Town of Smithfield
news & updates
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The Town of Smithfield has partnered with SeeClickFix to announce a new platform that will allow citizens to report quality-of-life issues and request town services.
With the free SeeClickFix mobile app and web tools, Smithfield citizens will now be able to provide town staff with pictures, videos, specific descriptions, and more valuable information needed to get the job done efficiently. In addition, the SeeClickFix platform provides Smithfield officials with a centralized issue management system to manage issues from creation to resolution — engaging citizens throughout the process.
This partnership not only allows Smithfield citizens to report problems, but also to view and comment on problems submitted by their neighbors. Citizens can even create their own “watch areas” to receive notifications about all the issues reported in their community, enabling them to follow the progress of all service requests — not just the ones they report.
Dedicated town staff from the offices of the Department of Public Works, Parks & Recreation, Town Manager, and Assessor have worked hard to configure and implement this service, and we encourage you to download the app and make use of this helpful tool.
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Smithfield Public Schools - Reopening Plan Update
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Smithfield Public Schools has submitted a draft reopening plan to RIDE (RI Department of Education) on July 17, 2020. As the plan is evolving with new guidance coming from RIDE and RI Department of Health, members of the community can keep up to date with fall planning through the district's
COVID Reopening Page
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Island Woods Water Storage Tank Rehabilitation Update
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As you may know, the Island Woods Water Storage Tank has been out of service for rehabilitation work. The tank was constructed in 1991 and its original coatings were 30 years old.
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Amstar of Western New York Inc. was contracted to complete the rehabilitation work. Pare Corp. completed the design and bidding documents and Thielsch Engineering was brought in to complete the inspections services and maintain quality controls.
The tank was taken out of service early March and drained. On March 16
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, the contractor mobilized and started installing the framing on the tank to support the containment system for the outside of the tank. The containment system serves to keep the paint contained during its removal through high pressure abrasive blasting and also to maintain climate control conditions during painting operations.
At the same time, the inside of the tank is being prepared for paint removal by installing cable supported staging, which is suspended from the ceiling. Due to the weather conditions, the inside of the tank would be worked on first. The abrasive blasting uses small metal fragments to remove the existing paint. As the material falls to the floor, it is vacuumed up and sent through a separator, where the paint chips fall into barrels for disposal and the metal fragments are recycled into the blasting operations.
Once the blasting begins, the climate controls system are in place to keep humidity low. The morning that a surface is blasted to bare metal, it is cleaned and primed that afternoon.
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After the primer coat is installed on the inside of the tank, all surfaces are inspected for defects. These defects are generally caused by microbiologically induced corrosion. There were 40 locations identified and repaired with welding operations.
Once the repairs were completed, stripe coating was applied to all welds, angles and seams to provide additional protection and then the intermediate coating was applied. The final coating on the interior of the tank was applied to all surfaces, where water will be in contact. This coating is applied at 120°F to the walls and floor.
Once the final coating was applied, additional testing was conducted over every surface, to insure proper coating. Any deficient areas identified were repaired.
As the spring provided considerable weather events, there were some delays in getting to the outside of the tank but eventually a window appeared and the containment system was installed. The blasting operations and primer coating followed the same pattern as on the inside of the tank. The crews put in 12-14 hour days and weekends to get as much completed as they could, while the weather held.
Once the primer was installed, any defects were identified and repaired.
The weather suddenly turned and was forecasting for 50 mph winds over the weekend. Due to the close proximity of the transmission power lines, it was decided to drop the containment system canvas on May 8
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. The blasting and primer coat had been completed at this point so the striping and final coating were applied with rollers.
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The staging equipment was removed and repair coating was applied to over 300 locations on the tank where the connections were made.
On June 12
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, the walls and floor received a final cleaning and disinfectant was applied to all surfaces. That afternoon, the hatches were closed and we began refilling the tank. We are filling at a rate of about 12,000 gallons per hour. The tank has been filled and we will take water samples to test the quality of water. Once the RI Board of Health reviews the test results and finds them acceptable, we will be able to place the tank back in service.
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On July 7, the Smithfield Police Department was visited by a special group of families, parents, and children called "Support the Blue," who wished to show their support for Smithfield Police Officers. This special group arrived with signs, cards, and gift baskets for all 42 officers. This was such a positive experience, and it is so great to know that the people we serve support and pray for us every day.
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For all of the boating enthusiasts out there, it is not unheard of to have a fire on a boat or at a marina. Fire safety must be adhered to even when having fun in the open water. To finish off the boating season in a safe manner, consider the following.
Fires that occur on boats or in marinas can spread quickly and present unique response challenges due to hazardous conditions and limited access.
Generally, the best defense against fire is prevention. Follow these tips to help you stay fire safe onboard and in the marina.
On the boat:
- Install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to alert occupants to a fire.
- Have a fire emergency plan and practice it.
- Inspect electrical wiring, connections, cords and battery-charging equipment to ensure they are installed properly and in good condition.
- Have the appropriate fire extinguishers and make sure they are easily accessible. Train all boaters on how to use them.
- Check your cooling and exhaust systems. Make sure they work properly.
- Turn off portable heaters when you leave the boat or go to sleep.
- Only use certified chargers for personal electronic devices. Don’t overload power outlets.
In the marina:
- Ask about the types of fire and emergency features at the marina; including smoke alarms and fire suppression equipment.
- Know where the fire extinguishers are located and how to escape.
- Smoke only in designated areas away from any fuel-filling or storage areas.
- Inspect shore power connections for any obvious signs of damage or improper installations.
- Know how to contact help.
If a fire does occur:
- Alert boat occupants and quickly get to a safe location.
- Discharge fire extinguishers from a safe location, or get to a safe location and contact the fire department.
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Elementary Reconfiguration Project Update
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Construction crews continue to take advantage of the good weather and have been making significant progress across all three sites.
At McCabe, foundation footings and walls are now 90% complete. Site utility
services have almost been completed as well, making way for grading and paving crews to start the North parking lot by the beginning of August. New water service has already been connected to the main with the help of the local water department. Inside the building, rough-in of fire alarm will be complete soon and the core bathrooms have been completely demo’d in preparation for their remodel. New activities on site include masonry wall construction, interior carpentry, painting, and select finish work.
Construction at LaPerche is proceeding as planned and work is now underway on the renovations to the gymnasium, which will include new acoustical treatments and flooring. Window replacement has started, with painting crews following the glazers as they make their way around the school. On site, foundation work, grading, and utility work continues in preparation for the new addition and staff parking areas. Site work will continue throughout the next two weeks, while MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) trades and finish work will commence within the school.
At Old County Road School, crews are primarily working on the interior renovations, and exterior demolition is now complete, allowing work for the new addition to start in earnest. We continue to see multiple trades working concurrently to install upgraded MEP systems and new fire-protection service.
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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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- Accepting Applications for the Smithfield Youth Council
- The Town Manager is now accepting applications for the 2020-2021 Smithfield Youth Council.
- The primary function of the Youth Council is to serve as a communications link between young residents of the Town and Town Government. Through the creation of this youth council the Smithfield Town Council and the Town of Smithfield have sent the message that our youth represent not only our future, but our present.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.”
- 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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