[{"_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",[32,75,87],{"_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",6557961,"mediaKeyId","3280087-99a15606bf80678d43c9f87cf556edb9","parentId",3280087,"title","Council approves $97,833 change order for Donny Bowen courts; funding drawn from capital and recreation balances","audioSeconds",182,"startMs",10275000,"endMs",10457000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3280087-99a15606bf80678d43c9f87cf556edb9&start=10275&end=10457","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3280087-99a15606bf80678d43c9f87cf556edb9/thumbnail_10275000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6557961/East-Greenwich/Kent-County/Rhode-Island/Council-approves-97833-change-order-for-Donny-Bowen-courts-funding-drawn-from-capital-and-recreation-balances","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6557961-070c6de4c3176bec6ec9235dbeacfa0f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144064&Signature=n1Ltsp9V17LFwzHajXLRaujt7Fswbz8yu6jGrKwuUJXaNiNt3b8RtGoEUlwcLANJRVI751d0YAVDLGwlu9GsUelPVmMXUJ7qFaxRxuNSOxFkiTy9UyHsKDoBLF2N9UBhBq2eKVZvwXdHm14AFNW1LgkxZ-7u7VYxQ~mR~JSwSh~1xHWGbbxgqGTP6bOuhmIsh4MR7IKbqmr3bjJxi2LOvPJIn~gPOMBdNjZtxk12dlN~-wmEO4IUjkNu~RDpqKTq31QX8MMt98qrjD3Okf7O50mlu3cfQRJaNlhgr0n8bKy8ZpkdA8K83X4GStzd-oZUhzqUhYXZEWC1XNbnvhOQNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","East Greenwich","date","2025-05-12T00:00:00Z","article","The Town Council on May 12 approved a change order with the Narragansett Improvement Company for the Donny Bowen basketball courts project, increasing the contract by $97,833.75 and raising the total contract value to $470,618.75.

Community Services Director Andy Wade told the council the change order replaces an earlier plan to reuse existing fence material with new black vinyl-coated ornamental fencing to match recently installed decorative fencing around the softball field and to add additional fencing along Cliff Street around the new pavilion for safety of program participants. Wade said the upgraded fencing improves consistency with recently completed site work and enhances safety for youth programs.

The finance director was authorized to advance funding for the change order from existing town accounts: $110,000 from the capital improvement fund balance, $241,957.14 from the recreation development fund, and the remaining $128,551.61 from the recreation activities fund. The council approved the change order 5-0.

The work is part of a broader renovation at Eldridge Park that includes new courts and field improvements; staff said additional small phases may follow to complete aesthetic and safety elements not covered in the initial contract.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","East Greenwich - Town Council - May 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Town Council approved a change order to the Donny Bowen basketball courts contract, increasing the award to permit upgraded matching fencing and additional safety fencing near the pavilion; funding will come from capital and recreation funds.","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},6557966,"East Greenwich holds public hearing on FY 2026 manager’s budget; town departments outline priorities",9029,257000,9286000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3280087-99a15606bf80678d43c9f87cf556edb9&start=257&end=9286","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3280087-99a15606bf80678d43c9f87cf556edb9/thumbnail_257000.jpg","/articles/6557966/East-Greenwich/Kent-County/Rhode-Island/East-Greenwich-holds-public-hearing-on-FY-2026-managers-budget-town-departments-outline-priorities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6557966-654e3c7f00ea898d3b1be88036fbe27b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144064&Signature=JPYx9UnuLAkZ6Y-GCTYO-sGElAreZERT~66NKDHD001RWKvqp9TKjxC6SL7Bm6bs~ApGeF8yvTCzsuc2KZp1msadkj81CwhRgOjiLFzpUN5odvpjCzO6kIx86udwNtJjKbSvIuemQ07Qba0sQ6cqsdnUwULgcHvjX2amiUYu4eShnE31uiXTd2oSqzKBOQTe3JtKSDJZjb-OBa2SHTZwx1jimwbPPByygyjpz33A4eNMkRsQSlx2WbiNT2d2CuALGOaOmxApIlRBqxtKyFNGovUwP6Daa4-77-fKf1Gysxdo5NXsbDkHKtPIMM~tXxY193U0sZZWPSToGvmMSH7jRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","East Greenwich officials presented departmental overviews and the town manager’s proposed operating budget for fiscal year 2026 during a public hearing on May 12. Town Manager Andrew Nada and department directors outlined priorities that include continued capital investment, technology upgrades, public safety spending and expanded community programming.

Nada said the manager’s proposed budget was publicly posted May 1 as the town ordinance requires and that the council will vote on a final budget on or before June 10. He noted the manager’s recommended tax transfer to the schools is marked at the 4% maximum transfer recommended in the initial budget presentation and discussed an initial tax-levy petition that currently sits at 4.93% for planning purposes as the assessor finalizes role value calculations.

Finance Director Trish Bridal summarized revenue and program totals: the town’s total program (including schools and proprietary funds) stands at about $90.5 million; the general-fund program supported by local taxes is roughly $28.5 million; the school total (not including federal dollars) is about $50.2 million. Bridal said the proposed school transfer would increase approximately $1,650,000 (4%), to just under $43 million, and noted the town’s debt service and personnel costs are significant budget drivers.

Department directors presented highlights and priorities:

- Rose Amelio, administrative services manager, described personnel and HR initiatives — a Health Matters wellness program with peer-recognition and small incentive grants, an employee handbook under review and plans to automate personnel actions in Munis to reduce paper processes.

- Maria Bucci, director of Prevention and Support Services, described a coalition model focused on substance-abuse prevention, community education and building partnerships with the schools, faith-based groups and businesses. Bucci said opioid grant funds remain available but cautioned many coalitions are concerned about federal funding uncertainty; the department’s FY26 line shows increased program funding with a modest personnel reduction tied to grant timing.

- Trish Bridal and her finance team said priorities include sustaining the town’s bond rating, enhancing financial reporting, expanding contactless payment and e‑services, and completing audits. The finance department continues to emphasize a high collection rate — historically above 98% — and is implementing Munis enhancements for online payments and reduced in-person processing.

- Tim Wheeler, information technology director, reviewed major IT work: cybersecurity investments, consolidation of multiple data feeds into Munis, migration of GIS to the cloud, and a multiyear replacement of dispatch and radio systems tied to a 9‑1‑1/dispatch modernization project. Wheeler said the town has used ARPA and other funds to upgrade network capacity and plans additional phases of the dispatch project that could be operational as early as October.

- Andy Wade, community services director, described parks, recreation and senior services priorities including the Swift Community Center expansion (state-funded addition), ongoing park renovations (including Eldridge and Donny Bowen courts), Scalloptown dog‑park planning and expanded summer and youth programming supported by Learn365 funding.

- Fire leadership described staffing, training and equipment investments. The department plans to add a deputy chief position and to restore a dedicated training budget to allow in‑house and offsite training programs; the department also noted large line items such as hydrant charges and apparatus maintenance.

Councilors and staff noted shared challenges: recruitment and retention of municipal staff, health‑insurance cost pressure, cybersecurity threats and managing multi‑year capital programs such as school construction, highway garage replacement and Main Street rehabilitation. Manager Nada listed additional major forward-looking projects, including ongoing school construction work, a proposed fleet/facilities replacement for the highway garage, street-light acquisition, a comprehensive plan rewrite and other resiliency initiatives.

The council voted on routine items during the session: it approved the April 28 minutes (5-0), pulled the May 5 minutes for later amendment, and voted to continue the public hearing to May 19 to cover remaining departments (5-0). The hearing continues on May 19 when the council will receive presentations from the library, town clerk, planning, public works and police departments.

The public hearing remains open; residents may submit comments and the council will take the final budget vote before the statutory deadline in June.","Town Manager and department heads presented the proposed FY 2026 operating budget, outlining rising expenses for debt service and public safety, investments in capital projects and technology, and community programs; council continued the hearing to May 19 for remaining departments.",{"_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},6557971,"East Greenwich Council approves authorization to borrow up to $150 million for school construction",1166,9091000,10257000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3280087-99a15606bf80678d43c9f87cf556edb9&start=9091&end=10257","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3280087-99a15606bf80678d43c9f87cf556edb9/thumbnail_9091000.jpg","/articles/6557971/East-Greenwich/Kent-County/Rhode-Island/East-Greenwich-Council-approves-authorization-to-borrow-up-to-150-million-for-school-construction","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6557971-69f760336d6a8125d8bd24e7c0529ae7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144064&Signature=bqd~nstLd77w72GNMl~mwSbWLOIupC5fl1IfIPcNhFZagcGGJmSmHniJFpaMoyrZqbIv-BW~UEmhN44WSYwkSZRCYQ~P55NzLoHc7iK2k4BK1dPe6qT~oxmWAbE-VQEfmr8MoMhy93w6QDLMiJ-p8dpW3K3zaPNiL1k4D-s2a7Ad9N70cUvx4wF3h1oFMPscd4C6UsZT2eBXMGz4yLs1yNJ6eB4AGp8J4vgalpjT4036PBTPkjBufQXgUry5xDZH7Yq4MMstelEcrW5tynvgzDeRYZf2ck~Jh7TLOGdMAsC-R7k9T6Y78RwksZ07ze8HTNgjilp0kL7~Bfacy6acKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The East Greenwich Town Council voted 5-0 on May 12 to approve a resolution authorizing the town to issue general obligation bonds and notes in an amount not to exceed $150,000,000 to finance replacement, renovation and related work at the town’s public schools.

The measure, approved after questions from council members about timing and disclosure obligations, implements a borrowing authorization that voters approved by referendum in November 2023. Town Finance Director Trish Bridal told the council the town will seek an initial bond issuance within weeks to reimburse roughly $5 million the town has already advanced for consultants and other preconstruction costs; additional borrowing tranches will follow as construction contracts and guaranteed maximum prices are finalized.

Council President Mark Schwager opened the discussion by reading the resolution language and asking Finance Director Trish Bridal and town staff to explain next steps. Bridal said bond counsel and the town’s financing team are preparing the official statement for a market sale planned for late June or July, and that a second tranche likely will follow later this year or next depending on construction schedules. Councilor Michael Donegan queried the draft resolution’s continuing-disclosure language; council members asked staff to follow up with bond counsel about how those obligations are carried through the sale documents.

The resolution authorizes borrowing to cover work \"including but not limited to\" new build replacements for Frenchtown Elementary and Hannaford Elementary, renovations to Meadowbrook Elementary and additions and renovations at East Greenwich High School. During the meeting the finance director provided the project cost estimates being used for planning (not a change to the referendum): Frenchtown Elementary, $67,600,000; Hannaford Elementary, $63,400,000; East Greenwich High School, $27,000,000; Meadowbrook Elementary, $2,000,000. The council emphasized those figures are planning estimates and that final contract awards and guaranteed maximum prices will determine exact borrowing and project scope.

Town Manager Andrew Nada told the council that the referendum authorized the borrowing, but the council retains control of the timing and size of actual issuances as the team moves through bidding and contract negotiations. \"There is a point in time when you commit to the project,\" Nada said; staff noted the town is seeking to accelerate some early procurements with long lead times to avoid cost escalation.

The resolution delegates authority to the town’s finance director and council president to execute sale documents and related agreements; bond counsel drafted the text and staff said it mirrors standard municipal financing practice, including continuing-disclosure commitments to MSRB/EMMA. Council members asked staff to confirm with bond counsel that the resolution and sale documents align on disclosure and default remedies; staff agreed to report back.

The vote was 5 in favor, 0 opposed. The council also directed staff to add the planning estimates to the meeting record for clarity. Town officials said the initial tranche will reimburse preconstruction expenses and fund early procurements; later issuances will depend on the timing of construction and guaranteed maximum price negotiations.

If construction and financing proceed as planned, the work would be carried out in phases over multiple years; the council and staff said they will return with updates and any required budget or scope adjustments. No amendments to the resolution were adopted at the meeting.

Questions and concerns raised by some council members during debate focused on controlling costs, the timing of the bond sale, and what budget items the borrowing will cover. One councilor said he would support the authorization but expected strict oversight if project estimates rise. Staff noted the council will review award recommendations and any scope or budget changes before final contract approvals.

The council’s action puts the town on a path to borrow the authorized amounts subject to market conditions, the results of competitive procurements and final guaranteed maximum prices for the school contracts. The town’s financing team, led by the finance director with bond counsel support, will bring formal issuance documents and sale timing to the council in coming weeks.","The Town Council voted 5-0 to authorize issuance of general obligation bonds up to $150 million to fund replacement and renovation work across four East Greenwich schools; the vote clears an initial issuance expected this summer and formalizes earlier voter approval of the borrowing.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves $97,833 change order for Donny Bowen courts; funding drawn from capital and recreation balances

East Greenwich holds public hearing on FY 2026 manager’s budget; town departments outline priorities

East Greenwich Council approves authorization to borrow up to $150 million for school construction