Message from Town Administrator
Gary Ezovski

Our newsletter is filled with information from many directions today. We aren’t trying to overwhelm with information, but we are trying to get important messages out to you from our various partners in this very strange time. Please let us know if you aren’t seeing something that you need.

I will be issuing an extension of the state of emergency for the town today to parallel orders from the governor and to provide the authority and flexibility we need as we continue to help you to help us all stay healthy. You can read the latest executive order below.  Key elements of this order are the maximum gathering size of five people, total exclusion of visitors to our town buildings and the fact that our parks will remain open as long as social distancing and gathering size is less than five. Overall, the intent is to protect our staff so our core infrastructure is able to remain in place. Beyond that, we are required to enforce the social distancing and stay at home measures that state leaders have advocated. 

The latest information I have says we continue to be a community that has experienced less than five positive cases of COVID 19. As I have said before, that data in itself says we haven’t been completely successful, but we also haven’t been careless. It also says we cannot let our guard down. As we go through these next few weeks, it will be increasingly important to adhere to the social distancing and stay at home rules. I hope the decision to leave our parks open is seen only as a demonstration of confidence that North Smithfield can and will adhere to all that is being asked of us. I ask every resident of North Smithfield to please take social distancing seriously in the coming weeks. Stay home if you are not well. Maintain six feet distance in all public activity. Cover any cough or sneeze in your elbow and wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands!


State of Emergency Extended!

A drainage problem in an old field stone culvert on Old Smithfield Road has reached a point where we must act to prevent flooding of nearby homes and a septic system.

The location is at the north end of Old Smithfield Road between house numbers 634 and 650.

Beginning at 7 AM on Monday, April 6th, DPW will be closing the road to all traffic. We expect that it may need to remain closed for as much as two weeks while we work with engineers to accomplish a worthy replacement despite very wet conditions.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
Agendas can be found on the Secretary of State Website by
(Agendas in PDF form will be posted next to the corresponding meeting, if available, before this newsletter is published.)


Budget Committee Meeting ( Agenda )
Tuesday, April 7, 2020, at 6:30 pm
Virtual Zoom Meeting

Monday, April 13th - Friday, April 17th

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE SPRING YARD WASTE PICKUP HAS BEEN CANCELLED
UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

 WE APOLOGIZE FOR THE INCONVENIENCE.

Given the mandated closings and other restrictions that the coronavirus is causing, it is recognized that it may be a challenge for some North Smithfield taxpayers to make payment for fourth quarter property and auto excise taxes that are due on April 15, 2020. 

Such being the case, while the due date will remain April 15, 2020, please be advised that the date for imposition of interest and penalties will be delayed until  May 15, 2020 . Payments made by May 15, 2020 will, therefore, result in no penalty or interest. Those who can make their payments by April 15th are still encouraged to do so, and will be appreciated, as they will ensure that our local services can continue during these very different and challenging times. 

For our residents and businesses that are without income, we hope this grace period relieves one of your immediate concerns.
LOCK BOX FOR TAXES AT ANNEX

Please note that we have an outside drop box right outside the Annex door
at 575 Smithfield Road to leave
tax payments. It is secure
and checked daily. 

If you would like a receipt, please include a self-addressed,
stamped envelope.
I n light of COVID-19 forcing the cancellations of our SLATERSVILLE-In-Progress screenings throughout this spring, Filmmaker Christian de Rezendes has chosen to release these portions of the SLATERSVILLE documentary series for public viewing at the links below. 

These are work-in-progress sections of the film and not considered final, but he hopes you can enjoy these sequences-in-the-making while we wait to rejoin our community events later this year. Thank you!

SLATERSVILLE-In-Progress Screening #1 from 10.25.19
(45 mins)
 
SLATERSVILLE-In-Progress Screening #3 from 2.20.20
(25 mins)
Business Assistance Resource
Please note that Brigido’s Fresh Market, located at 900 Victory Highway, will now take phone orders from our elderly residents!

Please call (401) 762-1020 Monday – Friday between the hours of 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, place an order, and a staff member will shop for the customer and coordinate a pickup time with the customer.

All transactions must be paid with a credit card .
We understand that we are experiencing uncertain times, but we are here to keep a positive mindset and lend a helping hand. We will be creating FREE 3x5 banners for any North Smithfield restaurants who need it!

Simply give us your restaurant name, to-go hours and phone number. While we know that we can't meet the needs of every business, we want to do our part to help where we can!

Please send us a direct message if you’d like us to create a banner for your restaurant. Our email address is QUOTES@NATIONALMARKER.COM.
As folks are using disinfecting wipes more frequently, please note that single-use wipes and towelettes are solid wastes that do not degrade, create blockages in our pumps and, therefore, must not be disposed in any sewer system.   

Thank your for your cooperation.
Coronavirus Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program
Dear Members and Friends,

Please see the attached April NSHA Newsletter. 

April is the start of our new fiscal year and the month when we renew our dues.   We will ask the members to approve an increase in dues at the Annual Meeting. However. members may avoid the increase this year if they renew now.  Please follow the instructions in the Newsletter.  

If you want to avoid the Post Office, we can accept checks Saturday morning in the Heritage Hall parking lot.  Let me know if you plan to drop off.  Otherwise, we'll stay home!

For our friends who have put off becoming members, there's a membership application attached as well. Your participation helps to preserve our wonderful town history in numerous ways.   Dues are still $10 per person if you act now.  Simply fill out the application and follow the check and mailing instructions in the Newsletter. Drop off at Heritage Hall is an option too if you let us know.

Until we can meet again, please stay safe!

Warm Regards,

Rich Keene
President
Recycling Center drop-off hours are Saturdays from 10 AM to 2 PM and Wednesdays from 3 PM to 6 PM ONLY! Residents will not be able to drop off outside those regular hours. 

Residents are welcome to bring yard waste or accepted recyclables. The town offers free drop off for ridged plastic and scrap metal items as well as used motor oil. 

Please do not leave items outside the gate after business hours; we will take notice!
THE CLEAN & GREEN DAY EVENT, ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED ON APRIL 25TH, HAS BEEN
POSTPONED INDEFINITELY.
2020 PumpkinFest
  
Mark your calendars for our:
  
14th Annual 
North Smithfield 
Great Pumpkin Festival
Saturday, September 19, 2020
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
North Smithfield High School Grounds

If anyone has any comments, suggestions, ideas or input,
please email ns.pumpkinfest@gmail.com .

The  2020 Scholarship Application   is now available and
must be submitted by May 1st
to be considered for this year's scholarship.
* We will be issuing two scholarships to NS Seniors this year! *


North Smithfield Residents Food Pantry
Slatersville Congregational Church
25 Green Street
Slatersville, RI 02876


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 - 7 pm and the last two Saturdays 10 - 11 am 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 at 769-2773.

The flavor of the month for APRIL is PROGRESSO SOUPS !

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 283, Slatersville, RI 02876.

An additional drop box for food items is available at the Town Hall during regular business hours.
This Institution is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.