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New Shoreham voters approve $2 million bond authorization for 16-unit Ball O’Brien affordable housing project
Summary
After public comment and discussion, New Shoreham voters authorized the town treasurer to issue general obligation bonds not to exceed $2,000,000 to finance a roughly 16‑unit affordable housing project at Flat 18, Lot 2‑3 (Ball O’Brien). A paper ballot produced a recorded result: 138 yes, 20 no.
Voters at the May 5, 2025 New Shoreham financial town meeting authorized the town treasurer, with town council consent, to issue general obligation bonds not to exceed $2,000,000 to finance the planning, design, construction, furnishing and finishing of an approximate 16‑unit affordable housing project on Flat 18, Lot 2‑3 (the Ball O’Brien project), a measure advanced by the Block Island Housing Board.
The motion authorizes the town treasurer to issue the bonds or notes under Rhode Island law; the terms and conditions are to be set by town-council resolution or the treasurer in the absence of such a resolution. Because a paper ballot was requested and supported, the meeting conducted a paper ballot. The transcript records the ballot result as 138 votes in favor and 20 opposed; the moderator then declared the motion carried.
Public comment preceding the ballot included multiple residents and stakeholders speaking in favor of the bond and the housing project. Speakers described longtime year‑round residency, difficulty finding year‑round housing for essential workers and families, and support for the housing board’s multi-year planning and design work. Martin (or Mark) McGuire, identified in the meeting packet as housing-board chair, described the board’s effort to design cost-conscious units attractive to singles, couples and young families and said the project has been in development for more than three years and has proceeded through planning and zoning steps.
The housing board chair and several residents emphasized that eligibility rules for the eventual units will depend in part on funding sources (for example, restrictions tied to Rhode Island Housing financing). The chair said the board intends to limit occupancy to year‑round residents and possibly to year‑round employees of the island, subject to statutory Fair Housing requirements and the constraints of any external funding.
Why it matters: The authorization provides the town a financing option to move the Ball O’Brien project toward construction; supporters said the additional housing is intended to preserve a year‑round community and provide housing for island workers (teachers, tradespeople, service industry employees). Opponents or those not in favor were recorded in the ballot tally but did not have extended time for formal debate in the transcript.
Vote and next steps: The bond authorization passed by paper ballot (138 yes, 20 no). The town treasurer and town council will set bond terms by resolution or the treasurer will proceed under the authority granted; the housing board will continue project development including finalizing eligibility criteria and seeking grants or other funding that may affect unit income qualifications.
