At Tuesday’s meeting the Town Council handled a slate of routine and procedural matters: it approved the consent calendar, granted several special event permits, received two ordinances on first reading, awarded a contract for a pavilion deck expansion at Second Beach, and completed a series of board and commission appointments.

Key outcomes

- Consent calendar: Council approved the consent calendar in its entirety by voice vote.

- Special‑event permits: The council approved special‑event permits for the Newport Box Fit “Fall Fury” charity boxing event (11/22/2025 at St. George’s School), the Aquinnick 10K (03/22/2026, Second Beach area), and the Second Beach Sprint Triathlon (09/12/2026). Motions to grant each permit were seconded and approved by voice vote.

- Ordinances (first readings): The council received on first reading an ordinance amending the town code regarding animals (title 11, chapter 90.03) and an amendment to the tax classification section (title 3, chapter 34, section 34.7) to conform to short‑term rental definitions; both were received on first reading and will return for future action.

- Pavilion deck contract: The council approved award of the Second Beach pavilion deck expansion contract to E.W. Berman, Inc. (Warwick) in the amount of $277,713, to be paid from the Parks & Recreation capital replenishment restricted fund balance. The contract includes an alternate for composite decking.

- Community Learning Center funding: The council agreed to a $50,000 contribution to the Florence Gray Center initiative (one year installment from the additional 1% local hotel tax); the town had previously contributed in an earlier fiscal year.

- Referrals: Following extensive public comment on multifamily zoning, the council also voted to refer both the multifamily zoning amendment (allowing 3–6 units in R‑10/R‑20) and a separate dimensional/density amendment back to the planning board for recommended restrictions and design standards. The motions to refer passed on recorded voice votes.

- Appointments: The council appointed multiple citizens to advisory boards and commissions, including reappointments to the Beach Commission and Library Trustees and appointments to the Open Space & Fields Committee, Conservation Commission, Personnel Board and other bodies; these were approved by voice vote.

Full list of formal actions (selected)

- Motion: Approve consent calendar — Outcome: approved (voice vote)
- Motion: Grant special event permit (Newport Box Fit Fall Fury) — Outcome: approved (voice vote)
- Motion: Grant special event permit (Aquinnick 10K) — Outcome: approved (voice vote)
- Motion: Grant special event permit (Second Beach Sprint Triathlon) — Outcome: approved (voice vote)
- Motion: Receive ordinance (animals) on first reading — Outcome: received (first reading)
- Motion: Receive ordinance (tax classification/STR alignment) on first reading — Outcome: received (first reading)
- Motion: Award contract for Second Beach pavilion deck expansion to E.W. Berman, Inc., $277,713 — Outcome: approved
- Motion: Approve $50,000 from hotel tax for Florence Gray Center director (FY26 installment) — Outcome: approved
- Motion: Refer multifamily zoning amendment to planning board for additional restrictions — Outcome: approved
- Motion: Refer dimensional/density amendment to planning board for additional restrictions — Outcome: approved
- Motions: Multiple appointments to boards and commissions — Outcome: approved

Minutes and staff memos for each item contain more detail on funding sources, timelines and specific appointees.