[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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,"_75":74},"mediaId",6425793,"mediaKeyId","5906143-d48748eb582bef3568eda9c2d64dede2","parentId",5906143,"title","Public hearing opened on zoning changes to allow limited multifamily in R-10 and R-20 zones; public voices split","audioSeconds",1319,"startMs",3183099,"endMs",4503000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5906143-d48748eb582bef3568eda9c2d64dede2&start=3183&end=4503","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5906143-d48748eb582bef3568eda9c2d64dede2/thumbnail_3183099.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6425793/Rhode-Island/Public-hearing-opened-on-zoning-changes-to-allow-limited-multifamily-in-R-10-and-R-20-zones-public-voices-split","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6425793-d48a2a614d80e7dd296085cc9450ae87/orig.mp4?Expires=1770703948&Signature=ocHowmBaTufriA18S3C1viiMFGzNvQUn1hOgq6ktR4IRPg~VZ7glXrvLW0rh0f7-imedUJYRtGqDdx4SEhMdWNDKk6BkojVfo5OXTmOmnjrd~snROmE-qrSwvIZMHIikKTvPXOmP9-Lwh5CMh-BQkTHjY-N4KslCdSh~x~-e28LVFodUZtl9PfPrt84UZnX5Zs1CuxjpGANnwD3H3xrAkd8vZFsLeInfmT7Yh6YtWvUhnNes6mqmJFMDt8WZkk2KF2TJIs6Y~revl6xHs2ywWhbYJBmFbMAoQEdsTPkwF7puJ9ZE3ggOBfm8EX0-o1Fb0e0X1Bh0Ot7bzlp7kEfgQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Middletown, RI","date","2025-10-07T05:14:12Z","article","The Town Council on Oct. 6 opened a public hearing on proposed amendments to the zoning code that would permit multifamily dwelling structures of three to six units on lots of 40,000 square feet or larger in R‑10 and R‑20 districts, subject to dimensional requirements and a special‑permit process.

Paul Croce, chair of the planning board, said the planning department identified roughly 120 qualifying lots in R‑10 and R‑20 and produced a high‑level estimate that, if every eligible lot redeveloped under the proposed rules, \"up to between 500 and 700 dwelling units could be created,\" depending on unit mix and site-specific constraints such as wetlands. Croce said the planning board believes the changes are consistent with the town’s comprehensive plan but recommended special permits and dimensional limits to provide oversight on a case‑by‑case basis.

Public commentators at the hearing split along the usual lines. Several residents, including Alicia Reyes and Terry Flynn, urged caution, saying the changes could alter the character of existing single‑family neighborhoods, create parking pressures and not meaningfully deliver affordable housing because investor‑owned units may be priced at market rate. Other speakers, including a younger resident with experience in engineering and planning, argued the town needs more housing variety and smaller‑lot density to keep housing affordable and to retain younger residents.

Councilors asked staff to provide a map showing the identified qualifying lots before the next hearing. The ordinance will return for further consideration after the council and planning board review public feedback and the mapping requested by councilors.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town Council Regular Meeting, October 6, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Town Council opened a public hearing on proposed zoning changes that would allow three- to six-unit multifamily structures on lots of at least 40,000 square feet in R-10 and R-20 zones, subject to special permits and dimensional limits.","taxTitle","Town of Middletown, Newport County, Rhode Island","taxId",58176,"location","Rhode Island","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6425806,"Council names Alborg Construction as library construction manager at risk; public raises funding, access concerns",402,975040,1377820,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5906143-d48748eb582bef3568eda9c2d64dede2&start=975&end=1377","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5906143-d48748eb582bef3568eda9c2d64dede2/thumbnail_975040.jpg","/articles/6425806/Rhode-Island/Council-names-Alborg-Construction-as-library-construction-manager-at-risk-public-raises-funding-access-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6425806-d6b3579dbe735b0e5b1a3d1abf03dc28/orig.mp4?Expires=1770703948&Signature=XRVm6PmRPgKz1r5qv-rft3FkDsVI3XNbHiu2XI05WTPHxaj-O6NEUzpwU80fSp-VwsDAJUkjFEAcudajbSId2RaLJlCjYg8DvOdsN3jgmyv8z7GLTlgkBYo7sCEkZ0qWmAX-N-6O22moQo0ktI9MwA2-ZwhtlqeUt0RzFPMpeQGgdLWCtYsdxzVj9MqfS4~IEWMG7jw8PXzHiEFYIHlfR6J4BxCcM1z2PU6wEN5kRudrYa0YyhP-rvRImHk0i3vhKIQpy~wPqzmKTtiOBbaXxIX5HMcVRy~bzt11av8XiqY~5fyHyqmcX~IuxGLyTqzsPLjLJA2UiSo-VUVFxPn44Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Middletown Town Council on Oct. 6 approved Alborg Construction Corporation as the construction manager at risk (CMAR) for the planned renovation of the library at 110 Enterprise Center.

Town project representatives presented a concept budget and schedule and said demolition work will begin selectively this fall with the main construction push planned for December–January and a ribbon cutting no later than August of next year. Glenn Alborg, vice president of Alborg Construction Corporation, told the council: \"We feel very comfortable with that budget, working closely with your architect and engineers, to bring it in on budget and on schedule.\" The council approved the resolution by voice vote.

Project staff and the town’s project manager said they had developed a control or concept budget with a total in the low-$6 million range; during discussion two figures were cited in the meeting record ($6,317,211 and $6,255,003.71). Jay Edwards of Downs Construction said the budget in the council packet will be used as the control budget and that the project team will pursue value engineering or design adjustments if costs rise.

Public comment at the same meeting raised questions about the town’s intended use of space in the acquired building and the proposed funding method. Resident Wendy Reel said the town plans to allocate a floor for office space and use an $11.4 million moral-obligation bond to fund the retrofit; she urged that voters be given the opportunity to consider a bond of that size. Town staff responded that the project will seek state reimbursement for the library portion and that the town share (including roughly 10% of building area planned for town use) is expected to be excluded from state reimbursement calculations. Staff said they will circulate a preliminary reimbursement schedule to the council.

The council asked the town attorney and project team to finalize the CMAR agreement and to return the final contract and a detailed funding/reimbursement schedule to the council for review before further steps.

A wall-breaking ceremony for the new library was announced for Oct. 27.","The council approved Alborg Construction Corporation as construction manager at risk for the overhaul of the library at 110 Enterprise Center. Councilors and the public questioned reimbursement and the building’s planned town office space; officials said final funding and reimbursement schedules will be provided before full contract execution.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6425813,"Council approves library and school contracts, opposes proposed gas moratorium; other routine items pass",1563,18265,1582000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5906143-d48748eb582bef3568eda9c2d64dede2&start=18&end=1582","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5906143-d48748eb582bef3568eda9c2d64dede2/thumbnail_18265.jpg","/articles/6425813/Rhode-Island/Council-approves-library-and-school-contracts-opposes-proposed-gas-moratorium-other-routine-items-pass","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6425813-81675e5e298f6b7b4e27baad6d69e4b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770703948&Signature=oSJNAEb068sso0nMc4u61nMCHoRKv8albTaaKiw~0mlJP8UbgcovJinen-W~KQ8EwsMfmtTJSlzBtw~3rc93bfuyPiClOcKx4lry-cIFcHWoHs~R6xEdIDMuKX5Bh2~8ztxP6znKyBXjUENU77Q0LbrpZsKX-wnR484hGseQX5JEZAFqqJpboCtUfbA4IXFWEgrj546yYxO5JxXbHsqYnM9TyBSHy11un7AqJnJaQ7IhHKgRVTxrm8MxzUQdGCEADjQ~FSbaJ6~Sq4lK9Fa3eaeq362-rgLIqdEYVM2SQSR9qSHwBNMTZsjMRSIOz5qWcMhPQ17yvgFMCsV0NkijcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Middletown Town Council on Oct. 6 approved a series of contracts and resolutions, including awarding a construction manager at risk for the planned library renovation, authorizing school site subcontract awards, ratifying a one-year extension of the NEAM teacher-assistance union contract and passing a resolution opposing a proposed moratorium on new natural-gas connections for Aquidneck Island.

The council voted unanimously to approve the construction-manager-at-risk award for the library renovation to Alborg Construction Corporation and to authorize Gilbane Building Company to award subcontracts for site improvements and a landscaping package for the new middle/high school project. The council also approved a $70,000 contract for a senior-center pergola, accepted multiple special-event permit requests and authorized a $1,000 donation from the council president’s discretionary fund for the KIDO event.

Councilors also passed a resolution opposing a proposed moratorium on new natural gas connections on Aquidneck Island, citing concerns about equity and energy access if newer connections were blocked while other parts of the fuel supply chain were not restricted.

Votes at a glance
- Ratify NEAM teacher-assistance union contract, one-year extension — Motion passed, all in favor (recorded as \"Aye\").
- Authorize Gilbane to award subcontracts for site improvements and landscaping (school project, RTA 32a) — Resolution passed, all in favor.
- Approve recommendation to award construction manager-at-risk for library renovation to Alborg Construction Corporation — Resolution passed, all in favor.
- Award contract for senior-center pergola (Plan B Construction) — Resolution passed, all in favor.
- Receive and advertise liquor-license renewal applications for public hearing on Nov. 3, 2025 — Motion passed.
- Grant special-event permits: Quinta Community Table at Sweetberry Farm (10/26/2025) and Aquidneck Community Table Farmers Market (additional Nov. dates) including a waived fee — Motions passed.
- Authorize $1,000 donation from council-president discretionary fund for KIDO event — Motion passed.
- Pass resolution opposing a natural-gas-connection moratorium on Aquidneck Island — Resolution passed, all in favor.

Several other routine docket items were received and continued as requested; minutes from the Sept. 15 meeting were continued to the next council meeting at the request of a councilor. Formal vote tallies were recorded as \"Aye\" for items listed above; no recorded \"No\" votes were announced on the floor during the meeting.","The Town Council unanimously approved a construction manager at risk for the library, authorized school site subcontract awards, ratified a one-year teacher-assistance union contract extension and passed a resolution opposing a proposed natural-gas-connection moratorium. Several other permits and routine items were approved.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6425800,"Council authorizes school site subcontract awards; landscaping bid recommended $1.88 million",345,667270,1012760,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5906143-d48748eb582bef3568eda9c2d64dede2&start=667&end=1012","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5906143-d48748eb582bef3568eda9c2d64dede2/thumbnail_667270.jpg","/articles/6425800/Rhode-Island/Council-authorizes-school-site-subcontract-awards-landscaping-bid-recommended-188-million","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6425800-3c967fb823d80068dae2a64bd20d9432/orig.mp4?Expires=1770703948&Signature=PbMI-Z0MPVS76ZI2hPQsj3LplAYskjY33QBf8kf8e1ztfiXeAWbaeREFjLJiiHYywi8wPe5uRJbtf04afQuCaVSCngqXqUtBHCsh8r-vBfdvte-QserCb7ax9PuLcMmMmvX2~LECZjkw8FoCM-RUuFNs-mL4UwL381CG5Q1Eo3DxeVXTvzxv1GqLThw~~zLsCU33OzaV8GWwhE2TR5bMC7~k-lAWJ2P6TKzC9TIsLGUdltTXfq~JJRgxPOZCdg40o99Kuf4maJBEFA~9dsWXxh1TOWS6TwzIXjlLwiWYUtldGzG-6YyZ9PUnbvbA-KeucLTLbkC6vJoSFFFWEUIohA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town Council on Oct. 6 authorized Gilbane Building Company to award subcontracts for the RTA 32a site improvements and landscaping package for the town’s new middle and high school complex after project managers recommended awarding the work to Exquisite Landscaping.

Colin McCarthy, assistant project manager with Colliers Project Leaders, told the council the recommendation to award RTA 32a to Exquisite Landscaping was for $1,882,900, which he said was $1,061,401 above the previously reported 60% construction-document budget of $821,499. McCarthy also reported that Colliers and Gilbane recommended holding alternates 1, 2, 3 and alternates 11–13 for later consideration, and rejecting alternate 4 because it was duplicative of other site work.

McCarthy said the GMP (guaranteed maximum price) for the overall school work is currently under review by the town attorney and is expected back to staff within the week; the final GMP will be presented to the council for approval when complete. Councilors asked about the price differential and minority business enterprise (MBE) participation; staff said the recommended bidder included a 7.43% MBE participation level and that another bidder did not submit a final best-and-final offer.

The council passed the resolution authorizing Gilbane to award subcontracts and to charge expenses to the school department’s capital projects fund. Project staff stressed the team remains on budget and schedule overall and that the contract actions are the last subcontract awards before the GMP is finalized.","Project managers recommended awarding the middle/high school site improvements and landscaping package to Exquisite Landscaping for $1,882,900. Council authorized Gilbane to award subcontracts and to hold several alternates for later consideration. Officials said the GMP is under attorney review and will return to the council.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public hearing opened on zoning changes to allow limited multifamily in R-10 and R-20 zones; public voices split

Council names Alborg Construction as library construction manager at risk; public raises funding, access concerns

Council approves library and school contracts, opposes proposed gas moratorium; other routine items pass

Council authorizes school site subcontract awards; landscaping bid recommended $1.88 million