[{"_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",6571756,"mediaKeyId","3143341-747feda3b493da511555da82888064b7","parentId",3143341,"title","Safe Streets study maps 22 priority sites in South Kingstown and readies implementation grant applications","audioSeconds",1195,"startMs",4009000,"endMs",5204000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3143341-747feda3b493da511555da82888064b7&start=4009&end=5204","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3143341-747feda3b493da511555da82888064b7/thumbnail_4009000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6571756/Rhode-Island/Safe-Streets-study-maps-22-priority-sites-in-South-Kingstown-and-readies-implementation-grant-applications","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6571756-118e6224e84c7de931292da8ff70b453/orig.mp4?Expires=1770688938&Signature=f1dH12SXPT2VQiIU35MQeynrf~fhcEBzPoVQrW3kLos8ThXY7gjJ6UT4nCa218ZVCz1E5n1kPlt0mNnf6k1AHN4yDuEBIydRdTwSvsPiRqhoJagZkHA3RwHfyo2nOi7O3cvUUYEGirWMe5RiEqz8rGZLdYqPxyCq2dFkCjcthGLVscwklwCSEYcA~iRwXyZokrsYqjpaih0ppabpuB4foEcXNOY4tfnUaKWJvR~C4rBDINEToEsAOGza5cklh7Y3BpMmv--263-psWhsJeuKMKr1LmS9hrfbWMIwEUyidY13poc5wrX~6J4ajuFKmAG4~rVvmF3C7uu8uAaZyh6C2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","South Kingstown","date","2025-04-29T04:03:47.527Z","article","Consultants from Bowman Engineering presented the draft South Kingstown Safety Action Plan funded through the USDOT Safe Streets and Roads for All planning grant. The plan analyzes five years of crash data, prioritizes 22 locations for countermeasures, and outlines low-cost proven safety countermeasures and potential project costs.

The consulting team described three analysis steps used to identify priorities: a baseline crash review, a high risk network showing corridors whose characteristics predict future crashes, and a high-injury network that combines actual injury crashes with predicted risk. The consultants said they emphasized vulnerable road users (pedestrians and bicyclists) because crashes involving those users yield disproportionately serious injuries and fatalities.

The draft plan includes 22 prioritized sites across the town and a menu of 28 evidence-backed countermeasures (for example, enhanced edge-line striping, geometric and corner radii changes, and targeted intersection changes). One example presented was Salt Pond Road at Canyon Avenue where recommendations include installing a three-way stop or tightening curb radii to lower turning speeds; the plan provides graphics and rough costs for each site in an appendix.

Consultants said the town will need to formally adopt the safety action plan to be eligible for an implementation grant from the Safe Streets and Roads for All program; that implementation grant opportunity is open now. The consultants and staff will provide a final draft in the coming weeks and recommended the council consider formal adoption to make the town eligible for implementation funds.

Why it matters: the plan identifies specific, prioritized safety improvements and creates the eligibility pathway for federal implementation funds that could pay for on-street and intersection safety improvements on both town- and state-owned roads.

What happens next: Bowman will finalize the draft after incorporating state agency comments and return the final plan to the council for formal adoption; staff also recommended applying for implementation funding once a plan is adopted.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","April 28, 2025 Town Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Consultants presented a Safe Streets and Roads for All safety action plan to the council identifying 22 prioritized locations, analysis focused on vulnerable road users, and an implementation grant opportunity that would require formal council adoption of the plan to qualify for federal funds.","taxTitle","South Kingstown, Washington County, Rhode Island","taxId",79771,"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},6571761,"Town council adopts FY 2025-26 budget after debate on use of fund balance and transfers",3960,7040000,11000000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3143341-747feda3b493da511555da82888064b7&start=7040&end=11000","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3143341-747feda3b493da511555da82888064b7/thumbnail_7040000.jpg","/articles/6571761/Rhode-Island/Town-council-adopts-FY-2025-26-budget-after-debate-on-use-of-fund-balance-and-transfers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6571761-e848c415df36caedf03fe911eef2963a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770688938&Signature=SZe8wwUlWOaJPhYTmtdYtxkdvQEpHG7KNMm9ssHjcFNSwliF57bX-zAs3ou6qbHTMaGI3F7rdRjK4YhBOe~PcnxNyoE7eKBxQ6Fb7lQdacxCl7c4bIjZoo7wEI~2n7BekO7CsO67qYR4NmIAe1OwjCK7tghOv3wa9VgXsXfjMcVfDffv1gHK-t1diwTdzzwekLIP-dz-y4L1skT0m8yEQpvl61SSYL~PAZHAxrlZ04kNxxDt58I4t3V02Cayl0h2rszKMMhEEnKlzUTzSVD4-nPJDLQWQ6FRu2fGuEomSur3hUKAm4q-c8PzgOE1uzI9OD22x5QHcHfdnZATF8kvKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","South Kingstown's Town Council approved the final fiscal year 2025-26 budget after a public hearing that included debate over several late amendments, health-care cost adjustments and whether to increase the one-time use of the town's undesignated fund balance to reduce the tax rate.

Finance Director Brian (presenting for the manager) summarized four technical amendments: an increase to employee health and dental costs (total townwide impact about $138,000 across all funds, net $46,502 to the general fund after an available trust credit), an addition of previously omitted operating-line items (professional services and regional planning dues), an adjustment in the debt-service transfer related to a reduced first-year bond-anticipation note borrow ($61 million originally projected, revised to $55 million, lowering next-year interest by about $75,000), and a projected net reduction in the tax levy tied to anticipated post-certification net additions to the assessment roll.

Council members extensively debated whether to increase the proposed use of undesignated fund balance to reduce the tax rate. One councilor proposed using an additional $750,000 from the fund balance to lower the levy; proponents linked the request to community affordability concerns and argued the town's fund balance exceeded typical best-practice targets. Opponents cautioned that reducing the fund balance ahead of a rating call with Moody's could risk the town's bond rating and that future school-project borrowing and interest-rate uncertainty counsel a more conservative approach.

After discussion the council declined to add the proposed additional use of fund balance. Council members did approve the amendments described by the finance director and moved to adopt the amended final budget. The council vote to approve the final budget passed unanimously.

Key figures and context: the amended budget projects a townwide tax rate of about $8.98 per $1,000 assessed value (a modest change from earlier drafts), incorporates higher health and dental premiums, and adjusts the debt-service schedule based on a lowered year-1 bond anticipation note projection of $55 million. The finance director said the town remains in a strong fund-balance position (approximately 18.4% of operating revenues in the most recent audit) but recommended caution against further drawdowns ahead of planned multi-year debt increases.

Why it matters: the budget funds town operations, funds planned capital transfers (including school project borrowing), and sets the tax rate for the coming year. The council's decision to keep its proposed fund-balance usage unchanged preserves a larger reserve as the town moves into a high-debt period for the school project.

What happens next: the budget is adopted; the council will continue to monitor grant opportunities and the financing timetable for the high school project. Council members asked staff to return with routine quarterly financial reports and to provide additional materials for the upcoming Moody's rating call.","After a lengthy public hearing and discussion, the South Kingstown Town Council approved the town's FY 2025-26 final budget, including amendments to reflect updated health-care costs and revised bond anticipation assumptions; council debated but declined to increase use of undesignated fund balance beyond amounts already proposed.",{"_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},6571766,"High school update: planning board hearings set; early procurement packages, bond timing outlined",506,2186000,2692000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3143341-747feda3b493da511555da82888064b7&start=2186&end=2692","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3143341-747feda3b493da511555da82888064b7/thumbnail_2186000.jpg","/articles/6571766/Rhode-Island/High-school-update-planning-board-hearings-set-early-procurement-packages-bond-timing-outlined","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6571766-3cc3697d704ae02a6201dfc8760222d8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770688938&Signature=Mi92ytn8Eb-GmtcPKtRcd3WckX8rpN~aRC-c82PY6FjXkHZmYdQE70Mbt9WiHwAkT-js7a4eAD5cH9lBBeIo9Pe4svA9cvRpzAJpYbfOKPNcUGemq-2dz44aQDC7BWXpPcWNW58jqqoW7oB7vRkvQkbC0YxN~Ib3DouaBBA8Hd18wSLjfn9s3ZmIRsjk2Bn4b8VWhttuYeVw89AtSzsc8GIJfFN12rE8iLfm9PSQPS6LLGiQ8~n4Wmb-Wqk8ASJczhK2HV-RcMTPu2mVuwSWkbUtUSrvCtMgoG1DSxsfHjunTWeCSt0SBz4HfI6PmEpuqxsrurlHqWmyNa2ufOKGIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town officials and the high school design team told the council they are pressing an accelerated schedule for the new South Kingstown High School and will bring several early procurement packages to market this summer.

Chris Spiegel, project executive from the construction manager team, and Kate Massonati, chair of the school building committee, briefed the council during the town manager's report. The team said the planning pre-application has been filed and an initial planning board hearing is scheduled for May 27 with a continuation on June 26 and an anticipated planning board approval target of July 26. The planning board voted to allow the project to combine the preliminary and master plan submissions to shorten the review timeline.

Design revisions prompted by public and committee feedback will give the building a more traditional appearance to better match the nearby Hazard Building; those updated renderings will be posted to the project website after the school building committee meets on Thursday.

Spiegel and the construction manager at-risk team said they expect to advertise early-release procurement packages on June 6 for long-lead items and major site work (foundations, steel, site work, some mechanical and electrical long-lead equipment), meet bidders for scope reviews in mid-July, and present a draft guaranteed maximum price (GMP) for committee and council consideration in August. Those early awards would be the first significant construction outlays (foundations, structural steel, major site work) and are the items the council will be asked to authorize in late summer.

Finance items tied to the schedule were discussed: the town plans to authorize the first series of bond anticipation notes in June and expects funding to be available then, with rating activity and paperwork already scheduled. The manager and finance director told the council they anticipate financing steps to align with the procurement schedule so work can proceed if bids are favorable.

Why it matters: early procurement packages and timing decisions will materially affect project costs and schedule; planning board approval months will determine the earliest permitting milestones and whether the team can meet internal schedule goals for opening in 2027.

What happens next: updated schematic renderings will be shared with the council and public; the planning board hearings on May 27 and June 26 are the next formal public milestones; early-release bidding and a GMP proposal are expected for August consideration.

Speakers at the school project update included the town manager and members of the school building committee plus the construction management and design team who provided schedule, permitting, and procurement details.","Consultants and the town manager updated the council on the new South Kingstown high school project timetable, design changes to a more traditional façade, upcoming planning board hearings, and early procurement packages tied to a construction-manager-at-risk delivery.",{"_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},6571771,"South Kingstown council refines term priorities: high school, housing, property reuse, commercial zoning, homestead exemption",516,167000,683000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3143341-747feda3b493da511555da82888064b7&start=167&end=683","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3143341-747feda3b493da511555da82888064b7/thumbnail_167000.jpg","/articles/6571771/Rhode-Island/South-Kingstown-council-refines-term-priorities-high-school-housing-property-reuse-commercial-zoning-homestead-exemption","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6571771-58fa8a453463dc4f82fe0eb9af3fddf1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770688938&Signature=FrxcqXwJVF-WU922TPS8D4Zmtl-bEb6QTFuQYfiUZjm0UJTS2reTNL~Nyr89xeE26MSHwkke1zB1GDiY3HgBw4yGzNeAIXIim9aoBK-kiKNWeHuc9E00MggaIEVxo6-dX77wVjCIiF92Nh8ByzvNrzKYuUhOZ9KHVMFTWE4Omrs8vdB0z8fGp~M3OFEL52e2E1GTpcr05KXYheT0HXNZaDdqOY-r9FT8rR7uE1KwGH9QbmhvO~AB5b82mfEhLm4HA88AvaHsk71j7a9osQRWZNML~0aMcP6zwzViO96KoZId3whLRrazKhQVYDk2FZ9b1T24o1He~cBDA6q41Q1ReA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","South Kingstown Town Council members spent a April work session refining the council's priorities for the current term, centering the agenda on five items: the new high school project, expanding affordable housing, repurposing town-owned properties, encouraging commercial and mixed-use zoning, and pursuing a homestead exemption.

Council members said the new high school and housing efforts are the most time-sensitive topics for the next 18 months. Council members stressed the difference between adopting a final policy within their term and starting work to prepare for a future decision: multiple speakers said the town needs data and administrative steps before formal adoption — for example, a rental registry is required before a homestead exemption could be implemented for many residents.

The council asked town staff to return a concise mission statement and a final, numbered set of five priorities that would guide the remaining term. Members discussed replacing the term \"disposition\" in the draft with more positive wording — \"repurpose\" or \"reuse\" — when describing town property strategies including Wakefield School, South Road School and the Oliver Watson property. They also asked that environmental resilience and fiscal stewardship be more prominent in the opening paragraph that frames the five goals.

On the homestead exemption, council members debated whether to describe the item as a short-term adoption goal or as a multi-step work program. Several members recommended changing language from \"adopt\" to \"work toward adoption\" or \"pursue implementation,\" to reflect legislative prerequisites (a rental registry) and the limited remaining time in the current term.

Council members asked staff to email an editable draft to each member, to avoid inadvertent open-meetings violations from multi-member in-person edits; staff were directed to collect written edits within a week so the council can act on a final version at a subsequent meeting.

Why it matters: the five priorities the council is discussing will shape major spending and land-use decisions for the town through 2026, including the timetable and community expectations for the high school project, housing strategy, and potential tax relief measures.

What happens next: staff will distribute a revised draft and a recommendation for wording and numbering; council members asked for a short special meeting only if the emailed revisions do not yield consensus in time for the next regular meeting.

Speakers quoted or referenced in council discussion included council members and staff who led the draft and revision process; the council asked the town manager to coordinate edits and manage the open-meetings precautions.","At a continued work session, council members narrowed the council's priorities for the term to five items — a new high school project, affordable housing, reuse of town properties, expanded mixed-use commercial zoning, and pursuing a homestead exemption — and asked staff to return revised wording and timelines for each item.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Safe Streets study maps 22 priority sites in South Kingstown and readies implementation grant applications

Town council adopts FY 2025-26 budget after debate on use of fund balance and transfers

High school update: planning board hearings set; early procurement packages, bond timing outlined

South Kingstown council refines term priorities: high school, housing, property reuse, commercial zoning, homestead exemption