Council presses for DOT commitments after review of draft town–state road agreement

The New Shoreham Town Council on Wednesday reviewed a draft renewal of the town’s management agreement with the Rhode Island Department of Transportation and instructed staff to seek further clarification before taking final action.

Town staff told the council the DOT sent a signed copy in late December. The draft largely mirrors the prior agreement but contains two material changes: an increase in the annual payment from $425,000 to $500,000 and revised provisions around guardrail preparation and installation. Council members said the signed copy suggested DOT considered negotiations complete but that several town requests were not incorporated.

Councilors and staff listed a series of unaddressed items: explicit commitments for capital work deferred over prior renewals; a lease addendum for the state building that has not been returned by DOT; indemnity language concerning environmental or safety liabilities tied to state property such as salt storage; and a missing, up‑to‑date equipment list. Staff described the building as in poor condition and said the lease exhibit — typically included with the agreement — was absent from the packet.

Town staff and councilors identified 16.5 miles of state road on the island; an assessment provided to the council showed roughly 40% of those roads rated "poor," 50% "fair" and about 6% "good." Councilors said they plan to submit a set of TIP (Transportation Improvement Program) projects to DOT, with the salt shed and the town’s four worst roads among the proposed prioritized projects.

Council members discussed possible responses. One option is to decline to execute and return the agreement for further negotiation. Another, less confrontational path discussed would be to execute the agreement, make clear in writing the town’s outstanding expectations — especially specific capital deliverables and the missing lease — and reserve the right to terminate the agreement with 12 months’ notice if DOT fails to make meaningful progress.

Town staff said they will follow up with DOT to request the lease exhibit and to press for clearer commitments on capital work and equipment. Councilors also asked staff to brief state legislators and to prepare a strategy for the town’s TIP submissions.

No formal vote to sign or reject the agreement took place Wednesday; the council agreed to continue discussions and directed staff to seek the missing lease language and to return with options.