[{"_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",6088285,"mediaKeyId","2884699-ad66bb705df28b7b46249f996f361224","parentId",2884699,"title","New Shoreham manager releases FY2026 draft budget; council schedules review sessions","audioSeconds",307,"startMs",7265000,"endMs",7572000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2884699-ad66bb705df28b7b46249f996f361224&start=7265&end=7572","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2884699-ad66bb705df28b7b46249f996f361224/thumbnail_7265000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6088285/New-Shoreham/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/New-Shoreham-manager-releases-FY2026-draft-budget-council-schedules-review-sessions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6088285-d38938b87be634e4ba74a188ebbd317b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161129&Signature=eL-hrHgHpwVttq1vHpUV2oO9LV9KItr4NDl5~wWSRlVWuiHpkFVSS8tGX1GP~SpLX~BM58rayZympAIAaRxAIZ7H2BceorUH8JIN8SOUpeQCfMB0sDsqLIBsotA4OeWg7Di7sbtJiLrtJc8UZZSl4rmJwHp63MbaiwZbE1Offv5xrq05sN4nA7mKpx2WAgdFc5ENsfb6Oz3~GII-X0Mep-mD0LCKRiQiQAcU3Lcq6f8pTZk7~Fd1~EyGR9zcdV6ZK~Nru2yef4A5wgBVh0jOBJgEZIgDHwv-f5WsRy2k1HvHG-VO8ASDawspY7yL4f67F~zXFgM2DzIkXUt5PHL5ew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of New Shoreham","date","2025-03-19T00:00:00Z","article","Town Manager Amy presented the town’s proposed fiscal year 2026 general fund operating and capital budget to the New Shoreham Town Council on Wednesday, disclosing a total package of $20,109,124 — a 5.1% increase over the current year and a proposed tax-levy increase of 3.75%.

Amy said the largest component of the increase is additional support for Block Island School and the second year of agreed job-classification and step-and-scale adjustments for town employees. The draft also restores incremental capital funding after several years of constrained capital investment and includes price increases for several maintenance and service contracts.

The town manager said the budget and supporting narratives are available on ClerkBase and that printed copies were provided to councilors. The council scheduled two budget work sessions next week: department expenditure reviews on the afternoon of March 26 and a community-support discussion in the evening on March 27 focused on health services, fire and rescue and other community partners. The council also set public hearings for April 2 (4 p.m.) and April 3 (7 p.m.), with final adoption targeted for April 9 and warrant adoption by April 23 ahead of the Financial Town Meeting on May 5.

Amy highlighted revenue trends: through February year-to-date hotel tax receipts were down about 9.2% from the prior year, cottage-tax (third-party short-term rental platforms) revenue was up about 26%, and meals tax was up roughly 7.3%. Staff noted that third-party platforms can produce faster and more accurate reporting for cottage/tour-provider tax collections.

Councilors and staff outlined the review and public-engagement schedule for budget hearings and invited residents and community groups to submit requests or comments to the town clerk so the council and staff can incorporate feedback in the review process.

The council will return to detailed budget review at the scheduled work sessions and will consider any warrant items and requests for town meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","New Shoreham Town Council 3/19/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Town Manager Amy presented the town’s proposed FY2026 operating and capital budget totaling $20.1 million, a 5.1% increase year over year and a 3.75% proposed tax-levy increase; the council scheduled work sessions and public hearings ahead of adoption.","taxTitle","New Shoreham, Washington County, Rhode Island","taxId",79696,"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},6088290,"Council grants five-month extension for Harborside construction-area storage; applicant adds screening and a “coming soon” banner",615,6641000,7256000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2884699-ad66bb705df28b7b46249f996f361224&start=6641&end=7256","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2884699-ad66bb705df28b7b46249f996f361224/thumbnail_6641000.jpg","/articles/6088290/New-Shoreham/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Council-grants-five-month-extension-for-Harborside-construction-area-storage-applicant-adds-screening-and-a-coming-soon-banner","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6088290-6f77f980fd67928a5aa8e2447e01961f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161129&Signature=WIF-Mp-iqEKSX0EcWB~lQK4XBpdS1gZbWnKlfm74c3kIwpcB~b8qL0tXnap31-9ZyPGz~aPxfKpk~PJwJFW065E2bZXuY-oPvV-aViDjfcvt5N58HvVVz8XMrJeM~W4uXdkYEflO8kNPg2MLjwff0e56OwzKYFaBzYqO0RxPb2gAgxTKJ4kXh8EhezHJwv8G5Kwl4p7N5b1p3TWWlCwSIzLD8iBO81p~Ly9uT-R35gwCOeZxTkONW9mT9bxezZ7hA34B8mMSygUv081x5l3iBpeYLGTAwc2RC9qc6K2pOx3-oqdzkikVtzqRz6IRdbA3eKEfgTpzl3jQTE7elTL5bg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The New Shoreham Town Council on Wednesday granted a five-month extension to VVO Real Estate Holding LLC for a special temporary storage permit at the Harborside Hotel lot, the site of the 2024 fire that destroyed the hotel.

Attorney Josh Parks, representing VVO, told the council that construction drawings are out to bid and that stage-one foundation work is being quoted by contractors. Parks said the project team hopes to break ground in spring but could not commit to a firm start date because of ongoing bidding, weather and supply factors. \"Ground hasn't broken yet,\" Parks said.

Parks said the applicant had previously installed a white-panel fence and added posts to reduce gaps; he described the design as a wind‑tolerant solution. He also said the company has commissioned a large “coming soon” graphic showing an artist’s rendering of the redeveloped Harborside to be placed on the Water Street side of the site. Parks said the company prefers a banner but is open to alternatives suggested by councilors.

Resident Mark Maguire supported the concept of an image or placard but suggested a more permanent sign rather than a banner to reduce wind damage and present a tidier appearance.

One councilor said they opposed extending the permit and explained a \"no\" vote was based on a view that the temporary screening and site management had not been handled well in the past; the speaker did not object to the reconstruction itself but declined to support further temporary-permit extensions without a stronger record of site control. Despite that dissent, the council approved the requested extension by voice vote.

Parks requested the full five months so the applicant would not have to return monthly; the council granted the extension with the understanding that the applicant will continue to refine screening and consider a more permanent sign if appropriate. The council also recorded that the site will be reviewed again if construction milestones change.

The council directed planning and building staff to coordinate permit conditions and to confirm whether a banner that remains in place beyond an event requires a separate sign permit.","VVO Real Estate Holding LLC received a five-month extension for a special temporary storage permit at the Harborside Hotel site, after the company described construction progress and added screening and a promotional banner; one councilor recorded a dissenting vote in discussion before the final voice vote approved the extension.",{"_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},6088297,"New Shoreham council closes public hearing, schedules work session on tents, trailers and shipping-container rules",772,3908000,4680000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2884699-ad66bb705df28b7b46249f996f361224&start=3908&end=4680","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2884699-ad66bb705df28b7b46249f996f361224/thumbnail_3908000.jpg","/articles/6088297/New-Shoreham/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/New-Shoreham-council-closes-public-hearing-schedules-work-session-on-tents-trailers-and-shipping-container-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6088297-d969f5cec713fcb21142295fe131be30/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161129&Signature=hlhDbrgc9jcC7obI6IwOfjuoAz3EcpIOHVdb2wnju507vmlHI~OZN92~f~q83yvlY8uwsoN32oMrVg08xeT06UJlUnTF~wPMdPuoQ7hZHXrmM6pOlTFHodNqM6wqRn5RrfZgUbuRsXUr8ouwoI4lg5VmUGoglhYzQV~5zNLBGmMGlENw5~-9ft5y79CR4PEI76odeUtcWt1ffkn0xROOfJg9rSeqACtXvg1NqKYQw4InYMz-GSG08y9Te61KMeJNZSanp7C7ha7mVCuLax~oIr4kSIEuHkecrFodAJLzcvXncagBGb3Km6v--7ZBn1U37D1jtlwbqddhF5ZWdnPdjg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The New Shoreham Town Council closed a continued public hearing on proposed amendments to Article 1, section 1-11 (general prohibitions) — the draft that would restrict certain tents, temporary structures and shipping containers — and directed staff and councilors to pursue additional study and a work session before adopting any changes.

Councilors and members of the public spent more than an hour debating three central issues: whether limited exemptions are appropriate for weather-protection canopies and temporary structures used by businesses; whether abandoned or persistent storage containers should be banned or allowed under a permitting path; and how the town will treat existing tents and containers if the ordinance changes (the “grandfathering” question).

Planning staff and the town solicitor told the council that zoning law generally allows existing uses to remain nonconforming when an ordinance changes, but that nuisance provisions present an exception: elements declared nuisances in a new ordinance may not be entitled to grandfathering. Councilors noted that the proposed section 1-11 reads as a nuisance ordinance and that would limit grandfathering for items the council deems to be nuisances.

Several business owners and residents spoke. Supporters of stricter rules cited the visual impact on the historic downtown after the Harborside Hotel fire and argued the town should protect the historic character of the district. Others — including some who currently use storage containers for work or renovation projects — urged the council to create a special-permit path or time limits so the containers can be used legally for reconstruction or temporary storage.

Councilors also raised enforcement concerns: town staff said capacity to enforce a broad prohibition is limited and that the council should expect implementation challenges if the ordinance is tightened without additional enforcement resources. Several councilors suggested that rather than immediately adopting wide prohibitions, the council should identify specific problem locations and craft narrower rules or permitting pathways.

After debate the council chose not to adopt the draft ordinance at this meeting. Instead, members voted to close the public hearing and to schedule a council work session and additional outreach so the planning board can revise the draft with clearer direction from the council. The council noted that substantive changes will likely require re-advertising and a new public hearing if the planning board re-drafts the ordinance.

The meeting record shows no final vote to ban or permit tents, trailers or containers; the matter remains under study and will return to the council for further deliberation after the planned work session and possible planning-board review.","After extended debate about enforcement, grandfathering and community character, the New Shoreham Town Council closed a continued public hearing on proposed ordinance changes for tents, trailers and shipping containers and directed further study and a work session with planning staff.",{"_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},6088302,"New Shoreham council grants relief and issues liquor license to Weatherby’s operator",1336,2250000,3586000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2884699-ad66bb705df28b7b46249f996f361224&start=2250&end=3586","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2884699-ad66bb705df28b7b46249f996f361224/thumbnail_2250000.jpg","/articles/6088302/New-Shoreham/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/New-Shoreham-council-grants-relief-and-issues-liquor-license-to-Weatherbys-operator","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6088302-a13392ac5ce0a53e477418a2c25e41a9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161129&Signature=F441xOoEav9YObPcIDQJWJvm~DxYhBgsF6pki6UaUMsF5~PVWokWuAZezjDlM4TY-UdJ1QSy-lLxKw~ho6MvLofrOY~-0NfFpnfrRVy2d2y2TTpADyB~Q5xeeQQKFRs3M5WjIQBP4RA03lYxm77IVelPl3OueXzRQfl-ltf~OnWiLk9VvUHCn2ZEWTGLgUZm90b1oYL1I8oVzKiaZJuFyDD68gNocpwJgXlRj9za3wr6CQawFzjuCT1RF2~N6m~CilMtNXa45WiZwT3AkrFuoMQO3oCsQ-HBdiOGqvY8R7nCFGnH~IueDRuy-9XL3Yc0JwwComAgsDUivVIZBBzRoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The New Shoreham Town Council on Wednesday voted to grant an out-of-cycle relief request for On Island Entertainment, doing business as Weatherby’s, and then approved a Class B/V liquor license for the business after a public hearing.

The applicant asked the council to waive a timing restriction in the town’s liquor-license rules so the operator could open outside the usual two-week application window. The council approved that relief by voice vote, then convened a public hearing on the license application and took public comment before taking the final licensing vote.

In the hearing, applicant Chris Willie described the planned operation as a year-round restaurant focused on pizza, grinders and other quick, affordable fare. “This is gonna be a restaurant that serves alcohol, not a bar that serves chips,” Willie said. He said the venue would operate seven days a week for lunch and dinner and that the group plans to close by 11 p.m. and avoid outdoor music.

Several nearby residents spoke during the public hearing. Jeffrey Bloom, who said he lives directly across from the property, told the council he had seen beer bottles and cans on neighboring properties in the past and urged careful attention to trash and noise. Resident John Cullen said past bars at that location produced traffic, late-night groups and difficulty sleeping with windows open; he said police response had been helpful when called. Both speakers expressed conditional support for a restaurant model if the operator enforces outdoor behavior and coordinates with neighbors and police.

Council members asked whether the town could limit alcohol-service hours on the license. Town staff said state law allows service until 1 a.m. on a B/V license but that the municipality can adopt time limits if it has a rational basis and is prepared to defend the restriction; the applicant said his plan was to close by 11 p.m.

After the hearing the council voted to approve the Class B/V license. The council recorded the decision by voice vote; members who opposed or abstained were not recorded on a roll call. The license was granted with no additional conditions recorded in the public minutes.

The council’s action followed its review of the relief criteria in the New Shoreham liquor-license rules and regulations; staff told the council relief is granted when applicants show noncompliance was inadvertent or excusable and when relief will benefit the community at large.

The operator and councilors emphasized ongoing communication: the applicant said he plans to work with neighbors on contact information and to use the same property-management and trash-protocols employed at his other seasonal operation. Residents said they want a reliable mechanism for reporting problems and follow-up at license-renewal time if issues continue.

No written conditions were shown in the meeting record; enforcement would follow existing town processes if complaints arise.","The New Shoreham Town Council granted an out-of-cycle relief request for On Island Entertainment (doing business as Weatherby’s) and later approved a Class B/V liquor license after a public hearing in which neighbors raised noise and litter concerns.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

New Shoreham manager releases FY2026 draft budget; council schedules review sessions

Council grants five-month extension for Harborside construction-area storage; applicant adds screening and a “coming soon” banner

New Shoreham council closes public hearing, schedules work session on tents, trailers and shipping-container rules

New Shoreham council grants relief and issues liquor license to Weatherby’s operator