[{"_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",6477824,"mediaKeyId","5711245-d839df08cc996d545283129a82f1f392","parentId",5711245,"title","Chariho school committee to present elementary facility options; Hopkinton urged to publicize meetings","audioSeconds",273,"startMs",1332000,"endMs",1605000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711245-d839df08cc996d545283129a82f1f392&start=1332&end=1605","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711245-d839df08cc996d545283129a82f1f392/thumbnail_1332000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6477824/Hopkinton/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Chariho-school-committee-to-present-elementary-facility-options-Hopkinton-urged-to-publicize-meetings","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477824-b1f2e5e15f812898d0977acd83e6d3b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1775189498&Signature=HFyfPt3g5vCtJ4D6gzy59~oZaGz0uyUhEWsRkGlgcuCxBwFhJ366UQj7T0WsCKbQylQuUoXA4jJQRMIkzRaEhpBIwEH3vCpi6MRHlnd4dUCy7rxpajohTReIBa-kmiA461QMFTJAfrWiH6E5ABiBoIg67jSBxb~3~2juW8qtYehbEoK3me4Xc16Mp0qAExXqnmCKRjjZ57pIJEOkX~vk1qgHpQQEPDbHmpFDB2yOM31n2UhLod83mR~vnSzvX9dDIqFE85ituBohnNrRaitOXXCCiL66wkTM3MtUnkCaScxARpKuhE5cTRUEMC0eBpj5hJocPkxuBlR4~akwMbJqnw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hopkinton","date","2025-09-03T11:51:54Z","article","Louise Dinsmore, who identified herself as chair of the Chariho School Committee, told the Hopkinton Town Council on Sept. 2 that the district will hold several meetings to gather public input on elementary school facilities planning and to prepare a state-required five-year plan.

Dinsmore said SLAM, the architectural firm the committee hired, will present options at the next school committee meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 7 p.m. in the Middle School auditorium. She said SLAM's options will include renovating the district's three existing elementary schools, constructing one new elementary school, or constructing three new elementary schools.

Dinsmore said the district must submit a Stage 2 application to the Rhode Island Department of Education in February and that public input will inform the committee's recommendation. She urged Hopkinton to post meeting notices on the town website and Facebook page to reach voters, parents, staff and other residents beyond the school district's email list.

She also listed two other public meetings: an SLAM presentation at Ashaway Elementary School on Monday, Oct. 6 at 5:30 p.m., and the school committee's October meeting when the committee must choose which option to advance (the committee meeting she cited is Oct. 19 at 7 p.m.).

Dinsmore told the council she was speaking for herself and not on behalf of the entire school committee. Councilors acknowledged the timeline and encouraged residents to attend the public sessions.

Dinsmore framed the work as compliance with an education requirement that calls for a comprehensive facilities plan. She said the plan is a precondition for state review and potential reimbursement for future capital work, and she emphasized public input in deciding whether to seek funding for renovations or new construction.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Louise Dinsmore, chair of the Chariho School Committee, asked Hopkinton residents on Sept. 2 to attend upcoming presentations by SLAM Architects on elementary school facility options, including renovation or constructing one to three new schools.","taxTitle","Hopkinton, Washington County, Rhode Island","taxId",79578,"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},6477829,"Hopkinton council awards rooftop solar contract for Public Works building",503,2369000,2872000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711245-d839df08cc996d545283129a82f1f392&start=2369&end=2872","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711245-d839df08cc996d545283129a82f1f392/thumbnail_2369000.jpg","/articles/6477829/Hopkinton/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Hopkinton-council-awards-rooftop-solar-contract-for-Public-Works-building","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477829-51137af8a777e85081852dc188505fdf/orig.mp4?Expires=1775189498&Signature=U-nzYtDQ6cH83NsXw2un76jBcChZN2D7Mj5xKuvv5hMBcOwDWEECgaL9ytTUASaSfSi8qVs3vzQDf4Ch2qn-FRVhbsDpM5LUBSQjp9oAjRvD7R2DmtMPMxnQFFMZrpULNAb45iDj3qKAevPGE5cQtaZ9BxPQWiNgj-TSloCbZU5xvdpB9cNr7oLwqNw9ZH~kpFabemJmIy~yu~fk0BT9mXdCyfHg0DiHRTOgOtWH3DahDKbONBijz-h8riBVQkNEaXz06u8MQrVllh4zYT5RxiH~csobiJVhq~RJb2xyQmRQniX5szsDvvhhJy82TXzSkmxzOGg35qpbSLV1VTNqug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hopkinton Town Council on Sept. 2 voted unanimously to award a contract to Soul Power to install rooftop solar panels at the town's Public Works building for $153,282.

Town Manager Brian Raso told the council the town previously secured a loan through the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank to fund solar installations at Public Works and the police department. He said grants and tax credits reduce the town's share: \"out of that $153,000, we're going to have $45,985 for tax credit and $40,006.52 for a Rhode Island energy fund grant. So it's really only costing us $66,645,\" Raso said.

Raso said the project is expected to generate 135% of the Public Works building's electricity needs, producing a net credit that can be applied to other municipal bills. He told the council the loan's debt service will be paid off in seven years and that the town should see net savings in year one: \"we're already gonna see a net positive right on year 1 because we're gonna save more in electrical cost than we pay in debt service.\" The town manager also said the loan covers required roof work and system tie-in costs.

Resident Ron Perlowitz asked whether excess production would be credited in kilowatt-hours or dollars; Raso said the overage is credited as a dollar credit toward municipal bills.

Council members asked about warranties and contingencies; Raso said panel warranties run about 20'25 years, inverter warranties are similar, labor and installation warranties vary (installation five years, some labor coverage up to 10 years), and that the loan structure was evaluated to ensure net positive savings.

The council voted, with the roll call recorded as \"James, aye; Davis, aye; Roy, aye; Burns, aye; Gary, aye,\" approving the award to Soul Power and moving the project forward.

The town manager said engineers had reviewed net benefits as part of the loan process and that the project will be financed by the previously approved Infrastructure Bank loan.

The rooftop solar award follows earlier bids for the same project; Raso said the council received two responsive bids and selected the lower-priced bidder after reviewing warranties, prior performance and total cost.

The council did not set a separate contingency line for the contract because it was presented as a hard bid. Raso said the new roof recently installed at Public Works was done with the solar project in mind and that the loan covers that roof work as well.

Council approval means the town will proceed with contract execution and scheduling the installation. Questions the council requested follow-up on included the total loan amount (not specified at the meeting) and confirmation of National Grid tie-in costs, which Raso said are included in the project total.","The Hopkinton Town Council voted unanimously to award a bid for rooftop solar at the Public Works building to Soul Power for $153,282, with the town covering a net cost of about $66,645 after federal and state incentives; the project is expected to pay down its loan within seven years and produce more electricity than the facility consumes.",{"_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},6477815,"Votes at a glance: Hopkinton Town Council meeting, Sept. 2, 2025",649,2217000,2866000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711245-d839df08cc996d545283129a82f1f392&start=2217&end=2866","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711245-d839df08cc996d545283129a82f1f392/thumbnail_2217000.jpg","/articles/6477815/Hopkinton/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Votes-at-a-glance-Hopkinton-Town-Council-meeting-Sept-2-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477815-cd4f011fb82bae6e01bed575a26dbdb8/orig.mp4?Expires=1775189498&Signature=Dsrp1HardLkF47z99hCQxd8btxG9B1zKdMcPnNpfI~6ScU7dLspN0zbk4xOkT2NxfxBsirpAFbb50qWq0~bvSBFpEtD~vzJX7P16epYhgz6Gc7mVFFwYmwqJ11UPNG249Jx45v~OySxzP-YXvNWmEOg9RGy3tT5GOp8Pk7J7AYi1KHmq2XQJNooc180ITFiC260LjYReO8P0Er9rlf4kZ1u0rWCaaB10mdQLjui5MKwlsT30A6CpBU53jYLXclWmKWYr46~Jmvg5hGNnfGlWuFVZP4VtejBJzeBODbifu3xfWE76CmaoN1cUlLxo8tTl0Ez73gQA4IxgyDlKWMZylA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hopkinton Town Council recorded the following formal actions on Sept. 2, 2025 (roll calls shown as recorded at the meeting):

- Consent agenda approved (with deletion): Council approved the consent agenda but removed the September 15 hearing date for a Class B liquor license; roll call recorded as \"James, aye; Davis, aye; Roy, aye; Burns, aye; Gary, aye.\" The consent agenda included approval of executive session minutes of Aug. 4 and meeting minutes of Aug. 18 and other routine items.

- Advertise zoning board positions: Council voted to advertise openings on the Zoning Board (two alternate positions and one full seat), motion passed by roll call: \"James, aye; Davis, aye; Roy, aye; Burns, aye; Gary, aye.\" Staff will post notices on the town website and consider newspaper placement.

- Rooftop solar contract award: Council approved awarding the rooftop solar contract at the Public Works building to Soul Power for $153,282; roll call \"James, aye; Davis, aye; Roy, aye; Burns, aye; Gary, aye.\" (See separate coverage for project details.)

- Zoning ordinance amendment (farm winery): Council voted to adopt an amendment to Appendix A of the Hopkinton Code of Ordinances regarding farm winery uses following a prior public hearing; roll call \"James, aye; Davis, aye; Roy, aye; Burns, aye; Gary, aye.\" (See separate coverage for details.)

- Adjournment in memory: The council voted to adjourn the meeting in memory of Sylvia Stanley; roll call recorded as above.

All votes recorded during the meeting were unanimous (5-0). Items requiring follow-up include publishing the adopted zoning amendment, posting notice for zoning-board vacancies, and the town manager providing additional loan and tie-in cost details for the solar project (the total loan amount was not specified at the meeting).","A quick list of formal votes taken by the Hopkinton Town Council on Sept. 2, 2025, including approvals of the consent agenda (with a change), advertisement of zoning board openings, the rooftop solar award and a zoning amendment for farm wineries; all recorded votes were unanimous.",{"_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},6477819,"Hopkinton council approves amendment to zoning ordinance to allow farm wineries",119,3113000,3232000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711245-d839df08cc996d545283129a82f1f392&start=3113&end=3232","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711245-d839df08cc996d545283129a82f1f392/thumbnail_3113000.jpg","/articles/6477819/Hopkinton/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Hopkinton-council-approves-amendment-to-zoning-ordinance-to-allow-farm-wineries","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477819-3d539bfbe3e74bdd494b8239bfa62a8f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775189498&Signature=kbmgwvwID8zWsxWndT86jPlQj2fw0ezGSyCSyUlFKDgR~kzth8Uv5jAo8zaSKYuSSZKrLKACz0pP4VTdGyl7h8GnYbRqmdWvNTZm0F3UalX20POfV6UwHXboaAfdBtes9hr8IU8iBJmtDBwk50mvqtsTQQGt5KqD~5fosZIVHaXAGNtcXe2aZh1CQLTj2oT41lWH2LxZ7RapLZ6httf60EGMSklI~ATdqhwaBO9NUwX0hcBd7MnrEXavm3OQmUDzTKdJ--oOs29YiC-Adli~suLcwHQ9mD6rX42FFWRvUXufXED-qMrIQtT2CIVK~rRI-GYEi6pKsUe38w1sLUs4vg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hopkinton Town Council voted unanimously on Sept. 2 to approve an amendment to Appendix A of the Hopkinton Code of Ordinances to add provisions related to farm winery uses.

Council members said the change followed research and input from town staff. Council President Gary thanked the land department, Town Manager Brian Raso and staff members including Sherry, Steve Siple and Scott Levesque for work on the ordinance.

The amendment followed a public hearing held at an earlier meeting; the council moved to close the hearing and adopt the amendment at this meeting. A member of the public thanked staff for the work.

The recorded vote was \"James, aye; Davis, aye; Roy, aye; Burns, aye; Gary, aye,\" and the ordinance amendment was adopted.

Councilors characterized the measure as an economic-development opportunity that could raise the town's profile regionally; no changes to hours, licensing or specific operational limits were stated in the meeting minutes. The council did not specify any immediate permitting decisions tied to the ordinance change; permitting and enforcement were described as subject to existing permitting processes.","After a public hearing, the Hopkinton Town Council unanimously approved an amendment to Appendix A of the town code to permit farm winery uses, a measure council leaders said followed months of research by the land department.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Chariho school committee to present elementary facility options; Hopkinton urged to publicize meetings

Hopkinton council awards rooftop solar contract for Public Works building

Votes at a glance: Hopkinton Town Council meeting, Sept. 2, 2025

Hopkinton council approves amendment to zoning ordinance to allow farm wineries