[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6604246,"mediaKeyId","2993198-d1b8c38cc299e1e66ea01df9cf8ea9f8","parentId",2993198,"title","Council hears update on school bond; RIDE reimbursement and design options remain under consideration","audioSeconds",770,"startMs",2438000,"endMs",3208000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2993198-d1b8c38cc299e1e66ea01df9cf8ea9f8&start=2438&end=3208","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2993198-d1b8c38cc299e1e66ea01df9cf8ea9f8/thumbnail_2438000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6604246/Rhode-Island/Council-hears-update-on-school-bond-RIDE-reimbursement-and-design-options-remain-under-consideration","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6604246-ab2c7f6fb4d8c25d899f6a0a9ec4b003/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150431&Signature=ahMuPtX89JuM9sZOdBnWhnUNxPYSUtaiIdxTkO1RBUD4gWRvlXgiba4dM47EickgBlq-n~4Y2YapdHz0vJ2aprbkePmQ3JyuvxJj-nDhie~swcy8zgmVrPtIikyIGumIU-CF9UjRL7caXHImj2GV0NKouh4RKhwYSzRvrK55rcN-BhqJWqYICBbObNQoEJ0T856~afLC99wz-Nblw3e-EKG4fzSvu83iLBU2kzfW4LZaEii0vhAgjg2VqxuU9uR7loxqnv~g6VImQ-EBVEVBmsfLbaq4X6tFnV2UK1xJQXoAROQD2eumJ4NrYPzTR1BbdQALBb7m-TLns-KAnp5GGA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Kingstown","date","2025-04-14T00:00:00Z","article","Dr. Kim Page, the council's representative on the school building advisory committee, briefed the Town Council on the school bond projects and said architects and the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) are reviewing options to maximize state reimbursement.

\"They presented us with three different scenarios,\" Dr. Page said. The options include: (1) adding pre-kindergarten classrooms at Wickford Middle School to increase utilization and potentially improve reimbursement; (2) moving fifth grade into middle schools to change enrollment patterns and relieve elementary overcrowding; and (3) building a three-floor middle school for grades 6-8 with one floor per grade. Dr. Page said the committee did not make a decision and is working with the district and RIDE to align designs with state guidelines for maximum reimbursement.

Councilors asked follow-up questions about capacity, the implications of moving fifth grade (for example, interactions between fifth and eighth graders and bus arrangements), and the relative cost of adding a third floor. Dr. Page said the architects already had preliminary drawings for the pre-K option and that the owner's representative and RIDE continue to advise the committee.

The committee will reconvene and provide another update at the council after the advisory group narrows options; a next meeting date was mentioned as April 24. Staff and Dr. Page emphasized that any expenditures from the bond will require separate public council approval and that the project team is focused on arranging a stage-2 application to RIDE that preserves maximum reimbursement.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","North Kingstown - Town Council Meeting 04/14/2025 - Apr 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Dr. Kim Page, the council's representative on the school building advisory committee, briefed the council on three architectural scenarios intended to maximize state reimbursement for the school bond projects.","taxTitle","North Kingstown, Washington County, Rhode Island","taxId",79577,"location","Rhode Island","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6604251,"Parade committee asks town for one-time band funding; council to consider during budget deliberations",4234,865000,5099000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2993198-d1b8c38cc299e1e66ea01df9cf8ea9f8&start=865&end=5099","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2993198-d1b8c38cc299e1e66ea01df9cf8ea9f8/thumbnail_865000.jpg","/articles/6604251/Rhode-Island/Parade-committee-asks-town-for-one-time-band-funding-council-to-consider-during-budget-deliberations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6604251-451b7c8314369e096281871fb3f111b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150431&Signature=dWLSjIpZegnuilBinEMJoxFkO1w0oriQGapnxP~DGBDI4Qc2kzCanRyKPwc9knWZRmpjRzX724wmMZzIZX0lJJP66fvvZ4iinqZoVm17WPSPq42HgV5quDI0vhV3Ac1pz62IXLJMSEui6H4dxzVyNb3PW0APsmdID4mDUhfGLanEkXJGJD10PEJ2qteCDntUL4-GJS9qUVvJHdXScSsbumP6MMbiEXee05VCT6tUQxesjpr4CijIQ5CsL9AptNauiRe~8MS-W6BHPMYEykMLfvJVvm0waQGPUDANPvUMRlbSSErO7yyduv2Ut3~Pm~r~FK0c~kmKMbm3MQBfcEn3Xg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mary Ellen Madsen, co-chair of the parade committee, told the council the group lacks funds to hire a band for the upcoming Memorial Day parade and asked the council to consider a one-time contribution to cover an increased cost.

\"The price has gone up from a thousand dollars to 1,600 for the band,\" Madsen said, describing how the committee receives $1,000 from the town per parade and that the band price now exceeds that allotment.

Councilors discussed logistics and precedent. Councilor Matt McCoy (referenced in the discussion as council liaison) and others urged the parade committee to submit a formal budget request to the town so the council can consider it alongside the fiscal year 2026 budget. Town Manager Ralph said the town has a surplus and \"we would be fine with the surplus to help them out,\" but noted the council must weigh precedent for future requests.

The council did not take an immediate vote on funding. Staff directed the parade committee to submit a formal written request so the council can review it during scheduled budget deliberations on April 28.

Parade volunteers and longtime committee members in the audience, including John Fitzgerald and Bill Panolia, described the parade's history and argued the band contributes to the event's length and rhythm. Town staff said they would try to expedite consideration but emphasized the need for an official written request to place the matter on the budget agenda.","Parade co-chairs requested a one-time increase to cover a $1,600 band for the upcoming Memorial Day parade; councilors asked for a formal request and said the April 28 budget deliberations are the appropriate forum.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6604256,"Residents warn of strained water supply as council approves sole-source update to clean-water report",3438,117000,3555000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2993198-d1b8c38cc299e1e66ea01df9cf8ea9f8&start=117&end=3555","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2993198-d1b8c38cc299e1e66ea01df9cf8ea9f8/thumbnail_117000.jpg","/articles/6604256/Rhode-Island/Residents-warn-of-strained-water-supply-as-council-approves-sole-source-update-to-clean-water-report","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6604256-db28dc579b34123387a8317b985e5c51/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150431&Signature=CXct2mO8Sp6awXhTSbhbCtKT7w~XdfPoaXH3oK5gYm5z4i6APBYs~SpyTTXUjV8sRw1ugh4BMoES5-MyFufvDnIhbEScFyQBWEfw~31vHGilnZBGFN2ginq8iuL6rc6AnmDpULPKLUZLxpeqG7wXZbSzcx0~vtKf~UHVl0KLwDVbR0Hdcp00NkSgrQlCWtWW-Aun6tGw-EZdQ7g1JstYC6MbYSSSuNK5jfbKNN2XEjwKZNUkErQ~AxKbw30axGh7JEFVO-EPWZXSJK8tbBCWFE2jTvF9X-A7EUP6clogxCdNxGe4lXv3PGkWlBh9qIfXxLwJf5avxkImCNlB7tZgqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kurt Fisher, a North Kingstown resident and former town public works official, told the Town Council that the town faces \"serious problems this summer if we have a very dry summer,\" saying years of overpumping had damaged wells and risked contamination.

The warning came during public comment and was followed by a staff explanation that North Kingstown must update its clean water infrastructure report to the state every five years. Alan (Water Department staff) told the council, \"we submit that every 5 years, with the state,\" and said Wright Pierce, which prepared the prior 2020 study, is positioned to update that report on a shortened timeline.

Town Manager Ralph told the council the town could refuse outside water requests if local supply were insufficient, saying the previously recommended agreement lets the town say no to requests from neighboring Jamestown when needed. He stressed staff would come to the council before approving any outside-supply request.

At the consent agenda, the council approved a sole-source contract for Wright Pierce to prepare the required state update to the clean water infrastructure replacement report. Staff said Wright Pierce did the 2020 assessment and can complete the update in time for an August submission; the contract was approved under a sole-source finding based on that continuity and timing.

The council and staff also discussed infrastructure priorities: several 1939-era water mains were cited as near-term replacement candidates, and town officials said they monitor well levels via SCADA and report annual usage to the state Water Resources Board. Staff urged enforcement of water-conservation measures during peak summer demand.

The council did not vote on new water‑supply policy at the meeting; officials said any request from Jamestown or other outside users would return to the council for explicit approval before staff could commit town water.

Council action on the clean water report update means the town will proceed with Wright Pierce's update work with the aim of meeting the state deadline; staff noted the effort is part of ongoing infrastructure planning to reduce the risk of summer shortages and to prioritize aging mains for replacement.","Residents and councilors raised concerns about North Kingstown's groundwater and aging infrastructure; the council approved a sole-source contract with Wright Pierce to update the town's five-year clean water infrastructure report ahead of an August submission deadline.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6604241,"Council confirms Matthew Souza as North Kingstown building official",369,2059000,2428000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2993198-d1b8c38cc299e1e66ea01df9cf8ea9f8&start=2059&end=2428","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2993198-d1b8c38cc299e1e66ea01df9cf8ea9f8/thumbnail_2059000.jpg","/articles/6604241/Rhode-Island/Council-confirms-Matthew-Souza-as-North-Kingstown-building-official","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6604241-abab72ad5c357e81cc07a9c81ce5d11d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150431&Signature=bgMMhoplQkEXJXyKWahsVpdKdx-UDcmV3H7Aa4BkoDx66EqrRcQRNUHvi7toZObVuUvzfCi~QD2dPzHlmIK4fiSkibLLvUrDF2GjHKHTYzoRW0FMsn7CjYUhBptxg59gm25IVlqv86O60vzXjbdDXDQofBlWFC9Qv0p~SHPne84IbX3kwB~S0BVWaT6DYoSwte420rHjtoR6ZwsdVbJxX8Ak1RgmJ6jPG1pICiJyKDbMoWWja09g39DghCGDn1viuZvbszcAUgSPpXk8BbguRy1eGvyd8mX~6Fcp4X43pQvd3J6S3YLMMfif07LWmSMvXrKCdY3S3e44yAe1mQGisA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town Manager Ralph asked the council for advice and consent on appointing Matthew (Matt) Souza as the town's building official and reviewed Don Peck's years of service.

Ralph said Don Peck, who has been the town's building official since his 2018 appointment, had agreed to step down into an assistant role to allow an internal succession and to keep a certified building official in place. The manager said certified building officials are hard to find and that the town had been fortunate to develop local succession.

Matthew Souza addressed the council and described his background in construction and in the town's building and code enforcement department. Ralph noted Souza serves on the board of the Rhode Island Building Officials Association and holds the Certified Building Official designation that made him eligible for appointment.

A council member moved to confirm Matthew Souza, another councilor seconded, and the council approved the appointment by voice vote. The chairman announced, \"All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Any opposed? The ayes have it. Congratulations, Matt.\"","The Town Manager recommended Matthew Souza to succeed Don Peck as building official; the council voted to confirm the appointment after the manager noted a planned internal succession and Peck's willingness to step into an assistant role.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council hears update on school bond; RIDE reimbursement and design options remain under consideration

Parade committee asks town for one-time band funding; council to consider during budget deliberations

Residents warn of strained water supply as council approves sole-source update to clean-water report

Council confirms Matthew Souza as North Kingstown building official