors voted to adopt a second‑reading amendment to Chapter 13 (public beaches) that removes a restriction tied to nonresident use; council members said the change aligns local rules with conditions attached to a substantial state grant that upgraded the beach. The motion to approve the ordinance amendment passed after a motion and second with the “ayes” prevailing.

Councilors also conducted a second reading and approved an amendment to Section 9‑4 addressing beach‑related fees; staff clarified the item is effectively an increase in bus‑rental fees used for beach access. The council opened and closed the required public hearing for both matters; no member of the public registered to speak on the bus fee amendment.

Votes at a glance: the meeting recorded several additional procedural approvals. By unanimous voice votes the council approved the consent agenda (items 8–20), authorized an amendment to the Arts Council membership size and approved a new Arts Council appointment, and confirmed an appointment to the zoning board. The council also recorded no substantive objection to a different dock application (agenda item 25) after local commissions recommended no objection; the Lone Tree Point dock (agenda item 24) was handled separately and drew a substantive objection (see related coverage).

What it means: The ordinance change related to beach premises reflects the town’s acceptance of a state grant tied to beach improvements; removing the challenged language aligns local rules to the grant conditions. The bus‑rental fee change updates the town fee schedule and becomes effective as posted by town clerk procedures. Consent agenda items will be enacted by single motion with individual items retained for separate discussion if requested.

Procedural notes: All the votes noted in these items were taken by voice; minutes reflect motions moved, seconded and adopted with the “ayes have it.” Specific vote counts were not recorded in the minutes for every voice vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","North Kingstown Town Council March 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Councilors approved an ordinance amendment removing a nonresident-use language at a town beach following a state grant condition and increased bus‑rental fees; the consent agenda and several appointments also passed with no recorded opposition.","taxTitle","North Kingstown, Washington County, Rhode Island","taxId",79577,"location","Rhode Island","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6109501,"North Kingstown council files substantive objection to proposed Lone Tree Point dock after hours of public opposition",4312,3996730,8308805,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2761202-c7c3c8069697a154c36a444fb7558ebe&start=3996&end=8308","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2761202-c7c3c8069697a154c36a444fb7558ebe/thumbnail_3996730.jpg","/articles/6109501/Rhode-Island/North-Kingstown-council-files-substantive-objection-to-proposed-Lone-Tree-Point-dock-after-hours-of-public-opposition","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6109501-1ded84804cb18bad41722ac9202637f1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771051479&Signature=oNQjINtnwwdVugD~ukfjs9tHR~3JzQyNeIGpaBq8mcelHKOZqEanp2V60pJ8uOQ5vwDw5U9IkN9PZK0M8hImSKizgSeOedr8w4d3BHg5X7LPzJHyxE~xtG0BP3QA4INsxiTDy5Y5wSAjISxf6sOJDScoQKj7mVghvVkqDcRaI9~8tSEN1fBjHuY3bGltSaYaP~5pPtmq5bBcIyzNVglajktwR-nlMYPhdKrg4AzyCr23geVh4a-Iy-5bfJRuh~kM3Mg8q9hCDsuP0NAIB7DAAUdfqeHt0CKlAQ0eD3DY04LHla0P9qR1SdPSMht534~Vu~plyx5bmIMGdG8Eofo1KQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The North Kingstown Town Council on March 24 voted unanimously to file a substantive objection with the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) to an application to construct a residential dock extending from Lone Tree Point (Earl Drive). The vote followed more than an hour of public comment from residents who described safety, environmental and recreational impacts.

Nut graf: Residents and local commissions told the council the dock — proposed to extend beyond 50 feet from mean low water — would intrude into an existing mooring field, reduce public swimming space, and possibly damage shellfish beds and salt marsh. The Harbor Management Commission and the Conservation Commission separately recommended the council file substantive objection papers with CRMC; the council complied.

Dozens of residents of Earl Drive and nearby neighborhoods testified. Sue Alexander, who identified herself as association president and a year‑round resident, said the dock would project “directly into the beach and swimming area,” risk swimmers and children, and could harm nearby shellfishing grounds. David Fawcett framed the issue as risk management, saying his worst‑case scenario involved transient renters or inexperienced boaters using the dock and creating a hazard. Other speakers described shallow tidal conditions that would leave vessels grounded at low tide, the presence of juvenile fish and quahogs, and concerns that the proposal would change the character of a long‑used community beach.

Town staff and commissioners: both the Harbor Management Commission and the Conservation Commission reported unanimous objections or requested a substantive objection. At the council meeting, council members noted the two local commissions' recommendations and the volume of public testimony in deciding to act.

Motion and outcome: Councilor [name not specified in transcript] moved to file a substantive objection to CRMC for the application by Edin Realty Trust / Rossetti (owner/applicant), citing the reasons the commissions provided in their memos. The motion was seconded and approved with the ayes recorded as the council majority. The council president noted the application number and that the current submission differs from a 2024 application tied to a different lot on the property.

What the objection means: A substantive objection from an abutting municipality and its local commissions becomes part of the record reviewed by CRMC and signals the town's formal concerns about public safety, navigation, shellfish resources and marsh impacts. It does not itself grant or deny the permit — CRMC retains final authority — but it places the town’s opposition into the regulatory process and may prompt additional review or a public hearing at CRMC.","After extensive public comment from residents who said the proposed dock at Lone Tree Point would harm shellfish beds, marsh habitat and swimmer safety, the council voted to file a substantive objection with the Coastal Resources Management Council for the application.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6109506,"North Kingstown council hears Safe Streets for All plan, authorizes letter of support",1511,924595,2436580,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2761202-c7c3c8069697a154c36a444fb7558ebe&start=924&end=2436","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2761202-c7c3c8069697a154c36a444fb7558ebe/thumbnail_924595.jpg","/articles/6109506/Rhode-Island/North-Kingstown-council-hears-Safe-Streets-for-All-plan-authorizes-letter-of-support","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6109506-c8d63bbebe4557da3884d52087ec8fe9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771051479&Signature=csLzWw0ZX1h~fQ6KTGq5~o-G86fa5wvZ1RYzRzIZNg16pYiHdyjcoVi-RaCl3N~DFTZ1VwgW9nOeavcZ3i9ec6NqpAw5FOKHdrWppCfvT7qH5EYT0RVyg2i0~BW8YCENaHcQ1RY3Vy0t4qHUdPhIKKHx~BPcW6twVcaQXsfF7V4zCSyqgBYc2~4ci5ifzTau6zKVZStGPCTwvJsT2zGC-NIzv8GcdnOcM7PVLD41ldWHqs1mst0JVJeW1G5ky6U8u3LQMzdC3fV1iYi--KXFIiOvVMgY0dbqnIp0V9yiOVUKlmQNv6oUuBTZhbYinBcfnVSjD8ASfC1efdBvlthAhA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The North Kingstown Town Council on March 24 heard a presentation on the federal Safe Streets for All program and unanimously authorized the council president to sign a letter of support that will be included in the town's final Safety Action Plan, making the town eligible to compete for USDOT implementation grants.

Bowman Engineering consultant Eric (surname not specified) and Planning Director Nicole Lafontaine presented the plan, which analyzes five years of crash data (2019–2023), identifies a “high‑injury network,” and ranks 14 locations across town for countermeasures such as upgraded crosswalks, ADA curb ramps and improved pedestrian signals. Lafontaine told councilors the regional effort pooled federal and state funds so municipalities could plan together: the multi‑community program is a $6,250,000 effort funded by a $5,000,000 federal Safe Streets for All planning grant and $1,250,000 from the state capital program.

Nut graf: The council’s vote does not itself fund construction; by authorizing a letter of support the town signals formal endorsement of the Safety Action Plan, a required step to be eligible for the next round of USDOT implementation grants. Bowman and town staff said a Notice of Funding Opportunity for implementation grants was expected in weeks and could allow North Kingstown to seek money to build the plan's recommendations.

Presenters said the plan blends crash analysis with community outreach — including public events, stakeholder interviews and a statewide survey — and layers equity and climate considerations into project selection. Eric said intersections accounted for many crash clusters and that the plan separates “all‑modes” crashes from those involving vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and bicyclists. He noted the town ranks about 21st of 39 Rhode Island municipalities for crash rate when summer months are included.

Council discussion focused on implementation timing and grant certainty. Councilor McCoy asked whether the federal NOFO would definitely issue; Bowman said funding has been allocated but the timing and terms depend on federal rulemaking. Bowman said grant application requirements may change from the prior NOFO and that some eligibility language (for example, climate or equity criteria) could shift before the implementation round is released. Councilors also asked how state agencies such as RIDOT and RIPTA would be engaged because many targeted roads are state‑controlled; presenters said RIPTA coordinated applications and that RIDOT and RIPTA would need to accommodate municipal recommendations for many high‑priority locations.

After the presentation, Town Manager Ralph asked the council to authorize the president to sign a letter of support to be included in the plan and final submission. Councilor McCoy moved to authorize the signature; the motion was seconded and approved unanimously.

The council also agreed to sign a draft letter that will be placed in the final Safety Action Plan, which staff said will be delivered to USDOT and used when the town applies for implementation grants. The plan team said the final plan will be delivered after Bowman receives remaining comment from RIDTA and the town.","Councilors heard a presentation from Bowman Engineering on a draft Safe Streets Safety Action Plan and voted unanimously to authorize the council president to sign a letter of support so the town can be eligible to apply for federal implementation grants.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves beach ordinance change and higher bus‑rental fee; several routine items also passed

North Kingstown council files substantive objection to proposed Lone Tree Point dock after hours of public opposition

North Kingstown council hears Safe Streets for All plan, authorizes letter of support