Town Manager Ralph provided a broad update on town projects and outreach, touching on school and public-safety bond projects, infrastructure work, community electricity planning and potential impacts from a continuing federal funding lapse on federal programs such as SNAP.

School and public-safety projects
Ralph said town staff continue to coordinate with the Peregrine Group on permitting and approvals for the middle school project; Stage 2 was under review with an expectation of a decision in December and stage-3 work continuing while awaiting Stage 2. A building advisory subcommittee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 5.

On the public-safety complex bond projects, Ralph said town staff held a public meeting that evening to present project schematics, a preliminary timeline, cost estimates and the land-acquisition steps for the Quonset site. He reported a current funding shortfall because estimates exceeded the bond amount. Next steps include soliciting a construction manager, undertaking a project labor-agreement analysis and discussing land-purchase or land-swap options with the council.

Infrastructure, programs and outreach
Ralph reported the municipal parking lot near the harbor is near completion with permanent striping, pavers and signage to be installed; a ribbon-cutting will be planned. The Wickford mini-roundabout remains on schedule; daytime work to finish roundabout stamping is expected Oct. 27–29 and business owners have been notified.

The town is preparing for a community electricity program (Ocean State Community Electricity Program) with a tentative North Kingstown launch in January 2026. Ralph said informational mailers will be sent to residents and multiple information sessions are scheduled: Nov. 12 (virtual, 6 p.m.), Nov. 19 (in-person, 6 p.m.), Dec. 3 (in-person, 6 p.m.) and Dec. 4 (senior center, 10 a.m.).

Other local meetings noted included a Wickford Advisory Committee short-term rental forum on Oct. 27 and a Climate Conversations “storm tools” workshop on Nov. 4 to demonstrate flood-projection tools; the manager provided a contact in his office for sponsorships and event coordination.

Revolution Wind and host-community agreements
Ralph said Revolution Wind has minimal on-site staff at present, with energization of Ryland Energy targeted for early November at the transmission tie-in and commercial energy delivery to customers anticipated in mid- to late 2026; that timing will trigger tax-plan and host-community-agreement processes.

Federal funding lapse and SNAP risk
Ralph reported that the governor’s office called a mandatory meeting for managers and mayors about potential SNAP disruptions if a federal shutdown continued to Nov. 1; the state warned the lack of immediate federal funding could affect SNAP benefits for up to 140,000 Rhode Islanders and that the state had “no solutions” at the time and was turning to cities and towns and community partners (food banks, senior centers) for assistance planning. Ralph said the town will monitor and coordinate locally. Councilors asked the food pantry representative about intake processes and contingency planning; the pantry said its eligibility is residence-based and that the pantry is working on contingency plans in case SNAP benefits are delayed.

Next steps
Ralph said the town will continue coordination with project teams on permitting, procurement and land steps for major capital projects and keep the council and public updated on the community electricity rollout and SNAP developments.