Town of North Smithfield

September 14th, 2018 Edition

‌

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN NORTH SMITHFIELD

Message from Town Administrator

Gary Ezovski

Well, the first part of the election season is behind us. And fortunately, the big event is still a few weeks away. That said, the weeks will fly as they always do, and we will be faced with voting on many issues that require a different kind of preparation. Voting for candidates requires an assessment of positions, background and history. Voting on the proposed changes to North Smithfield’s charter will require careful reading of the proposals and getting questions answered. Many of us are hoping voters won’t wait to the last minute to put effort into understanding these proposals.  

We now have three documents on the town website to help everyone. Most importantly, we received the sample ballot this week for the state and local referendum questions which we hope will help the process. Please visit this web page to see the sample ballot and the two separate redline strike out documents showing the proposed charter changes:  https://www.nsmithfieldri.org/home/news/proposed-charter-amendments-approved-town-council

As can be seen on the sample ballot, the local questions are in yellow. Question 4 is the water system expansion that I will offer comment about in a future newsletter. Questions 5 to 13 are the charter change questions. More specifically, Question 5 is about the recommendation for an appointed town administrator. All of the details for the charter changes related to that question are shown on our website in the document labeled “Proposed Charter Amendments for Appointed Town Administrator”. Questions 6 to 13 are the other proposed charter changes that are independent of Question 5. Every element of the changes related to Questions 6 to 13 are detailed in the document on our website labeled “All Other Proposed Charter Amendments”. Given the way that the charter review commission, town council, town clerk, and solicitor have framed these questions, each question can be voted up or down without creating a conflict in the charter, so every voter’s opinion on every question can have full value in creating a better charter.

Questions can certainly be offered back to me through this newsletter or they can be offered to members of the council and charter commission who can be contacted through the town website. If there are other ways you think we can help everyone develop their decision on each proposal, we will be happy to hear those recommendations as much as any question.



The 12th Annual Pumpkin Festival is this Saturday, September 15th from 11 am -

5 pm at the North Smithfield High School Grounds. Please be sure to stop by our Town of North Smithfield Informational Booth. Hope to see you there!

12th Annual 

North Smithfield 

Great Pumpkin Festival

This Saturday - September 15, 2018

11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

North Smithfield High School Grounds

The 12^th Annual North Smithfield Great Pumpkin Festival will be held tomorrow ,Saturday, September 15th, from 11am to 5pm (rain or shine).

Non-perishable food items are being accepted this year for our North Smithfield Food Pantry. A family donation at the gate (monetary or non-perishable food) receives a free raffle ticket good for this years large array of raffles - items displayed in the "PumpkinFest HQ Tent."

This year, PumpkinFest will feature a Pumpkin Carving/Decorating Contest, Pie Eating Contests and a Pumpkin Pie Bake Off.

**Bring your carved/decorated pumpkin to the “PumpkinFest HQ Tent" between 11am - 3pm

**Children’s Pie Eating Contest at the “Children’s Pumpkin Patch” at 1pm and 3pm

** Bring your pumpkin pie to the “PumpkinFest HQ Tent” between 11am and 3pm. Pies will be judged promptly at 3:30 pm

Family friendly acts on the main stage include: the Iguana Guy; The Delorians RI Band, "Charlie Marie," a Country solo artist; the local band Niteflies and Dennis The Magician. For the first time this year, the festival will host the Southwick Zoo, the hands-on ZooMobile Program called EARTH from 11am – 2pm.

GET YOUR BUTTONS EARLY - Admission buttons can be purchased in advance NOW for $1 per person, at the following locations: NS Town Hall, NS ‘Lil General, R & D Seafood, Wright’s Dairy, Goodwin Bros. and NS Walgreens. Admission purchased at the gate on September 15^th is $2 per person.

For more event information and/or details on contests please visit us at our website www.greatpumpkinfestival.org. 

TO ALL OUR RESIDENTS:

This is a reminder that though we do not have a particular storm in view, June 1st to November 30th is Hurricane season, and we need to stay prepared. The attached link has a list of things to consider before and after a Hurricane. 

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS

2nd Annual "Touch-A-Truck" Event will be Held at the North Smithfield Police Station

WHEN: Saturday, September 22, 2018

TIME: 9:00 AM TO 12:00 NOON

LOCATION: North Smithfield Police Department, rear lot

*Kids Fingerprinting

*Child Safety Seat Installation/Checks

*Blood Pressure Screening

*Police/Fire Department Vehicles

*Town Highway/EMA Vehicles

The Town of North Smithfield has hired Northeast Revaluation Group LLC to conduct a statistical update to bring all real estate in town to fair market value effective December 31,2018 for the July 2019 tax roll. The process is mandatory according to RIGL 44-5-11.6. The law requires these statistical updates every 3 years and a full revaluation every 9 years.

Throughout the project Northeast Revaluation’s staff will be in neighborhoods throughout the town. The company will attempt to physically visit, measure and inspect properties that sold over the last 2 years, which helps in the analysis of determining fair market value. They also will be visiting any properties that have unfinished construction or have taken out building permits recently. All employees are required to carry identification and have their vehicles on file with the assessor’s office and police department. The process will last over the next several months and be completed in the spring of 2019. If there are questions or concerns contact the Assessor, Sarah Frew, 401-767-2200 ext 323 or Northeast Revaluation Group directly at 401-737-0300. Thank you for your patience throughout the process.

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.

The Garden Club of North Smithfield is Looking for

New Members. 

Men and women of all skill levels are welcome to join. If you enjoy gardening and working outdoors and think you might be interested, please contact Jo-Ann McGee for more information at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

‌

UPDATE TO THE CITIZENS POLICE ACADEMY APPLICATIONS:

We will no longer be taking applications for this class after 4:00 pm today, September 14th.

Thank you.

The North Smithfield Police Department is Currently Seeking Qualified Canadidates for the Position of Police Officer. 

Applications will be accepted from August 24, 2018 through September 23, 2018 at midnight. 

Should you have any questions, please feel free to call. 762-1212 ext 200.

NSPD police application

Applicant information booklet

Please use the NSPD application when applying for the position of Police Officer. 

Send completed application to:

North Smithfield Police Department

Attn: Darleen Bourgette

575 Smithfield Road

North Smithfield, RI 02896

North Smithfield Heritage Association Releases

2018 Christmas Ornament

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.

SEPTEMBER 2018 Senior Services Newsletter

SEPTEMBER 2018 Calendar of Events 

SEPTEMBER 2018 Menu  

Senior exercise classes at Scouter's Hall, 32 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

TOUR OUR TOWN'S 60 HISTORIC CEMETERIES

 Our next tour is scheduled for Saturday, September 22 at 9:00 am. We will tour five more cemeteries in the vicinity of Mattity Rd and Nipsachuck Estates: NS41 Mowry-Sayles, NS18 Sterry-Young, NS 53 George Arnold, NS59 Colwell, NS50 Unknown. We will meet in the Union Cemetery on Smithfield Rd at the gate nearest Greenville Rd. Those who live closer to Douglas Pike can meet us at 9:15 in front of Nipsachuck estates mailboxes at the intersection of Indigo Farm Rd and Log Rd. Wear long pants and comfortable walking shoes. Bring water and insect repellent. People can contact Rich Keene at 401-447-6394 if they have any questions.

A copy of the upcoming tours can be accessed by CLICKING HERE.

AREA FALL EVENTS

Franklin Farm Historic Farm & Homestead

Harvest Festival & Tractor Show

Saturday, September 29th 10 am-4 pm

CLICK HERE for more Information 

UPCOMING MEETINGS

Agendas can be found on the Secretary of State Website by

CLICKING HERE

Municipal BuildingTask Force Meeting

Friday, September 14 @ 4:30 pm

North Smithfield Middle School

1850 Providence Pike

North Smithfield, RI 02896

Town Council Meeting

Monday, September 17 @ 6:45 pm

North Smithfield Middle School

1850 Providence Pike

North Smithfield, RI 02896

North Smithfield School Committee Meeting

Tuesday, September 18th @ 6:30 pm

North Smithfield Middle School

1850 Providence Pike

North Smithfield, RI 02896

Sewer Commission Meeting

Wednesday, September 19th @ 7:00 pm

Primrose Fire Station

1470 Providence Pike

North Smithfield, RI 02896