[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6089250,"mediaKeyId","2875209-84c7419bd87d12b55952b8708bcbe528","parentId",2875209,"title","Commission members debate accuracy and influence of town park survey","audioSeconds",283,"startMs",777000,"endMs",1060000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2875209-84c7419bd87d12b55952b8708bcbe528&start=777&end=1060","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2875209-84c7419bd87d12b55952b8708bcbe528/thumbnail_777000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6089250/Charlestown/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Commission-members-debate-accuracy-and-influence-of-town-park-survey","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6089250-61b8f995a336e56c3fa98f4055c7d258/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152807&Signature=a0TciieWQVO5j~qHWOrvFexsyfdhbSpGvdgqvSRLJdhimdmVinr6yot3zO~0QZD3KWQF2YVRuiGyl8MF76r62IjzDu9ni3dYa8xVEzXj5eTUmpwNa3YXiGSHueDCOabt1g6xAUuSVbi8ex4P~g9jdftGHVpcWeDwj~ZUIUDJwFknhJSHgaqHLRHpfrhbUB6lMSTxc0F-kSwZVBuyEcZVWXj7W~sALmTHYI2-xTtycAO02UlTWcUDXUtPY5TIvk0fcx3z1de0MVkBgMgYghOQANWQFhRP2yKaYJ5CDJYktqz2ppyIjbBy-7jeUVGAMUpQS4oOuPsB89of9dSZlCiS6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Charlestown Town Council","date","2025-03-25T00:00:00Z","article","Commission members discussed a town park survey that several said may have been altered by a prior council during its formation. Speakers reported that questions had been changed during the survey’s drafting so as to influence responses; one member who identified experience as a statistician said the changes were obvious and that the revisions ultimately “backfired” on those who requested them. The commission did not conclude that the survey definitively represented majority opinion one way or another, and a member said the survey text does not support claims that a majority of town residents oppose specific park expansions.

Several commissioners said they intend to keep a copy of the survey on hand and use it when respondents or candidates cite the survey’s findings during public debates. The commission discussed whether to fund and run a new survey but concluded the town was unlikely to pay for a fresh survey, so members planned only to keep the existing document available as context. No formal motion or referral to staff was made.

Ending: The item will remain an informational matter; commissioners said they may revisit the topic if contested public claims about the park recur.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Parks & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting 3/25/2025 6:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","Commission members discussed concerns that a previously conducted town survey about the park may have been altered by earlier councils and could misrepresent public opinion; the commission agreed to keep the survey on hand for reference but did not launch a new survey or take formal action.","taxTitle","Charlestown, Washington County, Rhode Island","taxId",79687,"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},6089255,"Votes at a glance: commission approves minutes, event permits and memo to council",286,217000,503000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2875209-84c7419bd87d12b55952b8708bcbe528&start=217&end=503","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2875209-84c7419bd87d12b55952b8708bcbe528/thumbnail_217000.jpg","/articles/6089255/Charlestown/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Votes-at-a-glance-commission-approves-minutes-event-permits-and-memo-to-council","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6089255-ebdc58149e430c4cc8e73959ffc38a26/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152807&Signature=NweTXQLex0bIp7wFyLlJkjpQpCYTJfTn1xPS3~RW5FT8LCSkKt08uYp~KqD7whGOYC82-af8TBXGi1pzLXehqEobXMQT1U9PFJREzJCIaY0~Rx4fFI16VukW3PKkEqaR2zHD7c-mXOs-9mibtyqGfIKCMOzDqGnSvYGVvM7JQBnReP-UPllrH~9ighdAu1Y0sSdO0N5fliSwZTMf-4qm1gjrYFNZTBvzLdW9EpTfTXtSoDgQzZY90xXgC0AtDLgsW0byDk37HlYIOU4WjGCMiz9UtuY-iMOPx6R4Kw6HhMTkxYQFuqrKRIwPg7sRCwNx7ZwiXqw87iHw3J0OM1HRbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Parks and Recreation Commission conducted several routine votes during its meeting. The commission approved the minutes from the prior meeting, granted permits for event applications brought before the commission and approved a motion to prepare and forward a memo of support to the Town Council for a parks facility (see separate coverage).

Key votes at the meeting:

• Approval of minutes (prior meeting dated Feb. 25): motion made and seconded; voice vote recorded as unanimous “ayes.”

• Event applications and permits: the commission considered multiple event applications, including a youth electric car build/race event referenced by meeting participants and at least one community event organized last year by Jeff Walker. Each application that reached a formal vote was approved by voice vote; meeting notes record “ayes” and a single instance where an opposing voice was recorded but the event was approved.

• Motion to prepare and forward memo of support for parks facility: motion passed by voice vote; commissioners recorded unanimous ayes and directed staff to draft the memo for Council consideration.

None of the votes at the meeting appropriated funds or authorized construction contracts. The approvals granted were procedural (minutes, event permits) or authorizations to prepare a memo; any permit conditions and event details remain subject to the commission’s standard permit terms and to any additional conditions set by town staff.

Ending: The commission adjourned after finishing the listed business and several informational updates.","At the meeting the commission approved the prior meeting minutes, several event applications (including a youth electric car event and other single‑day events) and a motion to prepare a memo supporting a parks facility; motions were passed by voice votes.",{"_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},6089260,"Parks and Recreation Commission backs memo supporting new parks facility and year‑round restrooms",465,1288000,1753000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2875209-84c7419bd87d12b55952b8708bcbe528&start=1288&end=1753","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2875209-84c7419bd87d12b55952b8708bcbe528/thumbnail_1288000.jpg","/articles/6089260/Charlestown/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Parks-and-Recreation-Commission-backs-memo-supporting-new-parks-facility-and-yearround-restrooms","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6089260-50df6b7905e7618bdd6527ae79be7081/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152807&Signature=l3dIOOu9Zjf-XN77-CfU7LoGbqi2lHZM4DjUero9uAEjj8Zgtm~Rat0bf9CPCcJmu0dM3wmk8YgEnxgiaWY~BfTri-Gxl0kyZoe5ZKbUGz38har3-52~ghtfEGVlG6MGCstJjix8Pedm8pFC4zmdMjPTuQAbzhVGBOKRYRtESxhBBZyH7LiFBT1arGngRwsRcGaltmzY3FUwBKVnxWkQeclZNHDhg7QkpKCW-DOFSfKncxpng2QUjgoEcOYOQqZbPSC9Cc2F54miHZlhOauZ~0KrqcYzvbjI5fWrdp-avcfwg9pkrcLYDIfiehx~T6-mN7hELUaG~8wOK9XwKCbRBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission, members agreed to send a memo to the Town Council expressing support for a new Parks & Recreation facility and associated year‑round, heated restrooms and storage at the park site discussed (the gatehouse area was mentioned repeatedly as a possible location). The commission voted in favor of preparing and forwarding the memo at the end of the discussion.

Commissioners said the concept under discussion is a metal “shell” building with multiple bays: a heated summer office with a restroom and shower, an open bay for sheltered activity and a storage/maintenance bay with garage doors for tractors and equipment. The commission discussed making utilities, showers and storage accessible while keeping construction costs down by concentrating mechanical systems on one end of the building.

Members discussed likely funding sources and size. One speaker said the commission had heard that some open‑space funding might be available if the building is tied to park/open‑space use. Commissioners gave a rough cost range for an unfinished shell building and interior work and said the total could come in “under a million dollars.” The transcript also referenced a septic estimate of about $50,000 for restroom systems if required.

Commissioners emphasized basic public‑facing features: year‑round sanitary restrooms that are heated, accessible and lockable for major events; storage for maintenance equipment to avoid towing broken mowers back to town hall; and a shower for on‑site staff such as lifeguards. The commission discussed design details (exterior colors, insulation, slab and utilities) and said the facility could later serve as an annex if the town builds a larger community center.

Because final design and funding were not resolved at the meeting, the commission directed staff to prepare a memo expressing its support and to bring preliminary materials back for further review and for submission to the Town Council. The motion to prepare and forward the memo passed by voice vote (recorded as unanimous “ayes” in the meeting minutes), and commissioners said they would follow up with a written memo for Council consideration.

The commission did not adopt a final design, specific budget appropriation or binding commitment; the vote was to prepare and send the memo of support only. Commissioners noted additional steps — design‑bid documents, site plans and coordination with town staff — would be needed before any construction contract or appropriation.

Ending: Commission members said they will draft the memo and circulate it to the group, then forward it to the Town Council for consideration as the town continues planning for park facilities and year‑round restrooms.","The commission agreed to send a memo to the Town Council expressing support for a new Parks & Recreation facility (including heated restrooms, storage and a summer office) and discussed likely siting at or near the existing gatehouse; commissioners cited estimated costs, possible open‑space funding and building features.","actionData","errors"]

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Commission members debate accuracy and influence of town park survey

Votes at a glance: commission approves minutes, event permits and memo to council

Parks and Recreation Commission backs memo supporting new parks facility and year‑round restrooms