Town awarded $112,500 water study grant; staff to submit hazard-mitigation letters of intent for drainage and erosion projects

The town administrator reported on Jan. 6 that Jamestown has been awarded $112,500 from the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank toward a drinking-water study and that staff will submit letters of intent for hazard-mitigation grant opportunities.

The water grant application had requested $150,000; the awarded amount was $112,500, the administrator said, noting a statewide $3 million program cap. The study’s proposed scope includes a baseline assessment of water availability, evaluation of options for connecting to mainland water (Providence Water via Kingston), assessment of previous well viability and the town’s distribution system limits. The administrator cautioned the awarded amount might not cover all tasks listed and suggested the town prioritize study elements and consider follow-up funding if needed.

On hazard mitigation, the administrator said post-event mitigation streams are competitive and require projects to relate to the town’s hazard mitigation plan. Letters of intent were planned for drainage work on Hull Coast Street, Clarks Village Road, and Gramma Gull Road (roughly $300,000 estimated work) and for erosion stabilization on the north face of Taylor Point near the Freebody parking lot, which would extend earlier shoreline work including Bayview Drive seawall projects.

Officials said they had applied for earlier mitigation funds but did not receive awards in a prior round. The town’s hazard mitigation plan is near completion and the administrator said a resolution adopting the plan will come to the council in coming weeks.