[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_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":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6088350,"mediaKeyId","2882401-7a926f19d2d5b1f5f309192cf443bd85","parentId",2882401,"title","Council approves grants and contributions; debate centers on Hope and Main meal program and armory support","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",4566000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2882401-7a926f19d2d5b1f5f309192cf443bd85&start=4566&end=4566","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2882401-7a926f19d2d5b1f5f309192cf443bd85/thumbnail_4566000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6088350/Warren/Bristol-County/Rhode-Island/Council-approves-grants-and-contributions-debate-centers-on-Hope-and-Main-meal-program-and-armory-support","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6088350-f50c969ce97b68405d1fadaec0b3d3ac/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195707&Signature=SdO6bXh-eTleW9hNNpKdbxH1XBDBkN3aKOeQ4s1EJHdkgx7p5FtY2YK-SUDSUa-w7vgXxHXBCIoIrzCwjWq8Ljyqa3LeHhsR6fj~3SyBXPrcdzaDTtTNkRwvTe6evqniNIyZlkZepvve2Ojcvyu-AWZZy6~uhpg9PiBvO21JGGCJRmDGHtlj4KjXHRE5v54OQ7kqiXFjNARrKUnf5w-llFWwquLNMQ7kdI-1xQK~3AImMfMtNcMPQNRHf2AvFHmMoT~qSkwAAC2iTlYmlUL4u5SQg7d8eEbKOau1cMEcE9BxAjkBlFChTz4igt7D2aXHxe0Qjn5D8o-IhWSnqleTIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Warren RI Town Council","date","2025-03-26T00:00:00Z","article","Warren ' The Town Council approved the grants and contributions section of the budget and took several separate votes after hearing presentations from local nonprofits.

Speakers included trustees and representatives from the George H. Brown library, the bicentennial celebration committee, Hope and Main (a community meals program), the Warren Armory board, the East Bay Collaborative and Imago Foundation for the Arts. Presenters described planned projects, capital work and operating needs and asked the council to restore or increase line items in the grants portion of the budget.

The council approved a consolidated grants and contributions total of $336,519. During separate item votes the council:
- Added $3,000 for the town's Memorial Day activities; the motion passed by voice vote.
- Restored $7,500 to the Warren Armory; presenters described ongoing maintenance and community programming and asked the council to consider a longer-term budget line for the facility.
- After extended discussion about priorities and limited discretionary funds, approved $10,000 for Hope and Main's food program; Hope and Main had sought $25,000 and committed to raise remaining funds if the town provided a partial award.

Councilors voiced strong support for the library's recent ADA renovations and for local arts programming but said the town must prioritize limited funds. Several council members urged community organizations to pursue alternative funding and grant matches. The council noted it could revisit allocations when the council completes remaining budget items and confirms final revenue totals.

In public remarks, Hope and Main emphasized the program's direct delivery of thousands of meals to food-insecure households in Warren and said it would continue to raise private funds to meet need if the town provided partial support.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","March 26, 2025-2nd Budget Meeting-Warren Town Council","oneSentenceSummary","Councilors approved the grants and contributions budget and took separate votes to fund the town's bicentennial committee, Warren Armory, and a reduced award to the Hope and Main meal program after extended discussion about competing priorities.","taxTitle","Warren, Bristol County, Rhode Island","taxId",79694,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6088355,"Council reallocates policing dollars after staff find unspent highway safety funds; reduces overtime budget",239,1982000,2221000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2882401-7a926f19d2d5b1f5f309192cf443bd85&start=1982&end=2221","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2882401-7a926f19d2d5b1f5f309192cf443bd85/thumbnail_1982000.jpg","/articles/6088355/Warren/Bristol-County/Rhode-Island/Council-reallocates-policing-dollars-after-staff-find-unspent-highway-safety-funds-reduces-overtime-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6088355-f10d832ce3b78034636a64485f9b5a24/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195707&Signature=UuoRIXI5AkzG0k41eAK-RsUF0gLJEVkhb3ajcv~1F8Ad4x0lkF~qx68Pu5H9iYnLQB3VBqwJsLCa90~6VQnba17JgSy3xF8SsUDxCR-lQmqPobvlZe-w4ttc49cqD1G1qagms5j-VVlsIII0qUqPQqnJU4fSEMQbKRLTT0SUZWJKtz0YKAuJcmiomf9LPlxGMSexZi7c1ZRjzVpma47gxPD1Ofs152uUfHwai2ptiic1j30i3Xowp0ttV4gvMoXdCelvTAQUs6i97DUjBPuqItMK88Kc0YrAwMxPWDRSMwPM-jGzezz7TouFVxnlOJODwm1yum98ffASIzOtLSEsNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Warren ' The Town Council voted to reduce the police overtime appropriation by $21,000 after staff identified a surplus in a special revenue account funded by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation's highway safety reimbursements.

Councilor Sullivan explained that the town had accumulated reimbursement proceeds in a special account intended for speed enforcement, DUI patrols and similar overtime activities. That account held about $57,000; staff recommended drawing $21,000 to reduce the police department's FY26 overtime line from $281,880 to $260,880.

Councilors approved the adjustment and directed staff to record the change in the special revenue ledger. Members noted the risk of using one-time special revenue to support recurring overtime costs, and finance staff explained that the state reimbursement for these targeted grants historically returns to overtime when it is earned by departments.

At the same meeting the council approved a $1,000 increase to the police mobile communications line to cover newly issued department cell phones after two recent promotions, and additional small adjustments led the council to amend the total police allocation to $3,103,009 and the total public safety allocation to $3,509,321.

Councilors discussed bookkeeping fixes and asked staff to make sure special revenue accounts are consistently credited when state reimbursements are received so recurring Payroll items are not supported by one-time balances.

All adjustments were passed by voice vote. The finance director and police leadership said they would produce updated ledgers to make the tracking clear going forward.","Councilors reduced a police overtime line by $21,000 after staff discovered a surplus in a Rhode Island Highway Safety special revenue account and approved several small increases to communications lines; totals for police and public safety were adjusted accordingly.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6088359,"Council approves increases to rescue stipends and fire department budget amid recruitment concerns",461,699000,1160000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2882401-7a926f19d2d5b1f5f309192cf443bd85&start=699&end=1160","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2882401-7a926f19d2d5b1f5f309192cf443bd85/thumbnail_699000.jpg","/articles/6088359/Warren/Bristol-County/Rhode-Island/Council-approves-increases-to-rescue-stipends-and-fire-department-budget-amid-recruitment-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6088359-e31ac62e34f16bebb26f7ae859fc8b9c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195707&Signature=L7IfjHg7Ywo-n6lIMrGjpjuFKEZItpo~X23J1GPfcmlUTpVqHVSz7MuHSBw4ywQ2MJSREwDQRb7vZ64w6kMHCWnQaGnDm-HcuqM7~VPF6JdWq9TPiNCnAwfgRJSKWMOAwg1W7yxjLTijrcfpNfFcG3o0o4FglqjosJQWxUvv-DDj0O5bfYRdcNEAKmG8Gc8KzwAI3B~UnaVq6n-uf69Xo6621f28-5euWPVPg8lFndvfcF8TMH~dcVu9qqg3lQrYyDCFlMurd-Pnv0NlGM4~J-S4O~Bf2zet5heWpoALvXrLkcJy7ySM9xx1IiEXVzEq4G9~IVYwhwkwu6uV02I7CQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Warren ' The Town Council approved the fire and safety operating budget after the fire chief presented detailed actuals from the prior year and a five-year analysis of EMS stipends.

The chief told councilors that increases in gear costs and the number of probationary members in training have pushed stipend and equipment requests higher, and that the department is trying to recruit and retain advanced life-support (ALS) personnel by raising stipend rates and occasionally adding extra shifts during high-demand periods.

The chief provided a five-year stipend analysis showing third-party billing revenue that offsets much of the stipend expense but also showing year-to-date gaps. He described differences between basic EMT, cardiac, and paramedic classifications and said the department wants more ALS staffing on calls because ALS-capable trucks provide advanced interventions and medications.

Councilors discussed whether stipend increases might prompt comparable raises in neighboring towns, and the chief said his proposed increases are intended to bring local payments closer to regional comparables and to help fill frequent second-call staffing gaps in summer months.

Separately, the council voted to add $10,000 to the fire department's fuel line because year-to-date actuals suggested the current $30,000 allocation was likely to be exceeded. Councilor vote on the fuel increase preceded a motion to approve the total fire and safety budget.

On a voice vote, the council approved the department's total operating figure as presented. Councilors praised the chief for the packet materials and asked staff to keep monitoring actuals for the rest of the fiscal year.

No changes to policy or service levels were ordered beyond the budgeted increases; councilors and the chief agreed to revisit stipend outcomes in future budget cycles if the recruitment measures do not produce the expected staffing gains.","Councilors approved a budget that raises rescue stipends, restores several operating line items, and added fuel funding after the fire chief described higher gear and staffing costs and the need to attract ALS personnel.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6088364,"Warren council raises sewer fee after wastewater plant runs a $530,000 shortfall",368,3587000,3955000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2882401-7a926f19d2d5b1f5f309192cf443bd85&start=3587&end=3955","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2882401-7a926f19d2d5b1f5f309192cf443bd85/thumbnail_3587000.jpg","/articles/6088364/Warren/Bristol-County/Rhode-Island/Warren-council-raises-sewer-fee-after-wastewater-plant-runs-a-530000-shortfall","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6088364-775a026fbf4f998e5be491b716b5e92c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195707&Signature=o-cgg0GY5CzLEhmAqu8ox6lEFYwoQI7w6nB0u451D4fgsaqKxpZ96WqBiSpDv13SuA4QhOwwBL1VWaB44wQenQsl0Fig0lfH3CqS0XYmxuH6GzB~BItZPXI-mTTCjYSCDwW2AvMwJFcorFUI~Qtsm~SmCJa5grdxx3vYHxgQsoDvyF9QC0pMU7AeEjbOl-NJjdmOZVSZiuD-Lbtl-OVV8SMjrtjTPMNQ6mfrK7kHZhA032n1xPFJQEhs3upJPL1DVw0C5kt0GGwpSzwtL4cT8Y6WMwTZnGObi3bsKDPu8oYYKyTPLVe~QNRXYdo0eZaEjm6Ictd9jGCbRW0rzN9ogw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Warren ' The Town Council voted to raise the municipal sewer use fee to $4.52 per equivalent dwelling unit and to adjust wastewater revenues and expenditures after hearing that plant operating costs have outpaced recent budgets.

Councilors approved the change during the town's budget meeting after the town's wastewater presenter said plant operations are projecting an overrun of about $260,000 this fiscal year and the department expects a roughly $530,000 shortfall that must be covered this year.

The increase matters because the town's wastewater plant is largely funded by user fees rather than general property taxes. According to the budget discussion, the largest drivers of rising costs at the plant were sharply higher electricity costs and increased chemical expenses for treatment. Councilor Sullivan presented a five-year expenditure history showing wide swings in actuals: several recent years where electricity and other costs pushed plant operations far above the line-item budgets.

The council voted to adopt total wastewater management expenditures of $2,037,636 for the coming fiscal year. To match that figure and to begin replenishing the fund balance the council approved increasing projected sewer-use revenue from its prior level to $2,234,236 (the $4.52 fee multiplied across the town's 4,943 equivalent dwelling units). The council then approved the wastewater revenue total of $2,453,436 after other revenue adjustments were made.

Council members emphasized the move was corrective: the fee had not kept pace with rising operating costs in prior years and the town had relied on its general fund to absorb operating shortfalls. Several councilors said the increase would be painful for residents but that failing to make the change would worsen the system's long-term stability and harm the town's ability to pursue grant-funded capital repairs.

Councilor Trombley asked for clarification about whether electricity spikes were the main driver; Sullivan and staff confirmed power and chemical costs were principal contributors. Town staff and the council discussed two fee options during the meeting: raising the fee to $3.99 would cover projected operating costs next year; the council chose $4.52, which councilors said both covers projected operating needs and begins to restore the fund balance that will be used to correct the current-year shortfall.

Chief financial staff and the town manager told the council that the administration would return with more detailed projections and with plans to develop a multi-year capital and revenue policy to avoid similar gaps in future years.

The council set a follow-up schedule: the council agreed to finalize related bookkeeping and to review the wastewater capital requests and the multi-year funding strategy during upcoming meetings.

The vote resets the town's wastewater budget and revenue plan for the coming fiscal year and starts a process to rebuild reserves strained by recent unanticipated operating costs.","Councilors approved a 34% increase in the town's sewer use fee after hearing plant operating costs jumped because of higher electricity and chemical bills; the vote also re-set wastewater revenues and expenditures for the coming year.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves grants and contributions; debate centers on Hope and Main meal program and armory support

Council reallocates policing dollars after staff find unspent highway safety funds; reduces overtime budget

Council approves increases to rescue stipends and fire department budget amid recruitment concerns

Warren council raises sewer fee after wastewater plant runs a $530,000 shortfall