North Kingstown Bond Forum - October 12, 2023: School, Recreation, and Public Safety Proposals

This was the second of two public forums regarding the three bond questions on the November 7, 2023 ballot. The forum began at approximately 5:30 PM and featured presentations from the school department, recreation department, and public safety chiefs, followed by public questions and comments. Early voting began October 18, 2023, and emergency ballots were available until 4 PM on November 6, 2023.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Frank Sullivan (43 Fairwood Drive) questioned the certainty of the proposed middle school site at Davisville/McGinn Park, citing floodplain and wetland concerns, the need for a raised septic system, the lack of a definite plan for the existing Wickford Middle School building, and the combination of school and public safety bonds into one question. He expressed skepticism about the cost estimates.
• Megan Riley (15 Eden Court) raised concerns about the Phase II Environmental Site Assessment and geotechnical studies not yet being complete, and asked about the district's long-term maintenance plan for all schools, noting inequities in elementary schools.
• Tom Ardito (7 Wake Court) acknowledged the need for a new middle school but urged the town to provide a cost comparison of renovation versus new construction and to make a transparent commitment to the disposition of the Wickford Middle School property.
• Ricky Thompson (194 Plain Road) questioned the assumed 4.5% bond interest rate, citing current double-A municipal bond rates of 5.2-5.6%. He also asked about the number of students currently in wheelchairs, the option of rehabbing the middle schools, and the technology adaptability of the new school. He expressed disappointment that no renovation option was presented and that the combined bond totals $248 million, which he believed would result in a 5-6% tax increase rather than the stated 2.3-3%.
• Ray McCarthy (Gladys Drive) questioned how the middle school enrollment dropped from 1400 to 900 students (removing 5th grade) and expressed concern about the combined $248 million bond, suggesting the school bond should stand alone. He also asked about the guarantee of state reimbursement if multiple towns apply.
• Justin Labelle (20 Keats Drive) supported the school project after touring the middle schools, noting the poor condition of Wickford Middle School, the importance of morale, and the need for a modern facility. He asked about the auditorium capacity (450 seats for 900 students) and future expansion possibilities.
• Holly Quinn (109 Clearview Drive) criticized the process, saying the community was not given options and that the school department's prioritization of the high school (newest building) for highest cost needs was contradictory. She asked for more transparency and a maintenance plan.
• Brad Baller (731 Quatucket Road) questioned the $130 million cost estimate for the middle school, citing cost overruns in other recent school projects. He asked for a detailed breakdown of the budget and contingencies. He supported the public safety bond but opposed the recreation center due to lack of operating cost estimates.
• Ann Gertman (90 Plum Beach Road) expressed support for all three bonds, emphasizing the need for sustainable investment in education, public safety, and recreation.
• Melissa Devine (373 Fletcher Road) thanked the presenters for transparency and asked about the safety plan for the new middle school. She supported the bond.
• James Sheehan (40 Blueberry Lane) supported the school bond, noting that good schools attract families and that the town's high school is a regional draw. He urged the community to look forward.
• Jewel Star Wagner (180 West Main Street) supported all bonds, stating that she moved back to North Kingstown because of the schools and wants the community to grow and not decline. She criticized the lack of recreation options for youth.
• Bridget Valverde (14 Cambridge Court), a state senator, offered support for the school bond, highlighting the need to invest in upstream education facilities to maintain excellence.
• Kieran Salvatore (621 Gilbert Stewart Road) expressed support for a recreation center but opposed the idea of giving the community center to the senior center, instead proposing a health and wellness center with a culinary kitchen.
• Diane Rivelli (230 Kingswood Road) asked about the land swap required for the Quonset recreation center site and the feasibility of the Davisville Academy site. She supported the recreation center.
• Cali Ashmer (West Allenton Road) asked about grant opportunities for the public safety complex and said she would vote for it.

Discussion Items

School Department Presentation

• Superintendent Kenny Duver and Assistant Superintendent Rob Maznati presented the need for a new consolidated middle school (grades 6-8) at the Davisville/McGinn Park site, costing $167 million total (approximately $130 million for the school, $37 million for district-wide upgrades). The school would be net-zero energy and target 21st century learning. They highlighted deficiencies at Wickford Middle School (built 1930s) and Davisville Middle School, including security, accessibility, undersized classrooms, lack of auditorium, and poor HVAC. A video demonstrated the difficult navigation for a wheelchair user at Wickford Middle School.
• Architect Ryan Dirk (Perkins Eastman) discussed sustainable design features: net-zero energy, improved indoor environmental quality (daylight, acoustics, air quality), and flexible learning spaces.
• Civil Engineer David Potter (Park Corporation) explained the site constraints: wetlands, floodplain, and the plan to build the school above the floodplain while preserving the existing fields and McGinn Park.
• Owner's Project Manager Zen Gunnox (Ms. Jacobs) detailed state reimbursement: 35% base share, plus up to 20% bonus incentives (health & safety, educational enhancements, newer & fewer, FCI, energy efficiency) if the application is submitted by February 2024. The bonuses expire in June 2024. Total potential reimbursement up to 55%, leaving the town's share at 45%.
• Finance representative Ralph Mollis presented the projected tax impact: $400 per year on a $450,000 home for the school bond (assuming 4.5% interest and full reimbursement). He noted that financing strategies (BANs, interest-only periods, debt cliff timing) could lower the actual increase.

Recreation Center Presentation

• Recreation Director Chelsea presented the proposed indoor recreation facility, costing up to $25 million. The facility would include a walking track, batting cages, multi-purpose courts (pickleball, basketball), convertible classrooms, and rentable spaces. It is intended to serve seniors, preschoolers, middle schoolers, and families, and would also serve as an emergency shelter. Two potential sites: Quonset (land swap needed) and Davisville Academy. The rec center is question 2 on the ballot.
• Ralph Mollis estimated the tax impact at $129 per year on a $450,000 home. He noted that ARPA funds and grants could reduce the bond amount. The community center would be repurposed for senior center expansion if the rec center is built.

Public Safety Complex Presentation

• Fire Chief Scott Cattel and Police Chief John Urban presented the need for a new public safety complex, costing $55 million (up from $39 million two years ago). The current 21,700 sq ft building (built 1957 with additions) has numerous issues: fire apparatus no longer fit, floor system compromised by salt, no windows or ventilation, roof leaks, inadequate holding cells, and lack of female facilities. The proposed 52,000 sq ft building would be built on the current site or potentially at Wickford Middle School if that site becomes available. The complex would house both police and fire administration, dispatch, and emergency operations.
• Ralph Mollis estimated the tax impact at $281 per year on a $450,000 home. He noted that grant opportunities are being pursued and that the project must be approved before applying for most grants.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes were taken at this forum. The three bond questions will appear on the November 7, 2023 ballot:
  • Question 1: School (new middle school and district-wide upgrades) and Public Safety Complex (combined as "needs") – $167 million + $55 million = $222 million.
  • Question 2: Recreation Center (classified as a "want") – up to $25 million.
• The town council voted 4-0 to split the bonds into two questions, grouping school and public safety as Question 1 and recreation as Question 2.
• State reimbursement for the school bond is not guaranteed but is based on meeting criteria; the base rate is 35%, with potential bonuses up to 55% total if the application is submitted by February 2024.
• The school department estimated that if the bond fails, they will return to voters with a similar proposal, likely at a higher cost due to expiring incentives.
• The public safety committee emphasized that delay would increase costs (estimated $55M now, could be $60M+ in a year).
• The recreation department will continue to seek grants and public input on site selection if the bond passes.
• Tours of the public safety complex were offered on October 14 and October 19, 2023.