[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6084318,"mediaKeyId","2917756-0364f91608578f1d8bcc5c9885454925","parentId",2917756,"title","Consultant presents refined plan for Potter Hill dam; council hears details on fishway, wells and timeline","audioSeconds",3010,"startMs",2650000,"endMs",5660000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2917756-0364f91608578f1d8bcc5c9885454925&start=2650&end=5660","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2917756-0364f91608578f1d8bcc5c9885454925/thumbnail_2650000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6084318/Westerly/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Consultant-presents-refined-plan-for-Potter-Hill-dam-council-hears-details-on-fishway-wells-and-timeline","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6084318-a05f545c44894867cf0127c5dc6d6d9a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770612671&Signature=LotVdP8PSd3H5I4dCF3TmotfGJX2D0iSg9WHsmZ6EnLKwQfRkJritdlom6nJSR~oWFdtTg4xqqFDGAcHBGiqjEqn-ZkJFftyHVmX4ieKH~cm4rxwjX~lVxnBaIGaLho-oLADDt13qcwUWh-eYYZcTOxjraOchwhZdynmCZxUDWhl5YHsVCF9vwvVwDG6XZYU0dxgf4yau-OP0L69LlQ3GDe7i~e4Wd4eYx8k4En8ywHrNC4Y6v6FrmyPBpYCjLvew3s7eRLstY1~~Hlq-NggTjNTZaXrk~upIxBFLvm0ahaNFbDqb~HnR0wgY~6bV4YJ638-us6hmWfAe4KGpglGVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Westerly","date","2025-01-27T00:00:00Z","article","The Westerly Town Council on Jan. 27 received a technical update on the Potter Hill Mill dam project from the town’s consultant team, which said it has refined a preferred design and continues outreach and groundwater monitoring ahead of permit applications.

Consultant representatives from Fuss & O’Neil told the council they have focused on a modified version of “Alternative E‑2” that includes a stepped fishway with eight weirs and pools. The consultant said successive modeling runs reduced the projected change in upstream impoundment elevation from about 3.5 feet (presented in October) to roughly 1.65 feet in the most recent iteration.

The consultant said the team added an extra weir compared with the original October design and adjusted weir geometry to meet fish‑passage criteria while limiting downstream flood impacts. A ninth weir could reduce the head‑pond change further in model runs (the consultant cited model runs near 1.3–1.4 feet), but staff warned that constructability, river diversion constraints at the Potter Hill Road bridge and increased flood‑risk analyses raise substantial risks for that option.

Why this matters: the project aims to improve river continuity and fish passage, reduce a hazard at the existing spillway and provide flood‑resiliency benefits upstream, while meeting state and federal permitting requirements. Changes to the head‑pond elevation can affect private wells and riverbank conditions for upstream property owners; the consultant said they plan to replace any wells that would be affected prior to construction.

Technical status and next steps: the consultant outlined work under a NOAA grant. The team has been collecting groundwater and well data, deploying monitoring instruments and installing monitoring wells in the river corridor to calibrate a groundwater model. Permit‑level design drawings and supporting hydraulic modeling were described as targeted for completion in May–June 2025, with Army Corps and coastal/permitting reviews to follow. Construction was presented as likely in the summer low‑flow window of 2026 (Bridal/permit windows typically restrict in‑river work until after July 1). The consultant said replacement wells for impacted properties would be implemented before any change in head‑pond elevation and that post‑construction monitoring (invasives, bank stabilization) is included in later grant years.

Councilors and residents pressed the consultant on several points: when additional small‑group meetings would be scheduled (consultants said another meeting was likely in late February or early March), which private wells remain to be surveyed, the expected frequency of post‑construction ecological monitoring (consultant: baseline drone imagery in March with seasonal follow‑ups), and whether adding more weirs would increase future maintenance costs and reduce fish‑passage benefits. The consultant repeated that every additional structure in the river adds maintenance and constructability risk and that permitting agencies and NOAA staff weigh those tradeoffs when funding construction.

Public comment and outreach: the consultant said Lighthouse Consulting Group has been facilitating meetings with concerned residents and the Westerly Land Trust; that material has been migrated to a new project web page (planned to go live the week after the Jan. 27 meeting); and that staff will continue to offer site walks and meetings with property owners and tribal representatives on request. Several residents who spoke during the council’s public comment period said they had not received direct outreach and asked the town to mail or otherwise notify property owners about well surveys and meeting dates.

Costs and funding: the consultant said years‑2 and ‑3 grant funds under NOAA would support design, permitting and implementation activities; the town manager confirmed additional state funding has been requested for site investigations at the mill property, but final funding details were not specified during the meeting.

What the council directed: no final design decision or vote was taken at this meeting; the council heard the update, asked for continued outreach and monitoring, and scheduled follow‑up work on permit drawings and community engagement. Several councilors asked staff to ensure homeowners on River Road and other potentially affected properties receive direct notice of monitoring and mitigation plans.

The meeting closed the Potter Hill update with the consultant saying the team would continue meetings with residents, complete permit documents for submittal in late spring and pursue construction in the 2026 low‑flow season if permits and funding are in place.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town Council - 1/27/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Westerly Town Council on Jan. 27 received a technical update on the Potter Hill Mill dam project from the town’s consultant team, which said it has refined a preferred design and continues outreach and groundwater monitoring ahead of permit applications.","taxTitle","Westerly, Washington County, Rhode Island","taxId",79769,"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},6084297,"Residents urge council to act after announcement Yale Medicine will move some cancer treatments out of Westerly",223,16597000,16820000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2917756-0364f91608578f1d8bcc5c9885454925&start=16597&end=16820","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2917756-0364f91608578f1d8bcc5c9885454925/thumbnail_16597000.jpg","/articles/6084297/Westerly/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Residents-urge-council-to-act-after-announcement-Yale-Medicine-will-move-some-cancer-treatments-out-of-Westerly","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6084297-913c4aae79c11491547fa89ca5960f3d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770612671&Signature=hS51PQlC3LF11bZYshhBzLQ5dIePdzIBFFmlyG8f-bbIPi-~SHyA9xjdg7MO39g2-lmoIPJ1ISt3JLzg159xKTLLXYhbTyx4HrIaa4SZy8lLSmqkV~jF4twUA93DnE~uvwN8LzcxQ~zVaVDxLR69mMN-j~bCQBkkVArT5YjRh0GFcGjbhwjEc1GWTilgmW6~oXA79gfXh1-~DsvL7gYVeteQy0iSgQ2pWWMjQ89hif0cfL2ANCIaSmfG5Bzl60qbmOfo6cLOxW~G8e~JDyzbgHE2AX4MzQlICQvkSrNRYRLlPyRrCbMSmy7SS-Bi-EfZLfI8U64Z99qWwG3J-558dA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several residents used the council’s Jan. 27 public comment period to press the town to try to preserve in‑town cancer‑treatment services after Yale Medicine announced plans to shift some treatments from the Smilow Cancer Center at Westerly Hospital to a larger facility in Waterford, Conn.

A speaker who identified herself as a community member and local health‑care advocate asked the council to intervene with hospital leadership, the medical system and state officials to keep treatments local. The speaker noted the center was established with hospital funding and community philanthropy in 2017 and said local patients rely on its proximity, especially older and less‑mobile residents who need frequent visits for chemotherapy and other infusions.

At the meeting several commenters argued the transfer is driven by reimbursement differences and will impose travel burdens on patients and families. One speaker urged the council to contact Yale Medicine leadership and request a public briefing on the rationale for the change and the transportation options the system plans to offer to affected patients.

Council reaction: councilors acknowledged the concern and asked staff to seek more information from hospital leadership and the regional health system. No formal action or vote on the issue was taken at the Jan. 27 meeting.","Several residents told the council they are alarmed by Yale Medicine’s announcement that certain cancer‑treatment services will shift from the Smilow Cancer Center at Westerly Hospital to a regional facility; speakers asked the council to intervene and preserve local access",{"_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},6084302,"Residents press council on Fort Road shoreline access as litigation continues",4537,12788000,17325000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2917756-0364f91608578f1d8bcc5c9885454925&start=12788&end=17325","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2917756-0364f91608578f1d8bcc5c9885454925/thumbnail_12788000.jpg","/articles/6084302/Westerly/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Residents-press-council-on-Fort-Road-shoreline-access-as-litigation-continues","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6084302-97e59e43216278108daecdf9294c73fe/orig.mp4?Expires=1770612671&Signature=FgKTvvO~2nLVF5MtEHIxtCnVhY4~hsK~3JFxKoRwsE-0bbFxr~rxpMAY-8W1MVBNPXGA17PZCsflaALpmexxHjdOFtFNJrK-jjMVxoWbuYBQYizgBqwRq6WuoPPYcov9hlmXFTmwuB48mtw5QNGWfIr8RbXBmiimk8NA6A~OcHAZTS5yZlaoX-anWZjubLogdQ6y-SdlEsXDNpMnsvzckmfjyG0pUCB4lF0grXqyidr0JiONpnJUfbx9PpM5DBu7~PRaXLqRI-i1g9ytM2t1dfPpoKzYsXbST1LJR8cgvxqOjpjBb9pC42M6u3tO4AWxBWHGH~DThLOBeT-C-0x23Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents and access advocates used the council’s public comment period to press for preservation of public shoreline access at Fort Road/Napa Tree Point and other Westerly shore locations.

Several speakers, including local private property owners and representatives of Harbor/Right‑of‑Way groups, said litigation (Watch Hill Fire District v. Town of Westerly) remains active and urged the new council to pause any settlement talks until public rights‑of‑way are guaranteed. Speakers pointed to a recent charter amendment, approved by voters, that bars the town from conveying or abandoning rights‑of‑way and said any negotiations that might diminish public access would conflict with voter intent.

Speakers summarized historical background they said supports town ownership of a right of way to Napa Tree Point and said prior resolutions and correspondence from local organizations and the fire district recognized public pedestrian access. Several asked the council to release executive‑session records and requested that the council use the charter amendment as guidance when handling the litigation. A number of speakers said they had invested years compiling deeds, maps and other records and urged councilors to consult those materials.

Council response and next steps: Councilors acknowledged public concern and said the charter amendment will guide the council’s approach. The council scheduled an executive session later in the evening to discuss the ongoing litigation (the session was called under the litigation exception to the open‑meetings law). The council did not disclose details of executive‑session discussion during the public meeting.

The council did not take a public‑record vote on the litigation during the open session; residents asked the council to ensure direct notice to affected property owners about any executive actions and to make meeting materials and historic evidence readily available to the public.","Multiple residents and access advocates urged the council to preserve public access to Fort Road and Napa Tree Point during public comment, and speakers asked the council to pause confidential negotiations because of a recent charter amendment protecting rights‑of‑way",{"_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},6084307,"Votes at a glance: actions taken Jan. 27 by the Westerly Town Council",380,10020000,10400000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2917756-0364f91608578f1d8bcc5c9885454925&start=10020&end=10400","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2917756-0364f91608578f1d8bcc5c9885454925/thumbnail_10020000.jpg","/articles/6084307/Westerly/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Votes-at-a-glance-actions-taken-Jan-27-by-the-Westerly-Town-Council","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6084307-8b10eaef19c5b2f19d5ffff394c4e892/orig.mp4?Expires=1770612671&Signature=Yt5FZZnZGCm0IqncOEYv6rjjFotHWiSQ741ALTqWyHm9n1hWh9C-br8Qh~xmBuSEXvTLDI99T0d1feg9PVoySTtMkK29Ul7hrTlt82O31qwwZ3MUDqWiqsrPxM9ufDIutyPu45vAgnL3~5gyDYagIGMK3lrwhhfYgKrL7QmcmuLANPTNIbbeJLqrY1U7ueTf-vNAJRhQxJPr-E8ZyZHTf9MqIvGHckGbBYvIv9FcYaTPuN1FcCUEIX4NznP8fgh8cK2Qqmf4TU8dWgrw6roeK5sNJVatZYRJYnoEdPMZyWJ5Y5GXejRlK8MDtsu5LeGx798KZAeoH3cGNfS3frjiDw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Westerly Town Council logged several formal outcomes at its Jan. 27 meeting. Most were procedural or routine authorizations; several items were continued for further review.

Key outcomes

- Minutes: The council voted to continue consideration of the Jan. 6 regular meeting minutes to the next meeting so members could review recordings; the special minutes of Jan. 13, 2025 were approved. (Motion recorded and seconded; roll call recorded.)

- Administrative resolutions (physical matters): The council voted to approve three routine fiscal adjustments (tax‑roll deletion and penalty waiver) and a small legal payment; motion carried.

- Pest‑control contract: The council authorized the town manager to enter a multi‑year contract for pest control services with the sole responsive bidder (Waltham Pest Services), covering the remainder of fiscal 2025 and two full fiscal years thereafter; motion carried.

- Ordinance advertisement: The council voted to advertise for public hearing an amendment to the town’s elderly/disabled tax exemption (chapter 229) for a hearing set on Feb. 10, 2025. The motion carried with at least one recorded opposition.

- Appointments and referrals: The appointment to the Washington County Regional Planning board was continued to a future meeting so the council could confirm bylaws and membership rules for that body; a proposed liaison change was deferred. Several agenda referrals (including the Marina study and other committee items) were moved to future agendas for additional review.

What was not decided: The council discussed the Potter Hill Mill dam update, the Route 1 corridor and the $18 million infrastructure bond in detail but did not take a final vote on project‑level funding or design decisions at the Jan. 27 meeting.

Where to find documentation: Minutes and supporting materials for each vote will be posted with the town clerk’s office and on the town’s public meeting docket when finalized.","The council recorded a series of procedural and budgetary votes Jan. 27, including continuing one set of minutes, approving another, authorizing small administrative resolutions and a multi‑year pest‑control contract; several items were continued for further review",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6084312,"Statehouse delegation briefs council on budget outlook, proposed short‑term rental tax change and state beach revenue decline",2009,626000,2635000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2917756-0364f91608578f1d8bcc5c9885454925&start=626&end=2635","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2917756-0364f91608578f1d8bcc5c9885454925/thumbnail_626000.jpg","/articles/6084312/Westerly/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Statehouse-delegation-briefs-council-on-budget-outlook-proposed-shortterm-rental-tax-change-and-state-beach-revenue-decline","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6084312-abaee364c0634742db0ef0608f228970/orig.mp4?Expires=1770612671&Signature=f1a6FyYVuY5UMCg1ZsIvr5ON050YfuvXQBg3-~oyrDCjfrSSuYyLNLaWgiLjK0wbojd-Uw80Y8Swq4IXNlc~p56mBdrR7pvWIUt3~izdxOtgpEOC1L8KzaNcJ0IXeBRMIoFG-IlyKk4KY5rFPsLQRchN6JGoBADlgII6WBj7ciq3chlEghQVbcieoz-ZTyvlfy0Uop4Km3NY~~3StYZuIT~xB~gtPaopx-ssCst024j2YTYrkAC7B5cNxDPe~bfp9d15EnD2aH~7pGGwGp1YbXfVhDtoYHozAy71BWZKP23JVx3DAt3nwuj5XLy8Sgote0HrsVjMlMtSRx4g-UmeOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators and state representatives met with the Westerly Town Council on Jan. 27 to review the governor’s fiscal proposal and listen to town priorities for the 2025 legislative session.

Delegation members said the governor’s budget proposal faces a large structural gap—figures cited at the meeting ranged from roughly $250 million to reports noting higher shortfalls—and that House rules and committee appointments were being finalized so the finance committee can scrutinize the proposal article by article. The delegation warned that some fee increases are included in the governor’s plan as a partial approach to closing the deficit.

Delegation highlights:
- Short‑term rental tax: Delegation members said the governor proposes closing a short‑term rental / whole‑home rental tax difference (a roughly 5% gap) and directing the revenue to homelessness services. Several legislators said some coastal communities are pursuing models to retain locally raised tourism tax revenue for community impacts of tourism; they encouraged towns along the southern coast to coordinate positions.
- Accessory dwelling unit (ADU) legislation: Councilors asked about H‑7062 (ADU bill) and the delegation confirmed an amendment allows broader types of residents (not limited to family members or caregivers) to use ADUs and that ADUs would not be authorized for short‑term rentals under the language discussed at the meeting.
- State beach revenue: Councilors asked for a breakdown of Musquamicut (state beach) daily‑pass revenue by in‑state versus out‑of‑state visitors. Delegation members said the data is available and estimated Musquamicut has a high out‑of‑state share—one cited ballpark figure was about 75% out‑of‑state in a typical season—and that Musquamicut revenue fell from $366,235 in 2023 to about $310,000 in 2024 (figures discussed by councilors at the meeting). Legislators offered to help request more detailed revenue breakdowns and signage/administration information.
- Roads and DOT: Councilors asked about state funding and an RIDOT roundabout study requested for Bradford. Delegation members said the roundabout evaluation will move through State Traffic Commission processes and that town input would be requested as that work proceeds. They also said reported federal holdbacks (discussed in the meeting as about $600 million in regional infrastructure funds) were not expected to affect that roundabout evaluation directly.

Councilors raised questions about transparency of some state DOT and project meetings, and several asked for more public notice when state or regional studies affect Westerly. Legislators encouraged the council to forward town priorities so they may be taken to the House and Senate as the budget and capital program are reviewed.

The council did not vote on any action related to the delegation briefing. Representatives and the senator offered to follow up with requested data on beach pass revenues and to coordinate further on infrastructure requests.","Senators and representatives updated the Westerly Town Council on the governor’s budget, the proposed closing of a short‑term rental tax \"loophole\" to fund homelessness programs, concerns about infrastructure funding delays and state beach revenue declines; councilors asked for more granular beach‑revenue and DOT roundabout information","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Consultant presents refined plan for Potter Hill dam; council hears details on fishway, wells and timeline

Residents urge council to act after announcement Yale Medicine will move some cancer treatments out of Westerly

Residents press council on Fort Road shoreline access as litigation continues

Votes at a glance: actions taken Jan. 27 by the Westerly Town Council

Statehouse delegation briefs council on budget outlook, proposed short‑term rental tax change and state beach revenue decline