May 20, 2021
OVERNIGHT CLOSURE OF ROUTE 104 IN NORTH SMITHFIELD
SCHEDULED FOR MAY 21
On Friday, May 21, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will close Route 104 at the Route 146 overpass in North Smithfield for installation of new beams for the structurally deficient Farnum Pike Bridge. The closure begins at 8 p.m. Friday, May 21 and runs through 6 a.m. Saturday morning.
Motorists on Route 104 South will follow a detour using the on-ramp to Route 146 North, reversing direction to Route 146 South at the Pound Hill Road exit and then using the Route 104 exit. The detour for those on Route 104 North uses Route 5, North Smithfield Industrial Drive, Pound Hill Road and Smithfield Road to return to Route 104.
RIDOT is replacing the bridge as part of a $13.9 million design-build project, which allowed the Department to accelerate the project. The project will be done in summer 2022.
The Farnum Pike Bridge was built in 1958 and carries approximately 40,000 vehicles per day. It has been rated structurally deficient for more than 20 years.
All construction projects are subject to changes in schedule and scope depending on needs, circumstances, findings, and weather.
The replacement of the Farnum Pike Bridge was made possible by RhodeWorks, RIDOT’s ongoing commitment to repair structurally deficient bridges and bring Rhode Island’s transportation infrastructure into a state of good repair, promote economic development, and create jobs.
Great Road to Go Down to One Lane for
Union Village Railroad Bridge Replacement
in North Smithfield
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will take the Union Village Railroad Bridge in North Smithfield down to one lane with alternating direction controlled by a temporary traffic signal on each side of the bridge starting on Friday night, May 14. The traffic change allows RIDOT to begin replacing a portion of the bridge which carries Great Road over the Providence & Worcester rail line between Lapre Road and Meadowbrook Drive.
RIDOT expects moderate travel time delays but will monitor traffic conditions and adjust the traffic signal timing to minimize waiting at the light. The temporary traffic pattern also will prohibit access to Lapre Road at Great Road, but a signed detour will be established at the next side street, Hillview Avenue, to allow access to homes in this neighborhood.
The $5.2 million project for the Union Village Railroad Bridge will replace the structure in phases. RIDOT will demolish and replace the west side of the bridge first. In approximately six months, the Department will shift traffic onto the newly built portion so it can demolish and replace the eastern side of the bridge. Two-way traffic will be restored in summer 2022 and the entire project done in summer 2023.
The Union Village Railroad Bridge is 89 years old and structurally deficient. It carries 13,200 vehicles per day and is a popular route for travel to and from neighboring Woonsocket. RIDOT is using accelerated bridge construction methods with pre-cast concrete bridge components to shorten the duration of construction by several months.
The May 14 date is dependent on utility coordination, and if necessary would be postponed one week to Friday night, May 21.
All construction projects are subject to changes in schedule and scope depending on needs, circumstances, findings, and weather.
The Union Village Railroad Bridge Project was made possible by RhodeWorks, RIDOT's ongoing commitment to repair structurally deficient bridges and bring Rhode Island's transportation infrastructure into a state of good repair, promote economic development, and create jobs.
Good News from Aging Well, Inc.
Classes will once again be offered at Scouters Hall in North Smithfield starting Monday, May 24th. And we are adding 3 extra classes! We will be adhering to all RI Department of Health Covid-19 regulations to keep everyone safe. The number of class participants will be limited for social distancing. Please call Aging Well Inc at 401-766-3734 for information, and to register for classes.
Scouters Hall Class Schedule
Monday 10:15 A.M.-11:00 A.M. Zumba Gold with Fran
11:15 A.M.-12:00 P.M. Chair Exercise with Fran
Tuesday 1:30 P.M. Mindfulness/Meditation with Diane
Thursday 10:15 A.M.-11:00 A.M. Zumba Gold With Fran
1:00 P.M.-1:45 P.M. Keep Moving with Steve
Friday 12:00 P.M. -12:45 P.M. Line Dancing with Fran
Scouters Hall, 13 Main Street, North Smithfield, RI
Time to prepare and save the date.
Saturday, June 5, 2021*
It is time to prepare for the North Smithfield Town Wide Yard Sale, benefiting the North Smithfield Food Pantry.
Residents can participate by holding an individual or multi-family yard sale at their homes. When you register with the Town Clerk, your location will be listed on the Town Web Site and in the weekly newsletter, so that interested shoppers will have your location.
Residents who want to take part must obtain a yard sale permit for $5.00 from the Town Clerk’s office at 83 Greene Street. Residents are encouraged to contribute to the town’s Food Pantry at that time. Yard sale addresses will be listed for permits obtained before Friday, May 28, 2021.
Click here for a guideline on how to host a safe yard sale during a pandemic.
Click here for printable safety signs.
*Rain date: Sunday, June 6, 2021
The 14th Annual North Smithfield Pumpkin
Festival will be held on
September 18, 2021, 11:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
Click here to be redirected to the Pumpkin
Festival website for more information.
The North Smithfield Athletic Association (NSAA) is a non-profit all-volunteer organization formed to support athletic sports and involvement at the North Smithfield middle & high school level. Our mission is to continue to fundraise throughout the year, to support, enhance and improve the athletic experience for all the athletes on their teams.
We are looking for volunteer members to become part of our Board of Directors team and one who truly enjoys and is passionate with being involved with North Smithfield’s efforts to fundraise and enhance North Smithfield’s school sports programs.
We have two immediate positions currently open and would welcome any adult who is passionate and enthusiastic about school athletics and would like to join and be a part of the NSAA Board of Directors dedicated group of individuals.
The two immediate open positions are:
NSAA – Chairperson/President
Objective: Ability to attend 2 meetings per month with Board Members and with Athletic Director. Looking for a qualified and passionate individual that is approachable and is an objective listener. Should be a strategist and be knowledgeable about North Smithfield School Sports.
Duties include:
- Serves as the primary contact with the Athletic Director, Principles, Superintendent and school board
- Presiding at monthly board meetings
- Creating a purposeful agenda in collaboration with the Athletic Director
- Serves as the main contact for all board issues
- Sets goals and objectives with board and ensures that they are met in a timely manner
- Holds board members accountable for attending monthly meetings
- Reviews the Financials of the board
- Negotiates pricing on contracts & bids
NSAA – Secretary
Objective: Ability to attend two meetings per month with Board Members and with Athletic Director. The board secretary must be an individual who is in control of every task and has a fluid set of goals to accomplish at each meeting. Desirable qualities include strong communication skills and the ability to organize and prioritize tasks. Should be extremely driven, detailed oriented and focused individual who is well versed and knowledgeable in administrative tasks would be ideal.
Duties include:
- Assures that a monthly agenda has been prepared by the Chairperson/President and is distributed to all board members in advance of each meeting
- Oversees the distribution of background information gathered for the agenda items to be discussed
- Prepares official minutes of each meeting and records motions, discussion, votes and decisions
- Prepare and provides previous meeting written or typed minutes to board members before the next meeting and records any changes or corrections
- Assures that documents (bylaws, Form-990, roster of board members) are accessible to all members
- Schedules, coordinates and notifies board member of any upcoming meetings, changes etc.
- Hold members accountable for their task
- Facilitates ongoing communications with board members, Athletic Director and other school officials
To learn more about the NSAA, please go to the NSAA website located at: www.nsaa.us.com.
To apply, please e-mail your interest intent to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
DID YOU KNOW?
You can bring your worn American Flag to the Town Hall for proper disposal. When your flag is worn and no longer fitting for display, bring it to the North Smithfield Town Hall, we have a flag disposal box that was made by an Eagle Scout. Your flag will be disposed of in a proper ceremony.
Food Pantry May pick up dates:
Saturdays, May 22nd & 29th from 10:00-10:30 A.M.
Tuesdays, May 18th & 25th from 5:30- 6:00 P.M.
The Food Pantry is for North Smithfield residents.
You must have a photo ID and a bill that confirms your North Smithfield address. You can attend the Food Pantry all four times it is open per month.
The Pantry is located at the Slatersville Congregational Church UCC on the Common.
Due to the pandemic, the food is distributed through a drive through at the church. Please stay in your car and line up on Green Street and you will be welcomed and instructed.
Questions? Call 401-678-0356
Your generosity is always appreciated by both the North Smithfield Food Pantry and the clients they serve. Thank you for your continued support.
In addition the Food Pantry happens because of its amazing volunteers. Many thanks to all those who give continuously of their time and talents. They are a very dedicated group!
May needs are:
Cereal, canned fruit, tuna & chicken
Financial donations are always appreciated and can be sent to:
North Smithfield Food Pantry
PO Box 283
Slatersville, RI 02876
UPCOMING MEETINGS
Agendas can be found on the Secretary of State Website by
North Smithfield Historic District Commission
Zoom Meeting
Monday, May 24, 2021 @ 6:30P.M.
Personnel Board Meeting
Zoom Meeting
Monday, May 24, 2021 @ 7:30P.M.
This Institution is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
Town of North Smithfield | 83 Greene Street, North Smithfield, RI 02896
