Departments

Building

The Building department is responsible for local enforcement of building codes, environmental / groundwater / waste management, and more.

Cemetery

Block Island is the host to nine cemeteries: the Island Cemetery, the Allen Cemetery, the Dickens Cemetery, the John R. Dodge Cemetery, Indian Cemetery, Palatine Graves, Pocock Cemetery, the Sand’s Cemetery and the Sheffield Cemetery.

Facilities Management

Find out more about Facilities Management.

Finance

The Finance Department conducts the financial business and transactions of the Town.

Fire & Rescue

Find fire and rescue information, including an ordinance on fire alarms.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

This department page contains enterprise-wide development and management of the Town's Geographic Information System.

Harbors

We protect the environment and surrounding waters, regulating and enforcing both Local ordinances and State and Federal law.

Land Use

Land Use Department includes the Town Planner and Zoning Official. Land Use oversees administrative support for the Planning Board, Zoning Board, Historic District, Conservation Commission and Old Harbor Task Force.

Zoning Official

The Zoning Official is responsible for interpreting and enforcing the regulations in the Zoning Ordinance in the Town Code.

Library

All Island Free Library resources - human, financial, material and time - work cooperatively and cohesively to create an institution where all may be educated, entertained, enriched and supported.

Police Department

Public Works

Public works is responsible for town facilities and roads.

Recreation

The primary responsibility for providing recreational programs and facilities lies with the Recreation Department. The New Shoreham Recreation Department has evolved since its full time establishment in 1996.

Town Clerk

The Office of the Town Clerk provides a wide variety of functions and services to Town residents, taxpayers and the many regular and occasional visitors to Block Island.

Wastewater Treatment Facility

Learn about sewer maintenance from the Sewer District Commission.

Tax Collection

The Tax Collector is responsible for the billing, collecting, and processing of real estate, personal property and motor vehicle taxes. The Tax Collector also facilitates motor vehicle registration renewals and the processing of municipal lien certificates.

Tax Assessment

The Tax Assessors’ Office functions under the laws of Rhode Island, ordinances established by the New Shoreham Town Council and decisions of the Town of New Shoreham Board of Assessors.

Voter Registration & Elections

Learn how to register to vote and the location of your polling place for elections.

Block Island Water Company

Block Island Water Company is located on Sands Pond Road on the south side of the island.

Hazard-Mitigation-Flood-Protection

Find an array of map documents including building footprints; department maps; plat maps; and more.

Block Island Public School

The purpose of Block Island School is to educate young people intellectually, socially, and physically through challenging curriculum and to encourage their healthy, moral, and emotional development.