Town Council Authorizes Conditional Purchase and Sales Agreement with SK Land Trust for a Parcel of Land to Site Emergency Medical Services Ambulance Facility
On Monday January 10th, the South Kingstown Town Council authorized the Interim Town Manager to enter into a Purchase and Sales Agreement with the South Kingstown Land Trust for the conditional purchase of a portion of land located on Ministerial Road (intersecting at Post Road), for siting of an Emergency Medical Services ambulance facility. The authorized sale price of $10,000 is contingent upon full due diligence by the Town including public engagement, site suitability review, and permitting of the proposed facility at the site.
The Land Trust’s offer to sell a portion of the Ministerial Road parcel was presented to the Town after discussion between the Town and Land Trust initially began concerning proposed construction of an EMS Facility on the Union Fire District property located on Matunuck Schoolhouse Road. The Land Trust was not legally able to provide an easement on its Weeden Farm property that directly abuts the UFD station on Matunuck Schoolhouse Road, leading to the Town and Land Trust staff discussing and exploring other locational options. Ultimately, Land Trust Executive Director Julia Landstreet indicated that the Land Trust Board of Directors unanimously voted to approve the offer of the unrestricted Ministerial Road parcel, recognizing the community need and acknowledging that an EMS facility clearly contributes to the “greater good” in South Kingstown and is consistent with the Land Trust’s overall mission.
Until the due diligence process on the Ministerial Road property is completed, the Town has requested to remain involved with the Union Fire District’s application for construction of a new fire station and EMS facility at the Matunuck Schoolhouse Road location, which received a favorable recommendation from the Planning Board in November. This project is scheduled to go before the Zoning Board on January 19th,2022.
Interim Town Manager, Theresa Murphy, stated “the Town is extremely fortunate to have two fully invested community partners in the Union Fire District and the South Kingstown Land Trust, with sincere interest in contributing to meeting a critical need in the community. In this instance, the ‘greater good’ is ensuring emergency medical services, that meet acceptable response times, are available to all residents. ”
The Town plans to continue with the due diligence process on the Ministerial Road parcel over the next several weeks.