[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6505565,"mediaKeyId","5611855-d4f868fa62fef74ea9fcd34fe203b84f","parentId",5611855,"title","Council actions at a glance: consent calendar, committee appointment and other votes — Aug. 20","audioSeconds",46,"startMs",244000,"endMs",290000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5611855-d4f868fa62fef74ea9fcd34fe203b84f&start=244&end=290","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5611855-d4f868fa62fef74ea9fcd34fe203b84f/thumbnail_244000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6505565/New-Shoreham/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Council-actions-at-a-glance-consent-calendar-committee-appointment-and-other-votes-Aug-20","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6505565-6db8c86ffd8ad1bb5002d2baec2ac6fd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770412813&Signature=VJHsXsCczVfFM~GhReQwEvAkc7xxpkFjMQVKOaJnVE3jyEcjaUFeRbKqmkcWJfENlawDPjxEeQAy75gMIqp50dKS2-wMW2Tgj7Jg~chYy9JAy69cghoknNF6RyyRC~v9cqvmts1p2rpQ~sNmLhHhQE0wN63nJB7q-pyxQQujX5dPtZWO8bBS1G0BrfmHHh45Z-LznfS4H-lUuDDAzT4pLSkrFl-SxDs-vpJ6hJ-AlwNHX3K7BjAKmIhSJBZR48n8K3oexA6noRt~UvEHbhIuQT63jsY8yVBSdiaAbBIvNX1Ctu4Lszw6TjYNVD24rjxdjDXu~d3~-rltzhOt5PuVqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of New Shoreham","date","2025-08-21T01:25:48.677Z","article","At its Aug. 20 meeting the New Shoreham Town Council took the following procedural and administrative actions.

- Consent calendar: Council approved the consent calendar by voice vote. (Motion made and approved; no roll-call recorded in transcript.)

- Hodge Management Committee appointment: Council appointed Tristan (last name not specified) to represent the town on the Hodge Management Committee through December; motion carried by voice vote.

- Public hearing procedural motions: Council convened and closed the public hearing on the Historic District expansion, and directed that the HDC and Planning Board may return with revised proposals and additional outreach after the hearing.

Each of these actions was recorded on the meeting record and was taken by voice vote unless a roll call was specifically requested. The council also conducted other routine business (reports, correspondence) at the meeting.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town Council 8/20/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The New Shoreham Town Council approved the consent calendar, appointed a representative to the Hodge Management Committee and took other procedural votes at its Aug. 20 meeting. See key outcomes and vote details.","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":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},6505572,"Town approves employee rentals at Thomas property and leases manager's house",237,6733000,6970000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5611855-d4f868fa62fef74ea9fcd34fe203b84f&start=6733&end=6970","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5611855-d4f868fa62fef74ea9fcd34fe203b84f/thumbnail_6733000.jpg","/articles/6505572/New-Shoreham/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Town-approves-employee-rentals-at-Thomas-property-and-leases-managers-house","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6505572-31333779b82b1831e94369679a4c16b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770412813&Signature=EUq6qhLkdc3NoZ4tNyNLaqPWzFQ3wAS14sK0mijfB-AarJYu4~ttI2Y8Z81cFV0SJ--9m8tMceSfZ7c3fq~tT1ZrVv7uoYloYGhxzwWeOQx-7CVGY3YObVoD~h17GEuolz-3kbDUyk51xKMggZ4ydekLrcWsPzHqVn5aUVac6XWAvwTTrw2JSqQFO4x~tqPeYCKNwItkrx-VOouwY3s9wpGUkBfB7nVed7mUaORT1CHbj~761jnFBd3VOpUBgFsJ~CRP~5WqP-b78qCGAJX5Ik6nw-OiYSLJ-sTkXtdokhpeK5PYJC2yiElMGRVB4KyK2XpJAHKm~9Beutss-zkoyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The New Shoreham Town Council approved several housing lease actions on Aug. 20 intended to house local employees and stabilize town-owned housing inventory.

Millie (town staff/clerk) reported the Thomas property lottery produced three employee tenants and a fourth unit reserved for an officer in the academy. The council approved three leases for town employees — a teacher, a librarian and a water-company employee — with leases beginning Sept. 1 and running through Aug. 31 (standard annual terms). The council received draft leases that had been reviewed by the town solicitor before the vote.

The council also approved a one-year lease of the town manager's house to Neddy Rose Cooley, identified in staff materials as a qualified, eligible town employee (health-services CEO). The manager and staff said assigning a town employee to the manager's house is preferred under the adopted policy and helps ensure timely occupancy and maintenance.

Both motions passed by voice vote. Councilors said they welcome additional reporting on occupancy, waiting lists, and outcomes as the town implements its employee-housing policy.

","The council approved three employee leases from the Thomas housing lottery and authorized a one-year lease of the town manager's house to a qualified staff member.",{"_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},6505576,"New Shoreham moves to secure additional USDA funds after water project bids exceed original estimates",3131,3444000,6575000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5611855-d4f868fa62fef74ea9fcd34fe203b84f&start=3444&end=6575","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5611855-d4f868fa62fef74ea9fcd34fe203b84f/thumbnail_3444000.jpg","/articles/6505576/New-Shoreham/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/New-Shoreham-moves-to-secure-additional-USDA-funds-after-water-project-bids-exceed-original-estimates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6505576-67e937f8bf0a9830c4e37e8b8831dd99/orig.mp4?Expires=1770412813&Signature=HEXTzzu7X3au1qxX6YS1vhvOeT8jzsWX~Nqzkb5kMGSwFrtMxNhD2ZBNPT1D-2nAsTZ3zlE59IesTUnu998SFrJusBv07FatR4MZotPSY69vtRvaWVuiZNHRy7uhUqKJQxhuAxXVD0lZfk9a8rSyzzu7rm4lcjGluM7RyR5DoLa8t-5Nl-Tz4kJTXEe0dEKFGfIAazIOSeMKEXPvorKvV4qOCXiFYe2P8aJ2ZZHXGSBl9Gb1P2wgu8kdz7-SjIipPt1KX1BdKoB7pxWQlMamybsaycAqc83G7~ZKuRk1lscgqknL5f9YnMpdJ3w7VaBmtzUiheXQK-ww5bZx~fmsuQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The New Shoreham Town Council voted Aug. 20 to authorize town manager Amy (last name not specified) to sign documents to obligate USDA funding and to express the council's intent to seek voter authorization at the next financial town meeting to borrow up to $942,000 for completion of the town's three-part water-improvement project.

John (surname not specified), representing the water company, told the council the project is in three parts: new treated-source wells and well-field infrastructure, storage (a tank that is already online and helping with peak demand), and upgraded treatment capacity at the water-treatment building. The tank is complete and operational, and two well borings were successful after one unsuccessful borehole was abandoned. Bids for the next construction phase — a 20-by-30 well control building and related site work — came back at about $1.45 million, higher than earlier estimates.

To close the financing gap, staff and the water company pursued additional USDA assistance. The council authorized the town manager to sign a document obligating a USDA package the presenters described as a mix of loan and grant funding (discussion referenced a $625,000 grant and a $942,000 loan allocation). Councilors approved a separate motion expressing their intent to place a warrant article on the next financial town meeting authorizing borrowing up to $942,000; that borrowing would be repaid from water rates, though the council noted that any borrowing requires voter approval because town borrowings for the water company are borrowings of the Town of New Shoreham.

Councilors and staff discussed the cost increases and stressed contingency planning: USDA paperwork obligating funds was prepared quickly because of program timing; if voters do not authorize borrowing at the financial town meeting, USDA said the obligation can be cancelled. Presenters emphasized the project addresses a capacity and reliability issue for the island: failing private wells and weekend peak demand create public-health and business continuity risks for inns and others that rely on safe, steady water supply. The council asked staff to continue reporting project milestones and financial updates as the project proceeds.

","The Town Council authorized the town manager to sign USDA paperwork and expressed intent to ask voters to authorize up to $942,000 in borrowing to complete a multi-phase water system upgrade after construction bids came in higher than projected.",{"_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},6505581,"New Shoreham council rejects proposed expansion of historic district after contested public hearing",2372,318000,2690000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5611855-d4f868fa62fef74ea9fcd34fe203b84f&start=318&end=2690","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5611855-d4f868fa62fef74ea9fcd34fe203b84f/thumbnail_318000.jpg","/articles/6505581/New-Shoreham/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/New-Shoreham-council-rejects-proposed-expansion-of-historic-district-after-contested-public-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6505581-5c4e03c54133b607363ef029b11a7f35/orig.mp4?Expires=1770412813&Signature=Iogx~F2a-A6Bj8U6dpZJp3Cn4O27yhLCKs0jQcCGu4IOG9DWKpfXl7jNSriH~~nGfUrvqBkzvMzxsIRLwyvqZxHNafxoFpTkZqGWKNJOsVw7k2Vk25L1iybLIR82IFG5jfSxtwRinWXfmp7LNBn0Ya7qkOH1ZPFkOl0bxZNa5s5NNxq8xcZqHqv1j88Ws3vQQYsYkyzH45sT04q9vqnlK-zG7BP0xHlLngSey4LbQ7PrgL32S7CXIQvcLnLEC7pQK51ZGayGyGfBD2QiAZSPw1Npb52OmzvqOHJ73jzU29wq~3JfQsVBuslsJfgTEIl7ltyuuwdN3KzijCWAGWqQRw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The New Shoreham Town Council voted on Aug. 20 to reject a proposal from the Historic District Commission (HDC) to expand the town’s historic-district overlay to roughly 70 parcels across three sections of Block Island. The council’s majority — Councilor McComb, Councilor Payne and Councilor Dodge — voted to turn the proposal down; Councilor Stover dissented.

Town planner Peter (surname not specified) told the council the Planning Board recommended the expansion and found it consistent with the town’s comprehensive plan, after first-class-mail notice was sent to affected owners. Margie Cummings, speaking for the Planning Board, told the council the board strongly supported the HDC’s proposed additions. Arlene Tunney, chair of the HDC, and Martha Ball, a longtime town official and vice president of the historical society, described the proposal as aligning historic-district lines with existing zoning and filling gaps that leave one side of some streets unprotected.

Opposition at the hearing centered on a peninsula commonly called Indian Head/Indian Head Neck (variously referred to in testimony), where several property owners said they were not properly consulted and objected to the overlay. Philip (Phil) O’Brien and other owners who live or hold family property on the peninsula said the area has been residential and stewarded by their families for generations and that the mailed notices did not substitute for engagement. Residents raised concerns that inclusion would add permitting steps and potential costs for routine maintenance, and asked for clearer information about what HDC review would require. Several speakers asked whether historic-district designation would restrict landscaping, utility work or impose unexpected costs; HDC members responded that their guidelines focus on exterior character and that building-code requirements, not the HDC, often drive expense.

Councilors and staff acknowledged uneven outreach: several residents said they received notice by certified mail but not additional explanatory material. Some councilors said the HDC and Planning Board had worked carefully but that the inclusion of the peninsula in Residential A zoning had created strong opposition and merited more outreach and alternative proposals. Council discussion before the vote emphasized two paths: approve as-is or ask the HDC and Planning Board to return with refined options and more targeted engagement. The council voted to reject the full proposal and invited the boards to return with revised alternatives.

Votes and motions recorded at the meeting show the HDC had earlier voted (reported in testimony) to add one parcel by a 4–1 vote and that Planning Board members had recommended approval. The proposed district expansion as described by speakers would add three areas identified roughly as: (1) Beach Avenue to Ocean Avenue to Westside Road to Corn Neck Road (including properties labeled in packet text as Plat 4, Lot 70), (2) parcels near Old Harbor/New Harbor, and (3) Old Town Road on either side of Connecticut Avenue. Presenters said about 70 parcels would be added, representing roughly 45 property owners; two owners had submitted objections in writing to the boards prior to the hearing.

The council closed the public hearing before debate and the final vote. Councilors said they want clearer materials for property owners if the HDC brings a revised proposal — for example, explanatory guidance about what HDC review does and does not require, expected costs, and examples of typical approvals.

The council did not adopt the expansion at the meeting. The HDC and Planning Board may return with a revised proposal and additional owner outreach at a future meeting.

","After a lengthy public hearing with support from the planning board and objections from multiple property owners, the New Shoreham Town Council voted to reject a proposal to expand the town’s Historic District overlay to roughly 70 parcels, citing concerns about outreach and one controversial peninsula inclusion.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council actions at a glance: consent calendar, committee appointment and other votes — Aug. 20

Town approves employee rentals at Thomas property and leases manager's house

New Shoreham moves to secure additional USDA funds after water project bids exceed original estimates

New Shoreham council rejects proposed expansion of historic district after contested public hearing