When we think about political power, it’s easy to picture the State House or Washington, D.C. But in truth, some of the most important decisions shaping our daily lives are made right here in West Bay, often by people whose names never make the news.
Planning boards, zoning boards, housing commissions, and school committees may not grab headlines, but they hold enormous influence over the future of our communities. These local bodies decide where homes can be built, how schools are run, and whether development benefits neighbors or outside interests. And here’s the key: they’re often filled by regular people from the community, people like you.
Planning boards guide long-term development and land use. In West Bay towns like Warwick, Cranston, and Coventry, they review major projects — from shopping centers to new housing developments — and decide whether they align with the community’s vision.
Why it matters: These decisions affect traffic, green space, access to public services, and the character of our neighborhoods.
How you can serve: Planning board members are usually appointed by mayors or councils. They often seek residents with knowledge of the community, even if you’re not a planning professional.
While planning boards look at long-term growth, zoning boards handle the details of how land is used. They decide on exceptions (called variances) for homeowners, businesses, or developers who want to use land differently than zoning laws allow.
Why it matters: Zoning boards directly shape housing density, business opportunities, and environmental protections. For example, a decision about whether to allow multifamily housing in one area can affect affordability for years to come.
How you can serve: Zoning boards are typically appointed, but they often include community volunteers who bring local perspectives to the table.
With Rhode Island facing a housing crisis, housing commissions play a critical role in West Bay. They explore policies and partnerships to increase affordable housing, preserve existing units, and ensure fair access for all residents.
Why it matters: Housing is the foundation of stability for families. Decisions made here influence whether teachers, firefighters, and young families can afford to live in our towns.
How you can serve: Many housing commissions seek members from diverse backgrounds — renters, homeowners, advocates, and professionals. Your lived experience is an asset.
School committees oversee the budgets, policies, and curricula that shape our children’s education. They hire superintendents, decide on school funding priorities, and set district-wide goals.
Why it matters: Education boards determine class sizes, resources for teachers, and programs for students. Their decisions impact not only families but the economic future of the region.
How you can serve: School committee members are elected — which means every vote counts. In low-turnout elections, a few hundred votes can decide who guides millions of dollars in school funding.
These boards and commissions may sound bureaucratic, but they’re where democracy lives closest to home. And they’re accessible: while you may never sit in Congress, you can serve on your local planning board or run for school committee.
Grassroots power grows when everyday people step into these roles. When our boards reflect the diversity and values of our communities, decisions are more equitable, sustainable, and responsive.
So, who’s making decisions in West Bay right now? Too often, it’s a small circle of people with limited input from the broader community. That can change — if we get involved.
Ask yourself:
Could I apply for a board or commission?
Could I support a neighbor who’s running for school committee?
Could I attend a meeting and speak up about issues that matter to me?
Democracy doesn’t end at the ballot box. It lives in these local bodies, in the choices they make, and in the people who step up to serve.
At West Bay Blue Wave, we believe that hope becomes action when neighbors organize, run, and lead. And the future of our communities depends on who’s sitting in those seats.
So let’s make sure it’s us.