A quick shout out is warranted for members of Warren’s Town Council and two local residents, who during their monthly meeting held last week helped restore faith that even one or two people can make a difference in how their local government operates.

The issue started last month with a slate of proposed amendments to some local ordinances. This paper covered the proposed amendments, which passed through a first reading without much discussion, save for some rational clarifications made (such as ensuring that people who accidentally fall asleep at the Town Beach while sunbathing don’t potentially face a fine for sleeping in public; kudos for that, too).

The issue came about with good intentions on behalf of those proposing the amendment. The request was to change the hours allowable for swimming in local waters, such as the Kickemuit River, from a strictly defined 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. prohibited period, to a more adjustable “sunset to sunrise” period.

The change was proposed in the name of public safety, because swimming at night can be dangerous (as demonstrated by some recent tragic examples of drownings occurring in other Rhode Island towns and other New England communities), and the new verbiage would enable a more accurate accounting of when it actually gets dark as the days grow longer and shorter throughout the year.

But the coverage of the amendments caught the eye of two residents, both of who had safely enjoyed twilight swims in local waters for many years. This seemingly innocuous change in one small sentence within the massive Code of Ordinances was threatening a leisure activity they had come to love, and even depend on for relief from the stresses of day-to-day work and life. What was once a legal, routine activity would potentially become illegal once the definition of “sunset” took effect.

These residents spoke respectfully, without bluster or over-dramatization, and their elected officials listened with equal respect. Once they finished, the council discussed openly and honestly that they were a little confused as to why they were even legislating allowable hours for swimming in areas that weren’t subject to liability, or were accessed via private property.

With one quick amendment, they struck the prohibited hours for nighttime swimming entirely, save for the Town Beach, where liability issues are a legitimate concern.

The whole process took only about 15 minutes of the meeting, but it did not go unnoticed. It was a great example of local government navigating to a reasonable solution through respectful discourse and mutual understanding.