[{"_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",6514776,"mediaKeyId","5023912-86d481e4a99c8852728c107a6f44a16d","parentId",5023912,"title","Council authorizes town manager and solicitor to work with USDA on acquisition timeline and cooperative agreement","audioSeconds",348,"startMs",4456000,"endMs",4804000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5023912-86d481e4a99c8852728c107a6f44a16d&start=4456&end=4804","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5023912-86d481e4a99c8852728c107a6f44a16d/thumbnail_4456000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6514776/West-Warwick/Kent-County/Rhode-Island/Council-authorizes-town-manager-and-solicitor-to-work-with-USDA-on-acquisition-timeline-and-cooperative-agreement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6514776-224c2b75ad6f8a5a2643c2e4a6eff98e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775342021&Signature=lgyoy1fNWSBVTYNwRtOISNh9KmMMX74RMlMR7P6xipqkjlBWivJIfAlVbTmGp8SVxmAxYFfLYtnhyqKELJLY3B2NXSHqPDCpxz21c1aqSE6~vMTc5PPD~Nbh4CigurrSJI5u2rVYuJibOevXsjJmKyeq~~pl2FOXxL9cUf6YDJipiemZaas-71QTjuTsmi~~FMrik2T4mkqtQxf5K2xizeUggpwtqyFir8mvimABclmEod6cjciI~V4auGGDTqElxEOi8EaILzL0gRc2G70qLlskunPbLOrrCiXK6zBMb3C1VwBdQEzBEDovJ45svSXQFbs9VX70L2XzUhZVOhyuBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","West Warwick Town Council","date","2025-06-18T11:40:43Z","article","The West Warwick Town Council authorized the town manager and town solicitor to finalize discussions and to move forward with a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) related to a town acquisition project.

Staff reported that USDA officials determined a memorandum of understanding was not required and that the agency can proceed with a cooperative agreement. The council was told the cooperative agreement would outline responsibilities and a timetable; staff said they expect a draft within days and offered to return a timetable to the council and affected residents once the draft is available.

Council members asked staff to keep the process moving, to seek firm deadlines for appraisals, title work and environmental records, and to avoid unnecessary delays. Town staff described three primary actions the USDA will undertake: third-party appraisals, federal-record reviews, and environmental records screening; council members asked staff to press the USDA for clearly defined timelines and for regular updates to property owners.

On a voice vote the council authorized the town manager and town solicitor to finalize the cooperative agreement and to continue working with USDA officials to advance the acquisition process. Staff said they would report back to the council and, if necessary, schedule a special meeting to consider documents that require prompt action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","West Warwick Town Council June 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council authorized the town manager and town solicitor to finalize cooperative-agreement details with the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a property-acquisition project and asked staff to seek a timetable and deadlines to keep the federal process moving.","taxTitle","West Warwick , Kent County, Rhode Island","taxId",54448,"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},6514781,"Council continues liquor license transfer after creditors report nearly $389,000 owed",193,1843000,2036000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5023912-86d481e4a99c8852728c107a6f44a16d&start=1843&end=2036","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5023912-86d481e4a99c8852728c107a6f44a16d/thumbnail_1843000.jpg","/articles/6514781/West-Warwick/Kent-County/Rhode-Island/Council-continues-liquor-license-transfer-after-creditors-report-nearly-389000-owed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6514781-b23838673c5ea28418b4a754f4cbfc71/orig.mp4?Expires=1775342021&Signature=HxE4lxuTr2jUdBzbYWuBZ8dPbxvsf3A8FZHvN3YDRwKu0WgM8lDa41wzV4hz7JqQi9LxThbBJeEqOR3LCJ8jKfSOj-k8KUxecY7VSVSMf3jGNPzBaY3~PravRNZwZJa743WsZD2Fizg9Yf3mXB~Cj54ymod8am-syxlxmVvwVC8dRzsg6FCksmNtyKZq0aVKOx0Btyx72Z8lwauGX~QgQlUOrD~Iu7V45NQiC79xSoFMPyxuk8pzLWo8i83hJmXSwTNMEclOMzSXpjDUU5mGxCpQx8tpuKMV6vUAUhwPeV76Foj7wxUikxmanMXJCIqElhZQbBaLtZgGkVL3o6A46g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Warwick Town Council continued action on a proposed transfer/relocation of a class A liquor license for a business identified in the record as 99 Fletcher Dose LLC, doing business as Joyless Liquors, after the town clerk reported creditor claims of $388,776.39 outstanding against the licensee.

Under state law cited at the hearing (transcript reference to Rhode Island general law on transfers), the council noted that transfer is normally withheld until debts tied to operation of the licensed premises are paid or suitably contested. Town staff said they received three notices from creditors: one for roughly $167,000, another for about $46,000, and a third for about $44,000, producing a total reported outstanding amount of $388,776.39.

A managing member of the applicant told the council the debts would be settled at the planned closing on July 21. Council members recommended the clerk verify payment and documentation before acting. A motion to continue the transfer to the August 12 council meeting passed on a voice vote so the clerk could confirm the outstanding claims were paid or otherwise resolved.

No license transfer was approved; the council will consider the matter after the clerk verifies whether creditors have been paid.","The council continued consideration of a transfer of a class A liquor license for 99 Fletcher Dose LLC (doing business as Joyless Liquors) after the town clerk reported creditor claims totaling $388,776.39; the council set the matter for August 12 pending payment verification.",{"_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},6514785,"Parents urge town to fix River Point soccer fields, cite safety and contamination concerns",515,2307000,2822000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5023912-86d481e4a99c8852728c107a6f44a16d&start=2307&end=2822","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5023912-86d481e4a99c8852728c107a6f44a16d/thumbnail_2307000.jpg","/articles/6514785/West-Warwick/Kent-County/Rhode-Island/Parents-urge-town-to-fix-River-Point-soccer-fields-cite-safety-and-contamination-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6514785-a21fa2168aa71ab9705fb46ee3550f6e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775342021&Signature=kbwZtGwyis6TC0OumdoBh2AMF09TbwR5ZmzgaM9oHzk3hrH3rKp-YDR5tJ9AkbSKW7uVALJ5YOoObi9nyHdg0tTxPql1xhrL3U--24thR~h4eltTCXroAR9Mzz0ZJYXCoBPh8HWMg1629GaTSslP2~AFcan~l8HnfRGFkRWYNK4h4perBFmFUSiQMzrdeNR4sU6u0YTgg6RIown4i5s1mo4u8003Vd9t3LHuNTtfN0FQCgfFuAeYv9jnoNXSzEtap5t-Ks~Hir4X8BYiPEpY0KjGkl1rFDa1BJKAGEG3Kt5CYNtAk4zkVkfNGPTuahjNyYHIUyradzPPyp1aE0b8HQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Parents and community volunteers urged the West Warwick Town Council to prioritize repairs at River Point Park, saying the current soccer fields are uneven, contain shards of glass and other debris, and create safety risks for young players.

Megan Valentine, a Ward 5 resident and parent, told the council the West Warwick Soccer Association is a 40-year‑old community program and said coaches and parents inspect fields before games because rain can surface shards of glass. Valentine asked the council to identify immediate funding for repairs, interim safe playing options while fields are fixed, and a plan for long-term maintenance.

Council members and staff said River Point has long had maintenance challenges and that a full remediation and engineered reconstruction could trigger state environmental (DEM) rules that raise costs substantially. Officials cited a wide range of estimates: a minimal fix (grading/topsoil) might cost a “half‑million” dollars, while full remediation and engineered reconstruction could approach $6 million, depending on what environmental testing and permitting require. The council noted the town has sought grant funding and that Wakefield Hills and other school-managed fields might be available for temporary use.

Parks and recreation staff and council members encouraged the soccer association to meet with Parks & Recreation and the town manager to explore interim playing fields, scheduling at other town or school sites, and to pursue potential grant or multi-source financing for a comprehensive solution. The council noted an outside project (URI/Central Falls riverwalk example cited in the meeting) demonstrates the complexity of combining stormwater mitigation, contamination remediation and turf installation and stressed a coordinated funding and engineering plan is needed.

No resolution or contract was approved at the meeting. Council members asked Parks & Recreation staff to convene meetings with the soccer association and the school department to identify short-term relocation options and to continue exploring grant funding and an engineered plan for River Point.","Parents and youth-sports advocates told the council River Point Park soccer fields are uneven, contain glass and buried debris, and pose safety risks; council and staff discussed high remediation estimates, regulatory triggers, and interim relocation options.",{"_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},6514788,"West Warwick approves contracts to keep Payne Street school project moving ahead of bond decision",539,3025000,3564000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5023912-86d481e4a99c8852728c107a6f44a16d&start=3025&end=3564","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5023912-86d481e4a99c8852728c107a6f44a16d/thumbnail_3025000.jpg","/articles/6514788/West-Warwick/Kent-County/Rhode-Island/West-Warwick-approves-contracts-to-keep-Payne-Street-school-project-moving-ahead-of-bond-decision","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6514788-ec9a6bb3cbbe216d5da9fdf21404f926/orig.mp4?Expires=1775342021&Signature=VQRcdlMcGcZmjTXxtWo-5Q63jHs4Oc~-aJArMU-6Kfribd2ukMmaM-a0hOGLNxkD9ut-DLgH~LhOU~j7o-b8ctYi0mAAVhUrKL0~U18d3jQgoC5MGZMW7GJfPp6z8xGmy46n2xKTb-PDztbd--u4mvNPT~JxWMJ5FN6lswQOuD6dDWExU1BCmLvsSBtprQaQlMBCCmHyr73EE3-DOvjIIIOycj21Zicyghoujvg0i4KtgUDvdQUUzsERc4eFnwV2Pm-Gs3voEr86N-sfXPGYBoFjWf5wbPFXctOX7SDqY~1TOEi-i6YCpanzVeVbtbWbkjnGYI-kb5ga2igTpYSlhg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Warwick Town Council approved contracts with Lehi Field and Tekton to continue design work for the Payne Street school project, a key step intended to preserve eligibility for state reimbursement and to keep the overall school-construction timetable on track.

Council members said the contracts — described by staff as task-based work through schematic and design development — will allow the town to meet deadlines for the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) stage submissions and avoid forfeiting a potential 68% reimbursement. Staff presented a four-task scope whose total was reported in the meeting as approximately $294,600; a single line-item quoted for Lehi Field was $46,140.

Some council members questioned whether the town was placing funds at risk by signing contracts before voters decide on a larger bond package that would finance the full set of school projects. One council member said the amount is ‘‘substantial’’ and expressed discomfort committing roughly $300,000 before the final bond outcome. Supporters said not moving forward could jeopardize reimbursements and other deadlines with RIDE.

Town officials and the school-building committee said the Payne Street work is important to free up classroom space at Maisie Quinn and to relocate the alternative-learning program; that sequencing, they said, is central to getting fifth graders out of the middle school. Officials described multiple funding scenarios: short-term borrowing or alternative funding to start design work and then reimbursing those costs if a bond receives voter approval.

On a voice vote the council approved the contracts and amended the resolution's funding language to specify loan proceeds or anticipated bond proceeds rather than school surplus. Council members asked the school-building committee to continue public meetings and to provide clear cost breakdowns and timelines for voters and the public.

No detailed guaranteed reimbursement was presented at the meeting; officials said RIDE responses were pending and that the town is answering questions from RIDE ahead of the next submission deadline. If RIDE approves the project, town officials said the 68% reimbursement would apply to eligible project costs.","The council approved contracts totaling about $294,600 for architectural and engineering work for the Payne Street school project and authorized funding from loan or anticipated bond proceeds to preserve state reimbursement eligibility; members debated committing funds before a bond vote.",{"_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},6514793,"West Warwick council continues Westworth Manor parking ordinance after public objections",1335,493000,1828000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5023912-86d481e4a99c8852728c107a6f44a16d&start=493&end=1828","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5023912-86d481e4a99c8852728c107a6f44a16d/thumbnail_493000.jpg","/articles/6514793/West-Warwick/Kent-County/Rhode-Island/West-Warwick-council-continues-Westworth-Manor-parking-ordinance-after-public-objections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6514793-7bc73d24c2c375687be7f41e9b1472db/orig.mp4?Expires=1775342021&Signature=Hq5XMtyIigghVj4oGDK74AEjrfHOcjvL6O12SsXBOvxuFRcdDyE8HLJtox8OG-vUwltiIU18~rdPVr-xJCgkUMo95~vgpQVkF9w1NKinB~XcUv8bm3A1YSdkGm~1NagPEczIsVvqH-~DFlHFoJsyHCkwW13WC-TI-cKQU0pFQNwfu~~4kqT314lt~kMcpEqaZodFQz49rpnMpM8WJnnwlkNB1evt15-gv87bzN4UsoA1KH6EcL9JuoLSbBEZZu4TwnfVukNmakSHSHz8QQiEAqYTPlAN4ghPYx0tQIejNX1h1PPy~VhUZXmzmyFOKAYV1z5vGsDlMotzJ-ZfcGqxpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Warwick Town Council on an initial vote continued the second reading of a traffic ordinance proposing restricted parking on Manor Drive near Westworth Manor to its July 8 meeting after residents and some council members urged more study and clarification.

The ordinance as drafted would change chapter 11 (Motor Vehicles and Traffic), article 2 (Operations), section 47 and add restricted routes to appendix C. Council members and residents objected to aspects of the proposed restrictions, especially on the easterly side of the street where tenant and visitor parking is relied on for events such as bingo nights at the Manor.

The council heard extended discussion from council members who said the draft contains the wrong date and conflicting measurement proposals: an earlier draft described a 120-foot restriction, a later version reduced that to 69 feet, and at least one council member proposed a 20-foot restriction near the entrance as a compromise. Major Kevin Ketchum and “Jay” (as identified on the record) said they had measured the street with the traffic commission and that several versions of the ordinance were circulated.

Several residents said loss of on-street visitor parking would make it difficult for family and guests to attend organized events at the Manor. Melissa Barr, a resident who said she lives on Plainfield Pike and works on Manor Drive, told the council she photographed existing “no parking” signs and said parking demand on bingo nights and for resident visitors is already high. Another resident who said he has lived near the Manor for 52 years said congestion has increased in recent years and expressed public-safety concerns about emergency vehicle access.

Council members also noted the traffic commission returned a recommendation that would restrict much of the street; others said the commission and the council’s measurements differed. One council member said they had received a letter from the Manor in support of restrictions but that he had not seen the letter before the meeting. Council members asked that the town obtain that letter and additional pictures and that the traffic commission and the housing authority coordinate so the council can make an informed decision.

Rather than proceed to final passage, a councilmember moved to continue the item (Agenda item H‑2) to the July 8 meeting to allow the traffic commission and town staff to reconcile measurements, provide the Manor’s letter, and gather additional public input. The motion carried on a voice vote. No formal vote on the ordinance text occurred at the June meeting.

Council members and residents asked staff to supply collision or safety data if available and to identify whether business parking or use of adjacent municipal lots contributed to the congestion. The council said the continued hearing will present a single ordinance text (as advertised) so any amendments can be considered at the next meeting without re-advertising.

The council did not adopt any restriction at the June meeting. The ordinance will return to the council on July 8 with additional documentation and with possible amendments based on further measurements and public input.","The West Warwick Town Council continued a second-reading traffic ordinance affecting Manor Drive to July 8 after residents and council members raised concerns about loss of visitor parking, measurement errors in the draft, and requests for more information from the traffic commission and housing authority.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council authorizes town manager and solicitor to work with USDA on acquisition timeline and cooperative agreement

Council continues liquor license transfer after creditors report nearly $389,000 owed

Parents urge town to fix River Point soccer fields, cite safety and contamination concerns

West Warwick approves contracts to keep Payne Street school project moving ahead of bond decision

West Warwick council continues Westworth Manor parking ordinance after public objections