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Town of North Smithfield
January 18th, 2019 Edition
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WHAT'S HAPPENING IN NORTH SMITHFIELD
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Message from Town Administrator
Gary Ezovski
Just when you thought the detours were over, they’re back! However, this time it is just for maintenance and not full bridge reconstruction. The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) has advised that maintenance work will start on January 23, 2019 at the Route 146 bridge over Connector Road/Old Great Road. The work will require that Connector Road/Old Great Road be closed at the bridge for two to three weeks (depending on weather) while a portion of the maintenance operation is completed on the underside of the structure. The detour route will be to Central Street and around through the intersection at Slatersville Plaza.
RIDOT has advised that they are trying to do as much as possible of this maintenance work now to avoid the chance that this closure could impact travel when work starts on other bridges in the area. We will do our best to share future information about this project as it is provided to us. Please remember that the town does not have control over RIDOT projects. We do, however, have ability to make RIDOT aware of concerns, so please do not hesitate to advise if there are unusual circumstances that can be passed along to RIDOT for consideration as they do the work.
In the good news arena, our finance department and auditors have completed their work in reviewing our fiscal 2018 financial performance. I am happy to report that our team was the third RI community to submit its audit to the state on time despite the obligation to produce the audit in a new state mandated format. More importantly, the audit demonstrates that our overall efforts complied with the budget established by the town council for that fiscal year which closed with a surplus of over $543,000 or 1.25% of the total budget. That surplus was accomplished by the collective determination of my office, the town council and our finance department to avoid spending any of the contingency fund that was included in that budget. Our ability to do so has allowed that surplus to be transferred to the town’s unrestricted fund balance which now stands at a more respectable 12.52% of revenues, making it compliant with our new fund balance policy ordinance that requires maintaining the balance between 12% and 16% as one measure of sustaining a sound balance sheet.
Finally, at the Lion’s Club dinner this week, I was asked if we could provide a place where updates can be provided for the various construction projects that are taking place in town. Since this newsletter is a primary tool in our effort to keep residents and businesses informed on what is happening in town, my assistant Tami and I will be trying to add regular updates in this newsletter. We will make effort to include the various RIDOT bridge projects as well as the construction for the new town hall, the elementary school addition, the high school science lab and locker room renovation, our 2019 local road resurfacing/reconstruction project, our ongoing sewer extension in Slatersville and the water line extension for Mechanic Street and Old Great Road. We will be gathering up to date information for our first summary on all that for next week’s letter.
Stay safe and warm as you endure the potential ice or snow storm this weekend and these January days that are often our coldest days of winter.
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In observance of Martin Luther King, Jr Day, all town offices will be closed on Monday, January 21st, 2019.
There will be no trash or recycling pick up on Monday, January 21st. All routes will be delayed one day all week.
Residents are urged to plan accordingly.
Have a Safe Weekend!
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"I GOT CAUGHT READING"
The Police Department is piggy backing with other departments nationwide to encourage kids to read. We printed bookmarks to give to those kids we see reading a book, instead of them playing with a digital device or playing video games. The SRO’s will be looking to “CATCH” kids reading and to those they catch, they will give a bookmark. This is all in advance of NS schools celebrating World Read Aloud Day on February 1st.
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NORTH SMITHFIELD SESQUICENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY
150 YEARS 1871 – 2021
Steering Committee Meeting
Thursday, January 24, 2019 at 7:00 pm
at
Heritage Hall
101 Greene Street, Slatersville, RI
* Develop a calendar of community events and activities
* Form working groups
* Plan a budget and fundraising strategies
Town residents and supporters of all ages are encouraged to participate.
Meeting sponsored by the North Smithfield Heritage Association
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The North Smithfield Heritage Association Announces Forestdale Schoolhouse Public Openings for 2019
The Little Red Schoolhouse is open for visitors monthly, every second and third Thursday and Saturday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
While there, you can view artifacts, relics, and merchandise. You can also conduct historic research.
For further information: contact Louise VanHouwe at 401-769-8177
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Adopt a Fire Hydrant
With over 150 fire hydrants and cisterns, (Underground Water tanks), in town, the North Smithfield Fire and Rescue Service is looking for the communities help with keeping them free and clear of snow and ice. After a storm, Fire crews will be out to clear hydrants and cisterns but with only two trucks on the road and such a large number of them, it can take us a considerable amount of time to get to them all. Any help we can get from the community to accelerate the process would be greatly appreciated. If you have a hydrant or cistern on or near your property, consider clearing it out so that we can access it in the event of a fire in the area. Help us help you!
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Winter Safety Tips
We hope everyone had a great holiday season! We wanted to pass on a few safety tips as we enter the “JOYFUL” days of winter:
1. With cold weather comes frozen bodies of water. Never assume that frozen lakes, ponds, and streams are safe to walk on. Always call the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) 24 hour Hotline at (401) 667-6222 to check on ice conditions before lacing up those skates or stringing up the ice fishing tilts.
2. Normally, winter = snow. Some love it and others not so much! Either way, it still falls from the sky, and we all must deal with it. Please try to keep all driveways, sidewalks, steps and other access points to your home free and clear of snow at all times. In addition, keep snow and ice clear of dryer vents, gas meters, and any other ventilation points from your home.
3. Clean your chimney! It is important to have a maintenance plan for your heating devices in your home. Fuel burning appliances require regular maintenance in order to retain efficiency and safety features.
4. Lastly, we cannot have a fire safety release without mentioning the most important thing: Always check and maintain smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your home!
As always, feel free to contact the North Smithfield Fire Prevention office at (401) 762-1135 Monday through Thursday between the hours of 07:00 a.m. and 05:00 p.m. for any fire safety questions you may have.
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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.
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TOWN OF NORTH SMITHFIELD DPW
WINTER SAFETY TIPS
Winter brings with it lots of fun activities, but winter also means mounds of snow to shovel and layers of ice to remove. During some snow storms it becomes impossible for our plow drivers to know where the edge of the road is. Here are some helpful tips to ensure safety and efficiency during a snow storm.
- Use reflective markers to make the edge of the road more visible for DPW when plowing. This is the best way to ensure trucks stay off your lawns.
- Please remove everything from the roadway to clear it for the snow plows to come through (cars, basketball hoops, garbage cans etc.)
- When shoveling snow or operating a snow blower, do not throw snow out in to the street or sidewalk. This is not only against State Law (State Law Title 31-22-9), but this will ensure that snow does not freeze in the roadway or sidewalk and cause a hazard for vehicles and pedestrians. Please visit https://www.nsmithfieldri.org/home/news/snow-removal-policy for more information on our snow removal policy.
- Trucks are plowing or spreading sand/salt. Stay back from the vehicle at least 100 feet to avoid problems. Plow trucks often have to back up. There are blind spots in the mirrors. For your safety, do not pull directly behind them. They may not be able to see you.
- Trash and recycling collections may be canceled if weather conditions warrant. Check our website www.nsmithfieldri.org or call (401) 767-2200 ext. 348 for potenial pick-up delays.
- Clear snow from around fire hydrants near your home/business to make them visible for our firefighters.
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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 Disaster Planning.
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Disaster Planning Is Up To You
"The recent severe storms and tornadoes that have occurred over the last several months here in Northern Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts should serve as a reminder to all Rhode Island residents that each household needs to have a disaster preparedness plan", said Colonel Peter E. Branconnier at the North Smithfield Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The first 72 hours after a disaster are critical. Electricity, gas, water and telephones may not be working. In addition, public safety services such as police and fire departments may not be able to reach you immediately during a serious crisis. Each person should be prepared to be self-sufficient - able to live without running water, electricity and/or gas, and telephones - for at least three days following a disaster. To do so, keep the following on hand and rotate supplies to keep them fresh:
- Maintain enough nonperishable food for each person for at least 72 hours.
- Store enough so each person has a gallon a day for 72 hours, preferably for one week. Store in airtight containers and replace it every six months. Store disinfectants such as iodine tablets or chlorine bleach, eight drops per gallon, to purify water if necessary.
- First aid kit: Make sure it is well stocked, especially with bandages and disinfectants.
- Fire extinguisher: Your fire extinguisher should be suitable for all types of fires. Teach all family members how to use it.
- Flashlights with extra batteries: Keep flashlights beside your bed and in several other locations. Do not use matches or candles until you are certain there are no gas leaks.
- Weather Radios: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radio, with battery backup, portable radio or portable television with extra batteries: Telephones may be out of order or limited to emergency use. The NOAA weather radio, portable radio or portable television may be your best source of information.
- Miscellaneous items: Extra blankets, clothing, shoes and money. Wear sturdy shoes just in case you need to walk through rubble and debris.
- Alternative cooking sources: Store a barbecue or camping stove for outdoor camping.
- Ensure there are no gas leaks before you use any kind of fire as a cooking source and never use charcoal indoors. Gasoline-powered appliances should be filled away from ignition sources.
- Special items: Have at least 72 hours of medications and food for infants and those with special needs. Don't forget diapers.
- Have an adjustable or pipe wrench for turning off gas and water, and a shovel or broom for cleaning up.
- Assemble an animal emergency supply kit and develop a pet care buddy system with friends or relatives to make sure someone is available to care for or evacuate your pets if you are unable to do so. Be sure each of your pets has a tag with your name and phone number. Whether you decide to stay put in an emergency or evacuate to a safer location, you will need to plan for your pets.
Pay attention to directions from your local emergency manager, police and others and obey instructions in the event of an evacuation. Everyone who has subscribed for their cellphone should be getting Code Red warnings. All household and business landlines are already subscribed. If not, you should obtain a NOAA weather radio to receive alerts and learn the language of weather warnings:
- A watch is issued by the National Weather Service when the risk of a hazardous weather or hydrologic event has increased significantly, but its occurrence, location, and/or timing is still uncertain.
- A warning means seek shelter now, in a storm shelter, interior room (bathroom best) or cellar.
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"CAN YOU HELP?"
The Town of North Smithfield is "STILL" Seeking Volunteer Members for Several Committees
* Planning Board Committee
* Economic Development Committee
* Budget Committee
Anyone interested in volunteering, please contact Gary Ezovski at 767-2200 ext. 303 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Town of North Smithfield
Department of Public Works – Highway Division
Snow and Ice Removal Policy
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"SCOUT ME IN!
A new BSA Troop is launching February 1st for Girls ages 11 through 17.
The historic move means boys and girls will soon experience the values-based, life-changing, Instagram-worthy moments offered in all of Scouting’s programs — from Cub Scouting all the way to Scouting’s highest honor, the rank of Eagle Scout.
Troop 438 North Smithfield will be a troop providing these awesome opportunities to Girls in our community soon! We will be hosting an informational night Friday, January 18th 6:30 PM - 8PM at Scouter's Hall, 32 Main Street, North Smithfield.
Any questions can be directed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it."
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North Smithfield Residents Food Pantry
Slatersville Congregational Church
25 Green Street
North Smithfield, RI 02896
The flavor of the month for January is
CANNED PASTA
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.
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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.
JANUARY 2019 Senior Services Newsletter
JANUARY 2019 Calendar of Events
JANUARY 2019 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
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UPCOMING MEETINGS
Agendas can be found on the Secretary of State Website by
CLICKING HERE
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Zoning Board Meeting
Tuesday, January 22nd @ 7:00 pm
Primrose Fire Station
1470 Providence Pike
North Smithfield, RI 02896
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New York police say the man who set himself on fire outside the Donal Trump trial drove from Florida to New York City earlier this week. The man had some papers with him that detailed conspiracy theories involving local politics. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition. 
