Town of North Smithfield
October 12th, 2018 Edition
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WHAT'S HAPPENING IN NORTH SMITHFIELD
Message from Town Administrator
Gary Ezovski

Will we be prepared to cast informed votes?


We all have plenty to do with work, family and friends, but we also have an election coming up on November 6 where we will be acting on a substantial list of local referendum questions in addition to statewide decisions. The ballots are now set. We can’t change them. The question now is, will we all be sufficiently informed and prepared to decide. We have a link in this newsletter and on the town website that should make it easy for voters to see the ballot they will be filling in on election day. I am curious to hear any ideas people may have on ways we can help to answer questions about the local water bond referendum or any of the proposed charter changes. Is online access to the ballot enough? Do we need a forum to review the questions? Are there other ideas we can consider to help voters understand the questions? Please don’t hesitate to respond with any ideas you think might be reasonable for my office to accomplish in the three weeks we have remaining.

For those who, like us, have been unhappy with the horrid condition of the roadway nearby town hall and the library, it may be encouraging to know that, as I was doing a final review of this newsletter, a RIDOT manager came to my office to indicate his dissatisfaction over the progress and conditions that we are suffering through. There is some consideration that must be given to the way rain has not helped but in his opinion even that is not an excuse for the road conditions we have experienced. RIDOT has pressed the contractor to address deep holes with temporary measures and to get asphalt in place by Wednesday of next week. Please be very careful as you transit the area while the roadway gets put back together.
HAPPY 97TH BIRTHDAY
to
Mrs. Helen "Grandma" Carter
Her neighbors on Follett Street and the rest of North Smithfield wish her a Happy 97th Birthday on Monday, October 15th.
NOTICE OF VOTER REGISTRATION
 
Mail Ballot Applications are available and must be returned to the Town Clerk’s office, 575 Smithfield Road, no later than 4:00 P.M. on October 16, 2018.

Town Hall Office Hours
Mon. thru Wed. 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
Thurs.         8:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M.
Fri.           8:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M


November 6, 2018 Sample Ballot

Click Here for the November 6, 2018 Complete Sample Ballot which includes all candidates and referendum questions.

The Town of North Smithfield is Seeking Volunteer Members for Several Committees

* Planning Board Committee
* Economic Development Committee
* Juvenile Hearing Board

Anyone interested in volunteering, please contact Gary Ezovski at 767-2200 ext. 303 or gezovski@nsmithfieldri.org
North Smithfield Gets Ready for Fall! 

Curbside yard waste collection begins Tuesday, October 9, 2018. Yard waste is collected on the same day as your trash and recycling.  Residents can have a reasonable amount of leaf bags or cans, clearly marked, of yard waste out at the curb for weekly collection. The fall collection season runs from Tuesday, October 9th - Friday, December 7th.
 
Drop off hours at our Highway Garage, 281 Quaker Highway will continue Saturdays from 9 am - 3 pm and Wednesdays from 3 pm - 5 pm ONLY. Residents are welcome to bring yard waste or accepted recyclables. The town offers free drop off for rigid 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.
 
 
For additional information contact 767-2200 x 348
The Next 2018 Tax Bill Is Due
October 15, 2018

Dear North Smithfield Taxpayer:

ALL 2018 Real estate, motor vehicle and tangible personal property bills  were mailed on July 13 th .
Please be aware  ALL  bills are due on the date listed on the bill stubs. Because there are no complications with auto taxes or budget timing this year, we are back to our regular billing cycle and due dates.
The dates are also listed below.
 
Real Estate, Motor Vehicle and Tangible Personal Property
1 st  payment due 08-15-18
2 nd  payment due 10-15-18
3 rd  payment due 01-15-19
4 th  payment due 04-15-19

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Tax Assessor’s Office at 401-767-2200 ext: 323 or the Tax Collector’s Office at 401-767-2200 ext: 511
The Town of North Smithfield recommends residents with private wells attend this valuable seminar.
TO ALL OUR RESIDENTS:
This is a reminder that though we do not have a particular storm in view, June 1st to November 30th is Hurricane season, and we need to stay prepared. The attached link has a list of things to consider before and after a Hurricane. 

North Smithfield Residents Food Pantry
Slatersville Congregational Church
25 Green Street
North Smithfield, RI 02896

The flavor of the month for October is
CANNED PASTA
Any donations or monetary gifts for the food pantry can be dropped off at the Slatersville Congregational Church between 9:00 am and noon. An additional drop box is available at the Town Hall during regular business hours. 
The Town of North Smithfield has hired Northeast Revaluation Group LLC to conduct a statistical update to bring all real estate in town to fair market value effective December 31, 2018 for the July 2019 tax roll. The process is mandatory according to RIGL 44-5-11.6. The law requires these statistical updates every 3 years and a full revaluation every 9 years.

Throughout the project Northeast Revaluation’s staff will be in neighborhoods throughout the town. The company will attempt to physically visit, measure and inspect properties that sold over the last 2 years, which helps in the analysis of determining fair market value. They also will be visiting any properties that have unfinished construction or have taken out building permits recently. All employees are required to carry identification and have their vehicles on file with the assessor’s office and police department. The process will last over the next several months and be completed in the spring of 2019. If there are questions or concerns contact the Assessor, Sarah Frew, 401-767-2200 ext 323 or Northeast Revaluation Group directly at 401-737-0300. Thank you for your patience throughout the process.
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.
North Smithfield Heritage Association Releases
2018 Christmas Ornament
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.




Senior exercise classes at Scouter's Hall, 32 Main Street, North Smithfield include:
  • Zumba Gold Mondays at 10:00 AM
  • Chair Exercises, Mondays at 11:00 AM
  • Zumba Gold Thursdays at 10:00 AM
Tupperware Hydroelectric Project (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission No. 3032-012)
Final Licence Application



FERC Project No. P-3023 (subdocket 012)
TOUR OUR TOWN'S 60 HISTORIC CEMETERIES

On our last tour, we visited Allan Gardner's farm and the six cemeteries in the vicinity of Grange Rd, Providence Pike and Farnum Pike. At the Grayson Lot, we learned about Richard Grayson, a British soldier who arrived in RI in 1775 and deserted to serve in the Continental Army until 1778. His wife and young children are buried in the lot.  

We will conduct our next tour on Saturday, October 27th at 9:00 a.m . We will visit 7 cemeteries in the vicinity of Rocky Hill Rd: NS61, NS48, NS28, NS46, NS23, NS29, NS27.  Those who want to attend will meet at 9:00 a.m. in the NS Middle School parking lot just off Providence Pike. Wear long pants and comfortable walking shoes. Bring water and insect repellent. People can contact Rich Keene at 401-447-6394 if they have any questions.


A copy of the upcoming tours can be accessed by CLICKING HERE.
Health Advisory Issued for Tarkiln Pond

The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) and the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) has issued an advisory for Tarkiln Pond. They have found visible evidence of an algae bloom of cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria Is harmful to people and animals who are exposed through skin contact, ingestion or inhalation. People and pets should avoid exposure to Tarklin Pond waters and discontinue all boating activity until further notice. People who fish in or let their pets swim in or drink from the pond should also be aware.
The Health Advisory will remain in place until a hard frost occurs, unless waterbody management provides for sampling and analysis to demonstrate that the algae bloom threat was abated.  


KBVB Celebrates America Recycles Day

Saturday, October 13th
9 AM - 12 PM


Blackstone Valley Visitor Center
175 Main St., Pawtucket, RI
(parking and entrance in rear off of Roosevelt Ave.)

Not sure if you are recycling right or all that you can? 

UPCOMING MEETINGS
Agendas can be found on the Secretary of State Website by