Please Support Sewer Bonds June 17, Says Wickford Economic Development Board

The following is a letter from chairperson of the Economic Development Advisory Board:

On June 17 you will have the opportunity to vote on extending sewers to the commercial area of historic Wickford village. This mainly comprises Brown Street and parts of Phillips Street including the former Wickford Elementary School. A separate vote will be held on extending sewers along Post Road north of the Quonset Gateway. 

The Wickford Economic Development Advisory Board (WEDAB) encourages you to vote on June 17 - and recommends that you vote in favor.

Extending sewers to Wickford's commercial area will help revitalize the village as an attractive place to live, work, and visit. Sewers will upgrade the infrastructure, help preserve the environment, enhance economic vitality, and generate business revenue. A market analysis recently presented to the Town Council found that with sewers, Wickford could support additional independent sit-down restaurants and cafes, specialty boutiques and a grocery store, a high-end salon or spa, and a bed-and-breakfast lodging. Sewers would also help harness the economic potential of  Wickford's prime location on Narragansett Bay and keep it clean and better prepared to meet tougher environmental standards later on.

The cost of sewering Wickford will be fully paid over 20 years through assessments levied only on the properties to be connected. No other property owners, businesses, or residents will be charged or taxed to meet this cost. The Town of North Kingstown will issue bonds and notes to finance the construction and will repay these with proceedings from the assessments.

It will be essential to strike a balance between revitalizing Wickford and preserving its charm and character. The Town of North Kingstown has the authority to do this through existing planning and business approvals processes, advisory bodies, and public consultation.

A fact sheet with further information and the polling questions are being distributed by the Town and posted on http://www.northkingstown.org/business/economic-development.  For more information, please contact any of the following:

Michael Embury, Town of North Kingstown – Town Manager (401) 268-1501

Phil Bergeron, Town of North Kingstown – Public Works Director (401) 268-1560

Paige Bronk, Town of North Kingstown – Economic Development Manager (401) 268-1572

Martha Pughe, North Kingstown Chamber of Commerce – Executive Director (401) 295-5566.

Ellen Waxman

Chair, Wickford Economic Development Advisory Board