Town of Smithfield
news & updates
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Refuse and Recycling Corner
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DID YOU KNOW THAT RECYCLING HELPS SAVE TAX DOLLARS??
Did you know that there is a financial benefit to recycling? Rhode Island cities and towns do not currently pay tipping fees to bring clean, non-contaminated recycling to Rhode Island Resource Recovery. However, cities and towns pay a tipping rate of $47/ton to dispose of trash in the State landfill and this fee will be increasing to $54/ton in July of 2022.
In April, the Town of Smithfield delivered 194 tons of mixed recycling (the items from curbside recycling carts) to RIRRC. By keeping those recyclable items out of the landfill, Smithfield saved $9,118.00 in tipping fees. RIRRC also offers additional incentives to Towns that meet recycling benchmarks. Per the current contract, RIRRC offers a per ton rebate on tipping fees for disposal of trash at the Central landfill. The rebate is $1 per ton of trash for municipalities that recycle between 25% and 29.99% of their solid waste at the Materials Recycling Facility, $2 for those that recycle between 30% and 34.99%. The final tier, our goal, is $3 for municipalities that recycle over 35% of their solid waste at the Materials Recycling Facility. Smithfield’s recycling rate for the month of April was 28.3%.
If you want to help the Town save your tax dollars, please try your best to limit waste and be a conscious recycler. Check out the link below to ensure that you are placing the correct items in your curbside recycling cart, what-to-recycle-in-your-bin-cart.
Remember that each time you toss a plastic container, cardboard box, metal can, glass bottle or any other good, clean recyclables into your trash cart instead of your recycling cart, it costs the Town tax dollars.
Beyond your curbside cart…
There are even more ways to help the Town save tax dollars through recycling. Smithfield residents can take advantage of recycling opportunities for items that are recyclable through special drop-off programs. We are now able to accept most electronics, rigid plastics and scrap metal, by appointment at Smithfield DPW, call 401-233-1034 X105.
By trashing less and recycling more, you are saving YOUR tax dollars!
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Smithfield Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force
-Seeking Residents-
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On April 20, 2021, the Smithfield Town Council created the Smithfield Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force with a vision of a dynamic community embracing its future while respecting its past with core values of civility, sustainability, diversity, inclusivity through full participation, partnership, and resiliency as a guide to approaching the work of the Town.
The Town Council is current seeking volunteers to serve on the Smithfield Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force. Interested parties should submit a letter of interest to the Town Manager’s Office, 64 Farnum Pike, Smithfield, RI 02917 along with an application form and resume. A letter of interest may contain your interest or experience in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion.
Available Resources:
Goals of the Smithfield Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force are as follows:
- Engage with Smithfield residents, interest groups, and businesses to seek feedback on their experiences that can improve life in our community.
- Identify strategies that help the Town to be more inclusive in engaging our residents and businesses that will better promote unity, equality and understanding in Smithfield
- Work with a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Consultant to develop a comprehensive plan and long-term vision of diversity, equity and inclusion goals for the community. The plan should include methods of both short- and long-term monitoring and evaluation that consider several areas, including but not limited to policies and procedures, community partnership engagement and ongoing education.
- Present recommendation to the Smithfield Town Council on how to achieve the goals above.
- Subcommittees may be formed to focus on issues or subjects meriting more detailed discussion.
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Over the last year, the pandemic has given people a small glimpse of the vital role of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) professionals. The sacrifice and dedication of EMTs, EMT- Cardiacs, paramedics and other EMS practitioners has rightfully earned them admiration and gratitude in their communities.
Calling us heroes sometimes obscures the fact that—behind those masks—are people who, every day, take on many crucial roles: Healthcare professional. Emergency manager. Social worker. Crisis counselor. Consoler. Caregiver.
This year, for National EMS Week which was held in May, the many roles of EMS professionals and the people behind the scenes who support them was honored throughout the United States. The slogan for this year was THIS IS EMS – Caring for Our Communities. The slogan was selected to share our story with the rest of the world, to make sure people understand that EMS isn’t defined by lights and sirens or ambulance rides. The full portrait of what EMS does and who we are is much more complex, diverse and nuanced.
It’s the paramedic who makes sure someone will feed an elderly patient’s cat when she’s at the hospital.
It’s the department that steps up to run testing and vaccination clinics when no one else can.
It’s the EMT who holds a child’s hand on the way to the hospital to make sure he isn’t scared.
It’s the crew that spends an hour fighting for a cardiac arrest victim’s life at the end of long, sleepless night.
It’s the emergency medical professionals who care for our communities, day in and day out.
THIS IS EMS.
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Elementary Reconfiguration Project Update |
The Pleasant View Elementary site was visited by General Treasurer Seth Magaziner and local State Representative Bernard Hawkins in mid-May. Both were impressed with the progress of construction and the many 21st century design elements incorporated into the project.
Crews have begun working on the Phase II of the exterior site work at McCabe. Grounds are being brought to finish grade, sidewalks are being prepared, and the subbase for playgrounds are being installed. Concrete work in the new courtyard has begun as well, as the nesting pair of killdeer have moved their chicks off site.
Interior work at Old County is focused on HVAC rough-ins, gypsum wall board installation, and MEP (Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing) enabling work. Building envelope work is nearing completion, with all windows and metal panels installed, brick veneer substantially complete, and existing facility brick restoration and repointing nearing completion as well. Work will transition to interior finishes, including floors, ceiling grid, and painting in the next few weeks.
LaPerche interior finishes are approaching substantial completion, as luxury vinyl tile, cabinetry, and bathroom fixtures are all installed ahead of schedule. MEP work also continues with the boiler replacement underway, the new power service switchover complete, and environmental controls progressing throughout the addition. The building envelope is also substantially complete, with all windows, exterior doors, metal panels, and masonry awaiting punch out. (TOP RIGHT: Old County Road School addition; BOTTOM: Inside McCabe addition.)
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Agendas, minutes, and presentations are posted on the school construction update page. |
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- Vacancies for Town Boards and Commissions
- The Town is currently seeking volunteers to serve on various boards and commissions. These boards and commissions act as advisory committees to the Town Council. Town residents with an interest in serving on any of these boards or commissions are encouraged to apply.
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Interested parties should submit a letter of interest to the Town Manager’s Office, 64 Farnum Pike, Smithfield, RI 02917 along with an application form and resume. A letter of interest may contain your interest or experience in the field of each particular board or commission that you are applying for.
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Check online for board & commission vacancies at Onboard click the “Run Report” button on the left of that page.
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Current Openings Include (Feel free to use the links below to contact the board chairs for additional information):
- Smithfield Water Supply Board Advisory Commission
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Affordable Housing Advisory Board
- Economic Development Commission
- The Smithfield Town Council has an initiative program called “Smithfield Samaritans,” and encourages anyone in the community to self-nominate or submit a name to the Town Manager, of a Smithfield resident or business in town who is doing or has performed an act of kindness or a good deed that is notable or charitable.
- The Town Council will review all nominations that are submitted and will each month select one individual or business to be recognized with a citation and the opportunity to speak at the council meeting explaining their good deeds “on the record.”
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The nomination form is available online here as well as printed copies available in Town Hall.
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It is our hope that the number of subscribers will continue to grow over time in an effort to reach most households and businesses in Town. If you have friends or family that may be interested in receiving our electronic newsletter, please forward them a copy. Subscribing to the electronic newsletter is easy and painless. |
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