Department heads outline reappraisal, police staffing, and capital plans at Newport City council meeting

Department heads briefed the Newport City Council on operations, planned projects and key budget figures at the March 17 meeting.

Frank Cheney (planning & zoning, assessor, grants administrator) said the city has an almost‑complete rewrite of its planning and development bylaws — a roughly 400‑page draft now in legal review — intended to remove impediments to housing creation by allowing greater urban infill and density. Cheney said the city signed a $234,000 contract with New England Consultants for a citywide appraisal (a mandated reappraisal with work expected to begin next summer and take about a year to 18 months). Cheney also reported roughly 2,200 parcels under administration and an estimated taxable value (excluding exempt parcels) of about $330 million.

Chief Travis Bingham summarized public‑safety operations: the police department is budgeted for 15 full‑time officers and currently has 13 on staff (one in the academy); last year the dispatch center handled 12,239 incidents and the department logged 4,864 law incidents — its busiest year since 2019. Bingham said capital and technology items in the budget include body cameras, tasers and network storage, and he outlined recurring capital planning (annual cruiser replacement and set‑aside funds for bulletproof vests).

Tom Bernier of Public Works reviewed infrastructure responsibilities (over 30 miles of water and sewer lines, more than 500 manholes/catch basins), upcoming projects (Causeway, Gardner Park playground and traffic signal work), and an equipment inventory he valued at approximately $2.6 million. Bernier said paving and other projects will begin when frost conditions allow and that staff will keep one traffic lane open where possible to avoid blocking emergency access.

Mike Brown (recreation director, appearing online) described recreation programming and facilities management, including Brownie Beach campground (24‑week season, 71 full‑hookup RV sites; plans to add eight full‑hookup sites that could increase revenue by roughly $50,000) and Gardner Park program operations. He noted a proposed family cabin component that would be 50% funded by a Vermont Recreational Facilities Grant.

Jim Johnson, clerk and treasurer, summarized his office’s duties: tax billing and collection, accounts payable/receivable, payroll, vital records, land records administration and management of funds such as the East Main Street Cemetery Fund and the Niles fund for residents 60 and older.

Councilors asked clarifying questions on staffing, the reappraisal timeline and the grants compliance report Cheney described as already mitigated. Cheney offered to submit the compliance paperwork and appraisal contract for council review before filing with state authorities.

Why it matters: The bylaw rewrite and the mandated reappraisal have direct implications for housing policy, property valuations and tax bills in Newport City; the police staffing and capital plans inform near‑term budget priorities and public‑safety preparedness.

Next steps: Cheney expects the legal review of the bylaws back by the end of the month and public hearings to follow; the appraisal contractor will begin work next summer. Department heads said they will provide follow‑up briefings and supporting documents on request.