Burrillville council favors Option 2 for Harrisville Mill Pond plaza, authorizes up to $250,000 from Debt Reduction Fund

Ashley Cohen, principal at First Landscape Architects, presented three conceptual schemes to enhance the western portion of the Harrisville Mill Pond Dam site, describing walking paths, overlooks, seating areas, flagpole placement and lawn space. "All three options have great benefits," Cohen said, outlining accessibility elements and noting amenities could be phased.

Councilors focused on sightlines for potential performances, maintenance costs for plantings, and the electrical service needed to support bands and events. One councilor warned about ongoing maintenance costs for irrigation and suggested minimizing shrub beds in favor of lawn and a few trees to preserve unobstructed views. Cohen confirmed site power exists and that amenity features can be phased to spread costs.

During discussion members raised fundraising ideas, including selling commemorative pavers; staff said certain bench/amenity elements could be added later. After members expressed a preference for a more open, event-friendly design, the council moved to authorize an amount not to exceed $250,000 from the Debt Reduction Fund (Fund 3880) toward bid number 205-7 for the Harrisville Mill Pond Dam rehabilitation project and related site enhancements, with the overall project bid amount and funding sources reflected in the contract documents.

The motion passed; council asked staff and the landscape architect to return with refined design details that reduce planting costs, provide unobstructed performance sightlines, and identify fundraising options for amenities. Councilors also discussed using existing stone removed from the mill for bench seating and other reuse strategies.

Next steps include advancing design development and specifications for bidding so the contractor can proceed while dam rehabilitation work is underway.