[{"_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",6646135,"mediaKeyId","3402023-7cfae097eb495957f29ca5c828736687","parentId",3402023,"title","Public works outlines paving, fuel-facility and wastewater upgrades; sewer rate to rise 1.7%","audioSeconds",1496,"startMs",3400000,"endMs",4896000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3402023-7cfae097eb495957f29ca5c828736687&start=3400&end=4896","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3402023-7cfae097eb495957f29ca5c828736687/thumbnail_3400000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6646135/East-Greenwich/Kent-County/Rhode-Island/Public-works-outlines-paving-fuel-facility-and-wastewater-upgrades-sewer-rate-to-rise-17","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6646135-d5d78205ec749d89d1f07488a869f5d3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770441751&Signature=YasjgmCBxDtNeIcIJT5AmfGpeZMnnCD8p76cKo7LPOqOHbdiccxA3Uu-nboDKY9g3aYvZQAzzwS4kAUjsf~uWj4d42CV3VqPIuCXG61H20mFy55F-aiq3~f86xI2HzHIgSS8AydgZDa2aFNv-nMwMtTQjZ1ZaQjnGY9EfxL40hTF1BlOmOihhyl7kYj4-FGKHlGv8Aif~ZD~Nia~yUrXTpoVfWi6F8pcSpfHkjkuV~y1I0aGrj9fjW9eedZVHAY3dFQwIeIk9Jk57RuhTiHZR4Q7X~muKp5HusMx7qS~LeFe-Q7NueOrtwRcrcF2h9DgrsbWG05-y4IuO8wO1jm6QA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","East Greenwich","date","2025-05-19T00:00:00Z","article","Fred Gomes, director of Public Works, summarized operations, capital projects and wastewater needs during the May 19 budget hearing. Gomes reviewed five DPW divisions — engineering, building, facilities, highway and wastewater — and outlined near-term projects and budget drivers.

Paving and streets: Gomes said the department paved about 3.7 miles of road last year and maintains roughly 97 miles of town road (194 lane miles). For FY2026 the department aims to deploy about $1.3–$1.4 million for asphalt work and to introduce rubberized asphalt chip sealing on selected streets (Tillinghast Road was cited as a candidate) to extend pavement life at lower cost than full rebuilds. Gomes said the town also plans sidewalk rehabilitation funded in part by ARPA money and an RFP for Main Street rehabilitation.

Fuel facilities and fleet: The town will replace two buried fuel tanks with a single above-ground facility (a split 10,000‑gallon tank — 6,000 gallons diesel / 4,000 gallons gasoline) and a fuel management system that tracks vehicle fueling and triggers maintenance notifications.

Stormwater and highway maintenance: The highway division reported about 1,300 catch basins that the town must clean and document each year under MS4 stormwater reporting; Gomes said the town is increasing drainage maintenance budget lines in response to storm-related damage.

Wastewater and sewer program: Gomes and wastewater staff reviewed the treatment plant and collection system: four pump stations, 42 miles of gravity sewer, three miles of low-pressure force main, and a treatment plant capacity cited at 1.7 million gallons per day. Gomes outlined design and lining projects, including lining an older 8‑inch main on Main Street and replacing about 57 laterals; the Hunt’s River interceptor also requires repair. The town plans to replace an unsupported UV disinfection system with a current UV design and to design a new UV system through an engineering RFP.

Costs and rate impact: Gomes told the council the wastewater budget must absorb rising chemical costs (an increase from about $100,000 to $150,000 in the chemicals line) and higher equipment and contractual costs. To balance the wastewater fund, the proposed sewer rate would increase from $15.27 per 100 cubic feet to $15.54 (an increase of 27 cents, or about 1.7 percent).

Why it matters: road and sewer infrastructure affect public safety, resilience and property values; planned preventive maintenance (chip sealing, crack filling) is intended to stretch limited paving funds and reach more roads.

Gomes also noted personnel changes: the wastewater superintendent Sean O’Neil retired after 34 years and Riley Green, previously assistant superintendent, was appointed superintendent; the department planned interviews for an assistant superintendent.

Ending: Gomes said the work program balances preventative treatments and targeted rebuilds while pursuing grants and federal/state road funds where available; councilors asked for publicly accessible road-condition data and a five‑year paving plan the town plans to post.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","East Greenwich - Town Council - May 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Fred Gomes, director of Public Works, summarized operations, capital projects and wastewater needs during the May 19 budget hearing, including paving plans, a replacement fuel facility and wastewater upgrades.","taxTitle","East Greenwich, Kent County, Rhode Island","taxId",79579,"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},6646141,"East Greenwich town clerk proposes ordinance recodification, property-alert service and e-permitting improvements",628,1761000,2389000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3402023-7cfae097eb495957f29ca5c828736687&start=1761&end=2389","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3402023-7cfae097eb495957f29ca5c828736687/thumbnail_1761000.jpg","/articles/6646141/East-Greenwich/Kent-County/Rhode-Island/East-Greenwich-town-clerk-proposes-ordinance-recodification-property-alert-service-and-e-permitting-improvements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6646141-29727398a100f53e2cc0bf93f7c1fbc3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770441751&Signature=UjYlCG4Ly8UGL66RHujyw7Jj7i6aD9iiEMiw2FIT~uOnXoD1ShcwChtreTSE-mf6cjABxNGH3~Yba258OfexpUv2MduGvDNTdx8QuqyzF8~bckQrZKhSi9L~XH92s9NUNVCir305ACY6yZeaHmzEqRMp-qHEfby45WTjKvbYtk4UrJAF1XyV1t02WNAWKuOs8XlO1XHdmSOl1Qx2QN~qaN4jBXmpOr93Q6yUGAG6hFIwc0P8rjLcf8C7tNTCt7pA9UfP02CNGlDyofE3FI7FY8AehraqzD2adpYBCFz8n90n37qxn2XPBnxFPHmqlHXOXN9XlzTy8XtefIAvNyYF9A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town Clerk Lee Carney outlined four principal goals for her office during the May 19 budget public hearing: complete a comprehensive recodification of town ordinances, modernize boards and commissions management, implement an online property-alert service to notify residents of new land-record entries, and continue transitioning permitting and ticketing to electronic platforms.

Carney said the codification follows the town charter requirement and cited Section C‑73, which directs periodic recodification; she told the council she expects a full legal and editorial review and aims to return a final product for council approval by June 30, 2026. She said the town’s vendor General Code will perform the recodification and the solicitor’s office and manager’s office will review the draft.

On property protection, Carney described a proposed subscription-based alert module that would notify a registrant by email when a recorded land record contains a specified name — a response, she said, to public concern about deceptive filings that could create “slander of title” and other fraud. Carney said she will bring a module proposal later in the summer after vendor scoping. She also described ongoing moves to replace manual parking-ticket entry with a browser-based system that issues QR-coded remittance envelopes and integrates with municipal court software.

Why it matters: the initiatives target document security, greater transparency for board appointments, more efficient permit workflows and the potential to reduce fraud-related anxiety among older residents.

Carney summarized operational metrics: the office recorded more than 2,200 documents year-to-date, with about 70 percent submitted via the e-recording option implemented in July 2023. She also reviewed the office’s work across municipal court, probate, vital statistics, business licensing and the Board of Canvassers, which she said carries duties under Title 17 of the Rhode Island General Laws.

Carney asked councilors for guidance and said she would return with specific proposals and budget line items for the modules and the ordinance recodification work in coming months.","Town Clerk Lee Carney outlined priorities including a comprehensive codification of ordinances required by the town charter, a property-alert module to detect fraudulent recordings, modernization of boards-and-commissions management, and e-permitting/parking-ticket system upgrades.",{"_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},6646144,"East Greenwich Free Library seeks modest FY2026 increase, prioritizes HVAC, programming and accessibility",385,985000,1370000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3402023-7cfae097eb495957f29ca5c828736687&start=985&end=1370","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3402023-7cfae097eb495957f29ca5c828736687/thumbnail_985000.jpg","/articles/6646144/East-Greenwich/Kent-County/Rhode-Island/East-Greenwich-Free-Library-seeks-modest-FY2026-increase-prioritizes-HVAC-programming-and-accessibility","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6646144-61e2431d07061f936f48004093d66a05/orig.mp4?Expires=1770441751&Signature=A~YfJociuoCRH7A0BAX7Er~rhtW27cff5Ga1uw-yCzLeBobFTYMfgUjI~pvChY9QqiXGAvuUZK~tL9RhOCtzzLLZlQQLa7TUQ8tIYsme7mENQTj9x9hpnzTL3vL~eY4ZlNQY2Ea0H26PltjTtP3BtN6mZ0XGNhXR--MVl7Gx3RfoK2G83khb7IvDgk3coaCd37OoWxdv3zd7XjtbJusnXujn6je-MtD8OmRAxYr7dmtCg1qLrA3wh2tu9UnQT2SvmFLzj3PHN0YjAJcQEldoC~0PcO4du7HaRu6Kd9GGugCyjpdlrYsOWuBs3WoBdA1D1HrBqq4Ktlt~iOANJ8xRBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Adrienne Gerard, director of the East Greenwich Free Library, presented the library’s FY2026 request during the Town Council’s May 19 public hearing on the municipal budget.

Gerard said the library’s operating model continues to combine municipal support for salaries, utilities and building maintenance with grants and donations that fund programs, collections and museum passes. She described an expansion in program offerings — yoga classes, STEM programming, craft kits, notary services, outdoor story times and digital services — and told the council that average monthly programs increased about 31 percent between fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2025 while program attendance rose about 230 percent over the same span.

Gerard said the library is prioritizing HVAC upgrades to improve indoor air quality and accessibility improvements for patrons with disabilities; the library is pursuing state and private grants to support capital work. She also referenced recent improvements in bookkeeping and accounts-payable processing following integration with the town’s Munis system.

The manager’s budget slides reflect a proposed $10,000, or roughly 1.7 percent, increase for the library fund in FY2026. Gerard noted a small reduction in state aid this year from about $153,000 to $148,000 (a decrease of roughly $5,000) and said that, while grants and donations “are the things that make a library a library,” town and state support pay core operating costs.

Why it matters: the library’s expanded programming and growing attendance make its funding and capital needs — notably HVAC — a community priority for services used by families, students and residents of all ages.

Councilors commended library staff and trustees for program growth and fundraising. Councilor Michael Zarrella and others urged patience with the town’s budget process while noting the library’s role in the community; several councilors said they would support restoring small amounts of aid if town revenues allowed.

Gerard summarized the library’s goals as safety, accessibility and community connection and said the trustees and staff will continue to pursue grants and private fundraising to support nonoperating costs such as flooring and HVAC.","Library Director Adrienne Gerard presented the East Greenwich Free Library budget request and program updates; trustees and councilors praised strong program growth despite a small reduction in state aid.",{"_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},6646149,"East Greenwich manager proposes $90.5 million FY2026 budget; levy increase of 4.93% highlighted",9392,320000,9712000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3402023-7cfae097eb495957f29ca5c828736687&start=320&end=9712","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3402023-7cfae097eb495957f29ca5c828736687/thumbnail_320000.jpg","/articles/6646149/East-Greenwich/Kent-County/Rhode-Island/East-Greenwich-manager-proposes-905-million-FY2026-budget-levy-increase-of-493-highlighted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6646149-4f0860d51609fc3b50b4e7da05551e40/orig.mp4?Expires=1770441751&Signature=fGuIO40YRB4dIl1tRBpjtGzYcDZTPl~3THCKgaixakjazO7b4Pfu5vBFF0YiEjFKWLnZvW9xB6CTmpZG5mu-YNusubY8vMq~QbhWsd6y2YWI4-~ApspQmWx6VvIyOEJMJ9w9jreguvffOZ4C77j5uHMCl63Xk~KeFYd1f9SxOdwGopQOSUQ02twqkwORr2Ou6vzah4hvxvCvAe6oAPs9x3VRjTqtdnIzLtwNu11YiHmV9qMeDpZQxzhXTYVYdH3IVW-HEFX~~6~CUNs0GB9fTxqtdS1u3aekyqFUIp7W4o8qmi-5V1M3QO3pDDQIBA0S44tof8eBDafWWz7kZ3Tuaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town Manager Andy Nada presented the East Greenwich proposed fiscal year 2026 operating and capital program at a May 19 special meeting, saying the overall budget package totals about $90.5 million and would produce a tax levy increase of 4.93 percent.

The proposal would hold the town’s general fund at roughly $28.5 million while the school operating budget totals about $50.2 million, of which just under $43 million would be supported by the property tax transfer. Nada told the council the residential tax rate equivalent would move from $14.73 to about $15.46 under the manager’s proposal. He said the increase above the state’s 4 percent default levy cap is driven primarily by rising debt service tied to the first interest payments on the school construction initiative and by lower investment income.

The town manager said bond activity planned for June will create approximately six months of interest expense in FY2026, producing an estimated net debt impact of about $1.8 million. Debt service overall was described at just under $4.3 million, a roughly 20.5 percent increase in that category in the manager’s slides.

Why it matters: the municipal levy funds public safety, public works, library and other town services along with the tax transfer for schools; the council must adopt a final budget on or before June 10.

Key numbers in the manager’s presentation included an overall budget of $90.5 million; a general fund near $28.5 million; a school operating request of $50,185,000; and a proposed $10,000 (1.7 percent) increase for the library fund. Nada described the proposed increase to the school tax transfer as the manager’s 4 percent request and said the school department itself requested about $1.6 million over current transfers. The manager also noted other revenue and proprietary funds that together produce the $90.5 million program.

Councilors and staff discussed next steps for adoption. The Town Council closed the public hearing on the FY2026 departmental budget at the May 19 meeting and will continue deliberations at meetings scheduled to review the overall program; the manager noted a follow-up session on May 27 and an additional meeting on June 9 ahead of the June 10 statutory deadline.

Quotes: Nada said the budget process began last fall with capital planning and that the manager is required by the town charter to present a budget on or before May 1. Council President Mark Schwager moved to close the public hearing, and the motion passed unanimously.

The presentation included departmental detail and a series of follow-up slides that the manager and finance staff said would remain available in the larger budget document for public review. Councilors asked for scenario runs and comparisons to prior years, and the manager said staff could provide tax-impact scenarios for different appropriation levels at the next meeting.

Ending: With the public hearing closed, the council will reconvene to consider specific changes and to set the tax rates before the statutory adoption deadline.","Town Manager Andy Nada presented a proposed FY2026 operating and capital program totaling about $90.5 million, including a 4.93% tax levy impact driven largely by debt service tied to school construction; the council closed the public hearing and will resume budget deliberations at upcoming meetings.",{"_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},6646130,"East Greenwich Police report staffing levels, grant funding and SRO arrangements as budget discussion continues",1268,6988000,8256000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3402023-7cfae097eb495957f29ca5c828736687&start=6988&end=8256","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3402023-7cfae097eb495957f29ca5c828736687/thumbnail_6988000.jpg","/articles/6646130/East-Greenwich/Kent-County/Rhode-Island/East-Greenwich-Police-report-staffing-levels-grant-funding-and-SRO-arrangements-as-budget-discussion-continues","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6646130-fc0e605d175fcabd5576b3b2e2c5d86b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770441751&Signature=MO3bj9roVd5qCGuh3oj0fNigQp84oEZdMCn7PYFNBB~iBBAZS35dux~izTDd-Tez~Rf7P5DX1mVXPJZaCcHNOicuge74Jat5avHDdFy6RDwGEBM6AKewyGR-ZuK3KKWdmCb0DOKZFMs0YsrHbW1wbssbOJJKJXsAzXy~ii5RaEppHqa95i8f6giJrP~kLHuiJmhNTdJA5t-pnwO1Cxxmo8cX3grR7dLBmHCnaa0-ziKNuSkQKXGpiUcW-LLY7MZ94HwlMS7XAcz1umy5hCnX2RDtyBohJGyMx2f-snlIbLN1ID2DWRGdTJjK~gkqoE3Tvox17rUWId3WEjmK8SgVwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Colonel (last name Brown) presented the police department’s FY2026 staffing and capital summary at the May 19 Town Council hearing, reporting 34 sworn officers across patrol, detective, juvenile and administrative divisions and eight full‑time plus one part‑time civilian staff.

The department described a vehicle-rotation plan that places new patrol cars into frontline service and moves older units into detail or administrative use; the department typically acquires two new marked vehicles a year. Revenue sources included traffic fines, VIN and permit fees, detail charges and grants; the chief noted a Justice Assistance Grant and a highway safety grant (highway-safety funds cited in the presentation total approximately $50,000 annually) and described an ongoing five‑year body-worn-camera grant of about $230,000.

Discussion touched on school resource officers (SROs): councilors and staff noted the town budgets roughly half the SRO cost (about $125,000 per SRO, or roughly $250,000 total) and said they are considering whether to formalize shared-cost arrangements with the school department so the school budget reflects those personnel costs directly. Councilors also asked about recruitment and retention; the chief reported the applicant pool is smaller than in prior years but that current candidates are generally more qualified, and the department had an academy recruit scheduled to begin in July.

Why it matters: public safety staffing, grant availability and SRO arrangements affect ongoing payroll, operational planning and school safety costs.

Councilors asked about the stability of grant funding and the chief said that while federal and state grant programs fluctuate, the department expected to rely on highway-safety grant funds in the near term. The council and manager discussed potential future policy options to address SRO budgeting and cost-sharing between town and school budgets.","Colonel Brown reported the department has 34 sworn officers and discussed vehicle rotation, grant funding including highway safety and a body-worn camera grant; councilors and the chief discussed the school resource officer arrangement and possible cost-sharing.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public works outlines paving, fuel-facility and wastewater upgrades; sewer rate to rise 1.7%

East Greenwich town clerk proposes ordinance recodification, property-alert service and e-permitting improvements

East Greenwich Free Library seeks modest FY2026 increase, prioritizes HVAC, programming and accessibility

East Greenwich manager proposes $90.5 million FY2026 budget; levy increase of 4.93% highlighted

East Greenwich Police report staffing levels, grant funding and SRO arrangements as budget discussion continues