Town of North Smithfield September 13th, 2019 Edition

Message from Town Administrator Gary Ezovski My note today is about odds and ends. First up, EEE. Action by state agencies came to North Smithfield this week in the form of aerial spraying to reduce adult mosquito population. Through statewide conference calls on the subject, we have been encouraged by those agencies to remind everyone that the spraying is a risk reduction effort and not a solution. Until frost conditions arrive and persist, it is our understanding that everyone is encouraged to maintain concern for exposure to mosquitoes by minimizing outdoor activity particularly near dusk and dawn. If outdoor activities are a must, skin cover and appropriate bug spray use is advised. Please see RIDEM and RIDOH websites for additional guidance. My second topic is a follow up to the first. With help from our police, fire and EMA units, we tried to let everyone know about the aerial spraying by this newsletter, our respective websites and social media. We reached some but not enough to say we could be satisfied with the result. Over the next few weeks we will act to assure the ability of our Police, Fire and EMA departments to use the Code Red system. I will be double checking that ability to be sure each of those departments is indeed properly equipped to use Code Red when needed. After that is done, we will be making another effort to engage residents to do their part by signing up for Code Red notices in the various forms that are available. Finally, we will be running tests of the system. Despite the multiple methods available for communication today, this EEE spraying notice makes it clear that we must do better. Use of Code Red will be a vital piece of that effort. The link on the Town’s website is the place where you can do your part in our effort to spread very important messages when there is need.  https://www.nsmithfieldri.org/ema-homeland-security/pages/codered-information   We will be pointing to that more and more over the next few weeks in an effort to be certain that our departments are prepared to send and our citizens are registered to receive time critical messages. One without the other doesn’t work. Please work with us to make this happen. Finally, our road reconstruction contractor has indicated work will begin on Tuesday to reconstruct Great Road and East Harkness Road. While this will clearly require the patience of residents along those streets and those it feeds such as Tanglewood, Winchester, Martha and Sorel, there will be a short period of time where we will need the cooperation of the motoring public when the equipment is working at the intersection of Great Road and 146 A at the Shell station.  There are probably more odds and a few ends hanging out there, but that’s all for now. Have a nice near end of summer weekend! Oops. One more thing. Leaves are starting to fall. Curbside pick up of yard waste will start on October 7. And oh wait, did I mention signing up for Code Red?

UPCOMING MEETINGS Agendas can be found on the Secretary of State Website by CLICKING HERE (Agendas in PDF form will be posted next to the corresponding meeting if available before this newsletter is published) Town Council Meeting (Agenda) Monday, September 16th @ 6:45 pm North Smithfield Middle School 1850 Providence Pike North Smithfield, RI 02896 School Committee Meeting  Tuesday, September 17th @ 6:30 pm North Smithfield Middle School 1850 Providence Pike North Smithfield, RI 02896 Asset Management Meeting (Agenda)  Tuesday, September 17th @ 6:30 pm Town Hall Conference Room 1 Main Street Slatersville, RI 02876 Sewer Commission Meeting (Agenda)  Wednesday, September 18th @ 7:00 pm Primrose Fire Station 1470 Providence Pike North Smithfield, RI 02896 The North Smithfield Heritage Association Upcoming events: North Smithfield History Night--Friday, September 13th, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm.   Heritage Hall, 101 Green St. Slatersville Richard Eckert, the 18th Century Tinsmith, will discuss his craft. Open to the public; Free admission; Light refreshments Blunders Historic District Tour Saturday, September 28th 9:00 am-11:00 am Meet at North Smithfield Middle School Open to the Public Blunders Historic District NS22, William Mowry House, Blunders, and Burial mounds. Wear a hat, long pants,comfortable walking shoes. Bring water and insect repellent. Nipsachuck District Tour Saturday, October 5th 9:00 am-11:00 am Meet at North Smithfield Middle School Open to the Public Nipsachuck District, NS57, Three Dog Site, Nipsachuck Battleground Wear a hat, long pants, comfortable walking shoes. Bring water and insect repellent.

13th Annual  North Smithfield  Great Pumpkin Festival Saturday - September 21, 2019 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM North Smithfield High School Grounds The next committee meeting will be Wednesday, September 18th at 6:00 at R&R Industries, Inc. 147 Industrial Drive, North Smithfield. Click Here  for more information on the event and a list of the upcoming Committee Meetings.

Admission buttons are now available at Wright’s Dairy, R & D Seafood, NS Walgreens, NS ‘Lil General, NS Town Hall, Goodwin Farms, and B&L Beauty in Woonsocket. Buttons are $1.00 in advance and $2.00 the day of the event.

PUMPKINFEST VOLUNTEERS NEEDED ASAP Volunteers are needed for the PumpkinFest. If you could volunteer your time at any time during the event, please contact the PumpkinFest Committee at ns.pumpkinfest@gmail.com Thank you!

The North Smithfield Heritage Association                                                                                                                                            Post Office Box 413 Slatersville, Rhode Island 02876 nsha@nsheritageassn.org 1-401-447-6394 The North Smithfield Heritage Association (NSHA) plans to release its 2020 Calendar at the town’s Great Pumpkin Festival on September 21. The calendar features images of local historic buildings and town landmarks along with a short description of each location. The NSHA hopes the calendar will promote community awareness of town landmarks as well as support for their restoration and preservation efforts, according to Committee Chairman Charles Dubois. Local artist, Aleksandra Norton created the spectacular images and Judy Tenzar Beauchemin, at New England Image and Print, designed and printed the final collectible quality product. Besides the Pumpkin Festival, visitors can purchase calendars for $10 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.   For more information, visit the North Smithfield Heritage Assn Facebook Page, contact them via email at nsha@nsheritageassn.org or call Rich at 401-447-6394.

NORTH SMITHFIELD HERITAGE ASSOCIATION RELEASES 2019 Heritage Association Canvas Tote Bag The 2019 North Smithfield Heritage Association canvas tote bag will make its official debut at the Town’s 13th annual Great Pumkinfest on Saturday Sept. 21st. The kelly green bag is 12” x 15.5” by 7” and made of sturdy earth-friendly non-woven fabric with yellow top carry handles. Imprints on the front and back feature the Association’s logo and two buildings maintained by NSHA. “The tote bag will be available at our Association booth, on the grounds of the Town High School from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and then at our headquarters, the Forestdale Schoolhouse, after that,” according to John Faricy, Association Vice President. Donations of $10 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,Slatersville. “Join us in celebrating the Town’s heritage as we prepare for the North Smithfield’s 150th anniversary in 2021, and support our preservation efforts by purchasing one of these totes,” Faricy added. The Tote bags were made locally by Sports Systems Custom Bag Corp. of Woonsocket, RI, owned and operated by Marc Staelen of North Smithfield for more than 44 years. A limited selection of the Association’s previously offered Christmas ornaments will also be available at the NSHA booth during the event. They 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. Afterwards, bags and ornaments and other historical souvenirs will be available by appointment by calling Louise Vanhouwe (769-8177). With the help of the Town of North Smithfield, many Town civics’ organizations, preservation foundations and private donations, the North Smithfield Heritage Association continues to maintain two historic buildings in Town, the “Little Red Schoolhouse” in Forestdale and Heritage Hall, at 101 Green Street, Slatersville. The NSHA is a certified 501.c.3 non-profit organization. Tax deductible donations and new members are always welcome. For more information, visit us at www.nsheritageassn.org or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/northsmithfieldheritage

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  SEPTEMBER is   CANNED MEAT 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.

Garden Workshop Putting Your Garden to Bed Saturday, September 21 at 10:00 am Scouters Hall, Pacheco Park North Smithfield Parks and Recreation is sponsoring a presentation by URI Master Gardener, Lee Menard. This talk will cover preparing new beds, mulching and adding nutrients to existing beds, bulb planting and much more. This event is FREE .

Click Here for the Keep Blackstone Valley Beautiful newsletter. There is great information about how Rhode Island is doing with recycling.

Support our North Smithfield Athletic Association on Sept 27.

MESSAGE FROM NORTH SMITHFIELD YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATION

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.

Fiber Arts Gathering Every Monday from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm (except the 1st Monday of the month) At the Meadows 2 Village Way North Smithfield, RI Join our active group of knitters, crocheters, weavers, darners,quilters and embroiderers. Beginners and experienced are invited.  Come to learn and share. FREE, donations accepted Organized by Engage North Smithfield

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 2019 Newsletter SEPTEMBER 2019 Calendar of Events SEPTEMBER 2019 Menu Senior exercise classes at Scouter's Hall, 13 Main Street, North Smithfield include: Zumba Gold Mondays at 10:00 AM, No class on Sept. 2 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

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