Narragansett council approves elevator upgrade, parking limit at Boone Street park and several administrative actions; developer bid rejected

Narragansett — The Narragansett Town Council on July 21 approved multiple administrative and capital actions, adopted a new parking restriction for Leroy Thompson Memorial Park, scheduled an affordable-housing work session and rejected a single developer proposal for the former library building at 35 Kingstown Road.

The council approved a $157,500 contract with Otis Elevator to modernize the town-hall elevator, citing accessibility and safety concerns. Town staff said the work will bring the elevator into better ADA compliance and is funded in the capital program; the council voted to authorize the town manager to sign the agreement after review by the town solicitor.

The council adopted an amendment to the town’s official parking restrictions to limit Leroy Thompson Memorial Park (Boone Street Playground) to “playground parking only” from dawn until 9 p.m. with a three-hour limit. The resolution passed on the second reading by a 3–1 vote with one council member absent.

Other actions taken by the council included: - Rescheduling the public hearing to review the alcoholic beverage license for Gansett Veil LLC, d/b/a Boone Street Market (license year 12/01/2024–11/30/2025) to Oct. 20, 2025; motion passed 4–0 with one absent. - Approving a one-year contract extension for security system program and design services with Grist Security Consulting, Inc., through Aug. 7, 2026 (consent agenda; passed 4–0, one absent). - Scheduling a work session with the Affordable Housing Trust Collaborative for Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. (motion passed 4–0, one absent). - Appointing Fran Cody to the Narragansett Housing Authority for a term expiring April 30, 2029 (motion passed 4–0, one absent). - Rejecting the proposal from GBC LLC for adaptive reuse of the former library at 35 Kingstown Road (motion to reject passed unanimously among those voting; the council then discussed possible next steps including a workshop and further community outreach).

At the meeting’s close the council entered executive session under Rhode Island law to discuss pending litigation (Stephen Ferandy v. Town of Narragansett, Washington County Case No. 2025-0380). After returning from executive session the council reported a motion authorizing the town solicitor to accept service and answer the complaint; the council also voted to seal the executive-session minutes.

Votes at a glance - Elevator modernization (Otis Elevator), amount: $157,500 — approved (4–0; 1 absent). - Leroy Thompson Memorial Park parking restriction (amendment to official list of parking restrictions under Narragansett code of ordinances) — adopted (3 yes, 1 no, 1 absent). - Boone Street Market public-hearing reschedule to Oct. 20, 2025 — approved (4–0; 1 absent). - Grist Security Consulting contract extension (through 08/07/2026) — approved on consent (4–0; 1 absent). - Affordable Housing Trust Collaborative work session scheduled for Sept. 10, 2025 — approved (4–0; 1 absent). - Appointment: Fran Cody to Narragansett Housing Authority (term to 04/30/2029) — approved (4–0; 1 absent). - GBC LLC proposal for 35 Kingstown Road — rejected (motion to reject passed; vote recorded as unanimous among those voting). - Executive session: authorization for solicitor to accept service and answer complaint; minutes sealed — approved (roll-call recorded; vote recorded in executive session).

Council members voting in roll call and other named officials who spoke during the meeting included Councilwoman Donna Vignali; Councilors Jason Cummings, Ryan DiRialde and James Durkin; Town Manager Jim Tierney; Cheryl Hartman, executive director of the Narragansett Housing Authority; and municipal staff present at the meeting. Alex (last name not specified) was recorded absent for several votes.

The council did not adopt any final plan for the former library building; members and members of the public said they want additional outreach, a possible new RFP and a workshop before the town proceeds with a long-term decision.

The council meeting record shows the town will continue public outreach on several items and return the library discussion to a future agenda for a formally noticed workshop.