[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6538946,"mediaKeyId","3791711-26b88ede2cea60e4d8aad9650f9952c6","parentId",3791711,"title","Residents press council on street safety; Hammond Street traffic study expanded to wider neighborhood","audioSeconds",3,"startMs",325,"endMs",4215,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3791711-26b88ede2cea60e4d8aad9650f9952c6&start=0&end=4","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3791711-26b88ede2cea60e4d8aad9650f9952c6/thumbnail_325.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6538946/Rhode-Island/Residents-press-council-on-street-safety-Hammond-Street-traffic-study-expanded-to-wider-neighborhood","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6538946-d35c6026284529a2a863c0647d1ab872/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140521&Signature=LnaB8fRGHQ0KWRILhGJc2vkTCAq5tfH7PNQUxQKUPdy99OEtR3ImvIiUOpnRWbZ7OtzR-fWnypNnRAV6do0Gp--L3uojQIY19XsjmCagJVqTliSSKBicnNNtRiwS0ngHJeyV9iyIRWJYrUfnns89tyOcOVUSow2C22DHeyV7zn~Xjz8DydUcgabMagYu-4eRAVjjfALNvJXKLBz5T3p03x-XIfrfgvX7YNZCNiJyIl-YJI6R6sXcnYuAjyuQuvMM4UUhc7D0UAOvtf4Cpf9m0agiCGilwSx9HCPcJkBIqTU~bO~q-0n1~hVreXebzcjp2DQD4OKjvTSqD7LT~lCUGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Newport","date","2025-06-11T18:35:00Z","article","Residents used the Citizens' Forum at the June 11 Newport City Council meeting to press for more street safety measures and for better application of the city's Complete Streets rules. The council then voted to commission a traffic engineering study focused on Hammond Street and the surrounding neighborhood and amended that request to cover a larger area identified by city staff.

Barry Freeman of Bike Newport told the council he and his board sent a letter asking the city to ensure road projects follow the Green and Complete Streets ordinance (City code section 12.04.050), which requires plans for new streets or major improvements to consider all road users. \"We haven't been seeing this applied in the work that's being done on our roads,\" Freeman said, citing Wellington Avenue — recently repaved — as an example without visible bicycle accommodations. He asked how project reviews document adherence to the ordinance and whether exemptions are formally reported.

Eric Komirma (transcript: \"Eric Komirma,\" Bedloe/Bedlow Avenue resident) told the council speeding and cut‑through traffic on neighborhood streets is a growing safety problem and asked for more stop signs, additional police enforcement or speed cameras, and better enforcement of weight or commercial‑vehicle restrictions. \"Some people are treating our streets like it's a highway,\" Komirma said. \"It's disrespectful to our community quality of life and creates real danger for pedestrians and cyclists.\" He proposed adding several three‑way stop signs on Bedloe Avenue and increasing police presence if camera enforcement is too costly.

Councilor David Carlin introduced a resolution requesting an engineering traffic study on Hammond Street and nearby blocks to assess traffic patterns and recommend improvements. The city manager said the administration supports the study and recommended including surrounding streets cited in the Transportation Master Plan. Councilors amended the resolution at the manager's request to expand the study area to include streets between Bellevue Avenue and the specified cross streets, incorporating a larger, contiguous area to avoid piecemeal studies that could shift traffic problems to adjacent blocks.

The amended resolution instructs the administration to collaborate with Hammond Street residents to define the study components and timeline, to report on feasibility and funding options, and to make results publicly available. The manager said funding might be placed in next year's capital improvement program but that planning and data collection could start sooner if resources are available.

Councilors and staff also voted earlier in the meeting on a separate traffic item: the Interdepartmental Traffic Commission recommendation to amend the parking ordinance designating certain residential parking streets and to remove Kilburn Court from a timed restriction (moving it to a 24‑hour designation) — that recommendation was approved.

Ending — Next steps: The administration will consult with residents on study scope and timing and return with feasibility and funding information. The study’s results are expected to guide any subsequent traffic‑calming installations or parking changes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Newport - Newport City Council Regular Meeting - June 11, 2025 - Jun 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Residents and neighborhood groups urged the Newport City Council on June 11 to apply the city’s Green and Complete Streets rules and to take action on speeding and cut‑through traffic; the council approved a traffic engineering study for Hammond Street and expanded its geographic scope.","taxTitle","Newport, Providence County, Rhode Island","taxId",79596,"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},6538952,"Council approves pier change order, grants, software contracts and event permits; summary of actions",0,3177,3344,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3791711-26b88ede2cea60e4d8aad9650f9952c6&start=3&end=3","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3791711-26b88ede2cea60e4d8aad9650f9952c6/thumbnail_3177.jpg","/articles/6538952/Rhode-Island/Council-approves-pier-change-order-grants-software-contracts-and-event-permits-summary-of-actions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6538952-fba9510f0aa5db5db65b81706046c9da/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140521&Signature=kr2jG6F8lu1NZ2Y~3JD99bPqcHTwWrLseVHJ-V8ZzXi-cmamSRT5~Lp1jC5I7cCHOZj2meQ-4mLgDWUTG6Nr68CjEm5XxzDIwjjfZfqwmHAJCDBg0WiFdezAWtz9r2cEPJ-9AyJPlrqSZxIlUaTCFiPg~JDOHYEZ29rLUijwti~y7usHCBLIncjE~pUffgmwRtWIi~DTr25GX9litmfYC7pqjBaNkouPHI1gD4I9DO~3dPLB9X2obvnXV8L4kAw~FfWu9G1HV8xXFzEfcTL3I14r9ytb8YBBK2GoXUM~OsSsToe8aa7a0Yjdk2fXSCwQ7vQknubUcYoBazPSWlQhWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Newport City Council on June 11 approved a number of contracts, grants and licenses during its meeting. Most measures were noncontroversial and were adopted by unanimous or near‑unanimous voice votes; a handful prompted brief questions from councilors.

Major actions approved included:

- Elm Street Pier change order: The Harbor Division recommended and the council approved a change order to Reagan Marine Construction LLC (Newport) not to exceed $81,294.16 for additional construction services related to the Elm Street Pier repair and replacement project. The work addresses movement observed in northwest winds and will add a track/batter pile system; the contractor expects additional components to be manufactured in Canada with associated lead time.

- Bridal Ocean State Climate Adaptation and Resilience Fund Grant: The Department of Utilities staff recommended and council approved executing a grant agreement to accept $150,000 to study marsh habitat restoration and public green spaces at Southeastern Pond. The funding was budgeted.

- Grant management software: The Department of Resilience and Sustainability recommended awarding a 3‑year Master Price Agreement to Amplifund (EUNA Solutions) for grant management software. Annual subscription is $27,500 with a 19.5% implementation/setup fee; total three‑year cost to the city $102,000. The council approved the purchase; funding is in contract services and IT licensing budgets.

- AI/constituent engagement contract renewal: The manager and IT department recommended automatic renewal of a contract with Polymorphic Inc. for AI‑driven constituent engagement (chat and after‑hours voice). The renewal covers July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026, at up to $33,600. City staff reported the service is handling dozens of engagements daily; council approved the renewal.

- Community Development Block Grant (CDBG): In a public hearing and vote, the council approved a resolution to pursue a supplemental CDBG application to accommodate the Martin Luther King Community Center's interest in applying for available funds. City staff explained the state CDBG action plan requires at least one public hearing before the application deadline; the council approved the resolution to allow processing of the MLK Center submission.

- Event and liquor licenses: The council approved multiple special event and sound‑variance requests, including Coastal Extreme Brewing Company's summer series (sound variance to 95 dB with controls and abutter notice) and Bike to the Beach New England's Class F‑1 daily liquor license for a September event at King Park (beer service in a controlled area). Sidewalk café licenses and other special events were approved as listed on the docket.

- Board of License Commissioners matters: The council, sitting as the Board of License Commissioners, approved multiple class and daily liquor licenses and continued a show‑cause hearing regarding a licensee to a future meeting while the establishment remains closed.

Votes and approvals were recorded in the public record; several items carried without roll‑call tallies beyond standard 'ayes' in the meeting transcript.

Ending — Implementation: City departments were directed to finalize agreements, update procurement records and proceed with scheduled project timelines; the Elm Street Pier contractor was asked to expedite delivery where possible to meet a July 4 target for additional work.","The Newport City Council approved multiple project contracts, grant agreements and event licenses on June 11, including an $81,294.16 change order for Elm Street Pier repairs, a $150,000 climate‑adaptation grant for Southeastern Pond and a three‑year $102,000 contract for grant‑management software.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":79,"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6538956,"Newport council trims proposed hires, reduces school increase amid heated debate over regionalization",4395,5052,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3791711-26b88ede2cea60e4d8aad9650f9952c6&start=4&end=5","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3791711-26b88ede2cea60e4d8aad9650f9952c6/thumbnail_4395.jpg","/articles/6538956/Rhode-Island/Newport-council-trims-proposed-hires-reduces-school-increase-amid-heated-debate-over-regionalization","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6538956-2e4efba390be34f5f4f4715696e16a5f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140521&Signature=m~fb68zy3VEyUg6M7DPXNv9Mh1M1ObxmmmfA7Yt~BFi9tvVkW54dsYzZCC341r-lQvEFXDVR1YRCNLPZ1-wGKQNj2WpLEYO~AN3ShzkFPsawH52xF3utb5~Fg4mGh0PJhK1kbKcyYyL8yKK0tJ3IaYfe5P5HHKEoPX-vOJ5JhkmKVhvs5Qef0gsvFWFX4neTJYGHrCn7Ubj9iL4KUKUP4qGmG2SMDwSTnb~4fMVmLb3fW0n9DLzqExljN3Fb2XoALMgaIbbdQBi3VKssT0NnDVZk~qHiyp~WX6jYlW9sruP9MCPIDJLY2hVTESOUskXsqeRfOOMBI462XR9f45xNAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Newport City Council on June 11 held a public hearing on the draft FY2026–FY2027 biennial budget and approved the ordinance appropriating revenues on first reading after multiple amendments and extended debate over school funding and possible regionalization with neighboring districts.

The council opened the public hearing and heard more than a dozen speakers, many representing families and the Newport School Committee. Stephanie Winslow, a member of the Newport School Committee, asked the council to approve a 4% local appropriation for the schools, saying a higher local appropriation is crucial to retain staff and meet contractual and operating costs. \"We can't pay our teachers without the local appropriation,\" Winslow said. \"State and federal funding comes with a lot of strings and restrictions.\" Penelope Hunt, a parent and member of the schools' finance working group, said the draft budget already cuts roughly 10% from the district's salary line and that cuts would result in dozens of lost positions and larger class sizes.

Supporters of larger city allocations noted program demand and rising need for counselors, special-education services and food assistance. \"We serve a lot of Newport residents — over 6,000,\" Heather Hall Stroud of the Martin Luther King Community Center told the council during a separate public hearing on CDBG funding. School committee members and parents warned additional cuts would force further layoffs.

Councilors pressed the school department on budget detail during the hearing. Members of the school committee and the public identified individual line items that could be reconfigured (for example, interim professional contracts and administrative positions) and urged the school administration to prioritize restoring direct student services if additional funds become available.

On the council floor, members debated personnel additions included in the manager's proposed budget. Councilor David Carlin moved to remove nine proposed new municipal positions from the FY26 personnel plan, a motion that passed on a recorded vote 4–3. Carlin then proposed reducing the city's local appropriation to the school department from the proposed 4% to 2%; that motion passed 5–2. Carlin told colleagues he would consider restoring funds later if the school department made specific changes to restore frontline positions such as counselors and paraeducators.

The budget debate also featured repeated discussion of a potential regionalization opportunity with Middletown and the state's extra cost share for the Pell/Rogers bond if regionalization conditions are met. Councilors argued about whether to pursue a study or take the state's currently proposed incentives, and whether to delay final budget action pending the state budget outcome. The council voted against delaying the first reading but later set the second reading for the regularly scheduled June meeting.

Mayor Charles M. Holder Jr. and the city manager repeatedly urged the council that some budget items are time‑sensitive and that any change to the appropriation schedule can affect implementation and tax billing schedules. Director of Finance Jim Nolan confirmed the city's first debt service payment on the Pell/Rogers borrowing will appear in FY26 and that the proposed budget includes both interest and principal obligations.

The council approved the appropriation ordinance on first reading as amended and separately approved a revised personnel ordinance to reflect the council's changes to staffing lines; the personnel ordinance will be finalized at second reading. Councilors and staff said the school department and city administration will continue to refine budget detail before the second reading. Several council motions tied restoration of funds to the school department producing specific budget revisions showing restored student-facing positions or otherwise demonstrating how any added funds would return direct services.

The council also voted to separate civic-support allocations from the main appropriation so members could recuse where conflicts exist and to take individual votes on a small group of civic support recipients.

The council did not enact the final tax levy at the meeting; the appropriation vote on first reading sets the intent and will be revisited at second reading after the council reviews technical changes and additional information from the school department and state budget actions.

Ending — Next steps: The council set a second reading for the budget ordinance at the regular June meeting and asked city staff and the school department to return with clarifications requested during the hearing, including a line‑by‑line accounting for particular administrative positions and plans for restoring student-facing staff if funds are allocated.","The Newport City Council on June 11 held a public hearing on the FY2026–FY2027 budget and, after lengthy debate and public testimony, approved the revenue appropriation on first reading with several amendments that cut proposed city hires and reduced the city's school allocation from 4% to 2% pending school‑department budget adjustments.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents press council on street safety; Hammond Street traffic study expanded to wider neighborhood

Council approves pier change order, grants, software contracts and event permits; summary of actions

Newport council trims proposed hires, reduces school increase amid heated debate over regionalization