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Council to advertise CDBG applications including Tower Street community center; members question timing and project readiness
Summary
The council voted to advertise the town’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) applications for public hearing May 5; several councilors questioned program timing and whether the Tower Street community center project could meet program deadlines and lease commitments.
The Westerly Town Council authorized advertisement of the town’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) applications for a public hearing to be held May 5, including proposals for public-facility and public-service projects.
Town staff said the state’s CDBG process this year moved on an accelerated timeline and the town must advertise projects and hold hearings within a shortened window. Projects listed in the draft submission include public facility work, public services and workforce/programming proposals; one of the larger items discussed was the proposed Tower Street community center, a multi-use building that would host programming with partners including Wood River Health and the Wesley Education Center.
Councilors pressed for clarity on Tower Street’s construction timeline and on the town’s lease arrangement. Councilor LaPietro asked whether the project’s anticipated completion by late 2026 was realistic; town staff said asbestos abatement and engineering work are underway and that the project’s allocation and phased funding assumptions were being updated. Council members also asked whether the CDBG request amounts were realistic because state awards typically run far below the total project cost; staff said larger project totals are listed for completeness but actual grant awards often fund smaller components.
Councilor Petra raised a long-standing concern about using CDBG or other grant funds to reconstruct sections of downtown streets that recently were repaved; staff said application guidance asks for full project costs but grant awards may only fund a portion and that the town can reallocate bond resources if a CDBG award reduces the need for bond-funded work.
The council voted to advertise the CDBG applications for the May 5 public hearing. Staff noted that the town’s Tower Street lease remains in effect and said they would provide the council with more detailed updates on the building timeline and funding in advance of the hearing.
