NK To Retain Animal Shelter, Possibly Curbside Recycling

The North Kingstown Animal Shelter will live another year, according Town Manager Michael Embury. Another big ticket cut from this year's budget, the elimination of curbside recycling, may also survive another round.

Embury had originally planned to cut the shelter, saving the town $119,881, and send any animals to South Kingstown's new facility. Unfortunately, due to a problem with the building's HVAC unit, SK's facility won't be fully operational until August.

Curbside recycling which, according to Embury, has appeared on the chopping block for several years, would save the town an estimated $676,385.

"It's a big ticket item," said Embury. "We're going to go through and try to economize other services to keep it."

After this budget year, however, the fate of curbside looks to become even more questionable when the contract with Coastal Reycling, Inc. expires. Embury anticipates the cost of curbside recycling will jump by "$50,ooo to $100,000" when they go out to bid for a new vendor.

At the time, Embury is unsure what the town will cut to balance out the nearly $800,000 in cuts lost by retaining both services. He expects to have an update at the Town Council's April 6 meeting.