[{"_1":2,"_86":-5,"_87":-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],{"_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",6570938,"mediaKeyId","3195390-c612da8bbca588a09b871386ee9ca702","parentId",3195390,"title","New Shoreham voters approve $2 million bond authorization for 16-unit Ball O’Brien affordable housing project","audioSeconds",4700,"startMs",2916000,"endMs",7616000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3195390-c612da8bbca588a09b871386ee9ca702&start=2916&end=7616","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3195390-c612da8bbca588a09b871386ee9ca702/thumbnail_2916000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6570938/New-Shoreham/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/New-Shoreham-voters-approve-2-million-bond-authorization-for-16-unit-Ball-OBrien-affordable-housing-project","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6570938-2c507c6699a840079ba0fd80f37bf125/orig.mp4?Expires=1770924591&Signature=bYiCWk45oeI4jqQF~A~gFaJ~IFXv1er2vgJwDgQ4Qg3yhSHmvaTLN6ev6gJJAFKlGBst3DfDil9qpGPjsSrrj6fSTjzpowChoWXdYIodoo1SHPDoe7taucTbqRKI4WLdHE0OqUpHfiuohTqfbIzSePY2DEqG40Y9MIi-ypR3Cq86~l3Sqjn-EqYvWYL2CGv1NbD0R5kT0YDXG~psHC3gH0d6QHArzBqznbOgep0-SQCYi3PvOs3rkfxnsoGIE3~baDunvDuF~KK8IRuADoiW83PLsbAkFNclEZQKgND1Dmphnb3m0nmpfGuQyWeLV85EqdjH4Dget~6TagY85acvmA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of New Shoreham","date","2025-05-06T01:38:34.827Z","article","Voters at the May 5, 2025 New Shoreham financial town meeting authorized the town treasurer, with town council consent, to issue general obligation bonds not to exceed $2,000,000 to finance the planning, design, construction, furnishing and finishing of an approximate 16‑unit affordable housing project on Flat 18, Lot 2‑3 (the Ball O’Brien project), a measure advanced by the Block Island Housing Board.

The motion authorizes the town treasurer to issue the bonds or notes under Rhode Island law; the terms and conditions are to be set by town-council resolution or the treasurer in the absence of such a resolution. Because a paper ballot was requested and supported, the meeting conducted a paper ballot. The transcript records the ballot result as 138 votes in favor and 20 opposed; the moderator then declared the motion carried.

Public comment preceding the ballot included multiple residents and stakeholders speaking in favor of the bond and the housing project. Speakers described longtime year‑round residency, difficulty finding year‑round housing for essential workers and families, and support for the housing board’s multi-year planning and design work. Martin (or Mark) McGuire, identified in the meeting packet as housing-board chair, described the board’s effort to design cost-conscious units attractive to singles, couples and young families and said the project has been in development for more than three years and has proceeded through planning and zoning steps.

The housing board chair and several residents emphasized that eligibility rules for the eventual units will depend in part on funding sources (for example, restrictions tied to Rhode Island Housing financing). The chair said the board intends to limit occupancy to year‑round residents and possibly to year‑round employees of the island, subject to statutory Fair Housing requirements and the constraints of any external funding.

Why it matters: The authorization provides the town a financing option to move the Ball O’Brien project toward construction; supporters said the additional housing is intended to preserve a year‑round community and provide housing for island workers (teachers, tradespeople, service industry employees). Opponents or those not in favor were recorded in the ballot tally but did not have extended time for formal debate in the transcript.

Vote and next steps: The bond authorization passed by paper ballot (138 yes, 20 no). The town treasurer and town council will set bond terms by resolution or the treasurer will proceed under the authority granted; the housing board will continue project development including finalizing eligibility criteria and seeking grants or other funding that may affect unit income qualifications.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Financial Town Meeting 5/5/2025","oneSentenceSummary","After public comment and discussion, New Shoreham voters authorized the town treasurer to issue general obligation bonds not to exceed $2,000,000 to finance a roughly 16‑unit affordable housing project at Flat 18, Lot 2‑3 (Ball O’Brien). A paper ballot produced a recorded result: 138 yes, 20 no.","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":46,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6570942,"New Shoreham adopts $20.14 million FY2026 budget; town approves multiple fiscal measures",5530,2086000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3195390-c612da8bbca588a09b871386ee9ca702&start=2086&end=7616","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3195390-c612da8bbca588a09b871386ee9ca702/thumbnail_2086000.jpg","/articles/6570942/New-Shoreham/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/New-Shoreham-adopts-2014-million-FY2026-budget-town-approves-multiple-fiscal-measures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6570942-1cd98dabefc463e1c2f61744a9d4f93e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770924591&Signature=jcnCGKm9cvtIrbBFhBN~iMvIKld0h7yDJpVZtnjwOVqMrW8OS2qjjrzKxYChPcZsLFxOlEA8TYCw7-nXrzJh40JB6fySIqn1AJVXXWa6AiSq72TSYOUfzLCofrt38jplqapHKiCiklwVbBFSq-fZcjUoYGRq~c3irn39ReS9G8KmXmpDZqBVThtwLI0pjeB62vIMC-9zrASlc6T7VGwuWFiWR3gVuuvMSIg-tZblq6cunxfiFFBAMNTilsL5-6z~21yE4qS8o3cuc2rJ2tclkMKZTue2mvQHm12HHPmUJlsc4nRoHpJNvTAtfCIJudd7AIU455yt8pfmi-3WfYRlEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","New Shoreham voters at the town’s May 5 financial town meeting adopted a proposed fiscal year 2026 budget totaling $20,142,758 and approved a package of related fiscal measures, including capital project funding and authorizations for borrowing and debt management.

Town staff presented highlights of the proposed budget, saying the packet before voters shows a 4.4% overall increase over the current year and a recommended tax-levy increase of 3.86%, which the presenters noted is below the 4% cap established by state law. The packet identifies $20,142,758 in total expenditures for fiscal year 2026 and estimates roughly $95,000 in revenue from the town’s short-term rental program for the year.

The budget discussion identified several notable items: an increased contingency and ongoing work to replace a municipal alarm system damaged by lightning (the town expects some insurance reimbursement); a new, separately budgeted human services department (second year reflected as a department in the packet); a Mansion Beach maintenance line for seasonal restroom cleaning and pump-out; and continued costs tied to contractual wage and benefit increases. Capital items singled out in the presentation included a first-year $50,000 allocation for harbor dredging planning and permitting and an elevator replacement for the public library that the presentation lists on the capital plan (the recommended funding shown in the packet was $110,000 for the elevator portion, with $185,000 originally requested).

Voters also approved the town’s capital and debt-service recommendations, including $3,807,227 for debt service and a capital program that begins a two-year Inner New Harbor dredging project and funds the start of the town’s comprehensive plan 10-year update. The meeting record shows approval motions carried on department budget sums (administration, finance, public works, police, dispatch, schools, library, recreation and others) as presented in the packet.

The meeting included a slate of routine fiscal authorizations commonly taken at town financial meetings: authority for the town treasurer (with council consent) to borrow in anticipation of taxes; to issue refunding bonds if savings result; to place and move town investments and bank accounts; and to issue notes in anticipation of water and sewer revenues under Rhode Island law. The meeting also ratified and confirmed certain overexpenditures in FY2025 (within limits) and authorized continuation and expenditure of awarded grant funds beyond amounts originally budgeted if grant proceeds exceed budgeted amounts.

Votes at a glance
- Adopt FY2026 total expenditures of $20,142,758 — motion carried (voice vote)
- Approve tax levy language and collection schedule (resolution authorizing assessment and collection of taxes for FY2026 up to amounts certified) — motion carried (voice vote; resolution read by town clerk and adopted)
- Approve capital plan items highlighted (including $50,000 year‑one harbor dredging planning) — motion carried
- Approve department budget sums (administration $1,773,004; finance $589,294; central dispatch $524,291; police $1,431,543; public works $1,466,081; school support $5,877,667; others as in packet) — motions carried
- Approve debt service appropriation $3,807,227 — motion carried
- Authorize borrowing in anticipation of taxes and issue of notes for water and sewer charges under applicable Rhode Island statutes — motions carried

Why it matters: The adopted FY2026 budget sets spending and the tax levy framework for New Shoreham for the year beginning July 1, 2025. The package funds ongoing town operations, capital maintenance projects and the start of multi-year capital efforts such as harbor dredging and the comprehensive plan update. Several line items (short-term rental revenue, municipal alarm replacement, library elevator, and human services) will affect near-term departmental operations and capital planning.

Meeting context: The budget presentation spanned multiple department sections in the packet; the town manager and finance staff walked voters through the packet and answered questions about specific capital items and department changes. Several motions to approve departmental sums were made and carried by voice vote; many department motions had minimal discussion and were approved in sequence.","At the May 5, 2025 New Shoreham financial town meeting, voters approved a $20,142,758 fiscal year 2026 budget and a package of related fiscal authorizations, including capital projects, debt-service and borrowing authorities. The approved tax levy remains under the state 4% cap.","actionData","errors"]

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New Shoreham voters approve $2 million bond authorization for 16-unit Ball O’Brien affordable housing project

New Shoreham adopts $20.14 million FY2026 budget; town approves multiple fiscal measures