OFFICE OF THE TOWN MANAGER
Activities

Personnel Management

Due to new employee hires and retirements within the Town’s 217 full-time and 40-plus person part-time workforce, the Personnel Division managed the recruitment, selection and appointment of 26 positions during the year. The openings included police officers and dispatchers, emergency medical services personnel, and maintenance and clerical staff.

The Personnel Division introduced several employee/public relations’ activities including Town sponsored community blood drives and dress down days for charity, as well as participation in Girl Scouts Project Undercover and United Way/Fund for Community Progress Campaigns. The Safety Committee, managed by the Personnel Division, offers ongoing training such as Fire Safety, Blood borne Pathogens, welding, confined space, CPR, OSHA-10 and driver training workshops.

Union Contracts return to top

During FY2005-2006, the Town negotiated a labor agreement with Local 489 of the International Brotherhood of Police Officers, representing the Town’s 54 sworn police officers. The agreement covers the period July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2009 and provides annual wage increases of 3.90 percent for the 2006-2007 fiscal year, a 3.65 percent increase in FY 2007-2008, and an increase of 3.85 percent in FY2008-2009. The average wage increase amounts to 3.80 percent per year over the contract term.

Several cost saving measures have been incorporated into the contract to address health insurance expenditures including the elimination of Blue Cross Classic Health Care and increases in the co-pays for the emergency room and prescription drugs. Effective January 1, 2007 members hired prior to August 1, 2002 will begin contributing five percent of the premium cost for health insurance. This provision establishes for the first time a co-share payment for all employees. Previously, only new hires (after August 1, 2002) were subject to a co-share of twenty percent. The Town has also achieved an important new provision whereby retirees shall be required to contribute towards the cost of their health care.

Administration Management return to top

Geographic Information System Mapping The Geographic Information System continues to serve as a powerful mapping and visualization tool for many Town departments including the Planning Department, Building Official’s Office, Tax Assessor’s Office, Public Services, Police Department, Town Clerk’s Office, Parks and Recreation Department, and Town Manager’s Office. Departments are integrating the GIS in new ways into their daily routine.

The Planning Director and GIS division coordinated work with the Town's consultant, Environmental Simulation Center to create a new build-out analysis model for the Town. This effort included an update of the land use GIS dataset based on known existing development patterns and the delivery of large amounts of data to the consultant. The final build-out model was presented to the Town Council and Planning Board in March 2006 and the model is now in active use on various projects.

A new town-wide color orthophoto flyover was completed for the Town in March 2006. The resulting 6” color aerial photographs will prove invaluable in the Town's GIS mapping and analyses. An additional product from this project will be new elevation contours at a level of detail the Town has not had in the past.

GIS technology was also extended to additional Town departments in the areas of: storm water infrastructure; communications; emergency evacuation planning; voting districts; building permits; GASB34 compliance, wastewater management; boat moorings; URI on-street parking; and historical cemeteries.

Planning Programs return to top

Growth Management
The Town Council as a key priority in their adopted goals reaffirmed the development and implementation of growth management policies and programs for the 2004-2006 Council term. On September 26, 2005 the Council adopted the Town's Growth Management Program (Annual Action Agenda) with the following overall growth management goals:

• Update the Comprehensive Plan
• Preserve open space
• Avoid sprawl
• Promote downtown revitalization

Downtown Revitilization return to top

Downtown Inter-Modal Park
The planned Downtown Intermodal Park to be located on Main Street at the former site of Teeny’s Glass will connect the South County Bike Path and the Saugatucket River Greenway and will include off-street vehicular and bicycle parking, landscaping, and public restrooms. This project is funded through a $453,000 Transportation Enhancement grant from the State of Rhode Island. Due to the presence of oil/gas contamination, extensive environmental remediation was necessary to prepare the acquisition from the private owner and redevelopment for future use. The site remediation was completed in 2003 and the parcel subsequently purchased by the Town in December of that year.

The Town has completed a parking lot design that will create 39 new public parking spaces serving the business district on Main Street. Torrado Architects has been retained to design a comfort station building that will house restrooms and a small office fronting on the sidewalk that can be staffed to provide visitor information or be utilized for special events. This facility will be located adjacent to the Main Street connection to the bike path. Dependent upon available State funding it is anticipated that the project construction will occur in the Spring 2008.


Peace Dale Revitalization
Following an extensive neighborhood planning process funded by a grant from RI Housing, the Town Council adopted the Peace Dale in Action Plan at a regular meeting held on July 8, 2002. The Action Plan serves as a blueprint for the social, economic, and physical revitalization of the Peace Dale neighborhood.

Through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, RI Housing, RI Foundations, and Town appropriations, total funding to date has amounted to $305,000 to address physical improvements and housing, transportation, and social service needs of the Peace Dale neighborhood. A portion of these funds is being utilized to support a part-time Coordinator to provide ongoing management of the revitalization program.

The Peace Dale Neighborhood Revitalization Steering Committee (PDNRC) is a non-profit advocacy group that meets monthly to establish neighborhood priorities, pursue grant opportunities, and participate in program planning and development. The Parks and Recreation Director serves as the Town liaison to the PDNRC. In January 2005, the Committee was one of four grantees statewide to obtain funding from the United Way Neighborhood Development program. The $112,000 grant provided ornamental lighting for the public parking lot, the installation of public art along the bike path, a grant program for area businesses to upgrade storefronts and signage, environmental improvements, and a study of youth development needs.

Economic Developmentreturn to top

URI Research and Technology Park Feasibility Study In January 2005 the Town was awarded a $25,000 Community Economic Growth Fund grant by the RI Economic Development Corporation to assess the feasibility of a research and technology park on the Kingston campus of URI. The study is being conducted in partnership with the University and RIEDC. The Town and URI will provide matching funds, with each contributing $12,500 toward the $50,000 project. The study is being coordinated by lead consultant George Henry George Partners of McLean, Virginia and is expected to be completed by the end of 2006.

Housing Affordability return to top

Affordable Housing Collaborative Committee
The 7-member Affordable Housing Collaborative began meeting in September 2004 and has met on a monthly basis since. Initial work efforts have focused on implementing the major recommendations of the Town's Affordable Housing Production Plan including: development of an inclusionary zoning ordinance to promote affordable housing production, researching and developing a Housing Trust Fund for the Town and educating the public on affordable housing issues. The Town Council held a public hearing in August 2006 and enacted zoning amendments to effect inclusionary zoning in major subdivisions. Following these amendments, the Planning Board will consider companion subdivision regulation amendments at a public hearing scheduled for September 12, 2006. The Collaborative also initiated public education efforts holding a community forum on Workforce Housing on April 27, 2006 at the Broad Rock Middle School. In addition, in June 2006, the Town Council authorized a $28,790 consulting contract with Barbara Sokoloff Associates to study issues relating to exaction fees in lieu of developing affordable housing in inclusionary zoning projects, housing trust fund review, and performing a reuse analysis of three parcels in Peace Dale. The study is underway and will conclude in the Fall 2006.

Environmental Planning return to top

Trees on Municipal Rights-of-Way.
The Town enacted a Tree Ordinance in 1999 to regulate the maintenance, removal and planting of trees within all Town rights-of-way and Town property except where noted in the Ordinance. In order to oversee and administer the Ordinance, a tree alteration permitting program has been implemented by the Planning and Public Service Departments to ensure that residents follow the application process and guidelines in tree removal, maintenance and plantings. The Conservation Commission serves as the Tree Board and reviews and provides advisory opinions on tree permit requests for non-public safety related applications. The Tree Warden continues to provide authorization for the removal and maintenance of trees to protect public safety.

IBeginning in FY2004-2005, new tree planting funding was redirected to more extensive municipal tree maintenance. Street trees on roads in the vicinity of South County Hospital were maintained into the upper reaches of the tree canopy to ensure proper tree care. In addition, a tree and stump removal contract to remove a number of dead or diseased trees throughout Town was awarded during the Summer 2006.


Wastewater Management Program (WWMP).
The Town Council adopted the WWMP in June 1999 and the Plan received RIDEM approval in October 1999. The approved WWMP recommended establishment of a Wastewater Management District (WWMD) with associated rules and regulations. The major focus of the WWMD is development of a mandatory ISDS inspection program to ensure proper functioning and maintenance of septic systems. The Town consultant, in concert with Town staff and the Conservation Commission, drafted a Wastewater Management Ordinance with associated governing rules, which the Town Council adopted in 2001. The Ordinance provides for an initial inspection program phased in over a seven-year period.

The Public Services Department’s On-site Wastewater Management Specialist, working in conjunction with the Planning Department, oversees implementation of the Ordinance. During the fourth year of the Program that was completed in June 2006, 959 properties were identified and 734 (77.48%) inspections were completed. Of the completed inspections, 96.37% passed and 60 cesspools and 27 failed ISDS have been targeted for replacement. A total of 4,008 systems have been inspected over the initial four years of the program with 97.13% of those systems passing inspection.


USEPA National Demonstration Project.
The Town was awarded a $3 million grant in 2000 for the Block Island/Green Hill Pond Watershed National Community Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Demonstration Project. Agreements with the towns of New Shoreham, Charlestown and URI were executed in 2001. A Project Manager/Planner was contracted to oversee daily project management and a Wastewater Management Specialist was hired in 2002 to assist the towns of South Kingstown and Charlestown with administering private ISDS inspections.

In addition to implementing an on-site wastewater management program, the Demonstration Project also funded a number of on-site demonstration systems within critical resource areas. All demonstration systems installations were completed and operational within 2002. URI staff continue to monitor the Innovative/Alternative (I/A) systems as part of the demonstration program.

The grant will continue to fund the Town’s On-site Wastewater Specialist and management program through December 31, 2006. An additional grant time extension by USEPA is also under consideration to fund a “Facilities Plan” to augment EPA’s draft Green Hill Pond and Ninigret Pond Watershed Assessment Report. The Facilities Plan will look at a number of options to reduce nitrogen and bacteriological contaminants that are adversely impacting the coastal ponds.

Superfund Site Management return to top

Rose Hill Regional Landfill
Based on negotiations with the US EPA and the RI Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM), the Towns of South Kingstown and Narragansett reached agreement in September 2002 on a Final Consent Decree for remediation of the Rose Hill Regional Landfill. The settlement caps municipal liability at 30% of all past and future costs associated with site remediation design, construction and monitoring of the site over the next thirty years.

The total site remediation cost including capital expenses, operations and maintenance, and natural resources restoration has been estimated at $27.5 million. The municipal cost under the Consent Decree for the 30% "buy-out" amounts to $8.35 million and will be shared equally between South Kingstown and Narragansett. The Consent Decree designates RIDEM as the lead agency to oversee the remediation design (RD) and remediation action (RA) for the site. RIDEM contracted with the Louis Berger Group in 2003 to conduct a limited site investigation and complete the RD.

The initial waste consolidation phase commenced in June 2005 and was completed in April 2006. The waste consolidation phase consists of perimeter waste consolidation of the solid waste area (SWA), in addition to removal and relocation of the bulky waste area (BWA) to the SWA. The RIDEM opened bids in July 2006 for the capping phase of the project, which will include construction of a gas collection system and multi-layer cap, at an estimated construction cost of $9,200,000. The blended material will then be used as final cover on the SWA. Construction of the second phase is expected to begin in September 2006 and be completed by the Fall 2007.

South Kingstown’s $2 million payment to the Federal Government was funded with a 20-year general obligation bond sold in September 2002 at an interest rate of 1.648%. Repayment of the debt service associated with this bond will be made from funds held in reserve within the Solid Waste Reserve for Superfund.


West Kingston/URI Disposal Area Landfills
In addition to the Rose Hill Regional Landfill site, the West Kingston/URI Disposal Area Landfills, located on Plains Road, was added to the National Priorities List on July 29, 1992. The West Kingston town dump began operation in the 1950's and ceased operations in 1978.

Unlike the Rose Hill site, the USEPA, in conjunction with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM), proposed a “presumptive remedy” approach to the landfill’s site remediation. “Presumptive remedy” methodology eliminates the traditional and costly RI/FS process that requires a detailed and comprehensive review and evaluation of all cleanup options. A “presumptive” approach, consists of a compressed RI/FS investigation; installation of a landfill cap and the monitoring of the site to insure pollution abatement to appropriate levels.

URI and the towns of South Kingstown and Narragansett are partners in the site remediation serving as the Principal Responsible Parties (PRP) under State landfill closure regulations.

Woodard & Curran was contracted by the PRP Group in March 2002 to perform the necessary site investigation and remedial design (RD) for the site. A limited site investigation began in the Fall 2002 and continued through 2004. Additional site work including an “un-named” area on the URI site and additional pore water sampling was performed during the Summer 2004. Overburden and bedrock wells were installed during the Fall 2005 for supplemental testing and long-term monitoring purposes. The RD was completed and approved by State and Federal regulatory agencies in the Spring 2005. Construction of the remediation action (RA), or multi-layer cap with passive vent gas collection system, began in August 2005 and was completed in June 2006.

The USEPA issued a proposed plan (PP) in June 2006, which details additional corrective work for the site. The PP recommends further remedial work consisting of chemical oxidation of soil and groundwater in the vicinity of the URI drum disposal site. This portion of additional work would be fully funded by the University of Rhode Island. The USEPA conducted PP information and public hearings on June 28, 2006 and July 26, 2006, respectively. The PRP Group expects the USEPA to issue a Record of Decision (ROD) for the site by September 30, 2006.

The total remediation cost (not including drum disposal remediation) is projected at $6.3 million with a municipal cost share of $1.3 million by each Town and $3.7 million in funding by URI.

Public Facilities Management return to top

Saugatucket River Heritage Greenway. The Saugatucket River Greenway includes a number of proposed improvements along the Saugatucket River, from Wakefield Elementary School to the Wakefield dam on Main Street.

Construction of Phase I of the Saugatucket River Walkway project commenced in March 2004 under a bid award of $863,000 to Cardi Corporation. This phase of the project, which runs from Main Street to the Wakefield School pedestrian bridge, was completed during the Spring 2006, other than final punch list items. The Town has also received a commitment of $500,000 under the RIDOT Enhancement Program to supplement Phase I construction and for the design and construction of the second phase.

A consulting engineer/ landscape architect was hired by the Town in the Summer 2006 to design the remaining phases of the Greenway, which include the following:

• Wakefield Pedestrian Bridge upgrades
• Pedestrian Bridge to Main Street approach replacement
• Downtown parking lot reconstruction
• Saugatucket Veteran’s Park improvements
• Main Street “Vest Pocket” Park improvements
• Outdoor classroom construction (subject to third party funding)

Transportation Projects return to top

Local Traffic and Transportation Projects
Transportation Improvement Program.Increased traffic due to Town growth has strained the capacity of local roads, creating delays, vehicular hazards and pedestrian safety concerns. To address these issues, the Town contracted with BETA Engineering to develop a Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). This study examined the condition and adequacy of municipal right-of-way infrastructure including pavement condition, sidewalks, and drainage facilities. BETA documented existing deficiencies and proposed specific enhancements that may be necessary to address identified public safety concerns. Project cost estimates and a priority schedule were also developed, providing the Town with a capital planning tool to make recommended right-of-way improvements in a structured and timely manner. Comprehensive dam and bridge condition studies are incorporated into the TIP.

Curtis Corner Road Reconstruction Project (South Road to Kingstown Road). Curtis Corner Road has been identified in the Town’s Transportation Improvement Program as a collector road within the Town that is in poor condition. The western portion of Curtis Corner Road from Ministerial Road to South Road was reconstructed during the Spring 2005. The balance of the road, from South Road to Kingstown Road, will be pulverized and repaved to improve roadway ride ability and lifecycle during the Summer 2006. New and replacement concrete curbing and sidewalks will also be constructed along this section of roadway. This remaining portion of Curtis Corner Road reconstruction will provide a safe and viable east-west transportation corridor.

Broad Rock Road Reconstruction Project (Saugatucket Road to Route 138). Broad Rock Road has also been identified in the Town’s Transportation Improvement Program as a collector road within the Town that is in poor condition. This road will be pulverized and repaved to improve the roadway ride ability and lifecycle. This two-year funded project will be reconstructed during the Summer 2006 thereby providing a safe and viable north-south transportation corridor.

Broad Rock Road Reconstruction Project (Broad Rock Road to North Road). The portion of Saugatucket Road between Broad Rock Road and North Road is in poor condition and in need of reconstruction. This section of road also includes the Saugatucket River culvert crossing, which is hydraulically constrained during heavy precipitation events. This portion of Saugatucket Road (less the culvert crossing) will by pulverized and repaved to improve the roadway ride ability and lifecycle. Reconstruction is anticipated during the Summer 2007.

Biscuit City Road Improvements. As a result of proposed development in the Biscuit City area of Kingston, BETA Engineering was commissioned to generate a comprehensive traffic study to determine deficiencies that may exist in this neighborhood. The Town’s Transportation and Traffic Advisory Committee (T2RC) continues to investigate an emergency interconnection for Biscuit City Road. The Public Services Department also anticipates that a 400’ long section of missing walking paths along Biscuit City Road will be completed during FY2006-2007.


State Highway Projects
Programmed improvements to primary State highways and arterial roads require continuous coordination and planning with the RI Department of Transportation. During FY 2005-2006 the following local projects on the State Transportation Improvement Program were advanced:

U.S. Rt. 1 / Rt. 138 Intersection Improvements. Upgrades to the Rte 138/ Rte 1 intersection include the addition of a 2nd left turning lane (southbound on Rte 1) to access Bridgetown Road, widening the right turn (northbound on Rte 1) to Bridgetown Rd., and closing the first two median breaks on Rte 1 (north of the intersection). RIDOT anticipates this work to be completed during 2006.

U.S. Route 1 Safety Improvements. Safety hazards on Route 1, due to a higher volume of traffic and increased speeds resulting from a re-paving in 1998, prompted the Town to request RIDOT to close the median turnarounds north and south of the intersection with Rte. 138, install safety barriers on the median strip and reconstruct the intersection at Rte. 138/Moorsfield Road. Safety improvements include median closures, cable guardrail system, construction of a new signalized jug-handle and median landscaping. Construction on the safety improvements began in June 2004 and a cable guardrail system from the Stedman Government Center to Torrey Road was installed in the Fall 2004. A “full” jug-handle at Torrey Road was completed and became operational in September 2005; and a new “full” jug-handle at Half Moon Trail became operational in the Spring 2006. All work other than landscaping and punch list items was completed by the Summer 2006. Landscaping improvements are anticipated to performed during the Spring 2007.

South County Bicycle Path Program.
Phase 1 - Construction of the 4.1 mile Phase 1 of the Bicycle Path project (Kingston Train Station to Rodman Street) began in May 1998 and was accepted by the Town Council for maintenance and enforcement on May 22, 2000.

Phase 2 - Phase 2 of the bike path is approximately 3 miles long running from Rodman Street to the westerly side of Route 108 near the Wakefield Post Office. Construction of the bike path commenced in November 2001 and was substantially complete in July 2003. Phase 2 landscaping activities started May 2003 and were completed in November 2003. The Town is still awaiting final punch list item completion by RIDOT’s contractor prior to accepting full maintenance responsibilities.

Phase 3 - Phase 3 of the bike path is proposed to extend from the Route 108/ MacArthur Blvd intersection to the Narragansett Town Beach. This final phase of the bike path design is 30% complete with no definitive date established for bidding and construction. Town staff met with RIDOT officials in May 2003 to discuss the proposed bike corridor from Route 108 to the Narragansett Town line. An informational Public Hearing was held in August 2004, whereby the MacArthur Blvd. corridor was reaffirmed. The Town is awaiting RIDOT to complete the design, which is dependent on a property transfer between Narragansett and US Fish and Wildlife Service.


Peace Dale Parking Lot. The development of a parking lot on Town-owned property in Peace Dale has been supported by the citizens-based Peace Dale Neighborhood Revitalization Steering Committee and is a key element of the Peace Dale Revitalization Plan. The project has been funded through grants totaling $135,000 from the Community Development Block Grant program. Additional funding for period lighting was secured through the efforts of the Committee. The parking facility is now substantially complete and in full use providing a much-needed off-street parking resource to support the revitalization of Peace Dale village. The project will be finished with the installation of landscaping planned for the Fall 2006.

Route 138 Traffic Improvements. The RIDOT reconstruction project for Route 138 between Route 2 and Route 108 is now at the 30% design stage and has been listed in the State’s Transportation Improvement Program for scheduling and reservation of funding. Total project cost is estimated at $15 million with the start of construction planned for the 2007 construction season. The project design incorporates a variety of traffic calming measures including the use of “Roundabouts” (which are traffic circles, much smaller in diameter than conventional rotaries) for the intersections of Route 2 / Route 138 and Route 110 / Route 138. These intersection configurations are able to manage traffic volumes equal to a signalized intersection and also serve as a traffic-calming device.

RIDOT’s engineering consultant, Beta Engineering, is coordinating the development of final design plans and specifications for the project with the assistance of the Route 138 Project Area Committee (PAC). The PAC was appointed by the Town Council in June 2001 and has been meeting with RIDOT and Beta Engineering on a periodic basis to assist with the development of the project design in a manner that best fits unique context of this transportation corridor.

Main Street Reconstruction. This project was determined by RIDOT to be substantially complete as of July 1998 with the exception of ornamental granite crosswalks that continue to fail and are a cause for concern to pedestrians as a tripping hazard. Stamped concrete appears to be the most appropriate material for these crosswalks and will be installed as part of RIDOT’s Railroad Street reconstruction project. 90% design plans have been completed for crosswalk replacement, but RIDOT does not have a date certain to complete this work until funding is appropriated.

Railroad Street Reconstruction and Peace Dale Stamped Concrete Crosswalks It was determined that Railroad Street’s poor condition was not suitable for conveying bicyclists as part of the Bike Path. RIDOT has agreed to cold plane and repave Railroad Street in order to provide an adequate travel surface for bicyclists. RIDOT has also agreed to replace painted crosswalks within Peace Dale Village with patterned concrete crosswalks. Ninety percent design plans have been completed, but RIDOT does not have a date certain to complete this work until funding is appropriated.


New Sidewalk Projects
The Town has prioritized the need to expand the network of sidewalks to permit safe pedestrian travel in neighborhoods throughout the community. Specific emphasis is placed on new sidewalks to link existing neighborhoods and housing developments to schools, commercial areas and recreational facilities. Projects include:

Curtis Corner Road (Kingstown Road to Sweet Allen Farm Road). As part of the reconstruction of Curtis Corner Road (Sweet Allen Farm Road to Asa Pond Road), concrete sidewalks will be reconstructed within this area. New precast concrete curbing and concrete sidewalks were constructed along the above noted limits of the road during the Summer 2006.

Allen Avenue (Rodman Street to Weathervane Road). Engineering design was awarded to BETA Group, Inc. in June 2000. In an effort to preserve trees within the right-of-way, an off road sidewalk was proposed which requires an easement from the abutting property owner. Unfortunately, the property owner is reluctant to provide the Town an easement for construction and maintenance of the sidewalk. In order to construct sidewalks along this portion of Allen Avenue, the Town must either condemn private property or install the sidewalks within the existing Town right-of-way, which will require significant tree removal and retaining wall construction. Consequently, an amended sidewalk corridor on the northerly side of Allen Avenue from Rodman Street to Peaked Rock Road (West) is proposed at this time. The design of the Allen Avenue sidewalks is 100% complete and awaiting construction subject to local funding availability.