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Council interviews four candidates for town committees, highlights affordable‑housing focus
Summary
The Town Council interviewed applicants Jan. 27 for multiple advisory boards, with several candidates discussing affordable housing, workforce housing, active‑transportation safety and sustainability projects.
The South Kingstown Town Council held interviews for multiple advisory committees on Jan. 27, hearing from four applicants who outlined their experience and why they seek appointments.
Affordable housing: Richard Morrissey, a 25‑year resident and Habitat for Humanity volunteer, said affordable housing must move beyond rhetoric and be built on available town land and through public‑private collaboration. He emphasized outreach to reduce “not‑in‑my‑backyard” opposition and urged the Affordable Housing Collaborative to make practical progress on three town properties under discussion.
Economic development to housing link: Brian Smith, a Wakefield resident and long‑time member of the Economic Development Committee, said housing is a top concern for local businesses and larger employers whose workers struggle to live nearby. Smith described past work on school property reuse and land‑use planning in neighboring towns and said that experience would inform his service.
Other applicants: Susan Mittlendorf, a Habitat for Humanity board member, said her interest stems from watching the town become less affordable over the past two decades. Neil Murray, who has attended Pedestrian & Bicycle Advisory Committee meetings, described experience in risk management and offered to focus on low‑cost, practical safety fixes. Kim Falcone sought appointment to the Sustainability Committee and discussed EV charging and school composting initiatives. Hillary Carlson sought reappointment to the library board and discussed upcoming renovations and programming.
Council notes: Councilors said they were pleased with the range of experience and interest in practical solutions. Staff confirmed there are three vacancies on the Affordable Housing Collaborative and four total applicants were under consideration (one applicant, Peter Swain, was unable to attend).
Ending: The interviews will feed into formal appointment decisions at a future meeting; councilors requested staff confirm the number of vacancies and circulate application materials to members before formal votes.
