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Foster Preservation Society cleared to use Champlin grant for townhouse roof; seeks permission for historic signs
Summary
The Foster Town Council voted May 8 to allow the Foster Preservation Society to proceed with a contracted roof replacement on a town-owned historic townhouse using Champlin grant funds; the society also requested permission to place historical signs at two local schoolhouse sites.
The Foster Town Council on May 8 authorized the Foster Preservation Society to proceed with replacing the roof on a town-owned historic townhouse using funds from a 2023 Champlin Foundation grant.
John Lewis, speaking for the Foster Preservation Society, told the council the original painting project fell through after the contractor was injured and that the society has $32,500 available to address an urgent roof repair. "We have $32,500, and that's more than enough to cover that," Lewis said, adding the society had engaged William (Bill) Gould, an approved contractor for historic buildings, to perform the work.
The council's approval covers the society's request to move forward if other approvals are obtained. Lewis said the society still needs Champlin Foundation permission to transition the grant funds to the roof project and approval from the Rhode Island Historic Preservation & Heritage Commission (RIHPHC), which holds an easement-like restriction requiring an approved contractor. Lewis told the council the project was on the Champlin agenda for the 20th of the month.
Lewis also raised a separate preservation request during public comment: the society asked to place a historical sign marking the site of the Pawneegansted one-room schoolhouse at the end of Kate Randall Road near Central Pike, and possibly a similar marker at the end of Shippy Schoolhouse Road. Lewis said that both sites are on town land and the society wanted council permission before installing signs or placing the item on a future agenda for formal action.
Councilmembers voted in favor of the preservation society moving forward with the townhouse work, and the motion passed by voice vote. The society said Gould's bid came in under the available grant money and that work could proceed promptly once Champlin and RIHPHC approvals are secured.
The council record shows that if the town were to oversee the project directly, competitive bidding and additional town approvals would be required; the society's plan is to execute the agreement directly with the contractor to avoid delay.
The council did not set a date for installation of the requested historical signs and indicated the society should return with any required documentation or a formal agenda request if necessary.
