[{"_1":2,"_96":-5,"_97":-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",[32,75,86],{"_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",6790986,"mediaKeyId","5586936-942db25df0030ecbeafb1a8844f3410f","parentId",5586936,"title","Foster council approves HydraDig purchase after resident questions transparency","audioSeconds",766,"startMs",766985,"endMs",-1,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5586936-942db25df0030ecbeafb1a8844f3410f&start=766&end=0","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5586936-942db25df0030ecbeafb1a8844f3410f/thumbnail_766985.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6790986/Foster/Providence-County/Rhode-Island/Foster-council-approves-HydraDig-purchase-after-resident-questions-transparency","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6790986-415601bfc0bb9d6f004586905b38c281/orig.mp4?Expires=1770553218&Signature=nPvUkq~mwRHH9cQOMuRV6cJRAoSAqtf16EqyRfBs0UO5Ppfjg2CsLEo2sbRbqlUQsbsEqw7I0kSPxmfW~XQnBWnbVieX9o-Yr2zpR3GHDWA441pinloXPE40rhdz0gDo5F7l3CUpt34ivAIjGnxQrvJvht6qTfOJH5SP4BIapfDiZcDFw~y-iOitokrQNNymaf5zBcIMBGft8h5YBGh7DyYwWQGd3qDqrtOqiBgZrQGpm5mOjvO9VYiTp505OHXQH1yEay83U7t9zNSN6oYsRenpL1AxkBpQunUFxFv4Orwqz7~b6zYZXK~BkGJnCRBjWsi38RGDZd3QanUb0lug8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Foster, RI","date","2025-08-15T00:08:09.11Z","article","The Foster Town Council voted to approve the public works department’s capital request to acquire a rubber-tire HydraDig excavator, after residents and councilors pressed officials for clarity about when and how the equipment was budgeted.

Resident Lynn Bridal told the council she had seen social posts suggesting the excavator was already bought and criticized purchases appearing to precede formal approval, saying, “things get purchased and then we ask the council,” and urging clearer, earlier disclosure of capital requests. DPW director Rogers responded that the HydraDig was a two-year expenditure, that the second payment became available July 1 and that the item had been approved through the planning-board process and a financial-town-meeting allocation. Rogers said the town had not made payment last year and that funds carry as capital until the purchase is completed.

Council members debated procurement and bidding: several members noted the town can “piggyback” on other municipalities’ contracts and had followed purchasing procedures. After discussion the council moved and approved the DPW capital request; the vote was taken by voice and recorded as passed.

Why it matters: The exchange illustrated residents’ concerns about transparency for large capital purchases and clarified that the HydraDig had been included in multi-year capital planning rather than an unexpected purchase. Advocates for capital planning said the approach preserves flexibility for departments that demonstrate need.

What’s next: The DPW will proceed with the purchase and the council will track the capital line as part of its budget process. Public comments on the item will remain part of the meeting record.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Foster Town Council Meeting 8/14/25","oneSentenceSummary","The Foster Town Council voted to approve the public works department’s HydraDig (rubber-tire excavator) capital request after residents questioned whether the purchase had been clearly presented at the financial town meeting.","taxTitle","Foster, Providence County, Rhode Island","taxId",79684,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_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},6790977,"Council accepts building-official resignation, names successor and approves leases and 250th commission",0,3261385,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5586936-942db25df0030ecbeafb1a8844f3410f&start=3261&end=3261","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5586936-942db25df0030ecbeafb1a8844f3410f/thumbnail_3261385.jpg","/articles/6790977/Foster/Providence-County/Rhode-Island/Council-accepts-building-official-resignation-names-successor-and-approves-leases-and-250th-commission","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6790977-49eb5a64ce9e005561075251eee92718/orig.mp4?Expires=1770553218&Signature=RbtZfsnyiPqgpbJtBFA1Yvc~Pl7xceWLz3zgr2dCW8SwaiDpO6zcmRLRJ6fvQOpbGLB-MaKlQjx79w05zSe-Bq9MynJjiNg1PZBxHSFDbeYqrQYwluxU8dRg0zNepqdFv0fJHDW71IzvpXt8rHiayFdWc7szPnXU~Ed~zLIusyYNBqGSDwlGsMGY4D2cEdTjLnYKZdkUOv0Z-XTIWU-HyfGyfOljvnN-baZS91~b8jplMxr0wS~SevMrzSwaL3R0OSjKhdsmz-1z7FNj~BfURgZFEumHIzBSdScciawPA6cSYXK4F3uq1~blxyijwUCv8C7RBKD7l9Q9Bpo0tIXZEg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its August 14 meeting the Foster Town Council handled several administrative items: it accepted the immediate resignation of George C. Dumont as building and zoning official and appointed Steven Greenleaf to the position at 18 hours per week, with a start date after Dumont’s retirement.

The council also approved two lease agreements for police communications equipment. One contract (Goose Town Communications) will lease Avtech radio communications equipment for the dispatch center (authorized at $4,106.99 per month); a second lease covers EF Johnson Viking VM-8000-series mobile radios at $160 per month. Councilors said the equipment is being ordered in advance so it is available when the new police station is complete.

Councilors unanimously approved Resolution No. 2025-03 establishing a Foster 200-and-fiftieth commission to plan events for the nation’s 250th anniversary; the resolution sets the commission’s composition, responsibilities, a reporting cadence and directs the commission to request budget support during the January municipal budget process. The council solicited volunteers and discussed coordination with state archives and local preservation groups.

Planning staff presented a $70,000 Municipal Technical Assistance ‘pipeline development’ grant (Rhode Island Housing) to study three sites for potential affordable or age-restricted housing. Planner Jeffrey Poland said the grant requires an approved consultant and no local match; councilors voiced support to submit the application.

Votes at a glance: accept resignation of George C. Dumont (approved); appoint Steven Greenleaf (approved); approve dispatch equipment lease with Goose Town Communications ($4,106.99/month, approved); approve VM-8000 mobile radios lease ($160/month, approved); adopt Resolution No. 2025-03 establishing Foster 250 and fiftieth commission (approved); authorize submission/support for $70,000 RI Housing pipeline development grant (support indicated).","Council accepted the resignation of building and zoning official George C. Dumont, appointed Steven Greenleaf as his successor, approved two communications lease agreements for police dispatch and mobile radios, adopted a resolution to form a Foster 250 commission, and signaled support to apply for a $70,000 RI Housing pipeline grant.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":78,"_43":89,"_45":89,"_47":90,"_49":91,"_51":92,"_53":93,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":94,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":95,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6790981,"Foster allocates $50,000 for public-safety needs; residents contest process used",1884485,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5586936-942db25df0030ecbeafb1a8844f3410f&start=1884&end=1884","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5586936-942db25df0030ecbeafb1a8844f3410f/thumbnail_1884485.jpg","/articles/6790981/Foster/Providence-County/Rhode-Island/Foster-allocates-50000-for-public-safety-needs-residents-contest-process-used","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6790981-0a119178b31fbd44a64302b96b64b78f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770553218&Signature=QSfAa1332Dsaui75-gS3GWjylRhVXVo3zCjCJvV-v83QM0Hfp4GR-iYfgB5YX~wf9zHEZtR2l618qyA~~OeoynjoVWVig6nlqMao~hhaFXF~5H-oV0nljC1r4B-G4-b~DNrqMqZinPc1qra8kUYpYjcqGGkGQjRxJvTMk9ffUNZX-oJttV9-6SgfIu-3kxOBraBtyy3J6J3I0h-5sU6xEapX0IwknjKjZQb-zr73WIFPFPAkKN6e1BTsmBN~DewVZS2Pqvl2kwlPNYhSjzelu6Om4ITWRNWWuMUcaYcn38UWA9szqMFDT2IbOg5CHy8FtiPofk7j40r5WutvmX~Peg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Foster Town Council voted to allot funds for public-safety purposes after an extended debate over whether the council was following the intent of the town’s financial meeting.

Councilor (motion-maker) moved to allot $5,000 to the South Foster Fire Department (to fulfill a $17,500 request), $10,000 for a firefighter incentive pay program at $15 per call, and $35,000 to the engineering board for public-safety uses, with expenditures to require signatures from the fire chiefs of South Foster, Musa Valley, and Foster Center companies. The motion was seconded and, after discussion, approved by voice vote.

Resident Dave Rathman challenged the approach, citing a prior legal opinion and urging each financial-town-meeting line item be voted on individually. \"You're going against the will of what the people at the town meeting were voting for,\" Rathman said, arguing the town should implement the vote as presented at the financial meeting. Town solicitor Joanna and other councilors disagreed in part, explaining the council has authority to allocate funds under the town’s capital procedure and that the engineering board’s role and prior practice guide the current approach.

Why it matters: The debate centers on local democratic procedure: whether the council may reallocate financial-meeting allotments into a pooled engineering-board account to be distributed by that board, or whether each recipient should receive a separately recorded allotment as presented to voters. The council’s decision will determine how emergency-service funds are administered for the coming fiscal year.

What’s next: Councilors indicated they will prepare a resolution or clearer language at a future financial meeting if the intent is to restrict how unused incentive funds should be carried or distributed; recused members were asked to leave the table during the vote.","The council approved $50,000 in public-safety allotments — including $5,000 to South Foster Fire Department, $10,000 for a call-pay incentive and $35,000 for engineering-board-managed public-safety expenditures — after several residents argued the financial town meeting vote required separate, line-item approvals.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Foster council approves HydraDig purchase after resident questions transparency

Council accepts building-official resignation, names successor and approves leases and 250th commission

Foster allocates $50,000 for public-safety needs; residents contest process used