Voters approve $10M bond for sewer project

Photo: Ray Clayton
Around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday the community center had seen just under 400 residents come through to vote on the sewer referendum. The moderator said the turnout had been fairly “steady” and that she was pleased - even a little surprised - with the turnout. Above, Gail Carmichael (left) and Joan Raymond help a voter sign in.

By LINDSAY OLIVIER
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

NORTH KINGSTOWN — The bond referendum to allow the town to borrow up to $10 million for the installation of sewers along a portion of Post Road and Camp Avenue brought in very low voter turnout, but enough to pass it.

Less than 1 percent of the town’s 21,525 registered voters visited the polls Tuesday but the referendum passed 1,250-536.

Town Manager Michael Embury said he wasn’t surprised by the meager turnout because it’s an off-year for elections and it was a one item referendum.

“I think it speaks that people care about the Post Road corridor project and that it’s going to improve the existing businesses and attract new ones. There’s been so much hard work done by the planning department, Chamber of Commerce and many other folks,” Embury said.

North Kingstown resident Matt Kennett voted in favor of the bond, saying he believed the project was vital for the growth and development of Post Road as well as other parts of town.

“This same referendum came before the voters 25 years ago and we rejected it. It’s the same thing before us again and nothing’s changed. I understand it’ll help Post Road, but not residents. I know I won’t see sewers on my street before I die,” said a Davisville area resident.

This bond will encompass the first phase of the South Post Road Corridor Sewer Improvements Project and the $10 million will be used to design and install the necessary infrastructure. The sewers will be installed from Oakdale to Camp Avenue, from Route 403 to Camp Avenue, and down Camp Avenue to tie into the Quonset Development Corporations Treatment Facility.

Town officials have said the bond won’t increase taxes and the only people who will pay for the sewers are the abutting property owners.

The project will take place in two phases, the first being the installation of approximately 6,000 linear feet of 8-inch gravity fed sewer line, a pump station and related force main. The primary focus of the first phase is to install the sewers along Post Road from Route 403 to a location south of Dana Road and the residential properties along Camp Avenue to the point between Asqah Road and Wickford Point Road.

The first phase will include approximately 205 commercial areas along Post Road and 30 residential properties along Camp Avenue.

Phase II will include the remaining residential and commercial properties which abut Post Road up to and including the State Police headquarters.

The town will now begin to finalize an agreement with QDC, begin working with engineers and meet with the Department of Transportation (DOT).