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Council approves park renovations, historic-preservation support and a PILOT amendment; declines to exercise purchase option on 55 Brown St.
Summary
The council approved consent agenda items including funding for Yorktown Park renovations and endorsed a historic nonprofit’s request for earmark support; it authorized a First Amendment to a PILOT yielding an estimated $964,797.13 over 12 years and voted to decline the town’s right of first refusal on 55 Brown Street citing renovation costs.
At its Nov. 18 meeting the North Kingstown Town Council approved a package of routine and substantive items: Yorktown Park renovations, support for a newly formed historic nonprofit, a First Amendment to an existing Payment-in-Lieu-of-Taxes (PILOT) agreement, and a decision not to exercise the town’s right of first refusal to buy 55 Brown Street.
Consent items 10–21 were approved by one motion after councilors removed items 15 and 16 for brief discussion. Brenda Potter, chair of the newly formed Historic North Kingstown nonprofit, and Joe Gilicchio described plans to pursue an earmark to renovate the 1807 Old Town House and noted private pledges; the council reiterated prior advocacy for a Save America’s Treasures grant and approved the related item.
The council approved items 15 and 16 together to allocate funds for Yorktown Park improvements. Recreation staff described a plan to relocate the playground to higher ground to avoid flooding, convert the old playground into a pollination garden and sensory garden, restore and repurpose an existing backstop and track area, add permanent concrete ping-pong tables, and restore circuits and markers for fitness programs. Councilors praised the plan and approved the funding by voice vote.
On Item 25 the Town Manager summarized a First Amendment to the MBQ LLC pilot (Gateway Office Buildings) that applies an existing payment formula to a sixth office building; staff estimated the amendment would provide an additional $964,797.13 over the next 12 years. The council authorized the Town Manager to conclude negotiations and sign the amendment.
On a separate land item the administration briefed the council on a notice of sale for 55 Brown Street. The town received an offer for $207,000, but staff recommended declining the town’s right of first refusal because the property would require extensive renovation—public works estimates referenced in the meeting placed repairs in excess of $1 million—and because exercising the option would create unbudgeted obligations and loss of tax revenue. The council voted to decline the option.
