Town schedules community meetings on electricity program; short‑term rental forum prompts neighborhood concerns

Town staff announced a tentative January 2026 launch and a slate of informational meetings for Good Energy’s Ocean State Community Electricity Program while also reporting community concern about short‑term rentals raised at a Wickford Advisory Committee forum.

Ralph said Good Energy intends to launch the aggregation program in North Kingstown in January 2026 and that the vendor would send informational mailers in November followed by virtual and in‑person meetings (Nov. 13 virtual; Nov. 19 and Dec. 3 in council chambers; Dec. 4 at the senior center). The town solicitor, planning staff and the manager recently met with Good Energy to discuss challenges; Ralph said the town plans to brief the council on Nov. 17 with updated information and possible action items.

Separately, the Wickford Advisory Committee held an informational forum on short‑term rentals that Ralph and Planning Director Nicole Lafontaine attended. He estimated more than 40 attendees and said residents raised concerns that short‑term rentals can alter neighborhood character, make neighborhoods seasonally quiet and reduce housing availability for people seeking to move to North Kingstown. The advisory committee will prepare a summary and report to the council within two to three months.

Why it matters: The electricity aggregation program could change how residents buy electricity and generate outreach and opt‑out decisions; short‑term rental discussions inform potential policy or regulations that affect housing availability and neighborhood character.

Details and next steps: Good Energy meetings are open to residents for explanation and Q&A; the town will present an update and potential actions at the Nov. 17 council meeting. The Wickford Advisory Committee will deliver a summary to the council in the coming months for possible policy consideration.