East Greenwich staff to draft noise, open‑burn and parking rule updates after community forums

Town staff told the Town Council on Sept. 29 that recent public listening sessions and interdepartmental work will lead to ordinance revisions on three community issues: the noise ordinance (notably concerns about gas‑powered leaf blowers), open burning and fire pits, and a rewrite of the municipal parking code.

Public comments: Resident John Paulus urged the council to direct the town manager and police chief to enforce the existing noise ordinance for lawn equipment, saying he was “encouraged” by the noise workshops but concerned that a deputy chief had previously told residents that police were instructed not to enforce the noise ordinance for lawn equipment. Paulus asked the council to “ensure that the noise ordinance is enforced against violating lawn equipment operators immediately, starting with this fall cleanup season.” That public comment was recorded during the council’s initial public‑comment period.

Manager’s summary and next steps: Town Manager Nada described a multi‑track work plan. The town held a second noise listening session with roughly 40 participants, including landscapers and residents. Staff will consolidate issues raised and intends to draft ordinance language this fall. The fire department and police department have collaborated on an open burning/fire‑pit ordinance draft; staff expects to bring further material to the council on Oct. 14 but cautioned more work will be needed before presenting a final ordinance.

Parking study and enforcement: The town’s parking consultant (PAR Engineering) will return in November to present findings; staff aims to propose ordinance revisions by the end of winter and implementation next spring. Potential recommendations discussed include additional one‑way conversions, revised time‑of‑day rules, expanded overnight residential parking zones (notably in the waterfront and Hill areas), changes to public‑lot management and enhanced signage. Staff said enforcement will require supplemented personnel — possibly seasonal civil‑service officers or contracted parking attendants — and that enforcement capacity must be budgeted in FY27.

Budget and federal risks: Manager Nada also reported the town is monitoring a possible federal government shutdown and noted that some grants the town has used for capital projects (for example, a Swift Community Center project and waterfront work) are subject to federal appropriations and could be affected; staff is proceeding quickly to obligate funds where projects have begun. He identified specific federal appropriations referenced at the meeting: about $1.6 million for work at the Swift Community Center (project funding managed by the town) and roughly $963,000 from a congressional appropriation for waterfront work; staff are actively managing grant reporting and project spenddown to protect the awards.

No formal council action on code changes was taken at the meeting. Councilors asked staff to proceed with drafting ordinance language and to return with specific proposals for public hearings and budget implications.