The Tiverton Public Library announced plans on Oct. 14 to begin construction of an ADA-accessible outdoor pathway that will loop from its front sidewalk around to the East Lawn. Library trustees reported the project is fully funded by a combination of foundation grants and private donations.

Library Director reported grant awards of $50,000 from the Champlin Foundation and $50,000 from the Van Buren Charitable Foundation. The library also received a $6,000 gift from Tyrone Power and a $5,000 gift from the John Clark Trust, bringing the total noted in remarks to $111,000. The trustees completed a bid process and planned to consider awarding a construction contract at their next regular meeting. The library said the new path grew from earlier outdoor programming and a successful story-walk initiative. Consultants and local landscape architects provided concept design and grant-writing support.

Separately, the Economic Development Committee chair described a new "Welcome to Tiverton" certificate and gift program to present to new businesses. The EDC had identified nine new businesses so far in the year and asked the council to sign ceremonial certificates and identify a town location where certificates can be left for pickup. The EDC chair also described using grant funds to install an electrical outlet at the Middle Avenue gazebo using a $5,000 grant to avoid running power cords across neighbors' yards for holiday lighting.

EDC members raised an operational concern: the town does not always get advance notice when new businesses open, in part because licensing pathways differ by business type. The town solicitor advised that some municipalities pursue special legislation establishing a local mandatory business registration, but that requires state authorization. The solicitor suggested the Newport Chamber could be a resource for tracking and prospective outreach.

The council thanked the library and the EDC for the updates and asked staff to coordinate signage and the gazebo work. Library and EDC leaders said the pathway will enable outdoor programming and is expected to be in use by late fall or winter, subject to contractor scheduling and approvals.