Water & utilities in Rhode Island local government
What Rhode Island city councils, county boards and school districts are deciding about water & utilities — plain-English summaries written from official agendas and minutes, updated as meetings happen.
394 Rhode Island meetings since 2024 covered water & utilities. Counts are directional — coverage varies by place and platform.
Places in Rhode Island with the most water & utilities activity
- Jamestown, RI (78)
- Lincoln, RI (47)
- Coventry, RI (39)
- West Warwick, RI (33)
- Westerly, RI (28)
- North Kingstown, RI (17)
- Smithfield, RI (15)
- New Shoreham, RI (14)
- Johnston, RI (14)
- South Kingstown, RI (13)
- Middletown, RI (11)
- Johnston, RI (10)
Latest matching meetings
Jamestown approves 20-year East Ferry Marina lease with TPG Marinas
The Town of Jamestown is entering into a 20-year lease with TPG Marinas Conanicut, LLC for the East Ferry Marina, effective January 1, 2027. The lease includes annual rent starting at $86,000, with 10% increases every five years, and two five-year extension options. The lessee will operate the marina, including a fuel…
Lincoln Water Commission to review August 2026 financial reports and water rates
The Lincoln Water Commission will hold a regular meeting to approve minutes, review August 2026 financial reports, and discuss unfinished business including water rates and a source water assessment. No new business or claims are listed.
Coventry Town Council to discuss AI software contract and sewer service letters
The Town Council will consider several resolutions, including a $15,000 annual contract for AI software and various CNE sewer 'Will Serve' letters. The meeting also includes appointments for the Planning Board and restructuring of several pension and trust boards.
Waterfront Advisory Commission reviews harbor management, boating ordinances, and salt marsh restoration
The commission will discuss updates to the Harbor Management Plan, revisions to the Boats and Waterways Ordinance, and a potential salt marsh restoration project at Succotash Marsh. New business includes a residential boating facility application pending CRMC review. Several old business items focus on public…
Town Council to vote on licenses, contracts, and meeting changes
The Smithfield Town Council will decide on annual license renewals for businesses, new licenses, and several contracts including equipment purchases and construction projects. They will also discuss updates on cemetery wall stabilization and a loan application for a water emergency interconnection. Procedural changes…
Town Council to authorize up to $11.15M for wastewater facility upgrades
The West Warwick Town Council will consider authorizing up to $11.15 million for the design, construction, and repair of the Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility. The agenda also includes permits for local events, the purchase of Axon Taser equipment, and the cancellation of a tax amount of $10,011.43.
Lincoln Water Commission to vote on water rates and fees
The Lincoln Water Commission is holding a special meeting to discuss and then vote on proposed water rates and the fees structure. The meeting includes a public comment period before the vote. This is a decision-making meeting, not just procedural.
Council to consider new water rate schedule ordinance for 2026‑2027
The Westerly Town Council will discuss an emergency ordinance that sets water consumption restrictions and penalties for waste. It will also consider several proposed ordinances, including one that sets water rate schedules for the 2026‑2027 fiscal year, another that updates business registration fees and procedures…
Council to consider sewer fee changes, Easton's Beach contract, and grant policies
The Newport City Council will hold its regular meeting on August 26, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers. The agenda includes consent calendar items (minutes, special event permits, banner license, communications), several license hearings (sidewalk cafés, entertainment licenses), appointments to boards…
Planning Board to weigh Peacedale Preserve zoning district, Kingstown Rd housing
The South Kingstown Planning Board will hold a public hearing on a proposal to demolish a single-family home at 2001 Kingstown Road and build a duplex and triplex (5 units total), continued from June. The board will also review and make recommendations to the Town Council on a zoning map and text amendment creating…
Historic District Commission to review demolition of Benjamin Rose House
The New Shoreham Historic District Commission will hold a public meeting to review four applications, including a proposal to demolish the Benjamin Rose House on Old Town Road and build a new single-family dwelling. Other items include enclosing generator controls at a sewer pump station, replacing a porch, and adding…
Council to weigh zoning, grants, and licenses at Aug. 26 meeting
The Newport City Council will hold its regular meeting on August 26, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers. The agenda includes a consent calendar with special event permits, a communication on waterfront zoning amendments, several new and renewed entertainment and sidewalk café licenses, and appointments to boards…
Council to vote on $3.17M water/sewer budgets and fee schedule
The Jamestown Town Council, sitting as the Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners, will review and vote on proposed FY 2026/2027 water and sewer budgets totaling $3,170,064, along with a new fee schedule. The Council will also conduct interviews for a Conservation Committee vacancy, hold public hearings on liquor…
Town Council to vote on $3.17M water/sewer budgets and new liquor license
The Jamestown Town Council will consider proposed FY 2026/2027 water and sewer budgets totaling $3,170,064, along with a new fee schedule. They will also hold public hearings on a new liquor license for Next Door Wine Bar and two one-day licenses, and vote on appointments to the Conservation Commission and Special…
Scituate Council to hear audit, wastewater, Hope Park plans; vote on bids
The Scituate Town Council is meeting to hear presentations on the FY2025 town audit, wastewater solutions for the Village of Hope, and final concepts for Hope Park. The council will also vote on several items, including hiring a Public Works employee, awarding bids for a cargo trailer and basketball equipment, and…
Water Commission to discuss rates, source water, and two properties
The Lincoln Water Commission will hold a regular meeting to approve minutes, review financial reports for June and July 2026, and discuss unfinished business including source water assessment, water rates and fees, and the Walker Lofts project. New business includes items at 2 Valley View Road and 17 Sayles Avenue. No…
Planning Board to recommend zoning fixes for single-family homes and use code
The Exeter Planning Board is holding a work session to consider two recommendations to the Town Council regarding zoning ordinance amendments. The first addresses a transcription error that may have removed single-family dwellings as a permitted use in the Groundwater Overlay District. The second involves proposed…
Town Council to vote on sewer contract, bond resolution, and appointments
The Tiverton Town Council will hold its regular meeting on August 11, 2026, with several action items. They will consider awarding a sewer cleaning and inspection contract to Veolia Water, approve a resolution related to the FY2028 bond payment, and make appointments to the Dog Park Committee. The agenda also includes…
Waterfront Commission to discuss harbor plan, boat storage survey, and rights-of-way
The South Kingstown Waterfront Advisory Commission will review and discuss several ongoing items, including updates to the Harbor Management Plan, a boat storage survey, and public rights-of-way to the shore. The commission will also consider a CRMC application for a swim float and hear the Harbormaster's report on…
Council to vote on $11.15M wastewater bond and two cybersecurity grants
The West Warwick Town Council is holding a special meeting to consider several financial and administrative items. The most consequential is the second reading of an ordinance authorizing up to $11,150,000 in wastewater system revenue bonds for major upgrades to the Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility. The council…
Council to weigh cell tower lease, $1M water loan, and multiple contracts
The Smithfield Town Council will vote on several contracts and licenses, including a cell tower lease with Vertical Bridge, a $1 million loan for a water interconnection, and purchases for sidewalk repair, pickleball courts, and vehicles. It will also consider amending the code to add a chapter on collective…
Lincoln Town Council to hold joint meeting with Water Commission
The Town Council will meet to discuss appointments and claims. The agenda includes a joint session with the Lincoln Water Commission.
Westerly Council to weigh data center moratorium, water rates, business fees
The Westerly Town Council will hold public hearings on three proposed ordinances: setting water rate schedules for 2026-2027, amending business registration fees and procedures, and imposing a one-year moratorium on data centers. The council will also consider authorizing local ballot questions on charter revisions…
Council to consider data center moratorium, water rates, charter questions
The Westerly Town Council will hold public hearings on three proposed ordinances: setting water rate schedules for 2026-2027, amending business registration fees and procedures, and imposing a one-year moratorium on all data centers. Under new business, the council will discuss and possibly vote on placing charter…
Council to consider $11.15M wastewater treatment bond and taser purchase
The West Warwick Town Council will hold first readings on two ordinances: one authorizing up to $11,150,000 in wastewater system revenue bonds for treatment facility upgrades, and another banning parking on Kulas Road. The council will also consider purchasing Axon Tasers for the police department, canceling…
Sewer Commission meeting will review routine reports and consider pending resolutions
The West Warwick Town Council acting as Sewer Commission will approve minutes from four prior meetings. It will receive the superintendent's report, the industrial pretreatment program report, and the financial report. The body will also discuss any resolutions listed on the agenda. A public comment period is…
Council to vote on $3M affordable housing bond ballot question
The Jamestown Town Council will consider placing a $3,000,000 affordable housing bond on the November 3, 2026 ballot, approve resolutions for a housing needs assessment and a feasibility study for 11 Knowles Court, and discuss a potential charter review committee. The agenda also includes routine items like…
Subcommittee weighs stormwater utility and septic inspections
The Planning Board Subcommittee discussed creating a stormwater utility to shift costs to properties with more impervious surfaces, and a wastewater management district to inspect septic systems near the bay. No decisions were made; members agreed to research costs and revisit after the election. The meeting was…
Planning Board to discuss stormwater utility and wastewater plan
The Middletown Planning Board Subcommittee will discuss the possible adoption of an ordinance to create a stormwater utility and a wastewater management plan and district.
Zoning Board reviews several dimensional variance requests
The South Kingstown Zoning Board of Review will consider multiple petitions for dimensional variances. These requests involve building height, property setbacks, and lot size requirements for various residential and utility projects.
Warren Town Council to weigh zoning changes, parking fines, and licenses
The Warren Town Council will hold a regular meeting on July 14, 2026, to discuss and act on a range of items including zoning ordinance changes, parking fine increases, and multiple license requests. The agenda includes a presentation on a disaster loan program, board appointments, and several public hearings for…
Council to consider zoning changes, parking fines, and multiple business licenses
The Warren Town Council will hold first readings on three ordinances: zoning changes for wholesale and storage uses, nonconforming use extensions, and increased parking fines. The council will also consider multiple mobile food permits, entertainment licenses, and liquor license transfers, as well as a presentation on…
School Committee to vote on custodian contract, superintendent contract, and school calendar
The Scituate School Committee will hold a regular meeting on July 14, 2026, at Clayville Elementary School. The agenda includes a vote on ratifying the ESP (Custodian) contract, approving an updated 2026-2027 school calendar, and voting on the superintendent's amended contract. The committee will also consider a…
Westerly Council to weigh data center moratorium, water rules
The Westerly Town Council will hold an emergency hearing on an ordinance imposing penalties for willful water wasting and setting consumption restrictions. The council will also discuss and possibly act on proposed ordinances, including a one-year moratorium on data centers, water rate schedule amendments, and…
Westerly Town Council to consider emergency water restrictions and data center moratorium
The Town Council will hold an emergency hearing on an ordinance to penalize the willful wasting of water. The body will also discuss a proposed one-year moratorium on all data centers and updates to water rate schedules and business registration fees.
Town Council to consider water main projects and asphalt odor complaints
The Town Council will vote on several infrastructure contracts, including water main replacements and beach improvements. The body will also discuss complaints regarding asphalt smells in West Davisville and the appointment of an interim Municipal Court Judge.
Town Council to approve $1.2M contract for Shadow Farm Pump Station
The South Kingstown Town Council will discuss a Veolia outdoor water use ban announced June 30, 2026, review board appointments, and act on routine procurement contracts. A public hearing will address proposed changes to property tax assessment appeal procedures, which would alter the filing timeline for residents…
Planning Board to recommend stormwater rule changes
The board will discuss and vote on an advisory recommendation to the Town Council regarding proposed text amendments to Chapter 337, the Post Construction Stormwater Control Ordinance. They will also hear a progress report on the Elm Street/Portsmouth Heights Subdivision and handle administrative subdivision and…
Water Commission discusses water rates and local projects
The Water Commission will review monthly financial reports and daily activity updates. Unfinished business includes discussions regarding water rates, source water assessment, Walker Lofts, and Conduit Street.
Council to hold public hearing on CDBG grant for Mumford Manor repairs
The Newport City Council will hold a public hearing on a Community Development Block Grant application for Mumford Manor at 39 Farewell Street. The agenda includes consent items such as special event permits, waste hauler license renewals, and commission resignations. Action items cover parking changes on South…