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Residents tell Narragansett council landlords used students as proxy voters and urge protection of neighborhoods
Summary
At the Nov. 18 public comment period, residents accused landlords of encouraging URI students to register and vote locally, warned the incoming council may roll back rental ordinances, and praised outgoing councilors for passing tenant and short-term rental rules.
Several residents used the Nov. 18 public comment period to thank the council and to raise concerns about landlord influence and short-term rentals.
Gail Scowcroft (19 Prospect Ave.) thanked the three councilors who ran for reelection and alleged some landlords instructed URI student tenants to change their registration addresses and vote by proxy, saying, "It's unethical for landlords to use students as proxy voters." She said the town needs to protect resident interests and expressed concern that the incoming council includes members who have publicly said they oppose current rental ordinances. Scowcroft also noted a Rhode Island House commission is studying short-term rentals and criticized the commission’s membership for lacking representation from residents affected by rentals.
Harry Schofield (9 Atlantic) echoed Scowcroft and described the landlord interest as a "cartel," saying the ordinances passed by the current council to regulate student rentals and short-term rentals were hard-won and should not be undone. Schofield criticized the local Democratic Town Committee’s slate tactics and urged continued protections for neighborhoods.
Separate commenters included Alex Menzies, who thanked the council for support of Narragansett schools.
What’s next: These comments were part of the meeting’s open forum; council members acknowledged the concerns and noted the incoming council will be sworn in Nov. 25, after which policy debates can continue.
