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Washington County Regional Planning Council seeks Narragansett representative; council appoints Durkin
Summary
Delegates from the revived Washington County Regional Planning Council described collaborative goals, dues and quarterly meetings; the Narragansett Town Council appointed Councilor Durkin as its representative with Councilor Conley as alternate.
Representatives of the Washington County Regional Planning Council briefed the Narragansett Town Council on Feb. 3 about the council’s recent revival and the group’s focus on inter-municipal collaboration, then asked Narragansett to send a representative to fill a vacant seat.
Stephen Stokes, who said he is a Charlestown town councilor and president of the planning council, described the council as a voluntary, countywide body with one councilor from each town. He said the council formerly created the PRISM street-lighting program and is now focused on cross-town coordination on shared issues such as coastal climate impacts, storm response and communications.
Stokes said dues are voluntary, scaled by town population and coastal status; he gave a recent Narragansett annual figure of about $4,800 as the previous tiered amount and said the council’s current budget is modest. He said the council meets quarterly and has resurrected its nonprofit status and the ability to apply for grants.
Council members asked logistical questions about alternates and meeting frequency. Stokes said municipalities commonly appoint a primary member and an alternate so towns remain represented when delegates are absent.
After the presentation, the town council voted to appoint Councilor Jim Durkin as Narragansett’s delegate to the Washington County Regional Planning Council and to name Councilor Conley as the alternate. The motion passed 5–0.
Why it matters: A full Narragansett seat on the regional council could strengthen cross-jurisdictional planning on shoreline, climate and infrastructure issues that affect multiple South County towns.
Speakers
Stephen Stokes, President, Washington County Regional Planning Council; Charlestown Town Councilor (government)
Vice President Mike Marin, South Kingstown Town Council president pro tem (government; invited)
Councilor Jim Durkin, Narragansett Town Council (government)
Council President (unnamed) (government)
Clarifying details
- Dues: Stokes described a three-tier dues model (coastal/small/large) and cited a prior Narragansett figure of approximately $4,800 per year (noted as based on population/coastal classification). - Meetings: The council meets generally quarterly and is seeking a full roster of town representatives.
Actions
- Motion: appoint a town council member to the Washington County Regional Planning Council. - Outcome: Councilor Jim Durkin appointed as primary representative; Councilor Conley appointed as alternate. Vote: 5–0.
Provenance
- topicintro: transcript excerpt when the council president introduced the South Kingstown guest (s 1788.65): "I would like to welcome Our next guest is no stranger to Narragansett... Mike Marin..." - topfinish: transcript excerpt when the appointment motion was approved (s 6948.02–6963.9): "All those in favor? Any opposed? Motion passes 5 0."
