What'sUpNewp Podcast

About What'sUpNewp Podcast

From the award-winning team behind What'sUpNewp, the What'sUpNewp Podcast brings you interesting and exciting conversations from Newport, Rhode Island & beyond. whatsupnewp.substack.com (https://whatsupnewp.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast)

Publisher

Ryan Belmore

Category

arts · news

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

7 May 2020

Latest episode

30 Oct 2024

Latest episodes

114 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   30 Oct 2024

   Newport School Superintendent provides updates on Rogers High School Construction and teacher negotiations

   Newport Schools Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain provided updates on several key issues during her monthly interview with What's Up Newp on Wednesday. The new Rogers High School construction project is progressing well, Jermain said. The building's exterior is nearly finished, with brick work almost complete and utilities being connected. "It's a stunning building," Jermain said. "It really is as far as the natural sunlight that comes into it." Interior work is underway, including painting, gym flooring, and auditorium seating. Furniture bids are in final review and expected to be settled by March or April, with deliveries starting in May. Teachers have begun preparing for the move, with some already receiving boxes for personal items. Professional development on new technology is ongoing. The school is set to open in September 2025, with the current junior class slated to be the first to graduate from the new building. Finances for the project remain a concern. The school building committee has requested just under $3 million from the city council to complete the project, down from earlier estimates. "We're really sharpening the pencils," Jermain said. "We're really getting down to nitty gritty and in the weeds to save as much as possible for everyone." On teacher negotiations, Jermain reported that the teachers' union has requested a new arbitrator, replacing Judge Frank Flaherty. The school committee will discuss this development in executive session next week. "At this point in time, I believe the school committee has requested our attorney to find a new arbitrator as soon as possible and get dates," Jermain said. Despite ongoing negotiations, Jermain said school activities appear to be running normally, with teachers participating in after-school programs and events. "If you saw interactions between me and the teachers and all of us, I don't think you'd think there was anything going on," she said. The superintendent also discussed a recent survey of families regarding the potential relocation of fifth grade to Pell Elementary School. About 69% of respondents supported the idea. Jermain cited declining enrollment and curriculum alignment as reasons for considering the move. She noted that the fifth-grade curriculum at Thompson Middle School is the same as what's used at Pell. "We also think possibly for some families and for some children developmentally, maturity wise, et cetera, that it's a better age to keep at the elementary level," Jermain said. If implemented, the change would not occur before the 2026-27 school year. Jermain also addressed student absenteeism, reporting improvements but acknowledging more work is needed. "We still have a lot of work to do," she said. "We really do still need everyone to emphasize the importance of attendance at school every day for all of us." Looking ahead, Jermain noted several upcoming events, including girls soccer quarterfinals, girls tennis semifinals, and parent-teacher conferences on Nov. 7 from noon to 5 p.m. at all schools. The superintendent encouraged parents to bring their children when voting to set a good example. "Whatever happens in the results of the election, schools will remain open and we will continue to do our best to deliver high quality instruction for our students," Jermain said. Public tours of the new Rogers High School are expected to begin in summer 2025, a few months before its scheduled opening. Watch The Conversation This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whatsupnewp.substack.com/subscribe (https://whatsupnewp.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)

2. 

   22 Oct 2024

   Rep. Carson outlines legislative priorities for upcoming session

   State Representative Lauren Carson is gearing up for the upcoming legislative session, with a focus on short-term rentals and aging policy as key priorities. The Newport Democrat, who is running unopposed for reelection, outlined her plans during an interview with What'sUpNewp on Tuesday, October 22. Carson chairs two study commissions created by the House in 2023 - one on short-term rentals and another on aging policy. Both were extended to next year. "We have another year on both of those," Carson said. "I think the short-term rental one may be resolved sooner, but the aging one does need all of its time." The short-term rental commission has examined issues including fire safety, insurance requirements, and municipal ordinances. Carson said the group is now moving toward policy recommendations. "Where we move now, probably after the first of the year, is some kind of set of policy recommendations," she said. Carson emphasized the distinction between state and municipal authority on short-term rentals. She noted that municipalities have strong zoning powers, while the state may address issues like insurance requirements. "We have to look at what's in the state bucket, what's in the municipal bucket, and proceed from there," Carson said. On aging policy, Carson is working to develop a master plan similar to those in Vermont and Massachusetts. The commission has examined topics including transportation, housing, and internet access for older residents. "My hope is next year that we will come out with some kind of guidance for a uniform plan as we move toward the year 2030, where there will be a lot more aging people," Carson said. She noted that Rhode Island has about 250,000 residents over 60, with that number expected to increase by 30,000 to 40,000 in the next five years. Carson also discussed the upcoming legislative session, which begins Jan. 7. She plans to conduct her annual constituent survey in January and likely hold a meeting to discuss the feedback. "I'm already planning to go to the state house that week," Carson said. "That's when I'll be meeting with the attorneys and drafting bills." Carson expects housing to remain a priority for House leadership. She also anticipates challenges with the state budget. "The budget is going to be a challenge," Carson said. "It was a challenge this past year. It was a challenge because, you know, we had, when we use the federal Covid money, the leadership in the House was very specific that we attempt not to spend it on reoccurring expenses in the budget." Carson urged Newport voters to support two bond measures on the November ballot. Question 6 is a $98.5 million bond for various city infrastructure projects. Question 5 is an arts bond that would provide funding for the Newport Contemporary Ballet's new facility on Broadway. "These are real things. These are real issues," Carson said of the projects in the city bond. "We need to figure it. We need to pass this thing and get some money into these infrastructure improvements." Carson encouraged constituents to reach out with concerns or questions. She can be contacted through her website, laurencarson.com (http://laurencarson.com), or by phone. "I do, you know, I'm available," Carson said. "People will call me and they'll go, 'You answered.' I'll be like, 'Yeah, I did.' And then they'll say, 'I thought like your secretary would answer.' I don't have one. I'm it." Watch The Conversation Coming Up on Thursday WUN-ON-ONE: A conversation with Trudy Coxe, CEO & Executive Director of The Preservation Society of Newport County (https://whatsupnewp.com/2024/10/wun-on-one-a-conversation-with-trudy-coxe-ceo-executive-director-of-the-preservation-society-of-newport-county/) Trudy Coxe, CEO & Executive Director of The Preservation Society of Newport County, will join WUN for a conversation on Thursday at 10:30 am. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whatsupnewp.substack.com/subscribe (https://whatsupnewp.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)

3. 

   16 Oct 2024

   Newport City Manager addresses utility billing, early voting, and bond referendum

   Newport City Manager Colin Kennedy addressed several pressing issues during his monthly chat with What'sUpNewp on Wednesday, October 16, including utility billing concerns, early voting procedures, and the upcoming bond referendum. Kennedy reassured residents about the delayed September utility bills, urging them to wait for the October bills before taking action. "The October bills will have the effect of stabilizing the billing," Kennedy said. He explained that the October bills, expected to arrive by Thursday or Friday, will contain credits for overcharges in August and September. "We don't want people to get used to that," Kennedy cautioned, referring to the potentially small October bills resulting from the credits. He emphasized that normal billing should resume in November. Early voting for the upcoming election began Wednesday, with a temporary location change due to elevator maintenance at City Hall. "We are on the ground floor of city hall because of the malfunction of our elevator," Kennedy explained. Voting will take place in a conference room accessible from street level, open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on normal business days through Nov. 4. Kennedy expressed some hope that City Hall's elevator would be up and running again soon. "Our goal is to make it [the elevator] available before the first city council meeting of the new term, which I believe is on December 11," Kennedy said. The city manager devoted significant time to discussing Question 6 on the ballot, a $98.5 million bond referendum. Kennedy framed the bond as "insurance" against potential future costs, particularly those related to climate change and infrastructure repairs. "Within one to three years, because of all the impacts of climate change, that bulkhead is going to fail," Kennedy said, referring to the Perrotti Park bulkhead. He estimated the cost to replace it at about $20 million. Kennedy argued that passing the bond would spread costs over 30 years, resulting in a smaller tax increase compared to potential emergency funding scenarios. "I would much rather be able to borrow funds from an authorized bond referendum and spread that cost out over 30 years at a very small rate of tax increase," he said. The city manager highlighted several projects that could benefit from the bond, including beach nourishment at Easton's Beach and stormwater control in the north end. He emphasized the potential for leveraging bond funds to secure additional grants, potentially doubling or tripling available funds for some projects. Addressing concerns about the bond's similarity to the 2020 Rogers High School bond, Kennedy clarified, "This is a general obligation bond. It is not a bond that's for a single project." He stressed that the allocations are "just a roadmap" and that the City Council would approve each bond sale individually. Kennedy also touched on the ongoing rate study for water, stormwater, and wastewater services. "We're hiring a professional consultant to help us drive towards that end state, so that in the future, we're able to get the revenue we need, but do it in a more equitable way," he explained. Regarding climate change skepticism, Kennedy took a pragmatic approach. "From my perspective, I don't particularly care how that happened," he said. "My responsibility as a city manager is to look into the data, is to acknowledge the fact that these are things that are measured and are happening." As the interview concluded, Kennedy encouraged residents to vote early at City Hall or at their normal precinct sites on Nov. 5 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. He reiterated that October utility bills would be arriving soon, containing explanations of the applied credits. "I respectfully request a little more patience from our residents," Kennedy said. "They'll see those very soon, and I believe that they'll feel made whole at that point." City Manager Kennedy will join What'sUpNewp next on November 20 at 10 am. Watch The Conversation Resources * Utility Billing: For more information, clarification, and updates, click here (https://www.cityofnewport.com/en-us/news/archives/important-utilities-billing-update). * Question 6: For more information on the Newport bond question, click here (https://www.cityofnewport.com/en-us/city-hall/cityinitiatives/2024-general-obligation-bond). * Voting: The City of Newport's 2024 Election Guide is here (https://www.cityofnewport.com/en-us/files/canvassing/electionguide-(1)). To see your sample ballot and find your polling location, click here (https://vote.sos.ri.gov/). This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whatsupnewp.substack.com/subscribe (https://whatsupnewp.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)