Blackstone Special Town Meeting Results: November 2025 Vote Breakdown
Only 85 residents turned out for the Blackstone Special Town Meeting on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at the BMR High School Auditorium. Out of 7,956 registered voters, that’s just 1.06% of the town — a small number making big financial and policy decisions for everyone.
This meeting followed up on the Voter’s Guide we shared earlier this month, outlining each article and the supermajority votes required. Here’s how the Blackstone Special Town Meeting results turned out — and what they mean for residents.
Article 1: Water Meter System Upgrade — Failed in May, Passed 64–20–1 (75.3% Yes)
A major turnaround from the May 2025 Annual Town Meeting, when the same $1.5 million water meter upgrade proposal failed to get enough support.
This time, residents voted to approve replacing over 2,800 outdated water meters and upgrading the town’s aging software system. Town officials explained that the current system, now decades old, often produces inaccurate or missing readings, meaning some residents may be overpaying or underpaying for water while the town itself is billed by Woonsocket for water that isn’t being captured appropriately in billing.
The new wireless meters will automatically transmit real-time readings, helping identify leaks early, reducing manual labor for DPW staff, and ensuring everyone pays their fair share based on actual usage.
Funding will come through short-term borrowing via the Water Enterprise Fund, not through property taxes. Officials emphasized that this upgrade will improve accuracy, fairness, and efficiency — all without impacting the tax rate.
Article 2: Federal Street Sidewalk Grant Flexibility — Passed 68–17 (79.1% Yes)
Article 2, concerning a funding adjustment for the Federal Street sidewalk project, sparked visible frustration among attendees. Finance Committee Chair Jeff Silverstein questioned the need for expanding the project, warning that encouraging more pedestrian traffic along a steep, uphill stretch could increase safety risks rather than reduce them. He also raised concerns about future maintenance expenses, potential costs for additional crossing guards, and whether residents had ever requested the project in the first place.
Town officials, including Selectwoman Mary Bulso, countered that the sidewalk project was a priority safety corridor as recommended by Police Chief Gregory Gimore, especially for children and seniors. Supporters urged voters to focus on the procedural nature of the article — it simply allows the town to use Shared Streets grant funds instead of being restricted to the earlier Complete Streets grant.
After nearly fifteen minutes of debate, the article passed by a wide margin.
Article 3: Managing Abandoned Funds — Passed 75–7 (91.5% Yes)
This article streamlines how the town manages uncashed checks and abandoned funds, reducing the waiting period from three years to one. There were no questions and it passed easily, reflecting voter support for more efficient local finance practices.
Article 4: MS4 Stormwater Compliance — Passed 72–10 (87.8% Yes)
Residents approved annual engineering funding to maintain compliance with federal and state stormwater regulations.
Officials reminded attendees that this spending is mandated, not optional, to prevent pollution in local waterways.
Article 5: Senior Center Accessible Van — Amendment Passed 70–13–1 (82.3% Yes); Final Vote Passed 69–17 (80.2% Yes)
Voters first approved an amendment updating the article’s language before passing it overall.
The $150,000 allocation will fund a new handicapped-accessible van for the Blackstone Senior Center, replacing a 2012 model. The town hopes to secure state funding for a second van through an 80% grant match.
Article 6: Sewer Pump Station Maintenance — Passed 75–9 (89.3% Yes)
This change allows existing funds to be used for maintenance and repairs, not just cleaning.
Officials said the flexibility will help keep systems running smoothly without new spending.
Article 7: Limiting Marijuana Establishments — Passed 72–14 (83.7% Yes)
Residents voted to cap the number of marijuana businesses in town at three retailers and three cultivators. The intent, according to officials, is to protect the town from over-saturation as state rules evolve.
Articles 8–14: Paying Prior-Year Bills — Passed 73–5 (93.6% Yes)
BOS Chair Dan Keefe moved to combine Articles 8–14 into one vote, which residents approved. These articles authorized payment of $6,202.77 in bills from prior fiscal years, covering advertisements, planning services, and office expenses.
Recording of the Special Town Meeting on November 8, 2025
A Call to Show Up for Blackstone
The Blackstone Special Town Meeting results prove how much impact a small group of voters can have.
A $1.5 million decision — one that affects every water customer — passed with the support of less than 1% of the town’s voting population.
The conversation online is often loud. But the conversation that counts happens in the room — and too often, that room is nearly empty. Public hearings, budget sessions, and board meetings regularly go unattended. Yet those meetings decide the services, infrastructure, and future of our town.
If you want your voice to matter, show up.
Add the Small Town Post Community Calendar to your phone so you’ll always know when the key town meetings or hearings are scheduled.
Updated at 6PM to include video recording of the Blackstone Special Town Meeting on November 8, 2025.
At Small Town Post, we believe an informed town is a stronger town. Covering events like the Blackstone Special Town Meeting results helps keep neighbors connected to the decisions shaping our community.
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