Town of North Smithfield

October 18th, 2019 Edition

Message from Town Administrator

Gary Ezovski

Because I see so many people working diligently to sustain our systems, and to move North Smithfield forward, I am perhaps bothered more than others by some social media and blog comments so maybe today I need to vent. Too often, those that are posted anonymously are the most wild, uninformed and simply unfortunate. One recent post implied that unfortunate issues of long ago were the direct result of irresponsible actions or inactions by local officials or local process. The demise of sky lab and failed Bay of Pigs military action weren’t mentioned but I’m sure if the person thought about it more there might be a way that a local elected official or volunteer was at least partially responsible for those too. Oh well, is perhaps the only sensible response to such comments but, knowing how people continuously work to make our town better and better, it is hard for me to leave it at that.

We are all busy and challenged in our own way. Young, old, healthy or not, families or young singles, we all have things we must and should do. But that includes those who are elected and those who volunteer. The members of our town council, school committee, and all the boards and commissions are just as busy, and perhaps even more so, because of the municipal challenges they willingly choose to pursue. It is disappointing to read an accusation in a recent post that things are moving too fast for busy people to keep up when the process that was criticized commenced three years earlier with months of discussion and analysis in different public venues. My ability to have time to review many documents from the administrator’s desk makes me more informed than many that there are parts of our structure that need attention, and we are working on those, but should every process begin again any time a new resident arrives? Should every ordinance and charter provision be thrown away so individuals can support or oppose their issue of the day? There are times where we can and should take time to study where we are and where we want to go. But it must also be recognized that despite our busy lives there are also times where we must act within the structure that has developed over our near 150 years of existence as a municipality.

So, I started this with comment about people working diligently to make us a better and better town and I want to go back to that. While rash blog comments disappoint, there are offsetting events that should be encouragement to all. In the past few weeks I have seen neighbors work out differences about a need for a special permit that could otherwise have induced strife. Another cooperative interaction between a property owner and one of our permitting agencies created a solution that will benefit both residents of a single site and town-wide public safety. On another front, I am seeing our public safety personnel being organized to support the objectives of a group of dedicated volunteers who have worked to provide us with another fun event called Spooky Spirit Night. With little notice our very busy police, fire, DPW, EMA personnel and others are working together to support that new event. Busy neighbors working to understand each other’s needs, construction people and regulators creating win win opportunity and the assembling of our very busy professional staff to support an event all in timely and cooperative fashion. That is really what happens every day. Add that to the selfless efforts I see regularly from members of our multiple boards and commissions and I am proud to say we have diligent people trying their best to not just do that which is good enough but that which will make us so much better. I value those efforts and will continue to be disappointed by careless, uninformed people who use anonymity to cast aspersions.  

PORTION OF MAIN STREET CLOSED MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2019 from Approximately 8:00 am to 3:00 pm

Weather permitting, the permanent asphalt patch work, and minor downstream embankment riprap placement will be taking place on Monday, October 21^st from approximately 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. Main street will be closed again from the library to Rt.102 for just this day. A detour will be in place.

The North Smithfield Water Department will conduct hydrant flushing in the Slatersville, Forestdale, Great Road, Mendon Road, and Industrial Park areas Monday, October 21^st through Friday, October 25^th from 8:00 PM and until 3:00 AM

Flushing enhances the water quality for area residents and businesses.

Hydrant flushing may cause temporary reduction in water pressure throughout the water system. Some discoloration of water may occur. This is not harmful.

Department officials recommend limited water use during the flushing operation. This includes using water to wash clothes and dishes.

Check your water before use. If it is discolored, run the cold water until it clears.

National Grid Aerial Inspections

Fall 2019

 Please note that National Grid will soon be conducting aerial inspections of sub transmission electric lines in Rhode Island. The inspections require the helicopter to hover over transmission structures as high-resolution photos are taken. These aerial inspections complement the regularly-conducted, ground-level inspections by quickly and efficiently covering National Grid’s sub transmission system, even across rugged and isolated terrain.

The helicopter inspections are conducted by experienced trained personnel using high-powered gyroscopic binoculars and infrared technology. They are particularly interested in signs of wear on power line conductors and lightning protection devices; damaged or leaning structures; loose or broken guy wires; broken, chipped or cracked insulator equipment; and trees leaning toward the lines or into the transmission corridors.

Weather has impacted the original schedule and the future date is also weather dependent so this notice is offered as awareness to avoid unnecessary concern.

The North Smithfield Heritage Association

Upcoming events:

Waterford District Tour

Saturday, October 26th 9:00 am-11:00 am

Meet at Firehouse Pizza on Great Road

Open to the Public

Visit the remains of the Blackstone Canal in North Smithfield, ruins of Mammoth Mill and walk along the Blackstone River to the High Rocks Gorge, our town's most scenic location. 

Wear a hat, long pants, comfortable walking shoes. Bring water and insect repellent.

Spooky Spirit Night

Saturday, October 26th 3:00 pm-8:00 pm

Hayride, Cemetery Tours, Campfire, Ghost Stories, Tarot card readings, light refreshments. (see flyer below)

Goodwin Brothers Farmstand

458 Greenville Road

North Smithfield, RI

For more information about upcoming events, historic cemetery tours, restoration projects, genealogy, hall rentals and membership visit www.nsheritageassn.org or on Facebook. 

Seeking qualified candidates for the position of Part-time Dispatcher

This position is for weekends, 2nd shift. - Paid training

Applications will be accepted from October 2, 2019 through October 25, 2019 at 4 pm.

North Smithfield Police Civilian Application

Your application should either be hand delivered or mailed to:

North Smithfield Police Department, 575 Smithfield Rd, North Smithfield, RI 02896

God Pop Music

"Songs of Today for Souls of Tomorrow"

Please join us for the first ever God Pop Music fundraising event on Saturday, October 19^th at 6:30pm in the Slatersville Congregational Church sanctuary! The concert will feature a collection of popular songs with originally revised lyrics to make a joyful noise, engage our youth and praise God. A goodwill offering will be collected during the concert to benefit Slatersville Congregational Church’s Sunday School fundraising efforts. 

Bring friends and the entire family and prepare yourself to have fun and rejoice in the spirit - there is a 100% guarantee that you have never heard anything like it before!  

SEWING WORKSHOP

On Thursday, October 24th, North Smithfield Parks and Recreation will hold a Sewing Workshop where you will learn to make stuffed fabric pumpkins. To participate, you will need to bring a sewing machine, thread, hand needles, scissors and pins. All other materials will be supplied, including pattern, fabric, stems and stuffing. If you have an extension cord, please bring that.

The workshop starts at 7 pm and is held at Primrose Fire Station, 1470 Providence Pike, North Smithfield. The workshop fee is $7 and space is limited to 15 participants. To register or for more information, call Ann Lilley at 401-556-0853.

AAA Defensive Driving Course

 Tuesday November 19th, 2019

9:30am - 2:30pm

Hosted By Senior Services, Inc.

Location: Scouters Hall

North Smithfield, RI

This is a 4-hour program with a

1/2 hour lunch break.

Boxed lunch break will be available (suggested donation $3.00)

The Defensive Driving course is Free!

Pre-registration is required to reserve your spot in class! Be sure to pre-register by calling 401-766-3734.

Check with your insurance company as

completion of this course MAY make you eligible for a discount on insurance premiums

The North Smithfield Heritage Association

Post Office Box 413

Slatersville, Rhode Island 02876

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

1-401-447-6394

The North Smithfield Heritage Association 2020 Calendars are available to purchase for $10.00 and are available at the NS Library, Wright’s Farm, Brigido’s Market, The Village Haven, Village Paint, Li’l General Convenience Store, NE Image and Print, and the Forestdale schoolhouse. Besides selling at venues around town, we'll also mail them, if we receive a Check for $15 made payable to the NS Heritage Assn mailed to P.O. Box 413, Slatersville, RI 02876. The extra $5 covers the cost of postage and handling.  

2019 HERITAGE ASSOCIATION CANVAS TOTE BAG

The North Smithfield Heritage Association canvas tote bag will be available at the Forestdale Schoolhouse. Donations of $10.00 for each bag go towards the preservation of the one room School House and the organization's other historic building, Heritage Hall on Green Street in Slatersville.

Bags and ornaments and other historical souvenirs will be available by appointment by calling Louise Vanhouwe (769-8177). Available ornaments include the North Smithfield Public Library, Forestdale Schoolhouse; Slater Mill; North Smithfield Town Hall; Horse Drawn NS School Bus; John Slater House; and Wright’s Dairy Farm and Bakery.

For more information, visit the North Smithfield Heritage Assn Facebook Page, contact them via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call Rich at 401-447-6394.

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North Smithfield Residents Food Pantry

Slatersville Congregational Church

25 Green Street

Slatersville, RI 02876

Many, many thanks to all of you who volunteer your time and talents to make the food pantry successful. We currently feed about 90 families. To keep the work from being overwhelming, we need more volunteers. While the food pantry is only open four times a month, it takes many more hours of volunteer work to keep it running well.  

We currently need volunteers to: 

  -  Help with pickup and delivery of donated food. A regular vehicle will do.  

  - Help on Wednesday and Friday mornings 9:30-10:15 to sort food, and we need supervisors for those two times.  

   - Help when the food pantry is open the last two Tuesdays of the month 5:30-7pm, and the last two Saturdays 10-11am to help with clients and carry bags to clients cars.  

    - Coordinate the food rescue and distribution program, requires 4-5 hours a week.  

Are any of these interesting to you? Please contact Rev Eileen. 769-2773

The flavor of the month for OCTOBER 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. You can also mail monetary gifts to P.O. Box 1128, Slatersville, RI 02876. An additional drop box for food items 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.

OCTOBER 2019 Newsletter

OCTOBER 2019 Calendar of Events

OCTOBER 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

This Institution is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer