FAX:  401-233-1091

LOCATION:  The Town Engineer's Office is located in Town Hall, 64 Farnum Pike, on the lower level. 

FUNCTION:  The Town Engineer’s Office acts as the technical branch of the Town’s government reporting to the Town Manager and the Public Works Director.  The main responsibilities of this office include:

• Plan review, permitting and enforcement of the Soil Erosion, Earth Removal, Stump Removal, Landscape Ordinances and Sewer ordinances.
• Administer Flood Plain map interpretation for both citizens and Town departments.
• Provide engineering design, drafting (CAD), cost estimates, specifications and construction inspection for various Town projects.
• Review all zoning site plans in conformance with the Town’s Zoning Ordinance.
  Provide inspections for all subdivisions and developments requiring soil erosion approval.
• Perform topographical surveys for Public Works related projects.
• Perform construction management on projects assigned by the Town Manager.
• Develop Requests for Proposals (RFP) and bid documents for professional services and construction projects.
• Review plans for all road-opening permits on State highways.
• Review and comment on all RI DOT road plans and formal RI DEM applications on town wide projects.
• Submit wetland applications to RI DEM for in-house design projects.
• Manage the administration of the Sewer Authority Office.
• Authorize all sewer permits and proposals.
• Capital Improvements Planning for Engineering and Sewer Department projects.
• Maintain accurate records of land development projects for public records.
• Responsible for compliance with RI DEM Phase II storm water management program.  Annual reports due each year to RI DEM. Please see our Storm Water Management document for more information on public education and involvement.

• Secure and administer grant related projects relevant to Public Works projects.

Forms
The following forms are available on the Forms page:
Drain Layer Application
Drain Layer License Procedure
Soil Erosion Application
Sewer Connection Permit Application

Documents
Sewer Authority Facilities Plan Amendment-Public Hearing
RIPDES MS4 Annual Report Year 6

Frequently Asked Questions

I went to the Building Official’s Office for a building permit and he sent me over to see you, what do I need from your department in order to get a building permit?
You are required to file a Soil Erosion Application prior to issuance of a building permit.  Commercial and Industrial construction all require approval of the Town’s Landscape Ordinance.  File a Soil Erosion Application and a determination will be made if the project is applicable to the ordinance.  If it is applicable then we require a plan conforming to the soil erosion checklist. 

You can download or view a Soil Erosion Application in Adobe Acrobat PDF format on the Forms page.

I am planning a construction project, what will I need before I start in order to get my building permit?
You may schedule a meeting between the Building Official and the Town Engineer to discuss what permits are required prior to issuance of a building permit.

I have an approved soil erosion plan for a subdivision and I am under construction. I have run into some problems, what do you suggest?
I will meet with you in the field to review the conditions. 

I want to construct a building on a certain road within the town and I do not know what utilities are available?
The Town Engineer’s office will be able to determine if sewers are available and which water district you are in.  You should contact the respective utility company for natural gas, telephone, electric, cable, etc. information. 

A person next door to my house is cutting down trees.  Could you please come out to see what they are doing and do they have permission to do that?
Certainly, we will investigate the complaint and determine if a permit is required.  If permits are required then we will stop the work until all permits are obtained, both local and state. 

There has been blasting next door to my house and my whole house is shaking, do you know what is going on?
Copies of all State Fire Marshall issued blasting permits are recorded in the Town Clerk’s Office.  Was there any damage to your house?  I have noticed some cracking in the walls.  The blasting company will be contacted and they will have a representative from their company contact you to send someone to your house to examine the damage.  Furthermore, I will have the blasting company set a seismograph next to your house to monitor all future blasts.  If you know a development is going in near you, attend meetings and ask that a pre-blast survey be conducted on your residence.  Better yet, film your residence yourself prior to blasting and construction.  Protect your assets!