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Town manager outlines old-library RFP, budget process and temporary fire-station relocation
Summary
At the Jan. 21 Narragansett council meeting the town manager described plans to solicit proposals for the town's old library and explained a temporary relocation of Fire Station 2 during renovations funded by grant programs.
Town Manager reported on Jan. 21 that a request for proposals for the town’s old library will be advertised later in January and that a pre-bid walk-through is scheduled for Feb. 4. The RFP solicits proposals for adaptive reuse, demolition, construction or sale, and the manager said any sale would require voter approval.
The manager said the town is working with department heads on a fiscally responsible operating and capital budget to maintain services. He also told the council that renovations at Fire Station 2 on Point Judith Road — funded in part by a public-safety infrastructure grant and the American Rescue Plan Act — require the department to vacate the building during construction.
To maintain service, the fire department, public works and town staff relocated one engine, one rescue vehicle and personnel to a large steel building at Fort Greene. The manager described the temporary facility as containing sleeping accommodations in a trailer, showers, kitchen space and a demountable tent used as day-room and sleeping quarters; he said response times “would not be hindered at all.” The council and Fire Chief thanked department staff and Fort Greene command for coordinating the move.
The manager said the RFP for the old library is the first step to solicit ideas from vendors and that any sale of the property would require voter approval. He noted the public-hearing agenda item on future agendas can be scheduled at a time other than the advertised 7:30 p.m. meeting and that if only a scheduling matter is needed the hearing need not appear in that slot.
Town Manager (name not specified) said: “The council has been provided the RFP, which will be advertised next this coming Friday on the 24th and the pre-bid meeting for that RFP will be Tuesday, February 4, so that the people interested in submitting a proposal will have an opportunity to view the facility.”
Chief Partington thanked the manager and staff for the relocation plan and for arranging equipment and living accommodations at Fort Greene. The manager and the chief said the move was large in scope but allowed the department to remain staffed 24 hours per day during construction.
Council members asked procedural questions about agenda scheduling and thanked staff for the rapid operational relocation. The manager invited any council member to follow up with staff about additional data the council may want as budget season continues.
