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Portsmouth receives safety and infrastructure grants; public works director to retire
Summary
Town Administrator Brian Raynor reported grants for police and park safety, inclusion in a statewide climate-vulnerability program and National Weather Service "StormReady" recertification; he also announced the retirement of Public Works Director Brian Woodhead effective May 1.
PORTSMOUTH, R.I. — Portsmouth Town Administrator Brian Raynor told the Town Council on March 10 that the town has won several small grants for public-safety and infrastructure projects and that the director of public works will retire effective May 1.
Raynor said the Rhode Island Interlocal Risk Management Trust awarded two grants: $2,000 for enhanced window security film at the police station vestibule and $10.97 to buy a security camera for Town Hall’s front lobby. He also said the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank awarded Portsmouth a $30,000 municipal infrastructure grant to add new lighting in the Elmhurst Park parking lot.
Raynor said the town will coordinate a kickoff meeting with Bristol officials to work on parking options for Prudence Island ferry riders; he described the working group as a forum rather than a decision-making body. He also said Portsmouth was one of 12 communities chosen to receive a targeted infrastructure vulnerability assessment through a statewide initiative led by Rhode Island Commerce and consultants FUSS & O’Neil.
The administrator announced that the National Weather Service recertified Portsmouth as a StormReady community; the recognition runs through 2028 and comes with public-preparedness expectations ahead of hurricane season, Raynor said.
Raynor closed his report by announcing the planned May 1 retirement of Public Works Director Brian Woodhead after 27 years of service and said he will recommend a successor at a future council meeting.
Councilors asked a handful of follow-up questions about timing for the Elmhurst Park lighting and the Bristol parking working group. Raynor said he will keep the council informed and coordinate logistics for the working group kickoff.
Ending: Raynor urged residents to consult the town Emergency Management Agency webpage for storm-preparedness information and said details on the Woodhead successor will come to the council at a later meeting.
