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Town of North Smithfield

July 5th, 2019 Edition

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

 

 
 
 

 

Message from Town Administrator

Gary Ezovski

 

Budgets and taxes conclusion.

Well our 2019-2020 budget process has concluded after some tense discussion and many disappointments. But it is done, and we go forward. As with most businesses, the major cost drivers are salaries and benefits which make up the majority of our expenses. Most of our personnel will see about a modest 2% increase in salary with many of those increases dictated by contracts. At the same time, on the municipal side, many will also see an increase in their contribution to healthcare as we continue to move to a more appropriate balance in that area. Overall, our spending will increase by 2.47% which unfortunately is above the approximate 2% national rate of inflation. Were that the overall burden that taxpayers were to see, I suspect most would be content particularly since we will still go forward with many important plans. This budget includes the cost associated with the ongoing school construction projects and the renovation of KD to the new Town Hall with the debt service change alone being reason to exceed the national rate of inflation. This budget does however, continue our purchases of mission critical equipment such as snow plows and police vehicles (though not as many cruisers as requested) as well as appropriate maintenance to public buildings. It also includes increased allocation for our ongoing road reconstruction program with objective to reach funding that allows two miles of roadwork each and every year. In my opinion, there is rational basis for the 2.47% increase in spending. That is the good news. That bad news is about the impact that lost revenue will mean for taxpayers.

 

The final actions of the legislature confirmed that state aid to education in North Smithfield will be lower by over $320,000 in 2020. In addition to that, as has been widely discussed, we have lost tax base from National Grid, Rehabilitation Hospital and a business leaving our town. Those losses effectively increase the burden that we who remain must carry. It is my expectation that most taxpayers will join me, the budget committee, and the town council in our disappointment over the tax bills that we must issue. 

 

Now that it is all said and done, I can say we have looked another problem straight in the eye and developed the budget and tax rates that are required to deal with it. I am quite certain that every person who has had a hand in the process regrets the circumstance, but I also think most recognize that any other solution would only cause higher costs in the future. Our continuing objective is to raise revenue by increasing opportunity for private sector jobs producing investment on land already zoned for business, controlling short and long term cost of employment in labor contract negotiations, and pursuing great value in every infrastructure investment to achieve optimum life cycle cost. That continues to be a big part of how we go forward.

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

 

UPCOMING MEETINGS

Agendas can be found on the Secretary of State Website by

CLICKING HERE

(Agendas in PDF form will be posted next to the corresponding meeting if available before this newsletter is published)

Conservation Commission Meeting

Tuesday, July 9th @ 7:00 PM (Agenda)

Villa at St. Antoine, Small Dining Room

400 Mendon Rd, N. Smithfield, RI 02896

 

Zoning Board Meeting (Agenda)

Tuesday, July 9th @ 7:00 PM

Primrose Fire Station

1470 Providence Pike, N. Smithfield RI 02896

 

Planning Board Meeting (Agenda)

Thursday, July 11th @ 7:00 PM

Primrose Fire Station

1470 Providence Pike, N. Smithfield RI 02896

 

 

ATTENTION NORTH SMITHFIELD RESIDENTS ON PARKVIEW DRIVE, EDWARD AVENUE, AND NORTH MAIN STREET

 

Upgrades will be made to the Slatersville Public Water System the week of July 8th, 2019 on the above mentioned streets.

 

Short interruptions of water service should be anticipated. The Water Department will be changing out the hydrants and installing new valves to the system which will isolate water to the Parkview Drive and Edward Avenue and North Main Areas. Currently, when work is required on this line, water service is interrupted to ALL of Parkview and Edward and a good portion of North Main. These new valves will separate the service to limit the number of users impacted if water service needs to be interrupted. While not pleasing to look at when they're going on, these improvements need to be made to enhance water service to you and your neighbors.

 

Any questions or concerns can be addressed to Maura Beck, North Smithfield Water & Sewer Coordinator, 401-767-2200 x305 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

 

 
 
 

 

The PumpkinFest Committee is looking for more Vendors this year to participate.

You can download and fill out your application by

CLICKING HERE

 

Camp Phoenix

Year 14: Return of "Once Upon a Time" !

A 9 week traditional summer camp running 

June 18th - August 16th. 

 

Click here for the Camp Pheonix Website and Registration Info

 
 

 

 
 
 

 

The North Smithfield Heritage Association

 

Upcoming events:

 

  • North Smithfield Historic Cemeteries Tour: Saturday, July 6 from 9:00 am -11:00 am. Vinicity of Old Oxford Road, NS58, NS 55, NS 16, NS15, NS17. Meet at Kendall Dean School parking lot, 83 Green St, Slatersville. Wear a hat, long pants, comfortable walking shoes, and bring water and insenct repellent.

 

  • North Smithfield Heritage Association Board Meeting: Monday, July 8th 6:30 pm-8:30 pm--Heritage Hall, 101 Green St, Slatersville. The board will meet to conduct the business of the association. All members are welcome to attend.

 

We have a new website. Please CLICK HERE for all the upcoming news from the NS Heritage Association.

 

The Little Red Schoolhouse is open for visitors monthly, every second and third Thursday and Saturday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Click here for more information

 

 

 
 
 

 

Summer Concert Series on the Common

Sunday, July 7th

5:00 pm- 6:30 pm

Slatersville Congregational Church 

 

STARRING

WHISKEY RHODE

Rhode Island's own Rock & Roll dance band will mix it up with your favorite Classic Rock, along with some Contemporary Rock, Rhythm & Blues and even some Country. 

 

Generously Sponsored by 

Navigant Bank 

 

**Bring blankets, lawn chairs, and join family and friends under the summer skies. **The church kitchen will be serving great food and ice cream sundaes to top off the night. **The North Smithfield Food Pantry will be holding a 50/50 raffle to benefit the pantry and get ready for winter needs. 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

 

 
 
 

 

SAVE THE DATE

North Smithfield's 2nd Annual Fireworks

 

 

When: Saturday, July 13th

Where: North Smithfield High School

Time: 8:00 pm Food Trucks, Music & Fun at the Dr. Paul F. Joyce Athletic Fields

Sundown (Approx. 9:15 PM) 2nd Annual Fireworks

 

If you missed it last year, you sure don't want to miss it this year!

 

Bring your own lawn chairs and blankets.

If you have any questions, please call Town Hall at 767-2200 ext. 301.

 

(Presented to you by John Beauregard, the Town of North Smithfield, and your local business community)

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

 

Please note that the Bake Off Competition, the Pet Talent Show, and the Home Garden & Home Landscaping Competition have been canceled.

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

 

 
 
 

 

Saturday, July 27, 2019  

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

 

North Smithfield Town Garage

281 Quaker Highway

North Smithfield, RI

 

Indie Cycle, LLC will accept computers, laptops, monitors, televisions, routers, PDA's, cell phones, mice, keyboards, inkjet printers, plastic speakers, toner cartridges, CD/DVD players, radios, network equipment, wires, stereos, telephones, microwaves, small household appliances, and auto/marine batteries, and battery back-ups. 

 

A $10 disposal fee applies to each wooden-boxed speakers, laser-jet printer, air conditioner, dehumidifier, and other coolant containing devices.

 

Not accepted: Light bulbs, household batteries, fire/carbon monoxide detectors, tapes/disks, glass, broken TV tubes, styrofoam or any hazardous waste materials. 

 

For more information: www.indiecycle.com or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

 

 
 
 

 

Emergency Alerts

Public safety officials use timely and reliable systems to alert you and your family in the event of natural or man-made disasters. This page describes different warning alerts you can receive and the types of devices that receive the alerts. Remember the curfew siren of the past. The town fire whistle would blow at 7:30PM and most kids would run home. Those sirens are still here, but not active any longer.

In order to alert North Smithfield residents, our town has CODE RED, NIXLE, Facebook and Twitter. The town website offers info as well as this town newsletter.

 

Wireless Emergency Alerts

During an emergency, alert and warning officials need to provide the public with life-saving information quickly. Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs), made available through the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) infrastructure, are just one of the ways public safety officials can quickly and effectively alert and warn the public about serious emergencies.

What you need to know about WEAs:

  • WEAs can be sent by state and local public safety officials, the National Weather Service, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and the President of the United States.
  • WEAs can be issued for three alert categories – imminent threat, AMBER, and presidential.
  • WEAs look like text messages, but are designed to get your attention and alert you with a unique sound and vibration, both repeated twice.
  • WEAs are no more than 90 characters, and will include the type and time of the alert, any action you should take, as well as the agency issuing the alert.
  • WEAs are not affected by network congestion and will not disrupt texts, calls, or data sessions that are in progress.
  • Mobile users are not charged for receiving WEAs and there is no need to subscribe.
  • To ensure your device is WEA-capable, check with your service provider.

 

Here is some info on what is available and how you can use it to keep you and your family safe:

 

 

 

 

Click Here for the Entire Brochure: KNOW YOUR ALERTS AND WARNINGS

 
 

 

 
 
 

 

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

 

Click here for the Complete Brochure on the RI Governor's Commission on Disabilities Presentation of Public Forums to Identify the Concerns of People with Disabilities and their Families--July 22-25, 2019

 
 

 

 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 
 
 

 

The 2019 PumpkinFest Committee officially began preparations and would like you to mark your calendar for our:



13th Annual 

North Smithfield 

Great Pumpkin Festival

Saturday - September 21, 2019

11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

North Smithfield High School Grounds

 

The PumpkinFest Committee is looking for more Vendors this year to participate. You can fill out an application by Clicking Here.

 

The next committee meeting will be Wednesday, July 10th at 6:00 at R&R Industries, Inc. 147 Industrial Drive, North Smithfield.

 

Click Here for more information on the event and a list of the upcoming Committee Meetings.

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

 

Our North Smithfield Animal Shelter is in

Need of Volunteers.

 

You can volunteer as many or as few days or hours that you can. Every little bit helps! Volunteering at an animal shelter can be a rewarding experience.

 

Please call the North Smithfield Animal Shelter at 766-0377.

 

 
 

 

Click Here to Purchase Tickets

 
 

 

 
 
 

 

Fiber Arts Gathering

 

Every Monday from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm (except the 1st Monday of the month)

At the Meadows

2 Village Way

North Smithfield, RI

 

  • Join our active group of knitters, crocheters, weavers, darners,quilters and embroiderers.
  • Beginners and experienced are invited. 
  • Come to learn and share.
  • FREE, donations accepted

 

Organized by Engage North Smithfield

 

North Smithfield Residents Food Pantry

Slatersville Congregational Church

25 Green Street

Slatersville, RI 02876

 

The flavor of the month for JULY is 

CANNED SOUP

Any donations or monetary gifts for the food pantry can be dropped off at the Slatersville Congregational Church between 9:00 am and noon. An additional drop box is available at the Town Hall during regular business hours.

 

 

 

 
 
 

 

Senior Services, Inc. has provided services to seniors and adults with disabilities residing in Northern Rhode Island since 1975, in accordance with the Congregate Meal Program financed through a grant with R.I. Department of Elderly Affairs. Senior Services, Inc. provides nutritionally balanced lunches five days a week at our meal sites throughout Northern R.I.

Senior Services, Inc. offers activities, entertainment, computer classes, Alzheimer's Disease Support Groups, and Wellness programs, which include a weekly blood pressure clinic and exercise classes.

 

Senior Services, Inc. also offers an Adult Day Care Program ("A Home for the Day"), and a Community Information Specialist who can provide information on eligibility for all state and local programs, including RIPAE.

 

JULY 2019 Newsletter

 

JULY 2019 Activity Calendar of Events

 

JULY 2019 Menu

 

Senior exercise classes at Scouter's Hall, 13 Main Street, North Smithfield include:

  • Zumba Gold Mondays at 10:00 AM
  • Chair Exercises, Mondays at 11:00 AM
  • Zumba Gold Thursdays at 10:00 AM

SENIOR SERVICES, INC. SERVES LUNCH IN NORTH SMITHFIELD!

 

Mondays at 11:30 am & 12:30 PM

Thursdays at 11:30 AM

 

Please call in your order by 10am on the Thursday prior to the day(s) on which you plan to attend! Call Senior Services Inc. at (401) 766-3734 with your choice of meal.

Suggested donation is $3.00

 

 

 

 
 
 

 

 
 

 

 

 

Click Here for a List of Previous Newsletters

 

 

Click Here to Sign up for our Weekly Newsletter

 

 

 
 
 

 

This Institution is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Town of North Smithfield | One Main Street, P.O. Box 248, Slatersville, RI 02876