Cheers and applause echoed through the Block Island School as the island wide broadband project was overwhelmingly approved this past week at the annual Financial Town Meeting. That was about the only noise made at the meeting, which took place on Monday, July 27, as voters had almost no questions or concerns about the budgets and bond issues presented.
The vote on the broadband issue allows the town to borrow “up to $8 million” for the project. After the broadband vote, more than half the attendees left the meeting. Town Moderator Doug Michel had to remind the vacating voters to social distance on their way out.
Two other bond issues were approved, one for the High Street/Payne Road water main replacement project at $1.3 million, and a roads upgrade project for $1 million. The 2021 municipal budget of $15,241,210 was also approved by voters.
The annual Financial Town Meeting, normally held in May, was postponed to July due to health and safety guidelines included in the town’s emergency ordinance that was passed back in March.
Inside and outside the Block Island School, where the meeting was held to accommodate physical distancing requirements, chairs had been strategically placed in
