The Newport City Council on Wednesday night approved a resolution supporting the design and construction planning for the Middle Passage Port Marker Memorial at a new location on state-owned land at America’s Cup Avenue.
The council also backed a resolution to install a flagpole at Murphy Field in honor of Private Michael Murphy, a World War I veteran killed in action in 1918.
The council heard a presentation from the Newport Prevention Coalition about concerns regarding hemp-derived THC beverages being sold in local liquor stores with minimal regulation.
Grace Ragozzino, representing the Newport Prevention Coalition, presents examples of THC-infused beverages currently sold in liquor stores throughout Aquidneck Island.
“The biggest issue that the Prevention Coalition has found is that these are not regulated by the FDA,” Ragozzino explained. “You can see on the labels of the cans that it says not FDA approved.”
Ragozzino highlights concerns about underage access to these products, noting that ID checking at liquor stores is typically less stringent than at cannabis dispensaries.
“When you go to a dispensary, you have your ID checked at the door, you have it checked possibly again when you’re paying for your product and your information gets entered into a system,” she said. “With these, they’re flying off the shelves. So we’re not sure who necessarily is buying them, how fast they’re being consumed.”
Council members expressed concern about the marketing of these products, with Councilor Carlin noting they are “designed to get the attention of those who are not only under 21, but under 18, under 16, 12 and under.”
The council received the communication from the Newport Prevention Coalition and discussed potential future action, though they acknowledged that regulation would need to come from the state level.
In a significant vote, the council unanimously approves a resolution supporting the Newport Middle Passage Port Marker Memorial concept and proposed location on state-owned land at America’s Cup Avenue.
The memorial, which honors those who endured the transatlantic slave trade, had previously been planned for Liberty Square but faced opposition. The new location on America’s Cup Avenue offers greater visibility.
“This has been discussed for a long time and we’re trying to find the right place,” says Council Chair Holder. “I think this plot of land, even though it’s state-owned, and thank you to the state for working with us, is a great place. I think it’s going to have more visibility from tourists and residents.”
Councilor Pinnock added, “I just want to thank you very much, Mrs. J, Mrs. Fern Lima. I’m up here because of women like you both. I stand on your shoulders.”
The council also approved a resolution requesting a flagpole be installed at Murphy Field in honor of Private Michael Murphy, who was killed in action in World War I on October 30, 1918.
Anselm Richards, commander of VFW Post 406, explains that Murphy Field was officially named for Private Murphy in 1932, but the signage currently says “Michael Murphy Field” rather than “Private Michael G. Murphy Field.”
“VFW Post 406 is undertaking a quite substantial financial campaign to support this action to have the proper renaming of Murphy Field to be named Private Michael G. Murphy Field, as well as a flagpole erected similar to the flagpole that we know is in Morton Park,” Richards said.
The council received a presentation on the 2025 Safety Action Plan, which provides data and implementation strategies to support the city’s previously adopted Vision Zero goal of zero traffic deaths or serious injuries by 2034.
Shawna Kitzman of Jewel Design presented the plan, which identifies priority corridors including Broadway, Memorial Boulevard, America’s Cup Avenue, Bellevue Avenue, Ames Street, and Toro Street.
“The Plan itself has four strategies supported by 43 actions,” Kitzman explained. “The actions relate to policy, process, roadway design, enforcement and community education.”
The council also discussed a memorandum regarding the prohibition of new non-owner occupied short-term rentals, with several members expressing concerns about the impact of short-term rentals on housing availability.
Tyler Bernadyn, a resident, argued against a ban on short-term rentals, suggesting they provide economic benefits to the community.
“Banning short-term rentals will not create year-round housing,” Bernadyn said. “Most properties currently operating as short-term rentals will not suddenly become affordable homes.”
However, Councilor Napolitano countered, “Short-term rentals have come in. We’re losing families. Our schools are losing student population. I personally think a short-term rental ought to be charged as a commercial piece of property.”
Emily Conklin shared her personal experience of being displaced when her rental unit in a commercially zoned property was converted to a short-term rental.
“I lived in a commercial area that was my full-time housing for five years and it was taken away,” she said.
The council approved several other items, including special event licenses, valet parking licenses, sidewalk cafe licenses, entertainment licenses, and amendments to various ordinances related to smoking prohibitions.
The meeting concluded with the council approving an amended resolution regarding resident parking stickers, clarifying that they should be available to those who reside in residential dwelling units as defined by the City of Newport, regardless of whether they own or rent their homes.
