Narragansett Town Council Regular Meeting - April 16, 2026
Narragansett Town Council Regular Meeting - April 16, 2026
The Narragansett Town Council held a regular meeting on April 16, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the Assembly Room. The meeting included a second public hearing on the FY2026-2027 budget, approval of a consent agenda, introduction of several ordinances, and discussion of a resolution regarding state affordable housing laws. All council members were present except Donna Vignali. The meeting adjourned at 10:40 PM.
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes from October 20, 2025, and three executive sessions (March 2, April 6, April 13, 2026) (4-0).
- Approved 2026 renewal applications for miscellaneous licenses, peddlers, private detectives, mobile food establishments, a sponsorship agreement with BankNewport, a fuel tank replacement at Burnside pump station ($25,057.50), special event permits for National MS Society Ride, Narragansett Lions Club 10 Mile Road Race and Blessing of the Fleet Festival, a Hotel/Motel License for Shore House and Seacraft, and a waiver of interest for overdue property tax payments (all 4-0).
Public Comments & Testimony
- During the Open Forum, Dr. Al Alba (24 Eagles Nest Terrace) urged the council to consider a moratorium on building to protect infrastructure and affordability, and expressed concern about investor-driven housing costs. John Hanley (10 Wilderness Drive) criticized the council for not advancing a short-term rental ordinance despite prior promises, and requested a motion to discuss it at the next meeting.
- During the Budget Public Hearing, Dr. Alba questioned the $30,000 allocation for Sunset Farms (confirmed for Kenneth Bungalow roof repair), the $3 million fire station bond, and the long-term cost of wastewater treatment upgrades. He requested that ballot measures include projected tax impacts. Rupert Friday (name given) supported funding for bike path design through Sprague Park. Mark Crook (name given) urged the council to prioritize necessities over wish-list items like a skate park, questioning the lack of data on usage.
- During discussion of the Residential Parking Program, Joe Cardello (20 Narragansett Avenue) asked about parking on Caswell Avenue and suggested a fee for the permit. Dr. Alba recommended allowing snowbirds (non-renting seasonal residents) to qualify for the permit and removing excess signage. John Hanley asked if overnight parking restrictions would change (confirmed they would not).
Discussion Items
- Budget Second Public Hearing: Finance Director Christine presented the revised FY2026-2027 budget. Key changes from the first hearing: tax rate increase from $6.96 to $7.04 per $1,000 (3.7% increase), with a $247 annual increase for a $1M home and $111 for a $450K home. The budget maintains 100% funding for pensions and OPEB. The $8.5 million bond issuance is postponed to January or June 2027. New positions were debated: the council reached consensus to fund only the DPW mechanic position (and transfers/promotions), not the finance specialist, DPW driver, or parks heavy equipment operator. For capital projects, consensus was to include $150,000 for bike path engineering/design, $300,000 for skate park construction (with the other $300,000 to be fundraised), and ballot questions for $3 million for fire stations and a wastewater treatment facility plan. Vehicle replacements: consensus to include only water, wastewater, and DPW vehicles, excluding police and parks vehicles. The public hearing was closed after extensive discussion.
- E.1 Homeowner Rental Incentive Program: Approved amending a prior RFP to focus on a homeowner rental incentive program for year-round housing (4-0).
- E.2 Fire Station Bond Resolution: Adopted a resolution requesting General Assembly legislation to authorize a $3 million bond referendum for fire station improvements (4-0).
- E.3 Fire Truck Financing: Adopted a resolution authorizing up to $1.1 million in term notes for a fire truck purchase (3-1, Torrealday opposed).
- E.4 Fishing Vehicle Parking Permits: Introduced an ordinance to allow fishing parking permits on certain streets (first reading, 4-0).
- E.5 Amendment to Parking Restrictions: Updated Conant and Louise Avenue restrictions to allow fishing parking permits (first reading, 4-0).
- E.6 Residential Parking Program: Introduced an ordinance creating a residential parking permit program for full-time residents (homestead exemption or year-round lease) allowing free parking beyond time limits on town roads, with exceptions for no-parking zones and overnight restrictions. Council expressed support but asked for a mid-summer review (first reading, 4-0).
- E.7 Affordable Housing Laws Resolution: Discussed resolutions from other municipalities (Portsmouth, Lincoln, Westerly) regarding opposition to 2025 state affordable housing laws. The town solicitor clarified that home rule cannot override state law. Councilor Durkin argued Narragansett is less affected than towns with large vacant parcels. No motion was made; the item was simply discussed.
- Parks & Recreation: Approved contracts for the 49th RI Philharmonic concert ($28,938) and production support ($15,000), a $16,500 fireworks display contribution, and the Three Sisters Garden installation at Canonchet Farm (all 4-0).
- Public Works: Adopted an Arbor Day proclamation and approved a $149,952 heating system replacement at the Public Works facility (4-0).
- Finance: Approved a one-year HVAC contract extension with JMB Mechanical and awarded the 2026 tax sale title search bid to Taft & McSally ($95 per exam, $125 per deed, $11 postage) (4-0).
- Town Clerk: Approved a special event permit for Edward Jones ice cream social, a Class F license for Narragansett Art Festival, and mobile food licenses for Alison's Wonderland, Blount Clam Shack, Carsner & Co., Kettle Korn Express, and Brixton Coffee Roasters (all 4-0). Also approved filling one Municipal Court vacancy (4-0).
- Town Solicitor: Authorized payment of $54,819.03 to Taft & McSally for foreclosure proceeding services (4-0).
Key Outcomes
- Budget direction: The council gave consensus to include $300,000 for skate park (with fundraising for the remainder), $150,000 for bike path design, and ballot questions for fire stations and wastewater treatment. New positions were limited to the DPW mechanic and transfers/promotions. Vehicle purchases were limited to water, wastewater, and DPW.
- Ordinances introduced: Fishing parking permits (E.4, E.5) and Residential Parking Program (E.6) passed first reading; second reading and adoption will occur at a future meeting.
- Fire station bond and truck financing: Resolutions adopted (E.2, E.3) – bond for $3M and $1.1M notes for fire truck.
- Public hearing closed: The budget public hearing was closed; the first reading of the budget ordinance is scheduled for May 18, 2026.
- Meeting extended: A motion to extend the meeting past 10:30 PM passed (4-0).
Note: The agenda posted date was April 16, 2026, but the meeting actually occurred on April 20, 2026, as per the agenda and minutes. The instruction specified using April 16, 2026, so we have used that date.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone. Time is now seven oh five PM. And today's date is uh Monday April twentieth, twenty twenty-six, and we are here for a regularly scheduled town council meeting. Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. No, I was uh not prepared to speak about it, but I can um share with everyone how delightful it was. It was uh it was proud, I was proud to be um part of it. It was uh what was the event celebration of um Special Olympics and uh narrow games at elementary school got an award the um entire school population was there, and the um students, teachers, athletic people. The uh entire school population was there, and the um students, teachers, athletic people. It was you know, it was full, the facilities were impeccable. Um the students that spoke were very young and articulate, and it was really nice to see them getting a very nice education, and it's nice to see when we passed the budget that the money that we spend on the schools is being well spent. So that's what I made it was a feel-good day, you know. Excellent. And uh Councilor Collins, I believe you have another update. Yeah, I was there. Uh it was a great event. Um again, the whole school body was there um singing songs and celebrating the Special Olympics, and the host of the event was uh a young man, maybe I don't know, 11 years old, 12 years old. Um it was great. It's just wonderful to watch. Excellent. And I know Counselor Collins and I uh also had the opportunity to be history day judges. And I tell you, uh the more and more I get concerned about uh the news every time I'm I flip on the TV. Uh I'm really reassured uh and feel confident about the future of our of our students and our children when I go walking in there and I learn something new. These kids were so passionate and so well prepared and presenting at a high level that it goes beyond college years. So again, I just want to say just how much of a rewarding experience that was uh and am grateful for having been a judge, and they will be sending uh a couple projects to Washington, D.C. I believe it's in June. Um and the last update I'll share is the Mariner Music. Uh had an amazing trip to the Big Apple this weekend. Concert band, advanced treble chorus, and concert chorus were all awarded first place in their respective categories with top ratings at the New York City Festivals of Music and Concert Band and Advanced Treble Chorus took home the best overall band and best overall chorus awards. So we send our sincere congratulations to them, and hopefully we'll be treated with a uh a song or two at a later meeting. So with that, we will move on to the town manager's update. Jim. Thank you, Mr. President. Good evening, members of the council, folks who are here this evening, and those who are listening from home. Just a few updates for the week. The majority of the week has been spent uh with budget preparation and adjustments that uh have been a priority of the council as we move closer to finalizing a budget uh for the council to approve. Uh the town beach sand replenishment was completed this week. Uh Wednesday on the 15th, about 200 to 250 cubic yards of sand were deposited on the beach. Uh the Narrow River Dredging Project update. Uh CRMC did approve the permit application on Monday, April 13th, and we discussed uh the DEM application uh with DEM, and the review should be completed soon, and the permit from DAM will be forthcoming. The last permit needed is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers who are waiting on for the review of comments and recommendations from U.S. fish and wildlife before they can issue the the final uh permit. That status hasn't changed for a while, uh, but we expect it too soon. I will update everyone more uh as it becomes available, and I'd like to uh thank Town Engineer John Garhard, who has been doing a great job managing this whole permitting process for the Narrow River Dredging uh project. The wastewater treatment plant. The plant is operating optimally at this juncture and has been for some time. Yet we continue to work with the staff and the consultants continue to work together preparing for the upcoming summer. Additionally, we have drafted the job announcement for a seasonal part-time wastewater treatment facility uh worker after receiving some additional information, and that should be posted soon. And last but not least, we received a certificate of special recognition from Governor McKee, uh, where he wishes to acknowledge the town of Narragansett Department of Public Works.
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