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Wickford Elementary School

Monday, November 26, 2012

Wickford El, Other Town Properties Up For Sale

Three vacant town buildings are up for sale starting this month.

  For sales signs have gone up outside three vacant buildings owned by the Town of North Kingstown. Among them is Wickford Elementary School, site of Rhode Island's first public school, with a selling price of $1.1 million. The former elementary school closed down in 2005. The North Kingstown Town Council and School Committee attempted to bring the building back to life last year with a proposal to convert the former school into a joint town hall and school administrative office. Last September in a special election, voters shot down a $3.85-million bond to convert the building – but approved a question that would allow the town to sell the building.  Wickford Elementary School hits the market with two other town-owned buildings – the …

In this Article:

The Town's Five White Elephants, Turf, Wickford El. Renovation Shot Down in Special Election, and Food Pantry Eyeing 5-Year Lease at Little Red

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K Rademacher

5:58 pm on Sunday, December 2, 2012

Tim did indeed say this. I can't remember if it was in an op-ed piece or in one of his columns, but it was shortly after Wickford El was closed. The Cranston family deeded the property to the town with the stipulation that it was to be used only for educational purposes.   more ›

Monday, July 16, 2012

Obituary: Avis L. Willis, 96

Avis L. (Briggs) Willis passed away Saturday, July 14 at 96.

The following obituary was provided by Cranston-Murphy Funeral Home. Avis L. (Briggs) Willis of North Kingstown died peacefully on Saturday, July 14 at Roberts Health Centre. She was 96 years old. Willis was the daughter of the late James A. Briggs and Avis E. (Arnold) Briggs. She was also the wife of the late Jedidiah G. Willis. Willis was a teacher at Wickford Elementary School for many years until her retirement. She was also a member of the Lafayette Advent Christian Church, Washington County Retired Teachers Association, the Central Retired Teachers Association, the Sons & Daughters of Liberty, Young at Heart, the North Kingstown Senior Center and the Women's Guild of the First Baptist Church in Wickford. Her hobbies included playing …

In this Article:

The Cranston-Murphy Funeral Home of Wickford

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Up to You: Wickford Elementary School

The former elementary school has been closed for six years. So what should become of it?

From Post Road to Boston Neck Road to Quaker Lane, North Kingstown has its fair share of vacant buildings. Some have been empty for years while others see a rotating crop of businesses. But, if it were up to you, what would you like to see happen to these buildings? Each week, we'll feature one empty building, lot or area in North Kingstown and ask our readers what they'd like to see there. A skate park? A community center? A Thai restaurant? A movie theater? What do you want? This week: In 2005, Wickford Elementary School closed its doors. In September, voters shot down a $3.85-million bond to convert it into a joint town hall and school adminstration building but approved a special election question that would allow the town to sell the …

In this Article:

Turf, Wickford El. Renovation Shot Down in Special Election

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MeanE

3:57 pm on Monday, November 19, 2012

Local guy - What do you propose to do with the building? Being that it is only the site of the first public school in RI, and not the actual building, why would tearing it down be a problem for you?   more ›

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Town, Schools to Face Multimillion Dollar Shortfalls

Both the town and school departments are anticipating big deficits next year.

Three months before the budget process begins for next year, the North Kingstown Town Council and School Committee met to discuss what is expected to be one of the toughest budget seasons in decades. “I’ve been in this business for the past 30 years and this is the absolute worst,” said North Kingstown Town Manager Michael Embury. Monday night’s primary topic of conversation, or what Embury termed as the “900-pound gorilla in the room,” was pension reform — which Rhode Island General Treasurer Gina Raimondo is expected to introduce to the General Assembly Tuesday night. North Kingstown’s contribution to the pensions would increase by $4.8 million if pension reform is not passed, Embury said. If it is passed, North Kingstown would still …

In this Article:

N. Kingstown to Face Difficult Budget Season and The Town's Five White Elephants

Govstench

11:43 am on Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Here is something else to think about. In addition to the 48% unfunded liability the town is facing, the municipalities across the state face a 2.1 Billion dollar unfunded pension liability. Now add the 3.5 Billion dollar unfunded medical liability. No one is talking about that one. Where does North Kingstown sit on that item? The public unions, through their elected agents, have made contracts …   more ›

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

The Town's Five White Elephants

What will be the fate of North Kingstown's soon-to-be vacant buildings?

The list of vacant buildings in town hands is about to grow even more, according to Town Manager Michael Embury. With last week’s overwhelming election results to reject a $3.85-million bond to convert Wickford Elementary School into a joint town hall and school administration building, the fate of the former school now has a big question mark next to its name. Also in last week’s election, voters authorized the town to sell the building, which has been vacant since 2005. Council members Michael Bestwick and Charles Stamm both expressed disappointment in last week’s election decision. Stamm stated he didn’t think the school's “story was well told” while Bestwick suggesting repackaging the bond and submitting it during the general election…

In this Article:

Turf, Wickford El. Renovation Shot Down in Special Election, Price Tag On Wickford Elementary Conversion Drops, and The Little Red School House

Govstench

11:52 am on Sunday, October 23, 2011

Also, if the town has 5 vacant buildings on their hands, it's time to off-load them. Sell them and get them back on the tax rolls. Enough of the emotional attachment already.   more ›

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Turf, Wickford El. Renovation Shot Down in Special Election

Voters shot down two of the three bond questions in the Sept. 13 special election.

9:40 p.m.  North Kingstown voters have denied two of the three questions on the Sept. 13 special election. Both questions to approve a $850,000 bond to install an artificial turf at McGinn Park and a $3.85-million bond to convert Wickford Elementary School into a joint town hall and school administration buliding were shot down in landslide votes. The artificial turf at McGinn was denied by 74 percent of voters with 1,327 votes. The Wickford Elementary Scool conversion was also shot down with 62 percent of the vote. Voters approved question three, allowing the town to sell Wickford Elementary School in the event that the aforementioned bond was not approved, with 55 percent of the vote. Overall, voter turnout was only nine percent with 1,…

In this Article:

Davisville Middle School, McGinn Park, and Wickford Elementary Conversion Bond Issue Halted

Janice R. Stone

6:58 am on Sunday, February 12, 2012

The Carriage Inn should remain a resturant. That caters more to the local residents. The tourist will follow. Serving local food at reasonable prices. The town of North Kingstown is being robbed of its history. That made it a special place to live or visit. Every piece of property you have mentioned has historical value not to mention highly prized property value location, location. What for …   more ›

Five Things To Know Today

5 Things: Special Election, Murder Trial & School Committee

Five things to know for Sept. 13.

North Kingstown voters will go to the polls today to vote on three questions to determine the fate of two bonds. One bond, for $3.85 million, would covert Wickford Elementary School into a joint town hall and school administrative building. Another question would authorize the town to sell the now-vacant school if the aforementioned bond is not approved. Lastly, another question would approve $850,000 to install artificial turf at McGinn Park. Voting will take place at Davisville Middle School and Cold Spring Community Center from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The murder trial of Kimberly Fry starts today down at Washington County Superior Court. Fry is facing a second-degree murder charge in the death of her eight-year-old daughter Camden back in 2009…

In this Article:

Special Ballot for North Kingstown Voters, Council Looks Closer At Wickford Elementary Conversion, McGinn Park, and 4 more ›

Monday, September 12, 2011

Letter to the Editor: HistWick Asks NK to Vote 'No' on Question 3

HistWick President Mike Dacey urges voters to vote no on question three in tomorrow's special election.

  • OPINION
  • Monday, September 12, 2011

On Tuesday, Sept. 13, the Town of North Kingstown will ask voters to vote on three questions: two (Questions #2 and #3) will concern the Wickford Elementary School property. Question # 2 asks approval to finance $3.85 million for reuse of Wickford Elementary School (WES) for a combined town hall/school administration facility. I write on behalf of the board of Historic Wickford, Inc. We are concerned that two historic structures in Wickford Village will become vacant if this plan to relocate the town hall is approved. While we believe that the relocation and consolidation project could benefit the town, we cannot support the referendum until the following questions are answered. In response to our inquiries, the town indicated that they …

In this Article:

Deadlines Approach For Upcoming NK Special Election, North Kingstown Town Hall, and North Kingstown Annex Building

NK WATCH

10:42 pm on Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Midlife momma, Mcgwin is nothing more than a blow hard, he has no ideas of his own and does nothing but sit back and critizes other peoples ideas. He's too spineless to challenge his beloved town council.......he didn't say boo about the windmill or the other bond referendums last year......Mcgwin wouldn't have been good enough to shine murial's shoes!   more ›

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Letter to the Editor: Town Council Member Urges Voters to Approve Wickford El. Bond

Town Council member Chuck Brennan is urging voters to approve a bond to convert Wickford Elementary School.

  • OPINION
  • Saturday, September 10, 2011

I am in favor of the bond referendum to turn Wickford Elementary into a town hall/school administration building. The main reason for being in favor of the project is that the two groups that spend all the tax money (the town government and school department), work in two different locations and have very little interaction. I believe that both groups would have better working relations if they worked in the same building. We may actually find ways to consolidate some services. I envision perhaps one office responsible for human relations handling employee benefits and other issues. In other words, there is the potential for more efficient operations and cost savings. The town hall is 123 years old and past it's serviceable life and is not…

In this Article:

Wickford Elementary Conversion Bond Issue Halted, North Kingstown Town Hall, North Kingstown School Department Administrative Offices, and 2 more ›

COL

9:47 am on Monday, September 12, 2011

I believe that both groups would have better working relations if they worked in the same building. We may actually find ways to consolidate some services. I envision perhaps one office responsible for human relations handling employee benefits and other issues. In other words, there is the potential for more efficient operations and cost savings. Mr. Brennan - In this age of telecommunications, …   more ›

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Deadlines Approach For Upcoming NK Special Election

Voter registration and other deadlines loom for next month's referenda.

Deadlines for voter registration and mail-in ballots are fast approaching for next month's special election in North Kingstown in which the fate of Wickford Elementary School may be determined. First-time voters, voters new to North Kingstown or those who have changed their name have until Aug. 13 to register to vote in the Sept. 13 election. North Kingstown residents can reigster at the North Kingstown Town Hall on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Though the deadline falls on a Saturday, town hall will remain open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. for last-minute registrations. For those seeking a mail-in ballot, you have until Aug. 23 to file your request. Completed mail-in ballots must be received by the North Kingstown Board of Canvassers …

In this Article:

North Kingstown Town Hall, Deadlines Approach For Upcoming NK Special Election, McGinn Park, and 1 more ›

mark henricks

11:32 am on Friday, August 19, 2011

1) Vote No on #1 !!! In this economy the town has no business installing 850 grand worth of turf on a field. i mean really. 2) Vote No on #2 !!!! . 3.85 million to convert to town hall and admin? No No No. the town does not need it. It will probably go over budget anyways. They can make due with the space they have for now. Hell, in my job everyone is crammed in like sardines. The town employees …   more ›

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