Map shows concept plan for Elmhurst Park, with Phase 2 designated by the yellow lines.

The town plans on purchasing this former 25-foot Coast Guard response vessel to be used by the harbormaster. The town will keep its existing patrol boat.

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PORTSMOUTH — Saying it’s in greater need of immediate repairs than Elmhurst Park, the Town Council Monday voted unanimously to seek a state grant to begin work on newly acquired Mt. Hope Park at the foot of Bristol Ferry Road.

The council approved a proposal by Town Planner Gary Crosby to seek a $400,000 Recreation Acquisition and Development Grant through the R.I. Department of Environmental Management. The town would contribute $100,000 in matching funds, all of which may be in the form of in-kind services.

According to Mr. Crosby, the $500,000 total project cost would include:

• site demolition, rehabilitation and reconstruction ($300,000)

• an engineering study, including site evaluation and permitting $100,000

• construction of the park ($100,000)

In January the Town of Portsmouth and the Aquidneck Land Trust (ALT) purchased the property — just under 5 acres of property at the intersection of Bristol Ferry Road and Bayview Avenue that juts out into Mt. Hope Bay — for $900,000. Of that amount, $600,000 came from town funds allocated in last year’s budget for bonding. The remaining $300,000 came from ALT.

The park’s design, which is not related to the grant application, will be determined through a separate public planning process the town will conduct with ALT. The engineering firm eventually hired by the town will be responsible for notifying abutters of future public hearings.

Mr. Crosby also presented a plan to seek a $240,000 grant from DEM — plus $60,000 from the town — to develop Phase II of Elmhurst Park, where Elmhurst School once stood. 

The first phase of the park included a parking lot and stabilization of the land. Phase II would include construction of a public restroom, a handicapped-accesible walkway, construction of a children’s play area, the rehabilitation of the existing tennis and basketball courts, and possibly plantings.

However, council members, reasoning that DEM wouldn’t approve both grants, gave preference to Mt. Hope, saying it was in more immediate need of attention. 

“Elmhurst Park isn’t going anywhere. It’s not going to fall into the ocean. Mt. Hope Park needs more help at this time,” said Council President Keith Hamilton, adding that a 100-foot section of the seawall — already marred by two gaping holes — needs to be repaired or replaced.

Council member Elizabeth Pedro agreed. “The seawall’s bad and it’s dangerous. There are fishermen out there,” she said.

Three residents commented on the Elmhurst Park plan. Karen M. Menezes, a member of the Glen Manor House Authority, expressed concern that people using the park, especially children on the tennis and basketball courts, could disrupt private events going on at the town-owned historic home nearby. “We’re concerned that this will really be very difficult for us to handle,” she said.

Judi Staven, however, said the property belongs to the town, which promised to turn it into a waterfront park for the use of all residents. “The Manor House was there when there was a school there, so I don’t see how the park is going to affect them,” she added.

Andrew Kelly, a member of the School Committee, said taxpayers have already made “significant investments” in Elmhurst Park. “It’s owned by the citizens and we should encourage them to go down there,” he said.

Council OKs new police boat

In other business Monday, the council voted unanimously to spent $95,000 from the harbormaster’s special revenue fund account to purchase a new boat for the harbormaster. 

Police Chief Thomas Lee said the boat — a 25-foot former Coast Guard response vessel with dual Honda engines and side-scan sonar and a trailer — costs $350,000 new and is appraised at $185,000 in its current, like-new condition. It’s being offered by Northeast Diving Services.

“We think we’re getting a great deal on this boat. This has been described as the best of the best,” said Chief Lee. “It’s built for rough seas.”

The boat would greatly improve the all-weather response capability of the harbormaster, Sgt. Steven Burns, and allow police to better serve residents on Prudence and Hog islands, as well as the larger boating community, the chief said.

Police plan on keeping its existing patrol boat on the east side of town, with the new vessel on the west side. “On holidays — Fourth of July weekends — we would use both boats. The need is there,” said Chief Lee, noting that the new vessel would be the town’s primary boat and shared with the Fire Department.

Prudence meeting set

The council also plans on using the new boat for its annual excursion to Prudence Island. This year’s meeting was set for noon on Saturday, July 30.

Utility wants noise variance

The council unanimously approved a request by National Grid to advertise for a public hearing on the utility’s application for an exemption to the town’s noise ordinance during work on its $93 million infrastructure upgrade plan for Aquidneck Island.

The hearing will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, June 20.

Under the “Onisland” project proposal, National Grid will rebuild two transmission lines that run 4.1 miles through the center of the island along the utility’s right-of-way between substations on Dexter Street in Portsmouth and Jepson Lane, just over the Middletown line. The transmission lines would be converted from 69 kilovolts to 115 kilovolts and be replaced on new, taller structures in a more streamlined configuration, according to National Grid.

The plan also calls for building a new and upgraded substation on National Grid property on Jepson Lane in Middletown, which will replace an existing substation across the street in Portsmouth. In addition, the substation off Dexter Street in Portsmouth will undergo a reconfiguration following the removal of some existing equipment, although the site footprint would remain intact under National Grid’s plans.

National Grid hopes to complete the Onisland project sometime next year.

Ice cream on a trike

Sitting as a Board of License Commissioners, the council approved an annual peddler license, with a fee waiver, to Michael O’Brien, doing business as M&M Munchies, 01146 Narragansett Ave., Prudence Island. 

Mr. O’Brien told the council that he plans on using a three-wheeled bicycle to sell pre-packaged ice cream and candy to island residents after dinner. A large, homemade cooler, will be placed in front of the bike.

“My business is for raising income for college,” he said. “Also, to carry it on to my sister.”

The logistics on keeping his food supplies up may be difficult, but Mr. O’Brien said he’ll figure it out. “I have two loving parents who can bring me to BJs,” he said.

Council members said they loved the idea and wished Mr. O’Brien success.

More licenses

The Board of License Commissioners also took the following action:

• voted to advertise a public hearing on June 13 on an application to transfer a Class BV beverage license from Tiverton Management Corp., doing business as Tremblay’s Ultimate Grill, 514 Park Ave., to Tremblay’s Bar and Grill, Inc.

• approved a daily liquor license to the Portsmouth Multi-Purpose Senior Center for its 40th anniversary celebration at the Glen Manor House from 1-4 pm. on Sunday, July 31.

• approved a victualler license, with a fee waiver, to the Portsmouth Portuguese American Citizens Club on Power Street for the St. Anthony Feast to be held July 14 to 17.

• approved a holiday license to Keystone Novelties Distributors, LLC of Lancaster, Penn., for the temporary sale of legal sparkler products from June 24 to July 5.

• approved annual peddler licenses to four businesses for polo at Glen Farm: Marc Allen Fine Clothiers of Providence, Flint and Flame of Bristol, the Sunglass Hut of Newport and Wag & Co. of Newport.

Resignations

The council accepted with regret the resignations of Michael McGaw from the Harbor Commission and Judi Staven from the Sold Waste/Recycling Committee.