3rd Ward City Council Representative Colleen McGrath

Updates & Thoughts on Various Issues

Click on a topic at right for more information on that issue.

IMPORTANT ISSUES FACING THE CITY OF NEWPORT:

City Finances

Council Goals

LNG Votes

Thames Street Improvements

Infrastructure, the school system , better communication and regionalization are areas we should be looking at.

Newport is an old, heavily used city with roads that need to be regraded and paved; a sewer system that will need significant investments and a school system that could use modern facilities.

City Administration is working diligently on many of these issues but the public isn't aware of many of the strides that have been made. The distribution of information is an area that City needs to work on. People receive and process information differently and the City should look to identifying ways to collaborate with the public.

In October 2005, the three Island Councils met for the first time to begin discussing ways we might work together. This meeting was a result of a Resolution I introduced and kept on top of to ensure the meeting would be held. We should continue to meet in an effort to solve problems with our water and sewer infrastructure, transportation issues and schools as well as seek opportunities to partner to save money and secure federal, state and grant funding.

5th Ward Square

ROAD BOND

I support the $12 million road bond for many reasons. The first is the City simply can not keep up with the roads in need of paving. Last Spring 16 roads were scheduled to be repaved. Six were cut from the list due to increases in the cost of asphalt. All of these roads had a PCI of 37 or less; three had a PCI of 9 or less (100 is the best PCI rating; 1 the least).

Residents deserve safe streets and sidewalks that are ADA accessible. By making this investment now the City will save money in the long run. Additionally, Newport's economy is based on tourism and when visitors come to our City and incur damage to their cars not only will they not return, they will be less inclined to spend money or promote Newport as a destination.

SEWER MORATORIUM REFERENDUM

I do not support the Sewer Moratorium. It will do nothing to fix the sewer infrastructure problems in the City of Newport and could have a devastating affect to future development.

City Administrators have been tackling this issue full force with smoke testing, monitoring of lines and other testing. A plan is in development which will be submitted to DEM for approval in January. Much of the problems that need to be fixed are on private property.

PUBLIC ACCESS

While serving on the Cliff Walk Commission I tried to get the attention of administration to address public access at Marine Avenue. While on the Council I sponsored a Resolution to once and for all determine the status of this street and ensure that it was open to the public. Administration has been working on a plan to re-landscape Marine Avenue so that it is more accessible to both the public and city vehicles.

STRUCTURAL CHANGES

There are always ways to do things better and areas in need of improvement. I support Berkshire Advisors recommendations with regard to adding personnel to the fire marshal's office and introduced a Resolution at the October meeting requesting administration start the process. It was tabled by a 6 to 1 vote.

I also think it would behoove citizens for administration to explore hiring a part-time communications professional who would enhance communication to residents, neighborhood groups, business owners and visitors. Perhaps grant funding could be secured to hire someone as a test basis.