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Council approves beach ordinance change and higher bus‑rental fee; several routine items also passed
Summary
Councilors approved an ordinance amendment removing a nonresident-use language at a town beach following a state grant condition and increased bus‑rental fees; the consent agenda and several appointments also passed with no recorded opposition.
The North Kingstown Town Council on March 24 approved two ordinance changes affecting beach use and fees and cleared routine business on a single consent motion.
Councilors voted to adopt a second‑reading amendment to Chapter 13 (public beaches) that removes a restriction tied to nonresident use; council members said the change aligns local rules with conditions attached to a substantial state grant that upgraded the beach. The motion to approve the ordinance amendment passed after a motion and second with the “ayes” prevailing.
Councilors also conducted a second reading and approved an amendment to Section 9‑4 addressing beach‑related fees; staff clarified the item is effectively an increase in bus‑rental fees used for beach access. The council opened and closed the required public hearing for both matters; no member of the public registered to speak on the bus fee amendment.
Votes at a glance: the meeting recorded several additional procedural approvals. By unanimous voice votes the council approved the consent agenda (items 8–20), authorized an amendment to the Arts Council membership size and approved a new Arts Council appointment, and confirmed an appointment to the zoning board. The council also recorded no substantive objection to a different dock application (agenda item 25) after local commissions recommended no objection; the Lone Tree Point dock (agenda item 24) was handled separately and drew a substantive objection (see related coverage).
What it means: The ordinance change related to beach premises reflects the town’s acceptance of a state grant tied to beach improvements; removing the challenged language aligns local rules to the grant conditions. The bus‑rental fee change updates the town fee schedule and becomes effective as posted by town clerk procedures. Consent agenda items will be enacted by single motion with individual items retained for separate discussion if requested.
Procedural notes: All the votes noted in these items were taken by voice; minutes reflect motions moved, seconded and adopted with the “ayes have it.” Specific vote counts were not recorded in the minutes for every voice vote.
