[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6611497,"mediaKeyId","2894003-bc676799c564f815bef14a1368654c46","parentId",2894003,"title","Council approves contracts, appointments and routine permits; affirms sewer waiver","audioSeconds",196,"startMs",11716000,"endMs",11912000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2894003-bc676799c564f815bef14a1368654c46&start=11716&end=11912","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2894003-bc676799c564f815bef14a1368654c46/thumbnail_11716000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6611497/Narragansett/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Council-approves-contracts-appointments-and-routine-permits-affirms-sewer-waiver","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6611497-5f70b8cae1267f4433395f7ace9a60b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440037&Signature=SzSNsGPRnZmDWN36-FXnN7rm4YKx7IqvJ3bnomMB50D73G39TGtFbgIBrFNHp~9HRp2CUsHT0vJguxSws0Z19N9Tyn7MYtC0314w-S5WTqc9mHGNedcLTl4QaHxeHExeWn8G3ecu343lflzWkWQsr8fcucqqdA~dfZrJ14gxvIldoXXmIS1z4qNl5CKAr4Tn-x-N0hU0HQP5OswQbqsqpRogtY9gu0up8i3Zlk0eqZbe6-Q8Z97RyAEHnHL28McH3vFLpqtGPwwAk8FLcp47u2Pf6fiDmpPpqtkgqCLcrANipZUVFuOdgvaLaJWIz6bNj0S-FaaN21BDVZRbDI0mWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Narragansett","date","2025-04-08T04:01:25.37Z","article","The Narragansett Town Council took a series of routine administrative actions at its April 7 meeting, awarding low-bid contracts, confirming appointments and licenses, and affirming a sewer-policy waiver for a revised development plan.

Major contract awards and procurements: The council awarded the seasonal trash-receptacle removal contract to Joe Harvey Landscaping LLC (the low bidder), and awarded wastewater laboratory analysis to Rhode Island Analytical Laboratories, Inc., for one year, and a one-year HVAC services contract to JMB Mechanical, Inc., per the finance and public-works departments' recommendations. Councilors noted the awards followed the town's low-bid procurement policy.

Sewer policy waiver: The council affirmed a sewer-policy waiver previously granted on Nov. 20, 2023, for Plat 5 Lot 4649 (Point Judith Road) after the applicant revised a proposed development down in density (from eight units to six) and reduced the number of deed-restricted affordable units. Engineering staff told the council that the project connects to the Scarborough plant and that capacity was not an obstacle for the revised plan; the council voted to affirm the waiver.

Appointments, licenses and other actions: The council confirmed multiple appointments including Melissa Jenkins to the Economic Development Committee and affirmed the Planning Board's recommendation to appoint Stephen DeSimone to the Land Conservancy Trust; it approved victualler and holiday licenses for new businesses and a private-detective license. The council also scheduled a public hearing acting as the Urban Renewal Board for a limited class B license for the Narragansett Casino, setting the hearing for May 19, 2025.

Why it matters: These routine approvals keep municipal services running, confirm volunteer leadership for town boards and ensure businesses and projects comply with procurement, licensing and sewer policy rules.

Votes at a glance: The council recorded unanimous (4-0) votes on the contract awards, license approvals and the sewer-waiver affirmation during the meeting; some items were moved and seconded on the consent agenda and passed without extended discussion.

What the town said: The town's engineering, public works and finance directors presented the procurement evaluations and recommended the lowest responsive bidders. Councilors said they reviewed the bids and supported awarding contracts that preserved town resources.

Next steps: Departments will execute contracts, schedule work and report results; applicants with affirmed waivers and licenses may proceed under applicable permit and inspection processes as required.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Narragansett Town Council - April 7, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the April 7 meeting the council approved a slate of low-bid contracts for town services, confirmed appointments and licenses, and affirmed a sewer-policy waiver for a revised development; motions passed by unanimous votes where recorded.","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},6611501,"Council continues Boone Street Market liquor-license review to July 21 after months of neighborhood complaints and owner's mitigation plan",5856,3600000,9456000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2894003-bc676799c564f815bef14a1368654c46&start=3600&end=9456","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2894003-bc676799c564f815bef14a1368654c46/thumbnail_3600000.jpg","/articles/6611501/Narragansett/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Council-continues-Boone-Street-Market-liquor-license-review-to-July-21-after-months-of-neighborhood-complaints-and-owners-mitigation-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6611501-e492b2ef74d01355b4d57d8c308dbd86/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440037&Signature=DA9~7j7wOOAJbNqyKPlH515Y2WNzfv6dbxiw-kkQLVmgzlDHyKkHr4jkqlkeXZ0uf80qzrqst-w9mjj9BOo2iNTjOo2-izu2-4GkiGqUDFRcAZk7bfHrW6nOXbk4kHCVXuxkUR17zTdmfN~zbwx3ht3t~dy4pKZ5ffcKHg4087qP~RgDZ2muMBWtNtEe9exCIdUOUvAzHvhAaDSWrMleR4tSp8vfGqoeJ5iBSdKw7~vF9uW4vCHehAEkRqlZ8ITXKQbiTZBFzn4zQ7Y85Q0hj4PosteXsSlYygikd1nTD8r5Ga4Tl1EYMH4jKyQ5VWbaul-WF771iRcsW2UQ2RIEAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Narragansett Town Council on April 7 continued its four-month review of the class B victualler alcoholic beverage license for Boone Street Market, 145 Boone Street, setting a follow-up public hearing for July 21. The council's decision keeps in place the conditions the council adopted in December: outdoor live music to cease at 9 p.m., all outdoor music to stop by 11 p.m., and the license's existing serving hours (up to 1 a.m.) maintained pending the July review.

Owner Lindsay Holmes told the council she has pursued a multi-step mitigation plan since the December hearing, including evaluating sound-dampening panels, contracting an engineering firm and a pergola manufacturer, and engaging Jensen & Hughes for code compliance review. Holmes said an early plan to affix acoustic panels to a stockade fence would only reduce sound by about 5 percent, and the team changed course to design a freestanding pergola structure whose posts could support acoustic baffles and provide more effective sound reduction. Holmes said engineering reviews confirmed the building soffit could carry the pergola's load and that she has a Class 1 property survey and site-specific drawings under review by town officials.

Police and enforcement data: Town officials said the police department reviewed calls since the December hearing and found no nuisance complaints linked to the establishment in the review period; Chief Raikes reported one noise call that was unsubstantiated. Holmes said her staff uses a NoiseAware monitor that alerts management to elevated decibel readings so they can respond and deescalate; town officials said the police rely on calibrated departmental monitors when enforcing noise ordinances.

Resident concerns: Neighbors who spoke urged stricter limits. Mark Crook, 161 Boone Street, and David Bird, 23 Perkins Ave., said pergolas and baffles would not eliminate crowd noise or post-closing disturbances and asked the council to consider reduced hours. Multiple residents described recurrent summertime disturbances last year and questioned whether proposed measures would be effective once warmer weather draws larger outdoor crowds.

Council action and rationale: Council President Menzies said councilors would give the market time to implement the mitigation measures but emphasized the council will revisit hours and enforcement at the July 21 review if residents report continued disturbances. The council voted 4-0 to continue the license review to July 21 and asked the owner and town staff to document progress on permits, sound mitigation and any police details; Town Manager Jim Tierney said staff will update the council on permit status and inspections.

What to expect next: Holmes said a number of vendors and consultants are under contract and material procurement is underway; she asked the council and neighbors for the chance to complete permitting and construction. Neighbors said they want a convened meeting between resident representatives and market management to seek local solutions before the July review; councilors encouraged the parties to meet and asked staff to facilitate.

Outcome: License remains active under the December conditions; the council will reassess in July with attention to summer operational impacts, police data and the status of the pergola/sound-damping permits.","Following a four-month review, the council left Boone Street Market's class B victualler license in place with conditions set at the December hearing, and scheduled a follow-up review for July 21; owner Lindsay Holmes outlined plans for a pergola and sound dampening while residents pushed for hour reductions.",{"_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},6611507,"Council schedules first public hearing on 14 proposed zoning amendments after residents urge pause",7659,1849000,9508000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2894003-bc676799c564f815bef14a1368654c46&start=1849&end=9508","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2894003-bc676799c564f815bef14a1368654c46/thumbnail_1849000.jpg","/articles/6611507/Narragansett/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Council-schedules-first-public-hearing-on-14-proposed-zoning-amendments-after-residents-urge-pause","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6611507-6befb20f3575b138e488760553add535/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440037&Signature=ah1XgE5gObwo9UsEU~txE7AYfg956FnlItB7r9dtP3obK7IC1v3TakS-8KpWiF3YwdGwTPXH8onomKYYQy8ZMTPw1Ey7Xg3J5xEcAX-2ct6a1y4X1gU0FMK4Js4XZ75xYpUGp~Ca7XcrZc4bCg~1XJ034wUgHZ61KK9jb1JC9~SVXi9L49Ruy51swEUXdTRvakk65QAK5bnQvyXaGxpcbTmpObtb7GIrlGYN0qwHmsGBWAhpqQDuME9OJYCgSQDHFRvYaqsqldHFhEpyiMfKqem7lk1Lx3iS3mrmPd7kM35HQTnzqt4oxJWXjGmFRpgp7eqq6ALJTXkzUzl~5sweKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Narragansett Town Council scheduled a May 5 public hearing to begin review of 14 proposed amendments to Appendix A (zoning) that were referred to the Planning Board on March 3, the council announced at its April 7 meeting.

The referral triggered a 65-day public-hearing scheduling requirement under Rhode Island law that the council said it was meeting. Councilors clarified the hearing will open May 5 and that the council can continue hearings as needed; each amendment can be considered and voted on individually after the Planning Board's recommendations are reviewed.

Resident opposition and concerns: Dozens of residents who addressed the council during open forum urged the council to withdraw or substantially revise the package before a hearing. Gail Scowcroft, 19 Prospect Ave., said the proposals would \"gut our zoning laws,\" allow duplexes and larger homes on small lots, push buildings to within 5 feet of neighboring houses and eliminate parking regulations. She asked the council to \"listen to\" the Planning Board's recommendations and stop what she called an \"egregious train\" of changes.

Other residents highlighted infrastructure and character impacts: speakers cited capacity limits in the North End wastewater system, the town's dependence on water purchases from neighboring communities, and the prospect of thousands more students and renters if student-occupancy limits are raised from three to five. Roger Gaddoz and Carolyn Petrucelli said the package represents a broad, wholesale rewrite that could change residential neighborhoods and favor investors.

Why it matters: The package includes proposals that would alter floor-area-ratio rules, setback requirements, allowable building heights, and rules on unrelated occupants and student limits in dwellings. Supporters of the Planning Board cautioned the changes could increase housing density and strain municipal services; opponents said they would alter the town's character and make affordable housing less attainable.

Process notes and next steps: The council confirmed each of the 14 items will be discussed in hearings; councilors and the town solicitor noted the public hearing process can span multiple meetings. Council President Menzies said the May 5 hearing is the start of the public process and reiterated that the Planning Board's recommendations will be considered. He encouraged residents to participate during the scheduled hearings.

Council action: The council voted to schedule the May 5 public hearing on the zoning amendments (motion carried 4-0). The council earlier referred the package to the Planning Board for review on March 3; the Planning Board held special sessions to analyze the proposals and provided public feedback.","The council set a May 5 public hearing to begin review of 14 zoning amendments referred to the Planning Board March 3; residents urged the council to pause or pull proposals, saying the changes would allow taller, denser homes, increase student rentals and strain sewer and water systems.",{"_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},6611512,"Narragansett council hears town manager's FY2025-26 budget pitch proposing 4% levy increase, work sessions set",453,2826000,3279000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2894003-bc676799c564f815bef14a1368654c46&start=2826&end=3279","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2894003-bc676799c564f815bef14a1368654c46/thumbnail_2826000.jpg","/articles/6611512/Narragansett/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Narragansett-council-hears-town-managers-FY2025-26-budget-pitch-proposing-4-levy-increase-work-sessions-set","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6611512-baa149319f62a07389f96550726b9648/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440037&Signature=NCV798QjBiTDyziX~UG~Y3yJl~M~nWOv58HU6v-hJPXqDO1Siw3GyNS0fI5~MTBNUl9PuOcRe9OkymiNlolN~NcbfAk0wu760VlxRoMJBFq1S7c6wrhmbiBNHgOrFmdd1jQi1EdW1WoDI-mW2pknHcn9KeLqa9pVmte0MA1qS3R6QA7QN0oxrL-U27HP~TfcFtVtkVCAmTDD6sC6WCnCtbpnwCAjgME6ExaXXuAz4Fuo~u3CGT8GcvHGe9NPPGMBdzBQ~4W2KP9j86ayuuHPgO2A~Cp~EOrgE7dibTXyxNX3pjt6YAeWcIGleG8xur2A2K5fi50y~3ZzBZr3Zp2HYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town Manager Jim Tierney presented the town's proposed fiscal 2025-26 general fund budget at the April 7 Narragansett Town Council meeting, saying the plan relies on a 4% tax-levy increase and would set the proposed residential tax rate at $6.79 per $1,000 of assessed value.

Tierney said the 4% levy increase represents about $2.4 million in additional revenue and would translate to roughly a $178 annual increase for an average home assessed at $742,000. He told the council the town's unassigned fund balance was $15 million, or about 22.3 percent, as of 6/30/24 and that the draft budget anticipates using about $2.283 million of reserves in 2026 to absorb higher personnel and utility costs.

The presentation focused on the general fund, which Tierney said is primarily tax-supported; he said the school transfer accounts for about 40 percent of the budget and salaries and benefits about 38 percent. Tierney said he trimmed the capital improvement plan to $2.291 million from departments' requests of roughly $5.3 million and reduced the town's operating budget by about $333,000.

Why it matters: The draft budget sets the overall spending and levy direction for the year and determines department allocations, capital projects and the tax burden on year-round residents. The council must adopt a final budget in June after public hearings and work sessions.

Tierney noted other revenue risks to watch: outstanding state aid amounts, proposed state legislation affecting local meal-and-beverage revenue and veteran property exemptions, and the town's limited ability to issue unbudgeted debt without specific appropriation. He also flagged rental-registration and short-term-rental policy issues that will be addressed in upcoming work sessions.

Council work plan and next steps: The council scheduled budget work sessions for April 15 and additional dates to review department requests, capital projects and potential debt. Tierney and Council President Menzies urged residents to attend the sessions and to submit questions in advance. The council held a public hearing April 7 and closed that hearing; a second public hearing was announced for May 5, with first and final readings set on the council calendar in May and June.

Reactions from officials and the public: Menzies praised the comprehensive presentation and encouraged community participation in the work sessions. Dr. Al Alba, a resident, asked the town to study the potential costs and financing options if the town's wastewater infrastructure requires major repairs in future years and suggested examining surcharges for short-term rentals as a resilience fund.

What the budget would change now: The draft proposes a higher tax levy to avoid deeper draws on reserves in later years; Tierney's forecasts illustrated how a lower levy growth rate would increase fund-balance use over time.

The council will continue department-by-department budget review in the April work sessions and revisit revenues and capital needs before a final vote in June.","Town Manager Jim Tierney presented a proposed $2025-26 general fund budget that relies on a 4% tax-levy increase, a proposed residential rate of $6.79 per $1,000, and reductions to the capital plan; council scheduled follow-up work sessions and a second public hearing.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves contracts, appointments and routine permits; affirms sewer waiver

Council continues Boone Street Market liquor-license review to July 21 after months of neighborhood complaints and owner's mitigation plan

Council schedules first public hearing on 14 proposed zoning amendments after residents urge pause

Narragansett council hears town manager's FY2025-26 budget pitch proposing 4% levy increase, work sessions set