News

NEWPORT’S RESIDENT TAX RATE RENEWAL PERIOD SET TO BEGIN

Tuesday, December 3, 2024

Renewals, Applications Accepted Jan. 2 – March 15, 2025

NEWPORT, R.I. - Residential property owners currently enrolled in the City’s Two-Tier residential tax rate program will be able to apply for re-enrollment in the resident friendly, money-saving program beginning January 2nd.

Approved applications that are received in the re-enrollment period, which runs from Jan. 2nd until March 15th, 2025, will be valid for the next three (3) tax years – 2025, 2026 and 2027.  For those already enrolled in the program, forms for re-enrollment will be mailed in mid-December and will be available online on the City’s website along with hard copies in the Tax Assessors office.
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SCAM ALERT

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

NEWPORT, R.I. (WEDNESDAY, NOV. 27, 2024) -- The Newport Police Department has received additional reports of phone scams where the caller identifies themselves as a Newport Police Sergeant, Lieutenant, Constable, or Deputy.

These callers are using actual names of our officers that may be familiar.  They say they have “legal documents” that need to be signed.  They often reference an incident involving a sexual assault case where a failure to appear warrant has been issued. 

To cancel the warrant, they then instruct people to purchase a gift card or Bit Coin and provide the codes over the phone. 

Please keep in mind, at no time would the Newport Police Department, City of Newport or any other Law Enforcement or Government Agency request personal information over the phone or have someone purchase a gift card, Bit Coin or any other form of payment.
 
These people are using a computer program called “spoofing”, to make their caller ID appear to be coming from the Newport Police Department.  One of the numbers they have spoofed is 401-847-1306.  This number is listed on-line and does come back to the Newport Police Department. 

The Newport Police Department does not have Deputies and we do not employ the services of Constables.
If anyone receives these calls, we are asking that they please hang up and call 401-847-1306 to report the matter.  A Newport Police employee will answer the phone and will take a report.
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NEWPORT FIRE, POLICE SET TO ESCORT SANTA THROUGH NEWPORT’S NEIGHBORHOODS AGAIN THIS YEAR

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Annual Santa’s Ride to Kick Off Tuesday, Dec. 10th
   
NEWPORT, R.I. (TUESDAY, NOV. 26, 2024) – With the holiday season officially upon us, the City of Newport is once again busy preparing for the return of Santa’s nightly rides.

Santa is scheduled to meet up with Newport’s Fire and Police Departments beginning Tuesday, Dec. 10^th for his annual tour of Newport’s neighborhoods. Read more »

NEWPORT NAMES NEW DEPUTY CITY MANAGER

Friday, November 15, 2024

Longtime Public Servant Michael A. Caruolo Set to Fill New Role
 
NEWPORT, R.I. (FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2024) –The City of Newport on Friday announced the hiring of Michael A. Caruolo as its first Deputy City Manager.

A seasoned public servant with over 32 years of experience, Caruolo spent the first 22 years of his career  with the Newport Police Department, retiring in 2014 with the rank of Lieutenant. For the past decade, he has been the Director of Public Safety and Community Relations at Salve Regina University, where he managed a $1.3 million budget and a team of 32 public safety professionals.
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DIXON STREET TO BE REVERSED NOV. 1st

Monday, October 21, 2024

New Traffic Pattern Set to Take Effect
  
NEWPORT, R.I. (MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2024) – Dixon Street between Thames and Spring Streets will be reversed for motor vehicle traffic beginning November 1^st.

Motorists are advised that new directional signage is being added and road striping will be taking place in advance of the change.

Traffic traveling toward Bellevue Avenue or Spring Street that originates from Thames Street or Wellington Avenue will be re-routed to alternate routes including Narragansett Avenue. Read more »

 Important Utilities Billing Update 

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Following several weeks of delays caused by the transition to a new third-party billing provider, Newport Water Division customers began receiving SEPTEMBER BILLS in the mail this week.

While September bills do not reflect changes made to the Base Sewer Use charge, OCTOBER BILLS  are expected to follow shortly and WILL include credits to all customers impacted by the recently repealed fee.

In sum:
 SEPTEMBER BILLS DO NOT REFLECT BASE SEWER USE CHARGE REPEAL
 CREDITS ARE BEING APPLIED TO OCTOBER BILLS
 SEPTEMBER + OCTOBER BILLS AREN'T DUE UNTIL NOVEMBER 13TH Read more »

NEWPORT COMMUNITY ELECTRICITY ANNOUNCES WINTER RATES

Thursday, October 10, 2024

Savings Expected Over Rhode Island Energy Prices
  
NEWPORT, R.I. (THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2024) –The Newport Community Electricity program is announcing new Winter electricity supply prices to go into effect beginning with the November 2024 meter read. Prices will still remain lower than the utility’s Residential Last Resort Service rate for the default electricity option. The new prices will be fixed for six months through customers’ May 2024 meter read. Current participants do not need to take any action to remain in the program and receive the new pricing for the product in which they are currently enrolled. Read more »

Newport Successfully Implements Mobile Noise Trailers to Enforce Local Noise Ordinance

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

First Citations Handed Out as Part of Noise Camera Program
 
NEWPORT, R.I. (WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2024) – The Newport Police Department (NPD) has intensified its efforts to enforce local noise ordinances with the introduction of a mobile noise enforcement trailer, which became operational in the summer of 2024. This trailer, equipped with advanced sound monitoring technology, is playing a key role in addressing noise complaints on Thames Street. As of October 2024, the department has reviewed 39 potential violations that resulted in 10 warnings and 8 municipal court summonses. Read more »

NEWPORT WELCOMES RESILIENCE & SUSTAINABILITY DIRECTOR

Wednesday, October 2, 2024

Newly created position to oversee three key departments

NEWPORT, R.I. (WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2024) – The City of Newport is pleased to announce the hiring of Teresa Crean as its first Director of Resilience and Sustainability.

Crean, an AICP-Certified Planner who has extensive experience in both municipal and state level leadership roles, will oversee three key City departments: Planning and Economic Development, Public Services, and
Utilities.  Read more »

Council Rescinds Sewer Use Fee

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

NEWPORT, R.I. -- City Councilors held a special Workshop on Utility Billing on Wednesday, Sept. 18th at which they signaled a desire to repeal a new Base Sewer Use charge that had gone into effect on July 1st.

After listening to resident concerns, City Councilors are expected to rescind the base sewer use charge at their meeting next Wednesday, Sept. 25th and revert bills back to the structure that customers had expected prior to the introduction of the base sewer use charge in July.

Here's what else Newport Water Division customers need to know:  Read more »