North Kingstown council adopts new whistleblower policy after debate over reporting route

North Kingstown’s Town Council adopted a new whistleblower policy on Nov. 18, replacing an older ordinance the council decided to rescind earlier in the meeting.

The policy sets procedures for residents and employees to report concerns and creates an alternative screening pathway for allegations involving the town manager or the town solicitor. The administration proposed a screening committee to triage complaints and direct them to the appropriate office; several councilors warned that routing such complaints through an elected official could politicize the process.

Town Manager Ralph framed the change as clarification and said the prior ordinance had been misused for routine municipal requests. He told the council staff had added a screening committee to ensure reports went to the right office and to preserve confidentiality for employee-related matters. "A lot of the things that are in this policy take place on a daily basis in my office," he said, arguing that codifying the process would give residents clearer direction.

Council debate centered on who should see complaints that name the town manager or the town solicitor. Councilor Larry moved an amendment to allow those complaints to be reported either to the audit committee’s two-person screening committee or to the town council through the council president. The amendment passed on a roll call: Councilor Anderson — yes; Councilor McCoy — nay; Councilor Paige — yes; Councilor Mandel — yes; President Nancini — yes.

Supporters of the amendment said it preserves a nonpolitical avenue while ensuring an elected body remains ultimately accountable. Opponents said any route that funnels such complaints to a single elected official could allow a report to be withheld; other councilors urged that the full council must be informed if a complaint implicates its appointees. Several members stressed that nothing in the policy prevents a resident from contacting council members directly.

After adopting the amendment, the council voted to approve the full policy by voice vote. The administration said staff will finalize the reporting mechanics (how a complainant notifies the council or screening committee) and return with any needed implementation details.

The action follows the council’s earlier vote to repeal the town’s previous whistleblower ordinance and replaces it with the new policy meant to guide both employees and members of the public. The council did not direct any immediate personnel action as part of this vote; the policy establishes reporting and screening pathways rather than adjudicative steps.