Beach Commission Takes State Funds Out of Boat Ramp Proposal

The Middletown Beach Commission met Tuesday night to take a final vote on its recommendations to be forwarded to the Town Council for a new boat ramp for Third Beach.

The Middletown Beach Commission has finalized its recommendation for a new Third Beach boat ramp—but without the state funding component that originally anchored the proposal. The advisory board met Tuesday night and unanimously approved the conceptual project points for the Town Council to consider as a replacement solution for the aging and problematic boat ramp. The most dramatic change was the recommendation that the town no longer pursue the 75-percent match grant from the state Department of Environmental Management (DEM) that initially ramped up the project discussions earlier this year. “It is recommended that federal or state funds not be used for the project because it will hinder the ability of the town to set its own parking, …

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Middletown Beach Commission Revamping Boat Ramp Plan

In the wake of public outcry, new plans to replace the aging Third Beach boat ramp are in the works.

In the wake of residents’ outcry over plans to give Third Beach a new boat ramp with a fixed pier system and pump-out station, the Middletown Beach Commission is drafting a scaled-back version that calls for a “more low profile” design. At a meeting held Tuesday at Middletown Town Hall, the Beach Commission reached a consensus to recommend a new plan that, when finalized next month, would result in a new recommendation to be presented to the Planning Board and Town Council. Tuesday's meeting also was attended by several Third Beach neighbors, including the Peabody Family that owns Peabody's Beach on Third Beach Road. Commission Chairman Rian Wilkinson outlined the issues the new proposal is to address: Other commission members suggested …

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5 Things To Know Today

Update: Beach Commission Meeting on Boat Ramp Canceled

Here's a look at what's happening in and around Middletown today.

Update: The Beach Commission meet previously scheduled for 4:30 p.m. to discuss and vote on a proposed new Third Beach Boat Ramp has been canceled.  New student orientations will be held at the Gaudet Middle School and at Middletown High School today. Windmill Wednesday returns to Prescott Farm tonight. See the inside of the 1812 windmill, learn about grist milling and taste johnnycakes. Second and Third beaches reopen today after Hurricane Irene. Get your surf report before heading out. Today’s the deadline to submit artwork to the Norman Bird Sanctuary’s non-juried show, “Something of That Nature,” scheduled for Sept. 9-11. 

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5 Things To Know Today

Today: Boat Ramp Public Hearing, Movie On the Point

Here's a look at happenings in and around Middletown today.

The Middletown Beach Commission will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. on the proposed new boat ramp for Third Beach.   A forum on the news sales tax for tours and sightseeing will be held this morning at 8:30 a.m. at CCRI. Explore Rhode Island's historic lighthouses with a 47-minute documentary at the Jane Pickens Theater, followed by a "sneak peek" film trailer for "America's Forgotten Heroine: Ida Lewis, Keeper of the Light." “Disneynature Oceans” plays at 1 p.m. for the Movie Monday showing at Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge.  On this date in 1950, Althea Gibson became the first African-American player to be accepted to compete in the U.S. national tennis championship at Forest Hills, New York.

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Residents Disagree on Building New Third Beach Boat Ramp

Some worry about what a new boat ramp would do to Third Beach, while others would love to see it happen.

Dozens of Middletown residents turned out at Monday night's Middletown Town Council meeting to speak out or listen to the proposal to replace the Third Beach boat ramp. The council ultimately voted to order further study of the proposal. Here's an overview of what some residents had to say: Opponents or Concerns “We have no money to fund this. None,” Indian Avenue resident Carol Cummings told the council and Brown. She agreed the aging boat ramp is in need of replacement, but called the proposed 200-foot pier with a wheelchair accessible walkway and wastewater dump station “inappropriate” for Third Beach due to its rural and natural state. Easton's Point Association President Sarah Gill was concerned about an increased flow of boat launch …

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