Town of Smithfield
news & updates
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February 1, 2021 | Issue 15 |
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Notice of Continued Public Hearing
on Smithfield Zoning Map Amendments
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The Smithfield Town Council considered amendments to the Town’s Zoning Map at the January 19th public hearing. After reviewing the proposed changes with staff and hearing from a number of residents regarding the zone changes, the Town Council voted to continue the hearing to March 2nd. Information on the changes can be found on the Town Planner’s page of the Town’s website www.smithfieldri.com. Please review the information on the web page and contact Town Planner, Michael Phillips, or Town Manager, Randy R. Rossi, with any questions you may have. You may also attend the virtual meeting on March 2, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. via GoToMeeting https://www.gotomeet.me/RandyRossi/smithfield-town-council, at which time you will be given the opportunity to speak during the public hearing.
Michael Phillips
Director of Planning and Economic Development
P: (401) 233-1017
Randy R. Rossi, MBA, CGFM
Town Manager
P: (401) 233-1010
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Statewide Special Election Information
Tuesday, March 2, 2021
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Important dates:
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January 31: Deadline to make changes to your voter information. Check here.
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January 31: Deadline to register to vote here.
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February 9 by 4:00pm: Deadline to return your mail ballot application.
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February 10 – March 1: Vote Early In Person.
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March 2 by 8:00pm: Vote in person at your polling location.
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SMITHFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT: POLICE OFFICER:
Seeking qualified candidates to establish a one year eligibility list. Applicants must be 18 or older; a U.S. Citizen; possess valid operator’s license; possess Bachelor’s Degree (in any discipline) by June 30, 2021. Applications are available at Smithfield Police Department, 215 Pleasant View Avenue, Smithfield, Rhode Island or on Department website SmithfieldPD.com/recruitment/.
Completed applications must be returned to the police department by 4:00 pm on Monday, March 1, 2021. Previous candidates must reapply. Recruitment and selection process takes approximately three months. Recruitment and selection process take approximately three months. Salary is $1,054.48 per week. E.O.E.
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One of the unfortunate side effects of the COVID-19 pandemic is the loss of social interaction with others. Because of all of the mandates to be social distanced, not allowing interaction with large groups of people, large entertainment venues closed or with limited capacity, and cancelled family gatherings, our normal interactions with others have been non-existent for almost one year now.
We feel it right here in our fire department family. The pandemic has changed the way we operate while interacting with the public on emergency calls and has increased our risk of bringing the COVID virus home to our families. The stressors added by COVID-19 in addition to the normal stressors created by emergency calls has taken its toll on our first responders.
We are fortunate at the Smithfield Fire Department that we have a Members Assistance Program (MAP) that is comprised of a handful of peers trained in aiding our members in need and their families during stressful times. Our MAP team has kept close contact with all of our members during the pandemic.
However, members of the community may not be as fortunate to have access to a MAP team or similar resource. There are resources out there to assist you. But there is also other information that you should be aware of to become more resilient to this pandemic.
The following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) may be very helpful in guiding you through these difficult times.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major effect on our lives. Many of us are facing challenges that can be stressful, overwhelming, and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Public health actions, such as social distancing, are necessary to reduce the spread of COVID-19, but they can make us feel isolated and lonely and can increase stress and anxiety. Learning to cope with stress in a healthy way will make you, the people you care about, and those around you become more resilient.
Stress can cause the following:
- Feelings of fear, anger, sadness, worry, numbness, or frustration
- Changes in appetite, energy, desires, and interests
- Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
- Difficulty sleeping or nightmares
- Physical reactions, such as headaches, body pains, stomach problems, and skin rashes
- Worsening of chronic health problems
- Worsening of mental health conditions
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Increased use of tobacco, alcohol, and other substances
It is natural to feel stress, anxiety, grief, and worry during the COVID-19 pandemic. Below are ways that you can help yourself, others, and your community manage stress.
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Healthy Ways to Cope with Stress
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Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including those on social media. It’s good to be informed, but hearing about the pandemic constantly can be upsetting. Consider limiting news to just a couple times a day and disconnecting from phone, tv, and computer screens for a while.
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Take care of your body.
- Take deep breaths, stretch.
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Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals.
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Exercise regularly.
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Get plenty of sleep.
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Avoid excessive alcohol, tobacco, and substance use.
- Continue with routine preventive measures (such as vaccinations, cancer screenings, etc.) as recommended by your healthcare provider.
- Get vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine when available.
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Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy.
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Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.
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Connect with your community- or faith-based organizations. While social distancing measures are in place, try connecting online, through social media, or by phone or mail.
Helping Others Cope
Taking care of yourself can better equip you to take care of others. During times of social distancing, it is especially important to stay connected with your friends and family. Helping others cope with stress through phone calls or video chats can help you and your loved ones feel less lonely or isolated.
Help is Available
Here is a resource available to you to help with the stressors created by the COVID pandemic.
- Adults seeking mental or behavioral health support should call BH Link at 414-LINK(5465).
- For services for children, call 855-543-5465.
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Bulk and Metal/Appliance Collection Requests
All requests for bulk and metal/appliance collection are accepted by our hauling company, Waste Management. There are two ways to request a pick-up:
The Waste Management Call Center- please call (800) 972-4545. There will be a short series of prompts. Below is a guide to navigate the prompts. They will first ask if you have a customer ID. We do not use customer ID numbers in Smithfield, so hold for the next prompt.
- Press 1 for residential curbside service
- Press 3 for all other customers
- Press 4 for all other inquiries
- That will take you right to a rep. They will ask your town, please say Smithfield (not Greenville, Esmond or Georgiaville). Be sure to have a pen handy as they will give you a ticket number/confirmation for the pick-up.
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Please note: Not all items can be accepted through curbside bulk collection. Below are a few exceptions, other exceptions may apply:
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Mattresses/box springs - accepted at special events, by appointment. Be sure to keep mattresses and box springs clean and dry. Call (401) 233-1034 x105 for more information and options.
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Construction debris - windows, doors, toilets, sinks, wood boards, drywall, sizing, flooring, fencing and other items that are attached to a home/building.
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Electronics - accepted by appointment at Smithfield DPW. This includes televisions, computer monitors, tablets, computer towers, laptops, just about anything with a cord. Exclusions for drop-off are items containing coolant, wood encased speakers and laser printers. Call (401) 233-1034 X105 to see if your item qualifies and to make an appointment for drop-off.
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Tires - accepted at an annual event, must be rimless.
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Empty propane tanks - accepted, by appointment at Smithfield DPW.
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Large rigid plastics - accepted by appointment at Smithfield DPW. Must be made completely of plastic, larger than a hard hat, smaller than a 95 gallon sized trash cart. Common items are storage containers larger than 5 gallons in size, laundry baskets, upright plastic furniture and trash barrels. No PVC pipes, siding or fencing. Call (401) 233-1034 X105 to see if your item qualifies and to make an appointment for drop-off.
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Hazardous Waste - accepted at Eco Depot Events.
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Elementary Reconfiguration Project Update |
Old County Road reached a significant milestone with structural steel erection at 90% complete. Once finished, concrete slabs will be poured to form the base of the new addition, with metal framing following soon after. Civil work, including new sanitary lines and cleanouts, have also been completed.
At LaPerche (bottom left), crews have been working on making the building weathertight so that interior work can begin in earnest. The air vapor barrier, roof work, and light gauge metal framing are all substantially complete, with the rough-ins of electrical, mechanical, and plumbing finished as well. The interior will soon take shape as doors, windows, and interior walls will be completed in upcoming weeks.
At Anna McCabe (bottom right), masons have begun installing the brick veneer that will aesthetically tie the new buildings in to the existing school. The addition’s interior and exterior framing is nearing completion, which will be followed by MEP rough-ins and roof work. Major pieces of HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) equipment, such as the air handlers for the new gym, have been set in place as well.
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Left to Right: LaPerche Elementary Addition, McCabe Elementary Wood Truss Topping Off |
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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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