May 25, 2017 Foster Town Council Meeting

STATE BEACHES OPEN DAILY BEGINNING THIS SATURDAY

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

PROVIDENCE – All state beaches will be open daily, beginning this Saturday, May 27.  Reduced parking fees remain in effect, with daily parking rates of $6.00 for residents on weekdays and $7.00 on weekends and holidays. A season pass is $30.00 and, through September 4, will be available for purchase at all state beaches. 

Rhode Island’s network of historic parks, beaches, bikeways and recreational facilities continues to promote quality of life and attract people and businesses to locate in the state.  According to the Outdoor Industry Association, outdoor recreation generates $2.4 billion in consumer spending and supports 24,000 jobs each year.  A recent study conducted by the University of Rhode Island found that State-managed parks and bikeways alone contribute $311 million to the economy and support 3,700 jobs and nine million visits annually. Last year, Governor Raimondo convened the Rhode Island Outdoor Recreation Council – with membership from state and local government, industry and community – to develop an actionable vision for promoting and growing outdoor recreation in Rhode Island.  The Council released its Final Report last December, highlighting the importance of the network to Rhode Island’s economic and cultural vitality and the need for additional investment.  In anticipation of this year’s summer season, improvements are underway across several State recreational facilities, including:    

Lincoln Woods State Park – The new beach pavilion, offering fully accessible restrooms and showers and an expanded nature center and concessions, opens Saturday. In addition to modernizing visitor amenities at the beach, the pavilion will greatly improve energy efficiency and enhance water quality in Olney Pond. Three new buildings, connected by a central plaza, were constructed.

 

Scarborough North and South State Beach – New restroom and shower facilities at Scarborough North are open, and new plantings have been installed in flower beds at Scarborough North and Scarborough South. 

 

George Washington Memorial Campground – New restroom and shower facilities are available.

 

Fisherman’s Memorial Campground – Tennis and basketball courts have been resurfaced.  And new tennis nets, hoops and backboards have been installed. 

Non-surf state beaches – including Burlingame State Park and Campground in Charlestown, Pulaski Memorial Recreation Area in Glocester, Fort Adams State Park in Newport, and Goddard Memorial State Park in Warwick – will also be open daily, beginning Saturday, May 27. 

Non-resident parking is $12 on weekdays and $14 on weekends and holidays.  A season pass is $60 for non-residents.  A 50-percent discount on daily parking fees and season passes applies for senior citizens 65 years and older.  Fees are based solely on the vehicle registration (i.e. license plate) of each vehicle entering beach facilities. All Rhode Island-registered vehicles will be subject to resident parking rates; non-Rhode Island plates will be subject to non-resident rates.  By law, a “vehicle” is defined as any street-legal equipment, motorized or non-motorized, properly registered for over-the-road travel. 

DEM continues to accept applications for qualified lifeguards for state beach facilities. Entry level and senior lifeguard positions are available at numerous locations throughout the state. All lifeguard positions require certification and special training in first aid, CPR, and senior lifesaving. For more information about available positions, visit www.riparks.com. For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM or on Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM) for timely updates.

WOODSTOCK FAIR ANNOUNCES MAIN STAGE LINEUP FOR 2017

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

WOODSTOCK, CT. — The Main Stage lineup for the 157th annual Woodstock Fair,  always Labor Day weekend, at the intersection of Routes 169 and 171 in South Woodstock, CT. has been set.
Pop stars Wilson Phillips and country rocker Scotty McCreery will headline the offerings for the 2017 Fair which takes place Sept. 1 through Sept. 4. 
Wilson Phillips will perform on Sunday, Sept. 3 at 8 p.m. 
The legendary group features Carnie and Wendy Wilson, the daughters of Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, and Chynna Phillips, the daughter of John and Michelle Phillips of The Mamas & the Papas.
The trio hit No. 1 on the music charts with their songs “Hold On,” “Release Me,” and “You’re in Love.”
McCreery was the winner of the 10th season of American Idol in 2011. 
Since then, he has gone on to release three songs, “See you Tonight,” “I Love You This Big,” and “The Trouble with Girls,” that all broke the top 20 in the country charts. His newest single, “5 more minutes” has just been released.
McCreery will put the finishing touches on the 2017 Fair when he takes to the stage at 4 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 4.
Billy Gilman, a childhood star from Hope Valley, R.I. whose debut single “One Voice” was a Top 20 country single in 2000, will be the first headliner to perform at the Fair.
Gilman will take to the stage on Friday, Sept. 1 at 8 p.m. 
Gilman’s career received a boost this past year when he competed on the hit NBC television show, “The Voice.”
Gilman was a part of Team Adam Levine last fall and finished as the runner up for the 11th season of the show.

Camping World Purchases Gander Mountain

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

In March, Gander Mountain announced it had filed for bankruptcy and unveiled plans to close 32 stores in 11 states. As part of its filing, the chain was placed up for auction. The winning bidder? Camping World.According to media reports, Camping World Holdings, best known for its retail stores focused on RV and camping gear, bid $38 million for Gander Mountain’s assets and the deal requires Camping World to assume the leases on just 17 Gander Mountain stores. The fate of the rest of the chain’s 160 stores is unknown. A Wall Street Journal report quoted CEO Marcus Lemonis stating that at least half of the Gander Mountain stores will close. In a media release, Lemonis said “only those stores which are profitable or we believe to have a clear path to profitability” will survive the sale.

Lemonis also said Camping World intends to “refine the inventory selection” – which would seem to mean less hunting, fishing and guns, particularly since the bankruptcy plan indicates that much of the inventory will be liquidated.

Tour Historic New England museums for free during Open House

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Tour Historic New England museums for free during Open House

Rhode Island   Just click on location.

Arnold House

Casey Farm

Clemence-Irons House

Watson Farm

Glocester News of Interest...

Posted by Wayne G. Barber 

ATTENTION: ALL GLOCESTER RESIDENTS      POSTED MAY 5, 2017Due to the growing amount of trash and litter on our town roads and in our ponds and streams, all trash being hauled in open truck beds or trailers must be secured (R.I.G.L. 31-25-10). Many of our residents have voiced a concern to the Town Council regarding the trash/litter problem in Glocester. The Council believes that asking residents to secure their trash when hauling to the transfer station will help eliminate the amount of trash on the roads and in our ponds.

Please do your part to KEEP GLOCESTER CLEAN AND GREEN. Help us clean up our roadways and ponds by doing your part and be sure your trash is secure.

Thank you to all residents who actively pick up litter on our roads and properties. Let’s all work together and continue to KEEP GLOCESTER CLEAN AND GREEN.

— The Glocester Town Council

Foster Planning Board Meeting May 3, 2017