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.
215 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
- Lincoln, RI (43)
- West Warwick, RI (32)
- Westerly, RI (26)
- Coventry, RI (15)
- Smithfield, RI (14)
- New Shoreham, RI (13)
- Johnston, RI (11)
- South Kingstown, RI (10)
- Middletown, RI (7)
- Johnston, RI (6)
- City of Newport, RI (5)
- Pawtucket, RI (5)
Latest matching meetings
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…
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.
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.
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.
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…
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…
Council reviews $6.2M Mile of History Project funding and new staff pay plan
The Providence City Council will review several ordinances, resolutions, and reports. Key discussions include amending the city zoning code, approving $6.2 million for the Mile of History Project, and considering a new compensation plan that includes a four-day work week and a 10% bonus for city employees. The council…
Planning Board visits 193 Honeyman Ave site for 4‑lot subdivision review
The Middletown Planning Board held a special site‑visit meeting to view the property at 193 Honeyman Ave, the subject of a preliminary plan application for a four‑lot minor subdivision and a new public street. Board members asked the applicant, Louis Calcagni, and engineer Chris Duhamel questions about the proposed…
Water Commission discusses water supply, budget, and a claim
The Water Commission will meet to discuss an alternative source water supply involving Pare Corporation. The agenda also includes approval of the FY 2026/2027 budget and a claim regarding 114 Old River Rd.
Town Council to set new water user fee schedule for FY 2026-27
The council will hold a work session on bond anticipation notes, then a regular session with multiple public hearings and votes. Key actions include a proposed water rate schedule, contracts for infrastructure projects, and appointments to boards.
Council to approve funding for 2026 roadway rehabilitation projects
The West Warwick Town Council will consider a second reading of Ordinance #2026-6 to restrict parking on West Street. The council, acting as the Liquor Commission, will review extended‑hour requests for the Portuguese American Citizens Club and the Portuguese Holy Ghost during the World Cup. Several business license…
Commission discusses development roles and lake management updates
This organizational meeting focuses on defining the commission's role in development reviews. Members will also discuss various environmental topics including lake recreation, stormwater management at Upper Dam Pond, and forest fire safety.
Water Commission discusses budget, water rates, and new business
The Water Commission will discuss the FY 2026/2027 budget and water rates. The agenda also includes updates on Front Street and discussions regarding Walker Lofts and Conduit Street.
Waterfront Advisory Commission to discuss harbor plans and boating facility applications
The commission is reviewing updates to the Harbor Management Plan and the Boats and Waterways Ordinance. Members will discuss public right-of-way access at specific Matunuck sites and the development of an Indian Lake Management Plan. The body is also reviewing CRMC applications for residential boating facilities in…
Land Trust to discuss dam repairs, land acquisition, hunting agreement
The Foster Land Trust will discuss trail maintenance with a volunteer, a hunting cooperation agreement with RIDEM, and updates on stewardship including repairs to Dam #526 spillway, a memorial bench, survey work, and water quality testing. The meeting will also enter executive session to discuss dam #526…
Council to discuss new water rate schedule and related fee changes
The Westerly Town Council will hold a public hearing on the FY2026‑2027 water, sewer and transfer station budgets and consider several proposed ordinances. Items include a water rate schedule with service charges, usage fees and infrastructure fees, a sewer use charge of $400 per unit, and an ad valorem tax on…
Town Council discusses proposed sewer rate increases through FY 2029
The Town Council reviewed a BerryDunn Sewer Rate Study aimed at making the Sewer Enterprise Fund self-sustaining. The study recommends gradual rate increases over three years to cover rising operational costs and maintain a sufficient fund balance. A public hearing will be scheduled, with a vote on rates expected at…
Town Council to discuss FY2026/2027 water, sewer, and transfer station budgets
The Town Council is meeting to discuss and potentially take action on proposed budgets for the Water & Sewer and Transfer Station funds. This includes proposed ordinances to set water rate schedules, sewer service charges, and ad valorem taxes for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
Town Council to discuss water, sewer, and tax rate ordinances for 2026-2027
The Westerly Town Council will discuss proposed ordinances for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, including water and sewer rate schedules and an ad valorem tax on property. The meeting also includes the approval of minutes, fiscal matters, and appointments to town boards.
Conservation Commission considers sewer, stormwater, and forest management
The Coventry Conservation Commission will discuss and potentially act on several old business items, including sewer development, stormwater management at Upper Dam Pond, and a forest management plan for fire safety. They will also review lake updates, grant opportunities, and weed abatement, along with new business…
Water Commission discusses budget, water rates, and lead service loans
The Commission will review April 2026 financial reports and daily activity. Discussion includes the FY 2026/2027 draft budget, water rates, and the Lead Service Loan Program.
WWTF proposes a 15‑cent water rate increase to $4.80 per 100 cf
The Sewer Commission held Public Hearing #2 to review the FY26 water‑treatment‑facility budget. The proposed budget includes a water rate increase of 15 cents per 100 cubic feet, lowering the minimum consumption from 4,000 to 3,800 cubic feet, and billing based on 90% of usage instead of 80%. No council members asked…
Public hearing on proposed FY27 West Warwick Treatment Facility budget
The Town Council, acting as the Sewer Commission, will hold a second public hearing to discuss the proposed FY27 budget for the West Warwick Treatment Facility. The budget covers the period from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, and action may be taken on the proposal.
Town Council will adopt the FY2027 municipal operating budget of $131.9 million
The West Warwick Town Council will adopt the FY2027 Final Municipal Operating Budget and the FY2027 Wastewater Treatment Facility Budget. It will consider two ordinances: one amending motor vehicle restricted routes and another amending annual sewage system user charges. The council will also hear a fire department…
Board discusses undergrounding utility poles and TIF funding for Atlantic Beach
The Planning Board and Town Council reviewed the draft Comprehensive Community Plan and asked for public input on its priorities, including a new climate‑resilience chapter. They discussed the town’s long‑term housing strategy and an affordable housing project on East Main Road. The board presented the West Main…
CRMC oyster farm expansion, harbor plan, and rights-of-way access on agenda
The commission will receive public comment on two pending CRMC applications for Cedar Island Oyster Co. to add floating lines for oyster cultivation. Old business includes updates on the Harbor Management Plan, an online GIS rights-of-way map, and revisions to the Boats and Waterways Ordinance. The Harbormaster…
Town Council approves $23,800 change order for sewer replacement engineering services
The council unanimously approved a change order of up to $23,800 for engineering services on the Ashton and Berkeley sewer replacement project. It also adopted a $19,222.16 change order for roof repairs at the Old Police Station and passed a resolution supporting municipal collaboration on affordable housing laws…
Committee discusses purchase of property in Wrentham, MA for watershed protection
The City Property Committee will meet to discuss a request from the Pawtucket Water Supply Board. The board is seeking to purchase property located at 1139 West Street in Wrentham, MA.
Town Council to vote on $132.9 million final budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027
The Town Council will consider the adoption of the final municipal budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The body will also review utility petitions for infrastructure work on Ironwood Drive and Narrow Lane.
Sewer Commission proposes FY27 budget cuts and reduces well‑user water charge.
The West Warwick Sewer Commission held a public hearing to present the FY27 budget. Council members discussed a $202,000 (1.9%) overall budget reduction and a proposed change to ordinance 15‑18(5) that would lower the billed water consumption for well users from 10,000 to 9,000 cubic feet, decreasing each user’s…
Town Council to approve $47,700 engineering services contract for wastewater pump station
The Smithfield Town Council will consider and act on several new business items, including authorizing a $47,700 agreement with Beta Group for engineering services to evaluate a wastewater pump station. They will also consider a contract up to $27,000 with Insituform Technologies for stormwater maintenance funded by…
Public hearing to discuss the FY27 West Warwick wastewater treatment budget
The West Warwick Town Council acting as the Sewer Commission will hold its first public hearing on the proposed FY27 budget for the West Warwick Wastewater Treatment Facility. Council members and representatives from neighboring towns will be present for roll call and quorum declaration. The agenda includes discussion…
Council and Finance Board discuss FY2026/27 water and sewer budget
The Westerly Town Council met jointly with the Finance Board on May 4, 2026. The primary agenda item was the proposed FY2026/2027 Water & Sewer and Transfer Station Funds Budget, which the Finance Board presented for discussion and possible action. The meeting also included a public comment period and routine…
Planning Board visits 50 Enterprise Center site for major land development review
The Planning Board held a special meeting to tour the 50 Enterprise Center property, the subject of a Master Plan application for a major land development project that would add seven office buildings totaling 9,380 square feet. Board members asked questions about the building layout, parking provisions and the…
Land Trust discusses dam repairs, bear study, and non-profit PILOT program
The Foster Land Trust will consider survey documentation for property P13/L46, water quality testing at Maurie Dunbar Acres, a bear research study by RI DEM, and a non-profit Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) program. The board will also address repairs to dam #526 and receive stewardship and financial reports. An…
Town Council acting as Sewer Commission to hear FY27 sewer budget
The West Warwick Town Council, acting as the Sewer Commission, will hold a budget workshop for the West Warwick Treatment Facility (WWTF) for fiscal year 2027 (July 1 2026 – June 30 2027). The agenda includes a roll call, declaration of quorum, and a hearing of the proposed Sewer Department budget. No other actions…