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Council agrees to negotiate transfer of disputed ‘foot of Washington Street’ in exchange for public walking easement and required remediation
Summary
After years of dispute, the council authorized the solicitor to finalize a deal transferring the town's interest in the terminal section of Washington Street to a private owner in return for a formal public walking easement, remediation work directed by DEM, and maintenance commitments including stormwater access.
Warren — The Warren Town Council on Oct. 14 authorized the town solicitor to finalize terms with the owner of the adjacent marina to settle long‑running questions about the town’s interest in the terminal portion of Washington Street, commonly known as the “foot of Washington Street.”
Background and proposal: The segment in question extends from the western edge of Water Street to the shore of the Warren River and has been the subject of ownership disputes and litigation. The owner of the marina, Jack Quattrocci, proposed a compromise: the town would release any claim of title to that portion of the street while the owner would grant the town a recorded walking easement to provide continued public access to the shoreline, take responsibility for resolving environmental remediation requirements identified by the R.I. Department of Environmental Management (DEM), and assume maintenance responsibility for a stormwater line and the seawall in that area.
Council rationale: The town solicitor reported that the proposed exchange resolves open legal questions, transfers maintenance responsibility for aging infrastructure (seawall and drainage), and preserves public shoreline access through an easement and signage. Council members noted that the agreement would remove uncertainty and the town’s long‑term maintenance liability for a failing structure while formally recording continued public access.
Action taken: The council authorized the solicitor to proceed with drafting and executing the required documents — quitclaim/abandonment language, the public walking‑easement instrument, and the remediation/maintenance covenants — subject to final legal review.
Why it matters: The move settles a multi‑decade dispute, clarifies municipal liability for the seawall and drainage infrastructure, and secures a public walking easement to the river that the council said will be clearly marked. The owner has also agreed to complete DEM‑required remediation actions or oversight as part of the agreement.
Next steps: Town and owner counsel will prepare and record the required instruments. Council asked the assessor’s office to estimate the taxable value and expected tax revenue changes for the parcels involved. The council voted to authorize the solicitor to finalize the deal.
