Turf, Wickford El. Renovation Shot Down in Special Election

9:40 p.m.  North Kingstown voters have denied two of the three questions on the Sept. 13 special election. Both questions to approve a $850,000 bond to install an artificial turf at McGinn Park and a $3.85-million bond to convert Wickford Elementary School into a joint town hall and school administration buliding were shot down in landslide votes.

The artificial turf at McGinn was denied by 74 percent of voters with 1,327 votes. The Wickford Elementary Scool conversion was also shot down with 62 percent of the vote.

Voters approved question three, allowing the town to sell Wickford Elementary School in the event that the aforementioned bond was not approved, with 55 percent of the vote.

Overall, voter turnout was only nine percent with 1,795 ballots cast.

3:46 p.m.  With less than four hours before polls close, voter turnout for today's special election appears to be low. As of 3 p.m., fewer than 1,000 voters had cast a ballot between North Kingstown's two poll locations.

At (for voting districts 1 through 6 and 9), only 365 voters came out as of 3 p.m. At Cold Spring Community Center (for the remaining voting districts), the figure was 601.

"It actually seems a little bit busier than anticipated," said Robert Babat, moderator for the polls at Cold Spring Community Center. Poll workers saw a rush around lunch time and again at 2 p.m., said Babat. They anticipate another rush around dinner.

At Davisville Middle, things have been steady but slow, said one poll worker.

Polls close at 8 p.m. tonight. The three questions on today's ballot are:

1. $850,000 bond issue to finance the installation of artificial turf and make improvements to Field.
2. $3.85-million bond to convert into a joint town hall and school administration building. 
3. Would give the North Kingstown Town Council the authority to sell the school in the event the bonds are not issued.

Check back with North Kingstown Patch for the results as they become available.