Town of Smithfield
news & updates
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October 1, 2020 | Issue 11 |
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Smithfield Board of Canvassers
General Election Notice
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Commerce RI listens to RI Small Business Coalition, makes Restore RI small business grant program more inclusive and simplified, program updated September 22, 2020.
Rhode Island Commerce announced that the Restore Rhode Island grant program expansion launched on Tuesday, September 22nd. This new round will feature expanded program eligibility, an updated application process with reduced documentation for all applicants, and other new program features. In the seven weeks since the program began receiving applications, nearly 900 Rhode Island small businesses have already received Restore RI grants totaling approximately $8M.
Key Program Changes
- More businesses are now eligible including sole proprietors and businesses without employees and businesses with up to 50 FTEs
- Streamlined grant amount calculation process: any eligible business with at least 30% revenue loss in a month March to July may now apply.
- Fewer documents to upload for all applicants
Important note: if you are a business who has already applied for the Restore Rhode Island grant program and was previously deemed ineligible (perhaps because you were a sole proprietor with no additional employees) you will NOT need to reapply for the program. To request your previous application be reactivated, contact Commerce here.
NEXT STEPS
All applicants:
- Most recent business tax return (sole proprietors must provide schedule C), ownership information, Business EIN/Tax ID
- Revenue (sales) records for a month March to July of 2020 and for either the same month in 2019, January 2020 or February 2020.
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DUNS number (federal requirement to receive grant funds). You may request one here. Important: when prompted to select the “Primary Reason for DUNS Number Registration,” please select “I’m a US Government Contractor or Grantee” from the dropdown menu. Selecting any other option could result in a 30 day wait for your DUNS number.
- Records of your eligible expenses and information about state or federal funding you’ve received, including PPP, EIDL, Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, Unemployment Insurance, among others.
- Owner info: government ID (e.g. driver’s license), SSN, and most recent tax return
Applicants with employees or independent contractors will also need:
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A completed grant calculator: download the template for the grant calculator here
- Employment and/or contractor tax records. Applicants must have their IRS 941 or RI-TX 17 from Q1 or Q2 of 2020 and 2019 IRS 1099s if listing independent contractors.
- Current bank statement for the business
We will continue to update you as we get more information, and here to help you to ensure you apply quickly and accurately. Visit CommerceRI.com for more information.
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Smithfield Public Schools is looking for substitutes for all positions. Work schedule is flexible.
Compensation for each assignment is below:
- Teachers: $100 per day
- Paraprofessionals and custodians: $12/hour
- Nurses: $210 per day
For more information, call Lisa Petrone at 231-6606.
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Each year, millions of older people – those 65 and older – fall. These falls cause a variety of injuries. Common injuries include broken bones and head injuries. More serious falls may cause injuries to internal organs. Although some of these injuries may be very minor, others may require a stay in the hospital or rehabilitation in a nursing home.
It is more typical for older people to be injured in a fall. However, that does not mean that younger people are immune from fall injuries. A person can be injured by a fall at any age.
The key to reducing injuries from falls is reducing the chance of a fall taking place in the first place. The key to reducing falls is prevention. These are some simple things you can do to keep yourself from falling.
Talk to Your Doctor
- Ask your doctor or healthcare provider to evaluate your risk for falling and talk with them about specific things you can do.
- Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review your medicines to see if any might make you dizzy or sleepy. This should include prescription medicines and over-the counter medicines.
- Ask your doctor or healthcare provider about taking vitamin D supplements to support stronger bones.
Do Strength and Balance Exercises
Do exercises that make your legs stronger and improve your balance. Tai Chi is a good example of this kind of exercise.
Have Your Eyes Checked
Have your eyes checked by an eye doctor at least once a year, and be sure to update your eyeglasses if needed.
If you have bifocal or progressive lenses, you may want to get a pair of glasses with only your distance prescription for outdoor activities, such as walking. Sometimes these types of lenses can make things seem closer or farther away than they really are.
Make Your Home Safer
- Get rid of things you could trip over.
- Add grab bars inside and outside your tub or shower and next to the toilet.
- Put railings on both sides of stairs.
- Make sure your home has lots of light by adding more or brighter light bulbs.
If you are a caretaker for an elderly person, make sure you check their place of residence to make sure it is free of trip hazards.
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Elementary Reconfiguration Project Update |
With the start of the school year, construction crews vacated the insides of school buildings and focused their work on the additions and site work. Community members will see progress each week as additions take shape and landscapers take advantage of cooler weather for successful hydroseeding and tree and shrub plantings.
At Anna McCabe, phase one interior work is complete, including new staff/student bathrooms and improvements to the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. The north lot and front loop are complete while site work and paving continues for the east lot. Close to 1 mile of underground piping has been installed to support the new addition and upgrades to the existing school. The steel framework for the gym is complete as is hydroseeding and plantings of trees and shrubs. Inside, some temporary egress was constructed because the connections between the new and old areas have been closed off.
Ongoing work at McCabe will focus on the exterior shell of the new addition
with welding crews securing steel supports and metal roof/floor decking. Over the next month, concrete slabs will be poured, light gauge metal framing will
be put in place, and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing work initiated.
At LaPerche, school bus loading/drop off is now separate from parent drop off and pick up and new sidewalks connect parking areas to entrances. Window replacement, including new window sills and shades are complete, as are two fully renovated student restrooms. Painting in perimeter classrooms and the administration suite gives these spaces a clean, fresh look. The gymnasium walls are painted, acoustical foam has been sprayed on the ceiling, and the flooring is complete. New basketball hoops have been installed. Acoustical panels will be added to the wall, making the space complete and ready for students.
Although not noticeable, new mechanical, plumbing and electrical infrastructure is now complete at LaPerche, as is a new stormwater drainage system. The foundation and under-slab utilities for the addition are complete and steel work will come next. During September and October, the concrete floor slab will be poured. Landscaping, to include hydro-seeding and plantings will also be completed.
At Old County Road School, the office has been temporarily relocated to the Northeast corner of the building. New student bathrooms are complete and some areas have been painted. A new stormwater drainage system, new sewer system, and a fire suppression water line have been installed.
At the south end of the complex, excavation for the new, two-story addition is ongoing. Eventually, 9,796 sf of added space will be accommodated in the new addition, housing a media center, maker space, administration area, common areas, an elevator, art and music rooms, and added storage.
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Agendas, minutes, and presentations are posted on the school construction update page. |
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Smithfield COVID-19
Support Fund
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The Town of Smithfield has partnered up with John J. Tassoni, Jr. to create a COVID-19 Support Fund to help Smithfield residents who are in need of assistance. |
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Gift Cards or Donations can be delivered or mailed to:
Smithfield Town Hall
c/o Town Manager, Randy Rossi
64 Farnum Pike
Smithfield, RI 02917
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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. A letter of interest may contain your interest or experience in the field of each particular board or commission that you are applying for and, optionally, resume information.
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Check online for board & commission vacancies at Onboard click the “Run Report” button on the left of that page.
- 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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