#MiddletownRI approves a new maintenance agreement with the Coastal Resources Management Council and Middletown Coastal Access Alliance to make sure a number of state designated rights-of-way to the water are open and accessible to the public.
NEW RIGHTS-OF-WAY MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT
IN PLACE IN MIDDLETOWN
MIDDLETOWN, RI (APRIL 15, 2025) – There’s a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) guiding the “Adopt-An-Access” program for state designated rights-of-way to the water in Middletown.
At a recent meeting in Town Hall, the Town Council unanimously approved the three-page document between the town, the state Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) and the Middletown Coastal Access Alliance (MCAA).
Local leaders said the goal was to solidify a formal agreement for the MCAA to take an active role maintaining and overseeing the state designated rights-of-way. Previously, Clean Ocean Access handled those responsibilities, but stopped when it closed in early 2024.
Speaking to the council, MCAA member Melissa Welch said the group was relatively new and looking forward to assisting the community.
“Our goals are to preserve, protect and maintain the rights-of-way that provide public access to the coastal waters of Middletown…” Welch said. “We seek to be kind of an umbrella organization to bring together individuals and groups and people who are just interested in using and protecting our rights-of-way.”
“Thank you! This is a great idea,” Councilor Dennis Turano said. “Clean Ocean Access did leave a pretty big gap there with what they were able to do and I look forward to supporting this.”
The new MOU oversee the following state designated rights-of-way:
- CRMC Y-3 at Shore Drive
- CRMC Y-5 at southeast Esplanade
- CRMC Y-6 at Taggarts Ferry Road
- CRMC Y-7 at Kingfisher Avenue
- CRMC Y-9 at the west end of Purgatory Road
- CRMC Y-10 at Shore Drive
Middletown, CRMC and the Clambake Club of Newport have a similar maintenance agreement for Y-11 right-of-way on Tuckerman Avenue across from Wolcott Avenue. To see a copy of that agreement, visit https://mdl.town/CRMC-MOU-Y11 online.
The language of the MCAA MOU makes it clear the CRMC “agrees to assume primary responsibility for the implementation and operation of the program, but not limited to serving as the Program Administrator.”
It goes onto say that per state law, the CRMC will have the primary responsibility for prosecuting violations “related to blocking or posting” at state designated rights-of-way.
Per the agreement, the town assumes the primary responsibility for maintaining the rights-of-way. This includes tasking the MCAA with making sure the affected state designated rights-of-way are safe, open and accessible to the public at all times.
The MOU indicated the MCAA will monitor each state designated right-of-way at least once a month and keep a written report of its findings. The condition of each right-of-way, problems and activities must be included — at a minimum.
The MCAA must perform at least two clean-up events a year at the state designated rights-of-way and coordinate trash removal with the town.
The recently formed nonprofit group must also submit at least two reports a year to the Town Council and CRMC, outlining their findings. The MCAA must keep active communication going with the town about site maintenance, potential improvements and reporting potential or actual problems.
Importantly, the MOU makes it clear the town will be covered by limited liability protections under the law for the public use of private lands.
To view the MOU, visit https://mdl.town/CMRC-MOU online. Welch said in coming weeks, the MCAA would be launching a new website where people could learn more about the group.
She said volunteers monitoring the state designated rights-of-way will be able to load reports using their smartphones, making the process as smooth and simple as possible.
Document Link:
About Middletown
The Town of Middletown is a vibrant municipality located on Aquidneck Island, known for its scenic beauty, historic landmarks, diverse economy and strong sense of community. For more information about all we have to offer, visit MiddletownRI.gov online.
Media Contact
Matt Sheley
Public Affairs Officer
401-842-6543
msheley@middletownri.gov