The council voted to amend city code to allow notices for special meetings to be published in an online edition of a local newspaper and posted on the city's official website, a change sponsors said will help meet 48‑hour notice requirements for meetings called on short notice.

Council president Wall and Vice President Haroyan said the change is intended to modernize notice procedures where print weekly publication cannot reliably meet a 48‑hour special‑meeting window. The amendment adds the phrase "published in an online version of a newspaper of general circulation within the city" and requires posting on the city website.

Joy Fox, publisher of Beacon Media (which publishes the Cranston Herald and other weekly titles), testified in opposition to removing paper notices entirely and asked the council to reconsider. Fox said the paper can and will post online quickly but cautioned against reducing obligations that ensure access for residents without Internet access. A resident, Patton of Natick Avenue, echoed concerns that online notice alone could leave some community members uninformed.

Vice President Haroyan and other sponsors said the amendment was proposed at the clerk’s request to bring the city into compliance with current practices and make special‑meeting notices practicable when a meeting is called with short lead time. The clerk and sponsors said the city intends to continue using print where feasible but needs the flexibility to use an online newspaper edition for short‑notice meetings.

Ending

The council approved the amendment by roll call. Council members asked the clerk and solicitor to ensure procedures preserve access and transparency for residents without reliable Internet access.