Westerly
5 stories from Westerly, Rhode Island
Westerly Council Weighs Limiting Unhosted Short-Term Rentals to Three Zoning Districts
A Westerly Town Council subcommittee wants to limit "unhosted" short-term rentals — where the owner is not on site — to three coastal zoning districts. The July 27 discussion exposed a sharp split over whether existing rentals would be grandfathered, whether Watch Hill and Shelter Harbor should be included, and whether the town is inviting lawsuits.
By Adriana Vossari | August 3, 2026
Westerly Council Adopts One-Year Data Center Moratorium, Sends Four Charter Questions to November Ballot
Westerly councilors adopted a one-year data center moratorium and sent four Town Charter questions to the November 3 ballot after a long, contentious debate over how council vacancies get filled.
By Adriana Vossari | August 2, 2026
Westerly Council Adopts Odd-Even Water Rules, Weighs Charter Changes and Delays Harbor Commission Vote
Westerly's Town Council approved emergency odd-even watering rules after a water main break strained the town's supply, while also debating charter changes, stalling a Harbor Management Commission appointment over a procedural dispute, and advancing a one-year data center moratorium.
By Adriana Vossari | July 14, 2026
Westerly Board Approves Slate of Summer Events, Fields Noise Complaint Over Extended Live Music
Westerly's licensing board approved a summer's worth of festival, fundraiser and liquor licenses, plus extended hours for two Dunn's Corners businesses — and heard a resident's complaint that a bar blew past its live-music hours on July 5.
By Adriana Vossari | July 10, 2026
Westerly Bans All Outdoor Watering as Drought and Heat Strain Water System
Westerly imposed a total ban on outdoor water use after residents near Westerly Hospital and in Dunn's Corners and Robin Hills reported low or no water pressure — a local emergency unfolding just days after Rhode Island declared its first statewide drought watch since 2002.
By Kelly Lockhart | July 4, 2026