PRUDENCE ISLAND — To pave or not to pave? 

For most residents, it’s a no-brainer. But most residents don’t live on Prudence Island, where the issue has been debated for years because some folks actually prefer the natural speed enforcement that bumpy roads provide.

But even before the town’s Department of Public Works (DPW) paved the 2.6-mile Narragansett Avenue that runs along the island’s east side, public opinion seemed to be squarely on the side of “smooth” over “rutted.” Islanders gave the Town Council an earful about the deplorable condition of that thoroughfare in 2014, and the town took action.

During the council’s annual excursion to Prudence Saturday morning, a co-meeting with the Prudence Island Planning Commission (PIPC), islanders heard an update about more road improvements — this time on Broadway, which runs east to west through the center of the island. The road was last paved in 2004 but is now in poor shape, islanders say, but it will be a few years before it’s smoothed out again.

DPW Director Brian Woodhead said the town is in the second year of a 10-year paving plan on Prudence Island. Next year, DPW will request funding for engineering and surveying services for Broadway. It will cost an estimated $2.5 million to pave Broadway, which probably won’t happen until between the seventh and last year of the plan, Mr. Woodhead said.

One resident said the plan for major improvements to Broadway took him by surprise.

“I think you’ll find a lot of people aren’t looking to have Broadway paved,” said Rob Porter, of Beach Street. “That would save you guys a lot of money.” 

Mr. Porter said he owns property along Narragansett Avenue, and “people go pretty fast there.” If Broadway were to be paved, the same could happen on that road, he said.

Mr. Woodhead responded that he first received direction to get Broadway paved two years ago. Council President Kevin Aguiar added the council has had “extensive” open discussions about the quality of roads on the island, and is working collaboratively with the PIPC to do what’s best for islanders.

Edward “Hap” Aldrich, Jr., chairman of the PIPC, agreed the matter has already been put to bed. “This didn’t happen overnight … and it was fully publicized,” he said.

Mr. Aldrich also argued that the paving of Broadway is especially important when it comes to the care of the patients who ride in the rescue vehicle he drives. “Especially on the west side, if you’re lying in the back of that rescue with a back injury … coming up the length of Broadway, I’m lucky if I can go 15 mph,” he said.

Henry Peter, of the Prudence Island Volunteer Fire Department, agreed, saying he had a couple of patients with back injuries on the west side of Broadway. “Coming over that hill is just unbelievable. You’re doing 3 or 4 mph to have no further injury to the patient. Let’s (pave) Broadway from water to water,” he said.

Mr. Aguiar noted that “time is critical” when a patient needs medical care. “The quality of the roads can really make a difference,” he said.

As for the claim that smoother roads lead to speeding, Mr. Peter said he lives on Narragansett Avenue and hasn’t noticed a significant increase in faster drivers. “I’m so happy with the paving job that was done six years ago. The road is still is great condition,” he said.

Bandaid for the winter?

Pat Rossi of Neck Pond Road, who drives a school van on the island, said Broadway’s aforementioned west side hill washes out in heavy rains — down to the ledge in spots. 

“It’s two feed deep on both sides. Broadway was impassable for one whole winter. It was just a mud hole from the frost and the thaw,” said Ms. Rossi, who asked whether a “bandaid” solution such as re-routing the water could be developed.

Mr. Woodhead promised to look into the matter.

At several points during Saturday’s meeting, Mr. Woodhead and the DPW staff received praise from island residents for their efforts in improving the island roads in recent years.

Mr. Aguiar also thanked Mr. Woodhead, Fire Chief Paul Ford and Police Chief Brian Peters for the job they did in quickly getting Fairview Lane on “the mainland” reopened following its collapse Sept. 2 due to heavy rains.

“You guys were able to resolve that and get it all back in a stable matter,” said Mr. Aguiar, who also singled out East Coast Construction, DPW’s on-call contractor. “It was hard to believe that was Portsmouth, with the amount of destruction on that road.”

“It was a team effort,” Mr. Woodhead replied.

Streetlights update

Town Administrator Richard Rainer, Jr. provided an update on a discussion the town has been having with National Grid and the R.I. Department of Transportation (RIDOT) to replace the conventional sodium vapor streetlights on the island with LED lights.

If the town chose to go that route, it would have to pay the full market cost of those new lights. A cheaper option would be to purchase lights already in National Grid’s inventory and convert them to LED, he said.

Mr. Aldrich noted this is a hot topic for islanders, with many opposed to more streetlights because they feel it increases light pollution. 

Ms. Rossi asked whether the town would consider replacing the conventional lights with those that are of lower intensity and temperature.

Mr. Rainer said the town will look at every option, but currently there is no current plan to convert any streetlights; the town is merely looking at costs. Members of the public will have the opportunity to comment on any plan before it’s decided on, he said.

Internet update

Islanders also heard an update from Art Shenberger of American Broadband, a Bristol-based company that is working to provide high-speed internet access to the 350 to 400 homes on Prudence.

Mr. Shenberger said the north tower is up and running and feeding the west side of the island, and he hoped a tower near the school would be up and running for students by this week.

The company is erecting a third tower at the end of Stevens Landing Lane to help cover the southern part of the island on the west side. American Broadband will also soon install a tower at the Portsmouth Transfer Station on Hedly Street, which will cover islanders on the east side who don’t have access to the company’s Bristol tower, he said.

Tax credit law

Island resident Linda O’Brien sought an update on a piece of legislation that would authorize cities and towns to offer a property tax credit for people over 60 who provide volunteer services.

Sen. Jim Seveney of Portsmouth, a sponsor of the Senate version of the bill, said the measure was signed into law this summer. Sen. Seveney and Rep. Susan Donovan of Bristol, both of whom represent Prudence Island, attended the meeting.

The senator noted the bill was enabling legislation. “It’s up to the Town of Portsmouth to decide whether they want to take advantage of that,” he said.

The bill authorized cities and towns to establish a program that allows people over 60 to provide volunteer services in exchange for a property tax credit up to $1,500. The credit would be calculated by multiplying the number of volunteer service hours by the state minimum wage per hour.

Rep. Donovan said the law isn’t intended to give tax credits to people who volunteer at an animal shelter but rather for those who serve on town commissions, such as zoning and planning boards, without a stipend.

Ms. Rossi and a few others in the crowd said volunteer firefighters, such as those on Prudence, should also qualify for such a benefit.

Mr. Aguiar said the council has not considered implementing such a program as of yet. 

Buddemeyer resignation

The council unanimously accepted with regret the resignation of fellow member Michael Buddemeyer, effective immediately.

As reported last week, Mr. Buddemeyer, in a Sept. 7 letter, said because of a change in his work situation as well as a personal event, he was forced to relocate with his family to Florida.

Mr. Buddemeyer became a member of the School Committee in 2006 before serving more than three terms on the council.

Mr. Aguiar conveyed the council’s thanks to Mr. Buddemeyer for his service. “He’s been a friend for a number of years and I wish him and his family the best,” he said.

In voting to accept Mr. Buddemeyer’s resignation, the council also directed the town clerk to advertise for his replacement.

Future meetings

The council will next meet on the following dates, all at 7 p.m. at Town Hall: 

• Monday, Sept. 27

• Tuesday, Oct. 12

• Monday, Oct. 25