Town of North Smithfield

March 1st, 2019 Edition

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN NORTH SMITHFIELD

Message from Town Administrator

Gary Ezovski

In our February 8 newsletter, we included a note from our tax assessor Sarah Frew to help property owners understand the ongoing property revaluation program. Based upon some calls received and social media posts that I have read, I thought it would be prudent to provide reassurance on that matter. 

The revaluation is driven by state law. It isn’t a rogue initiative of my administration or the tax assessor’s office. Though each of us perhaps has ideas on changes we would like to see, we are obliged to follow the law. It is my perspective that the objective is worthy despite the effort it requires and confusion it creates in some cases. Equal valuation for fair distribution of tax obligation is the target. 

As our assessor indicated two weeks ago, in accordance with Rhode Island State Statute 44-5-11.6, and our bid and purchasing requirements, the Town engaged Northeast Revaluation Group LLC to perform that work. The work was recently completed and notifications have been sent to all taxpayers with their new values. Those new valuations will be effective December 31, 2018 and be applicable to the 2019 tax bill. But the new value is only the first step in the process. The next step is establishing the new tax rate to be used in calculating each bill. Please do not multiply your new property value by the current tax rate to estimate your new bill. Since property values have risen over the last few years, it is expected that the tax rate will be proportionately lower. The new tax rate will only be determined in the budget process for the 2019-2020 fiscal year. 

While the deadline has now passed to schedule a meeting with Northeast, you can still go online to www.nereval.com to check the accuracy of your property data, and compare your new assessment to the assessment of surrounding properties.  If you still have questions, please feel free to contact the assessor’s office at 401-767-2200 ext. 323 or my office at extension 303. Our objective is to make every effort to assure the process is accurate and fair well in advance of printing any bills.

Cicilline Welcomes North Smithfield Priest to Open U.S. House with Prayer, Serve as Guest Chaplain for Chamber

Father Philip G. Salois is a native Rhode Islander. He was born in Woonsocket in November 1948. He served in the U.S. Army as a combat infantryman during the Vietnam War. He earned the Silver Star for valor in battle. He was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest in 1984 and later worked for more than two decades as Chief of the Boston VA Healthcare System Chaplain Service, retiring in 2015. He lives in North Smithfield today.

The North Smithfield Food Pantry is looking for TWO NEW VOLUNTEER POSITIONS

Please click the links below for a full Job Description

• FOOD RESCUE COORDINATOR VOLUNTEER
• DAILY COORDINATOR VOLUNTEER

Ham Radio Training Class

Event Details

An introduction to Ham Radio and class will be offered beginning on Thursday, March 14 at 7:00 PM at the North Smithfield Emergency Management Office at 575 Smithfield Rd (North Smithfield Police Station), North Smithfield, RI. The class will run from the March 14^th to May 9^th . The class time will be from 7:00PM to 9:15PM. On May 11th, there will be a volunteer examination session thanks to the Blackstone Valley Amateur Radio Club.

Ham Radio, or Amateur Radio, allows people to communicate via radio over distances ranging from a few to thousands of miles. Unlike phones, amateur radio does not rely on a network which can go down in critical times. Ham Radio allows you to speak to many people all at once as opposed to dialing a number and leaving a message.

Several states, including New Hampshire and Vermont, have restricted the use of phones while driving. The use of amateur radio equipment in vehicles is not restricted because you do not dial phone numbers nor hold the unit up to your ear. This allows conversation to take place while driving, as long as it is done responsibly and safely.

Ham Radio forms a large community network, much like Facebook. Voice conversations can easily take place among many participants. And the conversation is free – no bill at the end of the month!

While ham radio's primary mission is to serve the public in emergencies, most of the activity is enjoying conversation with others. Some like to talk, others would rather listen and experiment. While talking on the radio, ham operators get very good at communicating – a critical skill which could bring needed relief one day.

Before anyone can transmit, they must receive an FCC license. A test is given to prove that you understand rules and regulations, safety and basic electronics. Knowledge of Morse Code is no longer required. The class starting on March 14th class will provide training for the first license level which is technician.

The cost of the class is free, however a Gordon West study guide is required which is $22.00. You can order the book at the first class or order at Amazon.com. To register call the EMA office at 767-2206 during regular business hours or send an e-mail of interest to Sgt William Lincourt at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

North Smithfield Fire & Rescue Service, Inc.

                            1470 Providence Pike • North Smithfield, RI 02896

For the next several weeks, North Smithfield Emergency Management, CERT and REACT will be providing articles on survival preparation for an emergency. Many emergency response organizations have encouraged citizens to have three days of emergency supplies on hand in case disaster strikes, but because we live in a world where terrorism and cyber attacks have created possibilities of long-term outages of every day necessities, we should now consider being prepared for at least two weeks.

Those who have already prepared for three days have a good start as many items for three days will be good for the two week preparation. Flashlights, radios, extra batteries, first aid kits, contact information and manual can opener are items handy for three days or two weeks. Future articles will advise about other necessities that will be required for longer outages.

The key to survival in most cases will be to stay in your own home (shelter in place) as long as it is safe. Have an emergency plan that your family is familiar with and discuss the importance of knowing the location of emergency supplies. Community shelters may become overloaded and not have the abundance of supplies needed to sustain shelter goers for a long stay. First responders may be overwhelmed with disaster emergencies and should not be counted on to provide you with emergency supplies.

Hopefully, the forthcoming articles will give you food for thought in your preparation for a catastrophic emergency. This week's article will discuss GETTING INVOLVED WITH EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, CERT, AND REACT!

Get Involved with Emergency Management, CERT and REACT

There are many ways to Get Involved, especially before a disaster occurs. The content found on this page will guide you to find ways to take action in your community. Community leaders agree the formula for ensuring a safer homeland consists of trained volunteers and informed individuals taking action to increase the support of emergency response agencies during disasters. Major disasters can overwhelm first responder agencies, empowering individuals to lend support.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Learn first aid, join a Community Emergency Response Team in your community, donate to a reputable organization of your choice, and volunteer to respond to disasters and help your fellow Americans. Visit NVOAD.org to learn more.
• Volunteer and receive training to support disaster and preparedness efforts in your community.
• Teach preparedness curriculum in your school. Download everything you need for grades K-12 through our Ready Kids program.
• Promote preparedness online by sharing preparedness tips on your social media account with Ready’s online social media toolkit or public service announcements
• Take a free online independent study course through FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute and gain more knowledge to help your community become more prepared.

Support your community by participating in FEMA’s individual and community preparedness programs: Citizen Corps, Community Emergency Response Team, Prepareathon, Youth Preparedness

Until Help Arrives

You Are the Help Until Help Arrives (Until Help Arrives), designed by FEMA, are trainings that can be taken online or in-person, where participants learn to take action and, through simple steps, potentially can save a life before professional help arrives. The program encourages the public to take these five steps when there is an emergency.

• Call 9-1-1;
• Protect the injured from harm;
• Stop bleeding;
• Position the injured so they can breathe; and
• Provide comfort.

Citizen Corps

The Citizen Corps mission is accomplished through a national network of state, local, and tribal Citizen Corps Councils. These Councils build on community strengths to implement the Citizen Corps preparedness programs and carry out a local strategy to involve government, community leaders, and citizens in all-hazards preparedness and resilience.

Citizen Corps asks you to embrace the personal responsibility to be prepared, to get training in first aid and emergency skills, and to volunteer to support local emergency responders, disaster relief, and community safety.

• To learn how you can register for Citizen Corps or find a program near you, please contact your local emergency manager or FEMA at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Community Emergency Response Team

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates individuals about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.

• Register, join or login to your CERT
• To learn how you can register for CERT or find a program near you, please contact your local emergency manager or FEMA at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Youth Preparedness

As of May 2014, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, there is a total of 69.6 million children in school or child care in the United States. Emergencies and disasters can happen at any time, often without warning, where you may not be together with your children.

Starting or getting involved with a youth preparedness program is a great way to enhance a community’s resilience and help develop future generations of prepared adults.

• Youth Preparedness Fact Sheet 
• Subscribe to the Children and Disasters Newsletter
• Learn about FEMA’s Youth Preparedness Council

Prepareathon

FEMA’s Prepareathon motivates people and communities to take action to prepare for and protect themselves against disasters. Its chief goals are to increase the number of people who:

• Understand which disasters could affect their community
• Know what to do to stay safe
• Take action to increase preparedness
• Improve their ability to recover from a disaster
• Learn more about Prepareathon

NORTHERN RI REACT

www.northernrireact.org

THE NORTHERN RHODE ISLAND REACT, is a nonprofit organization chartered as team (C-102) by REACT International to provide emergency communications in the public interest. It is qualified as a charity under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. We have been in existence since 1962 serving the residents of Northern Rhode Island.

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.

MARCH 2019 Senior Services Newsletter

MARCH 2019 Activity Calendar of Events

MARCH 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