In this South Kingstown Insider Issue…

🌤️ South Kingstown Weather - Partly cloudy with a high of 74

💃🕺Students and Parents React to South Kingstown High's Prom Restrictions

👩‍🚒 RI House Passes Bill to Aid South Kingstown Volunteer Firefighter Recruitment

🚴 Narragansett Council Reviews Bike Path Extension Plans

📍Support South Kingstown Local Businesses

📣 We Want to Spotlight Your Business!

Students and Parents React to South Kingstown High's Prom Restrictions

South Kingstown High School has introduced a controversial new policy for this year's senior prom, restricting attendees to current high school students only. This decision, driven by unspecified "security reasons," means seniors cannot bring dates who have already graduated, even if they were former students at the school. Principal Chip McGair has declined to detail these security concerns, leaving many students and parents frustrated and confused.

Despite this policy being in the student handbook and on the prom guest permission form, its enforcement and lack of clear communication have drawn significant criticism. Meanwhile, some students and parents argue that the policy could have been better managed with more transparency and flexibility. The prom is scheduled for June 7 at the Graduate Providence hotel.

RI House Passes Bill to Aid South Kingstown Volunteer Firefighter Recruitment

The Rhode Island House of Representatives has passed a bill introduced by Representative Teresa A. Tanzi aimed at enhancing the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters in South Kingstown. The legislation, approved last Wednesday, proposes tax exemptions on district fire taxes for both current and retired firefighters and their spouses.

The bill, identified as 2024-H 7838, allows the Union Fire District of South Kingstown to grant these exemptions or abatements. This measure seeks to address the growing difficulties the department faces in attracting and retaining volunteers, especially amid rising housing costs in the area.

“We are very fortunate in South Kingstown to have an all-volunteer force of firefighters who provide excellent service to our residents,” Tanzi remarked. “Allowing the district to grant tax exemptions will give them another important recruitment tool and show our community’s appreciation for the work that they do protecting us.”

Narragansett Council Reviews Bike Path Extension Plans

The Narragansett Town Council is reviewing detailed presentations on possible routes for extending the existing bike path from the Community Center to Narragansett Town Beach. Conducted by Diprete Engineering with BETA Engineering and Pare Engineering, the feasibility study examined both on-road and off-road options, considering current conditions and potential environmental impacts.

They are looking at three on-road alternatives:

Narragansett Avenue to Boston Neck Road: The shortest route but would result in the loss of 87 parking spaces.

Narragansett Avenue to Caswell Street to Kingstown Road: Viable but longer and less likely to be used by pedestrians and cyclists.

Kingstown Road to Memorial Square: Involves fewer parking space removals but lacks room for a dedicated bike facility.

The council plans to hold a work session on June 3 to further discuss the proposed options and how to best utilize the $3 million in funding from the Rhode Island Department of Transportation.

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