Woonsocket Radio News Room

Town of North Smithfield

May 3, 2019 Edition

Message from Town Administrator

Gary Ezovski

Bridges and Roads Again!

Bridges first! The continuing closure of Connector Road/Old Great Road for RIDOT’s repair of the Route 146 bridge has frustrated our residents and that frustration is justified. When the project started, RIDOT advised the road would be closed for about three weeks. That was months ago. Our frustration has been communicated to RIDOT’s project manager on multiple occasions. While weather has been a factor, RIDOT admits it doesn’t justify the length of the delay.  They have expressed their dissatisfaction to the contractor who RIDOT explains has been spread too thin. I visited the site late yesterday. It was encouraging to see that removal of degraded concrete had been accomplished to a point where forms were being installed to place new concrete. That is the good news. The bad news is RIDOT’s response to a request for a completion date which was this: “The remaining work underneath the bridge consists of finishing the form work, pouring/patching the remaining sections, allowing the concrete to cure, strip/remove the forms and then clean-up and remove traffic protection. It is not a lot of work left, granted the overhead work can be challenging, but will probably be another week or two.” I have asked DPW to check the site daily so we can report activity or lack thereof to RIDOT to encourage a continuing effort toward reopening the road.

Now on to roads! We have good news about our local road reconstruction efforts. Last Thursday we opened bids for our next local road reconstruction project. The bid values and our budget appear compatible, so we are moving forward to complete two more miles of improvements. At the May 13th town council meeting, I expect to request approval to sign a contract for that work. All or portions of streets that will be rebuilt are Great Road, East Harkness Road, Wilks Ave, Carlton Ave, Rainville Ave, Litzen Road, Lorraine Ave, Parkview Drive, and Edward Ave. That is a good thing, but it must be acknowledged that this next contract won’t fix every local road. Much like the state bridge circumstance, a program for regularly working on reconstruction of our local roads has not existed over the years. 

The first step by others in reacting to that was the 2014 bond that allowed seven miles of roads to be properly addressed. Those who have followed my budget recommendations know that after analyzing what we had done with the bond resources and then studying the continuing list of needs, last year I explained need to gradually build our annual appropriation from the $235,000 it was in the 2017 budget that I inherited, to a total of $800,000 per year so we could rebuild two miles of roadway every year. In the 2019 budget we raised the appropriation to $350,000 and it is my recommendation that it be $450,000 in the upcoming 2020 budget year. In short, we are making progress toward a goal that can get us on a path and plan for continuous improvements. Along that path there certainly will be questions about why this road and not another. To that regard, I offer that there are multiple factors in making choices. Certainly, the road condition as identified in a 2014 engineering study is key as is the type of use and more recent changes in conditions. The next parameter is available funds, meaning we try to match the available funding with the lengths of roadway needing repair. Finally, there are utility projects to coordinate around and RIDOT activity that must be considered to avoid damage to new work or worst, excavating in those streets soon after reconstruction. If we hold the course to increasing the annual appropriation to $450,000 in 2020 and then $550,000 in the 2021 budget, we should be able to do another two miles in the summer and fall next year.

The North Smithfield School Department is inviting the community to review and comment on our DRAFT Strategic Plan. Strategic Planning is a process for creating the district’s preferred future. It is a long range planning process for district renewal and transformation for the next 3 to 5 years.

Our plan identifies five Priority Areas. Each Priority Area contains an overarching Goal along with a series of supporting Strategies. It is to these Goals and Strategies that district initiatives, programs, and procedures will connect and be measured.

We have created an online form where you can review our goals and strategies and enter your comments and suggestions: CLICK HERE FOR THE ONLINE FORM This form will be open until May 8th.

Additionally, a DRAFT version of the plan can be viewed by CLICKING HERE.

Thank you for your consideration and help as we work to improve our schools and support the entire community.

National Small Business Week in North Smithfield May 5th-May 11th, 2019

For more than 50 years, the President of the United States has issued a proclamation announcing National Small Business Week, which recognizes the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners.

More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business, and they create about two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. each year.

As part of National Small Business Week, the U.S. Small Business Administration takes the opportunity to highlight the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners, and others from all 50 states and U.S. territories. Every day, they’re working to grow small businesses, create 21st century jobs, drive innovation, and increase America’s global competitiveness.

RECYCLING IN YOUR CURBSIDE BIN

North Smithfield offers weekly curbside recycling pick-up on the same day as your trash collection. Using this recycling program is the easiest way to reuse valuable materials and reduce your trash amount.

Recycling also saves your tax dollars, precious space in our state landfill, and is good to our environment all at the same time. 

CLICK HERE FOR What Belongs in the

Blue Curbside Bin?

HOW TO GET A RECYCLE BIN: Recycle bins are available at the Town Hall located at 1 Main Street and at the Highway Garage, 281 Quaker Highway.

New residents will receive their first bin free. Replacement or additional bins are just $5. PLEASE DO NOT OVERFILL YOUR BINS

No longer need your old recycle bin? Bring to the highway garage and recycle it in our rigid plastic recycling program.

COMMUNITY CONVERSATION

Thursday, May 9, 2019

5:30-7:30 PM

NS Middle School

1850 Providence Pike

North Smithfield, RI 02896

Community Education & Conversation on

Energy Infrastructure Developments in

North Smithfield

Hosted by Engage North Smithfield

For information, contact

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

A Community Education and Conversation on Energy Infrastructure Development in North Smithfield will be held on May 9, 2019 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. The event will be held at the North Smithfield Middle School, 1850 Providence Pike.

Hosted by Engage North Smithfield with the participation of town residents and Tom Kravitz, North Smithfield Town Planner; we will discuss the process of development, the pros and cons and any other issues brought up. Questions from town residents that were generated by an on line survey and those that are brought by attendees will also be covered.

Anyone wanting further information can contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The survey can be found online at the Engage North Smithfield facebook page.

Contact is Ann Lilley at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 401-556-0853

A WORD OF ADVICE FROM HOMELAND SECURITY

Thunderstorms & Lightning

Lightning is a leading cause of injury and death from weather-related hazards. Although most lightning victims survive, people struck by lightning often report a variety of long-term, debilitating symptoms. Thunderstorms are dangerous storms that include lightning and can:

• Include powerful winds over 50 MPH;
• Create hail; and
• Cause flash flooding and tornadoes.

IF YOU ARE UNDER A THUNDERSTORM WARNING, FIND SAFE SHELTER RIGHT AWAY

• When thunder roars, go indoors!
• Move from outdoors into a building or car.
• Pay attention to alerts and warnings.
• Unplug appliances.
• Do not use landline phones.

HOW TO STAY SAFE WHEN A THUNDERSTORM THREATENS

Prepare NOW

• Know your area’s risk for thunderstorms. In most places, they can occur year-round and at any hour.
• Sign up for your community’s warning system. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts.
• Identify nearby, sturdy buildings close to where you live, work, study, and play.
• Cut down or trim trees that may be in danger of falling on your home.
• Consider buying surge protectors, lightning rods, or a lightning protection system to protect your home, appliances, and electronic devices.

Survive DURING

• When thunder roars, go indoors. A sturdy building is the safest place to be during a thunderstorm.
• Pay attention to weather reports and warnings of thunderstorms. Be ready to change plans, if necessary, to be near shelter.
• When you receive a thunderstorm warning or hear thunder, go inside immediately.
• If indoors, avoid running water or using landline phones. Electricity can travel through plumbing and phone lines.
• Protect your property. Unplug appliances and other electric devices. Secure outside furniture.
• If boating or swimming, get to land and find a sturdy, grounded shelter or vehicle immediately.
• If necessary, take shelter in a car with a metal top and sides. Do not touch anything metal.
• Avoid flooded roadways. Turn Around. Don’t Drown! Just six inches of fast-moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.

Be Safe AFTER

• Listen to authorities and weather forecasts for information on whether it is safe to go outside and instructions regarding potential flash flooding.
• Watch for fallen power lines and trees. Report them immediately.

George Nasuti Novans Pride 5K

Monday, May 27th, 2019

Start Time: 8:30 am

SAVE THE DATE

North Smithfield Announces Its 2nd Annual Fireworks Display

Come join us for our 2nd Annual Fireworks Display

If you missed it last year, you sure do not want to miss it this year!

When: Saturday, July 13th

Where: North Smithfield High School

Time: Sunset

Bring your own lawn chairs and blankets.

If you have any questions, please call Town Hall at 767-2200 ext. 301. More information to come!

North Smithfield Residents Food Pantry

Slatersville Congregational Church

25 Green Street

North Smithfield, RI 02896

The flavor of the month for MAY is 

PEANUT BUTTER

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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UPCOMING MEETINGS

Agendas can be found on the Secretary of State Website by

CLICKING HERE