[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_25":26},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5},"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","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_27":28,"_29":30},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[31,75,87,99],{"_32":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":73},"mediaId",6587223,"mediaKeyId","5671240-37b7b60a99d2d1dd9dfbaefb54922e60","parentId",5671240,"title","Votes at a glance: Portsmouth council passes road agreement and routine items; enters executive session","audioSeconds",1691,"startMs",1148000,"endMs",2839000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5671240-37b7b60a99d2d1dd9dfbaefb54922e60&start=1148&end=2839","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5671240-37b7b60a99d2d1dd9dfbaefb54922e60/thumbnail_1148000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6587223/Rhode-Island/Votes-at-a-glance-Portsmouth-council-passes-road-agreement-and-routine-items-enters-executive-session","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6587223-dc16d14fac59ce269b2da4f995415eb7/orig.mp4?Expires=1769954050&Signature=OBtCuy5BPr~BFwlxdYNL2b7D0Gfzmg1BlfM2ix~6njJVMMZo8n0HJIovkny264JYQrKYXnURKI29dnD5f4fK3tL~oeNNn-TNz4sFRd0qctyDfTZg5xdFEDNELwUl7ZC-I2QJ3SF25fL~313t9UhGR-mFQbZNGPQbfB4XuXjKy8cKH2Eu2B5ncuddDaN3ByPp8ajFAh0msA3yUxZX-iDhPGoF0FR3vFihIlaUaVnpD3wzPFM4M~EzdLMh8m~b1~Jxikm2kZfuTgaw-ta~l~X4znEpu0Bvj9uffjCf-i69uaEKe7Rawdc7jxsS1DqghEbn-w-GgAoIx0DzzgC9MBFugw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Portsmouth","date","2025-08-25T23:02:40Z","article","The Portsmouth Town Council on Aug. 25 approved routine business items and a state funding agreement for road work, and later voted to enter executive session to discuss litigation.

The council unanimously passed a motion to ratify the Municipal Road and Bridge Program state funds/local agencies agreement for fiscal year 2027. The town discussed that the state funds typically add capacity to the paving program and that the award can fund an approximate paving project length equivalent to a 2,900‑foot road or an 1,800‑foot road, depending on scope.

Other council votes at the meeting included approval of the consent agenda and approval of minutes from the Aug. 12 meeting; the council also received and placed on file budget updates for fiscal year 2025 and July 2025 for fiscal year 2026. The council voted unanimously to enter executive session under Rhode Island General Laws 42‑46‑5(a)(2) to discuss litigation related to the Clements roundabout.

Votes recorded at the meeting (tallies):
- Ratify Municipal Road and Bridge Program agreement (motion to approve as presented): approved, 7–0.
- Consent agenda (motion to receive and place on file): approved, 7–0.
- Minutes of Aug. 12 (motion to approve as presented): approved, 7–0.
- Receive and place on file: budget updates (fiscal year 2025 close and July 2025 update for FY26): approved, 7–0.
- Enter executive session under R.I. Gen. Laws 42‑46‑5(a)(2) (litigation): approved, 7–0.

Where the meeting record did not name movers or seconders for routine motions, the council used standard motion language and roll-call votes resulted in unanimous approval for the items above.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","08/25/2025 Town Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","At its Aug. 25 meeting the Portsmouth Town Council approved several routine items including a state municipal road-and-bridge agreement for fiscal 2027 and voted to enter an executive session on litigation involving a roundabout at Clements.","taxTitle","Portsmouth, Newport County, Rhode Island","taxId",79583,"location","Rhode Island","headline","","shortSummary",{"_32":76,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":77,"_40":78,"_42":79,"_44":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6587228,"Portsmouth wins $500,000 CDBG award for housing heating upgrades; Mount Hope Bridge reopening noted",153,679000,832000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5671240-37b7b60a99d2d1dd9dfbaefb54922e60&start=679&end=832","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5671240-37b7b60a99d2d1dd9dfbaefb54922e60/thumbnail_679000.jpg","/articles/6587228/Rhode-Island/Portsmouth-wins-500000-CDBG-award-for-housing-heating-upgrades-Mount-Hope-Bridge-reopening-noted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6587228-f480a3ad7f54a7dda2fa74bb977774af/orig.mp4?Expires=1769954050&Signature=O6d2O1kEOExPv1rd7SFVsTcqWqMinNDweTLEbBNoAlh-67ad4lDd8iGq0vePMpg-YeAU677PT72kj-B4zxwbhcoMFoE33Czy1re2MqvVcXFzzsOlkyGKHAR7GxB-WZ3GbG9zNbAmPfrwhZDxgTjfEzTSXbBaG0GtHBIdoethW6Eg3lLhprY0CsYNXWgoa7EblBodNpRRCnT4Dr2lhEe8KE3uAZi~hpzFCUjozERy0CKkv4jwnAxwmNhH85A7WtvQhFyFoNAi1U1O319ou4kG56lHL~KPzP8jUt9pBKPFcWpP3Imfl1c7Yb6XmlFaqVFmIdwcCJcG7VVDXpwkuIkt0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Portsmouth officials announced a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant intended to fund heating-system upgrades at town housing complexes and received an update that the Mount Hope Bridge resurfacing reopened ahead of schedule.

\"Late Friday afternoon, we received official notice that the CDBG grant award for $500,000, through HUD administered by the Rhode Island Department of Housing has been, is going to be granted,\" Town Administrator Joe Rainer said. Rainer said the award will fund replacement of boilers, hot water tanks, furnaces and related equipment in Quaker Manor and Quaker Estate Apartments (referred to in backup materials as Sabatus Housing) and that contractors will aim to complete the work before the winter heating season.

Rainer also told the council that the Mount Hope Bridge reopened to traffic on Aug. 16 after a resurfacing project. The contractor completed a thin bonded overlay 33 hours ahead of the scheduled reopening, and town staff said the overlay is expected to extend the road surface life by about five years. The Rhode Island Bridge and Turnpike Authority has long‑term plans for a full redecking at a later date.

Rainer said the town will initiate procurement to begin the housing renovations and stressed the timeline to finish the mechanical work before winter. No formal council action was required at the Aug. 25 meeting on the grant announcement.

The town also received updates on household participation in other programs and on the schedule for fall events and paving; town hall will be closed Sept. 1 for Labor Day.","Town Administrator Joe Rainer announced a $500,000 CDBG award, administered by the Rhode Island Department of Housing, to fund boiler and heating system work at Quaker Manor and Sabatus housing; the council also heard that the Mount Hope Bridge resurfacing finished early and reopened to traffic.",{"_32":88,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":89,"_40":90,"_42":91,"_44":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6587232,"Portsmouth schedules EFSB public hearing on proposed natural-gas moratorium; council discusses drafting resolution",314,1305000,1619000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5671240-37b7b60a99d2d1dd9dfbaefb54922e60&start=1305&end=1619","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5671240-37b7b60a99d2d1dd9dfbaefb54922e60/thumbnail_1305000.jpg","/articles/6587232/Rhode-Island/Portsmouth-schedules-EFSB-public-hearing-on-proposed-natural-gas-moratorium-council-discusses-drafting-resolution","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6587232-889283f9146dc487ef10ac292125e070/orig.mp4?Expires=1769954050&Signature=ZEUHMImuth~hw4IjTik2xtY2sdkAiLTsoQZ9qFgKarb5AnsTMJzBVw47pcmjs4xJ1XY~n-vX2ZCtVoXop~xCc-0~vn7DjGtydJzvZAsQLnIgpZ57gjOt7DJR6pZOJE3rONe6Jek1JF-0pAcNT9egrf7IqbJMDgLkVE4aq9pJziVblyU6Y2IfwNsJwRF4k4J6aEXo7DEcqnPl0D7~WNqqJ3fd3p6q~nHmIvQxhJAkhe85DmGPlcGG7cXgUo4TE3goIuLkUfWtJcdidSjq~kaRVMWrxLJrr1CLJ4SHLT8vcr-Qgtz85kM-MSP0pr7Ob9FWPQSFqtoU78hgla5bZoNyxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Portsmouth Town Council reviewed background and next steps on an Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB) hearing scheduled for Aug. 27 on a proposed moratorium affecting natural-gas service.

Town Administrator Joe Rainer told the council the EFSB hearing is intended \"to receive public input from the public and businesses,\" and that the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) may take up related issues later. \"There's no vote being asked for by the council,\" Rainer said, describing the hearing as an opportunity to gather public comment.

Councilors and staff reviewed the town's prior correspondence on gas reliability dating to 2019–2020, when a gas-system failure in Newport prompted interim measures including a temporary peak‑shaving unit on Old Mill Lane. Councilors said options previously considered included a permanent installation at Old Mill Lane, a moratorium and incentives to transition buildings to electric heat pumps.

Several councilors advocated a resolution that would urge National Grid to install a secondary pipeline to create a looped supply onto the island and to remove the peak‑shaving facility at Old Mill Lane. Council President Keith Hamill said such a loop is \"the only thing that's gonna fix this situation,\" and several members said drafting a resolution in advance would allow the council to vote on it at its Sept. 8 meeting and, if needed, finalize it on Sept. 22.

Council members noted that neighboring communities have taken differing positions: Middletown and Newport have both weighed in against moratoriums, while Portsmouth members expressed concern about residents who want gas as an option to move off oil and about the relative cost of electricity for households.

No formal stance was taken at the Aug. 25 meeting. Rainer said staff would prepare background materials and, if the council wants a formal resolution, the solicitor could draft language to include removal of the peak‑shaving facility, support for a secondary pipeline, and language about incentives or alternatives.

The EFSB public hearing is scheduled for Aug. 27 at 6 p.m. at Portsmouth Middle School's Little Theater. The council noted that, procedurally, a resolution would be prepared in public sessions so members could review and amend it before a vote.

The council did not vote on a resolution at the Aug. 25 meeting.","The Energy Facilities Siting Board will hold a public hearing Aug. 27 at Portsmouth Middle School on a proposed natural-gas moratorium; town officials discussed past actions, engineering fixes and the possibility of drafting a resolution urging a secondary pipeline and removal of a \"peak shaving\" facility at Old Mill Lane.",{"_32":100,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":101,"_40":102,"_42":103,"_44":104,"_46":105,"_48":106,"_50":107,"_52":108,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":109,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":110,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6587236,"Portsmouth reviews curbside rollout after first-month problems; transfer-station and sticker rules clarified",315,1904000,2219000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5671240-37b7b60a99d2d1dd9dfbaefb54922e60&start=1904&end=2219","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5671240-37b7b60a99d2d1dd9dfbaefb54922e60/thumbnail_1904000.jpg","/articles/6587236/Rhode-Island/Portsmouth-reviews-curbside-rollout-after-first-month-problems-transfer-station-and-sticker-rules-clarified","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6587236-8c7f1b15ee892308256e2be55a1fec75/orig.mp4?Expires=1769954050&Signature=U6-sjSDKpgomiLJLWmeXQv914euUyvMaY4HZqcyM7KAkxbS0lVxUW9FR87mNsSI1sosBytU3yMgfR1ApH6WhHR-uGWmyXWqjaqNmzv0NfUsRSOSM1iVfszRN0Q1T3YuAvPO-cUvjdBOP3InWdpzcV6kVWoBLPfbGsIR0OxDpM3NqWKnrksxBcDzwf7J3Z9siU~w-NyP4ft8okKILWltF2WQLmeY3SPOE~XADg288G-8S0pU6HtbvFlCIUgVJin90xTRjJliF6kzRpZUV~h4rBr2UzuagdBY9asRM4hoh7Y~Obl5bMxnyyXodp0WhARvR8P0BznSh3QvzOHuH93nKAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Portsmouth town officials on Aug. 25 described early operational problems and user counts for the new curbside trash-and-recycling program and said they are working with vendors and residents to reduce service issues.

The town administrator, Joe Rainer, told the council that 3,160 households had signed up for curbside collection, 1,990 households had purchased Headley Street transfer-station stickers and 89 had purchased Prudence Island transfer-station stickers. \"We've directed drivers to empty all Portsmouth logo bins regardless of whether there's a sticker attached or not,\" Rainer said, adding that stickers will become the primary indicator of paid accounts in the program's second year.

Rainer and staff outlined common, fixable problems recorded during the first month: delayed bin deliveries, leftover barrels from prior haulers, lids and carts tipping when emptied by automated arms, and a small number of households with outstanding balances. \"As of this morning, it's 34,\" Rainer said of accounts with a balance due; those households were given until Sept. 15 to comply or have their carts retrieved.

Town staff described outreach and operational steps. The waste diversion manager has been contacting households with past-due balances and the town will continue vendor reminders and driver training to reduce tipping and rough handling. Rainer said recycling volumes have increased substantially: recycling tonnage rose by \"almost 100 tons,\" and initial recycling rates for the new reporting were about 29% to 30.6 percent, which town staff expect to improve as the program stabilizes.

Council members raised service-quality concerns observed in neighborhoods, including carts being ejected or dropped so forcefully that lids fly open and bins fall on roadways. Councilor Miguel said she witnessed cans being ejected and expressed concern about premature wear on barrels. Public works staff and the town's waste manager said they will press vendors to adopt gentler handling where possible and will continue education about proper bin placement to reduce tipping.

Officials discussed how curbside changes affect the town's contract with Rhode Island Resource Recovery (RIRRC). Rainer said RIRRC plans to begin identifying curbside loads at the scale house starting Sept. 1 and will issue separate monthly reports for curbside and transfer-station volumes. That separation will change how the town monitors its tonnage cap at RIRRC; town staff said the only cap that previously required budget adjustments was for yard waste and that they do not expect to exceed caps based on current forecasts, but confirmed they will monitor volumes over the first year to verify trends.

No formal council action was taken. Town staff said they will continue outreach, retrieve carts from households that fail to pay by the Sept. 15 deadline and refine operations.

The town will continue to report program metrics to the council as curbside operations and vendor reporting stabilize.","Town administrators and staff briefed the council on early operational problems and usage figures for the new curbside collection program and changes at the transfer station; officials said most issues are temporary and will be addressed by vendor training and resident education.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Portsmouth council passes road agreement and routine items; enters executive session

Portsmouth wins $500,000 CDBG award for housing heating upgrades; Mount Hope Bridge reopening noted

Portsmouth schedules EFSB public hearing on proposed natural-gas moratorium; council discusses drafting resolution

Portsmouth reviews curbside rollout after first-month problems; transfer-station and sticker rules clarified