Council approves sale of town land for senior housing and creates sports complex fund with $100,000 appropriation

The Burrillville Town Council voted to sell a town‑owned parcel (assessor map 248 Lot 007) to NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley for a proposed senior housing development, with council records citing a purchase price of $315,000 and the parcel described in discussion as roughly 15 acres.

Councilors framed the sale as part of a strategy to support affordable and senior housing. A council member said the proposal could yield about 60 units targeted to residents 55 and older. Resident Mary Ryan asked for clarification on how the town originally acquired the parcel (tax sale, donation, previous swaps) and when decisions were made; council members described prior committees and earlier exchanges of land that led to the town holding the site.

On a separate financial item, the council established Fund 1397 (Burrill Sports Complex Fund) to manage operations, maintenance and capital for the Levy Rink and future approved sports facilities. Council approved an appropriation and transfer of $100,000 from the unreserved undesignated general fund (Fund 0100) into the new fund; the charter language in the meeting reminded members that such an appropriation requires six affirmative votes.

Both measures passed by voice vote. Councilors said the property sale would support senior housing goals and that the sports fund is intended to help manage ongoing facility costs and future capital needs.

Next steps: planning and legal staff to finalize purchase and sale paperwork and to confirm closing terms with NeighborWorks; finance staff to execute the transfer to the new sports fund.