Warren council rejects petition to abandon 6th Street paper road after neighbors and chiefs raise access concerns
Summary
After hours of testimony from abutters and residents, the Warren Town Council declined to abandon a paper road (6th Street). Public safety officials said the road is not primary access but may be useful as an alternative; abutters said they maintain and rely on the route for deliveries and access.
The Warren Town Council voted to reject a petition to abandon a short paper right-of-way known locally as 6th Street after neighbors described decades of use and maintenance and public-safety officials urged caution.
Petitioner Jim Goff explained safety and access concerns prompting his request, including a desire to formalize access to services. Dozens of neighbors and property owners testified across a lengthy public hearing: some said they maintain the paper road and rely on it for deliveries and yard access, while others described repeated complaints and cited an RV and parked vehicles that created friction.
Town solicitor Tony DeSisto and staff reviewed statutory requirements under Rhode Island General Laws §24-6-1: the council can abandon a public way if it determines the right-of-way has "ceased to be useful as a public way," in which case ownership typically reverts to adjoining owners along the centerline. Fire and police chiefs told the council they would not use 6th Street as primary access for emergency vehicles but acknowledged an alternative access could be useful in some circumstances.
After public comment and council discussion, including suggestions to remove or reposition 'no dumping' signs that had inflamed neighbors, Councilmember Derek Trombley moved to reject the abandonment petition. The motion passed by voice vote. Council also directed public works to relocate one 'no dumping' sign to face the public street and remove redundant signs.
Council members emphasized the hearing’s purpose was to weigh statutory criteria and community impacts rather than mediate neighbor disputes; several members urged neighbors to seek informal resolutions and, if needed, administrative measures such as limited permitting or short-term parking permits to manage conflicts.
