Council asks staff to press Rhode Island Historical Society to expedite Shannock fire tower review
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Summary
Councilors endorsed staff and the chief’s request to ask the Rhode Island Historical Society and USDA to speed the review so a donated tower and ARPA/congressional funds can be installed before winter-related construction delays and federal shutdown impacts further postpone work.
Richmond’s Town Council voted Nov. 4 to instruct staff to draft a letter of support urging the Rhode Island Historical Society and federal reviewers to expedite clearance for the Shannock fire tower replacement project.
Staff and public‑safety officials said ARPA funding and additional congressional discretionary funds have been secured and the donated tower has been disassembled and staged; federal USDA oversight and a state historical review remain outstanding. Chief briefs stressed the communications infrastructure need: "This is not a want. It's a need," the chief said, describing the town’s reliance on a portable EMA trailer as an inadequate interim solution during storms.
Council members said the time‑sensitive funding and winter schedule made a letter of support appropriate; they approved a motion directing staff to prepare the correspondence and return to the council. The council emphasized that the letter would reiterate the town police and fire positions and ask the Historical Society and USDA to help remove barriers delaying construction.