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Council approves $35,500 change order for Narrow River dredging amid public concerns about repeated change orders
Summary
The council authorized Change Order No. 3 for engineering services on the Narrow River dredging contract for $35,500; a public commenter criticized multiple change orders and questioned procurement and cost certainty.
On June 15 the Narragansett Town Council approved Change Order No. 3 to the Narrow River Dredging professional engineering contract with Foth Infrastructure and Environment LLC for $35,500 and authorized the town manager to sign the services addendum.
During public remarks, a resident (Ms. Liberato) criticized repeated change orders, observing that "we haven't even started dredging yet" and calling for firmer fixed-price contracting and a limit to repeated increases. Council members did not reverse the change order; one councilor explained the change order was needed to address additional engineering tasks raised by Fish and Wildlife Services and other permitting-related work.
Town staff said the dredging project remains under active coordination with the Army Corps of Engineers, US Fish and Wildlife Service and the contractor as the town seeks final approvals; the additional engineering work is tied to permitting and habitat questions. The motion passed 4–0.
