Thursday, May 9, 2013
The Newport City Council approved a series of liquor license transfers Wednesday
It is the end of an era for Newport bars. Billy Goode, the original owner of Billy Goode's bar on Marlborough Street, purchased the first Newport liquor license, after he operated his bar as a speakeasy during prohibition. The most recent owner Kevan Campbell sold his liquor license which was officially transferred after Wednesday's Newport City Council meeting. The council unanimously approved the bittersweet transfer that marked the end of the Goode legacy, but new beginnings for Thames Street Kitchen and Jo’s American Bistro, which purchased Puerini’s last December. Billy Goode’s transferred it’s Class BV license to Jo’s American Bistro and Jo’s American Bistro transferred it’s limited beer and wine license to Thames Street Kitchen…
Thursday, March 28, 2013
The Newport School Committee met with the City Council on Wednesday night to begin budget discussions.
Despite its request for a solid FY '13-14 budget proposal from the Newport School Committee by June 30, the Newport City Council can likely only hope for an estimate, Chairman Charles Shoemaker said at a joint meeting on Wednesday night. The Uniform Chart of Accounts (UCOA), implemented in 2011 as part of a statewide financial reform, has slowed the budget process down, Shoemaker said. As a part of UCOA, more than 1,900 line items must be accounted for in the budget. “The new UCOA has taken a lot of time to get used to. We don’t have a current budget at this point,” he said. Business manager Joan Tracy said the payroll will be converted and the school department will be fully compliant with UCOA as of next June. Shoemaker said that it was…
Thursday, January 3, 2013
The Newport City Council and School Committee members were officially sworn in during an inauguration ceremony on Wednesday night.
The Newport City Council and the Newport School Committee were both sworn in during a joint inauguration ceremony at the O’Hare Academic Center at Salve Regina University on Wednesday night. School committee members took the oath first. All members are returning, except for former Chairman Patrick Kelley, who seat has been taken over by newcomer Robert Power. Congressman David Cicilline administered the oath to Rebecca Bolan, Sandra J. Flowers, Power, JoEva Gaines, Robert Leary and Charles Shoemaker. Thomas Phalen was not in attendance. Shoemaker and Gaines were elected as Chairman and Vice-Chair, respectively. The City Council also received their oath from Cicilline. Henry Winthrop was elected as Chairman of the Council and Mayor of …
Friday, December 7, 2012
The Planning Board presented a proposed ordinance on wind turbines to the council and City Manager.
Last February, the Planning Board was tasked by the Newport City Council to create a wind ordinance, since the city did not have any zoning provisions regulating wind turbines other than general regulations. The City held a workshop Wednesday night for the board to present their findings and the ordinance. According to the proposed Wind Energy Systems ordinance, wind energy systems should be accommodated in “appropriate geographic locations, while simultaneously protecting the public health, safety and welfare.” Utility sized turbines were deemed "inappropriate" for Newport. Turbines would be prohibited in local Historic Districts. Large scale turbines greater than 100 kilowatts are also prohibited. All turbines require an approved …
Friday, November 16, 2012
A Massachusetts couple want to bring duck boat tours to Newport.
The Newport City Council received a communication from David and Kris Kososki, a Massachusetts couple, requesting to bring duck tours to Newport during Wednesday night’s meeting. Newport Duck Tours would start at America’s Cup Avenue, travel down Thames Street, onto Wellington Street and launch into the water at King Park or Fort Adams for a 25-30 minute water tour, according to their proposal. During the meeting, Councilor Kathryn Leonard pointed out that commercial boats may not operate out of King Park. Duck tours use refurbished WWII Dukw amphibious vehicles and operate in more than 20 cities nationwide. David Kososki said two duck boats, which are smaller than Newport trolleys, would run tours from spring through fall. “We have a …
Friday, November 9, 2012
Michael Farley, who was elected to the Newport City Council on Tuesday, issued a public statement endorsing Harry Winthrop for Mayor.
- GOVERNMENT
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Friday, November 9, 2012
The following was written by Michael Farley: I am writing to lend my support to Harry Winthrop for the positions of Council Chair and Mayor of Newport. Two years ago, I stood with Harry and Naomi in support of Jeanne Marie Napolitano as the Mayor. Unfortunately, I lost the 2010 recount by 9 votes, and Councilor McLaughlin cast the deciding vote against Jeanne Marie. In July of this year, I was advised by Harry and Jeanne Marie to make no commitments regarding the mayoral selection. I honored that advice and made no commitments, but noted to both that I had previously supported the top vote-getter in my previous campaigns. After speaking with Councilors Neville, Leonard and McLaughlin over the last several days, it is clear to me that …
Thursday, October 25, 2012
During an update from the City Manager during Wednesday night's council meeting, councilors expressed the need for a stronger police present in town.
During Wednesday night's City Council meeting, City Manager Jane Howington addressed Monday's press conference and the hiring of a communications liaison. Howington said the pilot project for the liaison would run for approximately nine to twelve weeks, at about 30 hours per week. The liaison will develop guidelines and plans on operations maintenance for new communications initiatives, including developing focus groups with businesses and neighborhood groups, and analyzing internal needs for communication. If the project is successful, the position may be included in the budget proposal. Howington said she did not anticipate the position to become full-time. Councilor Naomi Neville said she thought the idea of a communication liaison …
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
The Mayor and City Manager held a press conference on Monday to address safety in Newport.
In light of recent assault reports, including a 42-year-old woman attacked on Ruggles Avenue and a group of boys victim of attempted robbery, Newport Mayor Harry Winthrop and City Manager Jane Howington called a second press conference to address the public's perception of safety in Newport. The meeting was also attended by Newport City Council members. “The number one priority in Newport is public safety. We will deploy whatever resources necessary,” Winthrop said. As for added safety measures due to assault reports and rumors, Howington said that there are officers in the police department that can be moved around to diferent areas that could be hot spots for random assaults. “If there is a hot spot and we have leads, we'll put plain …
Friday, September 28, 2012
The Block Island Ferry has proposed discontinuing the conventional ferry at Fort Adams for a fast ferry running out of Perrotti Park.
Newporters and tourists may have the option to take a fast ferry to Block Island next summer. The Newport City Council received a communication from the Interstate Navigation Company detailing its plan to switch from a conventional ferry running out of Fort Adams to a fast ferry making trips from Perrotti Park. According to a letter to the City Manager from an Interstate representative, the company has purchased a fast ferry, which could be ready for service by June 2013. The ferry was built in 2000 and will undergo “substantial upgrades.” It has approximately a 250-person capacity. The Block Island Ferry currently runs seasonally from Fort Adams to Block Island. The company plans to discontinue the run to operate the fast ferry from the …
Thursday, September 13, 2012
The council voted 6-0 to draft an amendment lowering the maximum permissible sound levels in residential neighborhoods.
The Newport City Council unanimously approved a resolution Wednesday night allowing the city administration to draft an amendment to Newport’s noise ordinance, which will lower the maximum permissible sound level in residential areas. Currently, the maximum level in residential zones and noise sensitive areas is 65 during 7 a.m. and 9:59 p.m. It is then lowered to 55 decibles until 6:59 a.m. The reduction calls for a maximum level of 55 between 8:59 p.m. and 7 a.m. in residential zones and noise sensitive areas, which would “greatly contribute to our residents’ peaceful enjoyment of their homes.” The amendment will be up for consideration at the Sept. 26 council meeting. Councilor Jeanne-Marie Napolitano said she was concerned about more…
BOB I
8:25 am on Sunday, May 19, 2013
how can you have BYO in a licenced establishment? more ›