North Kingstown special referendum vote draws massive crowds

NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WLNE) — One of the highest turnouts on election day was in North Kingstown.

There were two questions on the ballot and it drew in more than 4,500 voters to hit the polls Tuesday.

“It is something that has everyone thinking and talking. You obviously notice that as I walked down the street-there signs all the way down-yes, no, yes, no,” said John Fitzgerald, a North Kingstown resident.

Question one on the referendum asked voters if they are in favor of the construction of a new middle school and a new public safety complex.

Question two asked voters to vote for or against the construction of a new indoor recreation center and emergency shelter.

Advocates from both sides were outside the polling location at the Beechwood Senior Center all day to encourage voters to make their voices heard.

“Vote no because we want these projects to go forward at some point, but we just don’t think the plans are in place so we just want more time to be given to them,” said Megan Reilly of North Kingstown.

“We can afford schools that we are proud of. Same thing for the recreation center, having a place for people to go and enjoy themselves, that is a really important thing, too,” Tom Sgouros, another North Kingstown resident added.

Voters shared concerns over what this vote means for their wallets.

“We want to keep our taxes lower, but especially this time. When these bonds issues were put on the ballot, the interest rates were at like two percent — now they are at eight percent. I don’t think these bond issues consider the huge increase and the finance rate for these buildings,” said George Chase, of North Kingstown.