[{"_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",6477807,"mediaKeyId","5711247-171a3c9bdf7f6c30fcb8904bbfb711f7","parentId",5711247,"title","Votes at a glance: Sept. 2 Narragansett Town Council — grants, contracts and committee creations (all motions passed)","audioSeconds",7,"startMs",3495000,"endMs",3488000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711247-171a3c9bdf7f6c30fcb8904bbfb711f7&start=3495&end=3488","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711247-171a3c9bdf7f6c30fcb8904bbfb711f7/thumbnail_3495000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6477807/Narragansett/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Votes-at-a-glance-Sept-2-Narragansett-Town-Council-grants-contracts-and-committee-creations-all-motions-passed","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477807-2796329fc722b4f305be09ecb6f3d817/orig.mp4?Expires=1771005847&Signature=H69YSpx0v5TS4I9e30TR3RQuebwqGlQTbCTy7Y50gJI7mj6x7We3oh8Rhmy5O3cRavk0uksvbdj5AsZckcisYetBGx20jOMjH1GhTZVZk1kdehSfbQpno2kg8sjYQ0bEE-E5iEhIJmSveT~ZMHmXwWttOyUrgCBxGIAcNtMp92KJPYuxsfPK9ngE-6s0Him6yYwFM9MX15xkHjBCQH-FHWhLNzFYVi7jRxuXtn0dik~XxH6eiKzlCnRWxI7e1N~31owMtcSSB6w6LotREjB7viB4yGUqHtWck6DerHp42ppQve1a-ShL3GJPnfhsqKiTXxk-4UKilY1w79TCNjrX0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Narragansett","date","2025-09-03T13:00:34Z","article","At the Sept. 2 Narragansett Town Council meeting the council recorded a series of formal actions and votes. All recorded motions noted in the transcript passed unanimously (5‑0). Below are the motions, outcomes and key details recorded in the meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Waiver of interest for taxpayers (Ordinance section 70‑90) — Motion to approve (consent agenda). Outcome: passed 5‑0.

- Create ad hoc committee to evaluate and recommend a path for completing the bike path — Motion to create committee with members to be determined and returned for appointment at a subsequent meeting. Outcome: passed 5‑0. (See separate article for full discussion.)

- Introduce/read/accept as first reading an amendment to Chapter 26 (Fire Prevention and Protection), Article 3, Division 3 (Firefighters) — Motion to introduce and accept as first reading. Outcome: passed 5‑0. The amendment as discussed increases the size of the eligibility list from top 3 to top 5, raises maximum application age (from 31 to 35, as described in the meeting) and adjusts points in the candidate ranking to broaden recruitment without lowering qualifications; second reading required before final adoption.

- Accept reimbursable FEMA grant of $129,992.56 (Disaster 4766DR, damage 1381406) for Narragansett seawall and approve $43,330.85 in matching funds — Outcome: passed 5‑0.

- Accept Department of Justice National Criminal History Improvement Grant (DOJ) — Amount as read in the meeting: $2,020,287.00; no matching funds required. Outcome: passed 5‑0.

- Approve contract with Precision Concrete Cutting Inc. for sidewalk trip hazard removal (Fifth Ave, Rodman St, Towne Rhodes, Point Judith Road / State Road) — Amount: $22,094.38. Outcome: passed 5‑0.

- Refer request from Reading Room LLC (Plat D, Lot 53, 401 Ocean Road) for waiver of the Sewer Policy to the Sewer Policy Committee for review — Outcome: passed 5‑0 (referral).

- Award General Plumbing Services bid to Atlantic Control Systems, Inc. for a one‑year period ending 09/18/2026 at the quoted rates — Outcome: passed 5‑0.

- Approve contract with Synet Inc. for additional security cameras and one monitoring station at the Mori Luncheon Memorial Library — Amount: $25,950 (State MPA). Outcome: passed 5‑0.

- Reappoint two individuals to the Personnel Appeal Board for five‑year terms ending 09/01/2030 (names provided in the meeting). Outcome: passed 5‑0.

- Town Council president appointment to the alternate seat of the Historic District Commission (appointment of Eileen Gilroy) — President made the appointment during the meeting (appointment authority used; no separate roll call vote required in the transcript).

- Approve victualer and holiday license for Umi Poke Sushi LLC (140 Point Judith Road, Unit 11) subject to state and local regulations — Outcome: passed 5‑0.

Procedural notes: Several motions were moved and seconded without the mover/second named in the public transcript; vote tallies were recorded as unanimous (5‑0) for each item listed above. The fire‑department amendment passed first reading and requires a second reading before final adoption.

Provenance for each vote is drawn from the meeting transcript; excerpted lines where the motion and vote were recorded are listed in the provenance section below.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Narragansett Town Council - September 2, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Narragansett Town Council recorded unanimous votes (5‑0) on a slate of grants, contracts, a first reading of a fire‑department hiring ordinance amendment, and creation of an ad hoc bike‑path committee at its Sept. 2 meeting.","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},6477823,"Town manager says Scarborough wastewater plant overwhelmed in summer; 20-year plan submitted to DEM",242,536000,778000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711247-171a3c9bdf7f6c30fcb8904bbfb711f7&start=536&end=778","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711247-171a3c9bdf7f6c30fcb8904bbfb711f7/thumbnail_536000.jpg","/articles/6477823/Narragansett/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Town-manager-says-Scarborough-wastewater-plant-overwhelmed-in-summer-20-year-plan-submitted-to-DEM","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477823-cc618fee3fdfd8d45ed49cb49b04b68b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771005847&Signature=Ne41bSYzfr-W~~qeahgWaUSgfoO78KZ-Zc3d3Mhn0n0mWcBgo2NGCYSmeOaRHbSS6m9lrH4AeKyUQ2QdNziQ5089wMv~rfRPBcSEuXQ0uwEx-k9P6kC-3KVSLymk4j0blQ~0KGFwBLQJWpfggjXchXDGcTEnzcuy9bVLoZNixFa4vHDHiD9SvFj83A1gST67AnShOK18UQN3f3AFUji7OiE1qAj4BSdxP1tYpll7iwftJs4~HWkyWKDeuzRmurlHpJxjPPs0NGp5zFv32yswr84pHyfKEDUFwFdyBahnHF5OJ2wHki1gMP1d7NQPgwOXZkW-03XH2cGv~a3XVqEtTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the Narragansett Town Council meeting on Sept. 2, Town Manager Jim reported the town has submitted a facilities plan update for the Scarborough Wastewater Treatment Facility to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and expects to seek council adoption after DEM review.

The plan is a 20‑year facilities document intended to guide maintenance and upgrades for the plant, which serves the southern part of Narragansett near Scarborough Beach. \"The raw sewage is not released into the ocean,\" Town Manager Jim said, describing how the plant treats effluent and discharges it via an outfall about 2,000 feet offshore under an existing permit. He said the plant \"reliably meets and exceeds the permit requirements for 10 months out of the year approximately.\"

The manager told the council the plant cannot handle peak seasonal loads in July and August: \"It's estimated to be approximately a 120,000 extra gallons of solid waste and liquid waste per day during that period of time,\" he said, and that condition has compromised treatment performance and caused odors in nearby areas. He said aeration equipment was last replaced in 2019 and that short‑term deodorizing measures have been used while longer‑term improvements are prioritized.

Town staff said DEM has inspected the facility and requested continued short‑term odor control and improved record keeping. The manager said the town applied for a grant to cover the facility maintenance plan (dates as spoken in the meeting were given as \"October '2\" and awarded in \"January '3\") and that an RFP was issued, with a consultant onboard for more than two years working toward DEM approval and then council adoption of the plan.

The manager told the council the plant could not be fixed quickly and emphasized coordination with DEM. He also noted that, as the town wraps up the summer season, parking enforcement officers issued just over 4,700 parking tickets for the season.

Why it matters: The plant serves Narragansett's southern neighborhoods and Scarborough Beach; seasonal peak flows that exceed the plant's processing capacity affect local air quality and suggest infrastructure needs that could require capital projects and outside funding. The facilities plan would shape those decisions over the next two decades.

Council response and next steps: Councilors asked whether the recent higher flows represent a new trend or a longstanding problem; the manager said the issue has been ongoing but was worse this year. The manager said the town and DEM are communicating and that staff will present the DEM‑reviewed facilities plan for council adoption once DEM completes its review.

Clarifying details from the meeting: Estimated extra peak seasonal load: \"approximately a 120,000 extra gallons of solid waste and liquid waste per day\" (as stated by Town Manager Jim). Last facility plan update: February 2007 (as stated). Aeration equipment replacement: 2019 (as stated). Short‑term deodorizing measures in use; DEM inspection noted odor detection outside the plant gate and record‑keeping concerns. Grant application and consultant work: described in the meeting as an application made in \"October '2\", awarded in \"January '3\"; the transcript did not specify full four‑digit years for those statements.

Speakers quoted in this report spoke during the town manager update portion of the meeting. The town manager said the plant \"cannot handle\" the seasonal peak loads and that there is \"no quick fix.\"","At the Sept. 2 Narragansett Town Council meeting, Town Manager Jim told the council the Scarborough Wastewater Treatment Facility is exceeding its capacity during peak summer months, producing odors and prompting a submitted 20‑year facilities plan to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) for review.",{"_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},6477812,"Council creates ad hoc committee to complete bike path; members to be named at next meeting",1521,2415000,3936000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711247-171a3c9bdf7f6c30fcb8904bbfb711f7&start=2415&end=3936","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711247-171a3c9bdf7f6c30fcb8904bbfb711f7/thumbnail_2415000.jpg","/articles/6477812/Narragansett/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Council-creates-ad-hoc-committee-to-complete-bike-path-members-to-be-named-at-next-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477812-983c5780a0385085ca3b60254b25fd0f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771005847&Signature=Yqmit6X1dWCrFIAnfplng667FQi5ux52Fa2dlmhjbTdLjq2RCGY-R-Rx-LdEHgx--jz2BKvUckKhFrR3MbUPfkcx4ygIeDcFac39WgYlZKdPO7INp8~nbZzybFFR8PJTEDUmqiuRTckWMm2tYY1dZdgBXrH7eFcc6XMcF7YtSyK2IvIbPoIDqFyRUb1ABgbi7JOyKmzvT8kT8tqplFQYnOV1OqV9Niz4aupAhdIv21sO0qzG8qNOUJFkWnawdKH1z~kySNNVwoTo~NrfJqORUfK1fI3lqmU1anD5TD3pTAPVDcFzl7v8quC7~htEr-fHuAZxReD~fCYV-6rd0gTsCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On Sept. 2 the Narragansett Town Council voted 5‑0 to create an ad hoc committee to evaluate routes and make recommendations on how to complete the town's bike path. Councilor Donna Vignelli proposed the ad hoc committee to give residents who would be directly affected—Kanachit Farms, Wanda Street, and others—an opportunity to meet with staff, a planning board representative and community stakeholders and provide a nonbinding recommendation ahead of the council's work session and public workshop.

Councilors described the committee as an informal, non‑binding forum to foster dialogue rather than a decision‑making body. The council asked the named council representatives to solicit suggested participants and return to the council at the next meeting with a proposed membership list for formal appointment. The council also noted the October 6 workshop date as a scheduled forum for broader public comment.

Several residents and stakeholders spoke in favor of the committee during public comment. Kanachit Farms Homeowners Association representative Don Frederick thanked the council for the outreach and said the neighborhood had ideas to contribute. Councilor Deb Kopeck told councilors the state grant related to the bike path remains available—she cited a notice dated July 22, 2025 indicating the town could still access up to $3,000,000 through the next year and thereafter a possible $560,000 allocation—underscoring the timeline for action.

Proposed participants discussed in the meeting included a planning board member, community development staff, a Parks & Recreation representative, a member of the South County Museum, representatives from Kanachit Farms and Wanda Street neighborhoods, the Smiths (local advocates), MBX (a local bike shop), and the town engineer. Several councilors emphasized the list was illustrative and that the council member leading the ad hoc committee would consult with neighborhoods and bring formal names back for appointment and vote.

Why it matters: The bike path crosses multiple neighborhoods and property interests; choosing a route implicates grant eligibility, project cost and neighborhood impacts. Councilors stressed the town must move deliberately to meet grant timelines while soliciting neighborhood input.

Next steps: The council approved creating the ad hoc committee and authorized councilors McNally and Torialde (as identified in the meeting consensus) to spearhead outreach and return with named members for council approval at an upcoming meeting.","The Narragansett Town Council voted 5‑0 on Sept. 2 to create an ad hoc committee to study options for completing the bike path and to return with recommended members and a report; councilors stressed the move aims to preserve a state grant window and broaden neighborhood input ahead of an Oct. 6 workshop.",{"_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},6477818,"Residents voice opposition to recall and urge enforcement, data on student rentals",237,927000,1164000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711247-171a3c9bdf7f6c30fcb8904bbfb711f7&start=927&end=1164","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711247-171a3c9bdf7f6c30fcb8904bbfb711f7/thumbnail_927000.jpg","/articles/6477818/Narragansett/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Residents-voice-opposition-to-recall-and-urge-enforcement-data-on-student-rentals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477818-a183de451d13baac6eee108305d3fe9a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771005847&Signature=ewE7xggXHipQOuakRiikLsZslV~YTjsuuc25m6kvGfwwGigSeIv6iPzFWlWtBp~1OhR~atVtD-2~nX4WHpb6AytjaQf9y0ICZHmfvR03f5Sgr22iqpI7VqiQ5nIQGEhrheXT~P5c4tXl7AGkRFY4lNeFZ3yitQJ~n8baMmyLlVDAbS1knLweN1JsovyQiT2m9U0hvHc-tkqDsB3iL2~QlaMe3lO5vHMqDECcafzDjHg6-A4-AY-PlQ2r0SbT59eChUAJkmp5PLT6QuBdp~P-MgMDK2UQHldWdGVn4TPS08w8LA4NNSrKKp8u~wKhFVKxrrFM4pKKA0gagkf-~hPkIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the Sept. 2 open forum, a string of residents addressed a recall petition and related concerns about student housing enforcement, infrastructure capacity and transparency.

Neil Patrick, a resident of Elm Avenue, argued the town charter allows recalls but that recalls should be rare. \"If we started recalling leaders every time we disagree, no council would ever have the stability to plan for the future,\" he said, adding that recalls cost staff time and taxpayer money and divide neighbors.

Several other residents tied the recall discussion to the town's handling of student rentals and the so‑called \"three‑student ordinance.\" Carl Valentine (referred to in the meeting as Carl Valentine/Valenstein) told the council he would provide an opinion from a lawyer to the town solicitor and asked the solicitor to clarify the continuing legality of the three‑student ordinances. \"We really need to do this before you consider abandoning the 3 student ordinance,\" he said, urging the council to provide data on the number and ownership of academic rentals and bedroom counts.

John Hanley contradicted a council clarification about state law and the local ordinance: he said the statement made at a prior meeting mischaracterized state law and that the council's ordinance is the locally adopted limit that aligns with state law's allowable range.

Other speakers offered a range of viewpoints: Elizabeth Pacole thanked the council for repaving Elm Avenue; Dr. Al Alba urged caution and reminded the council of long‑standing sewer capacity concerns and the potential nine‑figure cost of fixes as referenced in public comment; Michelle Cotroneo and others criticized organizers of the recall and raised questions about who funds and leads the effort; Paul Zahnfrillo defended the right to use recall as a lawful, democratic tool; Joseph Volpe, a long‑time resident and fireman, urged civility and said he supports the council's dialogue efforts but warned constant attacks make governance harder.

Why it matters: The comments link the recall effort to broader local policy debates—short‑term and student rentals enforcement, infrastructure (notably sewer capacity), and transparency—issues that affect municipal operations, taxpayer expense and neighborhood character.

Clarifying points recorded in the meeting: the town charter permits recalls (as stated by speakers); a town solicitor was asked to provide a legal opinion on the status of the three‑student ordinances; residents asked for data on numbers of academic rentals, ownership (resident vs. investor), and bedroom counts; multiple speakers linked the housing discussion to wastewater capacity concerns raised earlier in the meeting.

No formal action on the recall or the student ordinances was taken at the Sept. 2 meeting; public comment speakers were heard under the council's open‑forum rules.","During open forum at the Sept. 2 Narragansett Town Council meeting, multiple residents spoke against a recall effort and urged the council to prioritize enforcement and data collection on student housing and sewer capacity, warning that recalls are divisive and costly.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Sept. 2 Narragansett Town Council — grants, contracts and committee creations (all motions passed)

Town manager says Scarborough wastewater plant overwhelmed in summer; 20-year plan submitted to DEM

Council creates ad hoc committee to complete bike path; members to be named at next meeting

Residents voice opposition to recall and urge enforcement, data on student rentals