Town of Smithfield
news & updates
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August 1, 2021 | Issue 21
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Smithfield's Independence Day Celebration
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A Special Thanks to following for their help in creating this Outstanding Event:
- Bryant University
- Smithfield All Lit Up Committee
- Smithfield Fire Department
- Smithfield Police Department
- Smithfield Emergency Management
- Smithfield Park and Recreation Department
- United Rentals
- Adler Brothers Construction
- A-Veterans Pest Control
- Ocean State Food Trucks
- Steve Anthony and Persuasion
- Celebrations Entertainment (DJ Jim Gagnon)
- Santoro Sand and Gravel
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The Town of Smithfield is in the process of conducting a Property Revaluation for 2021 in accordance with RI General Laws 44-5-11.5 and 44-5-11.6. The purpose of this revaluation is to reconcile property assessments to their full and fair cash value as of December 31, 2021. This process helps to ensure fair and equitable taxation for all property owners in the town.
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Rent and Utility Assistance Available Through RentReliefRI
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Rhode Island renters have felt the brunt of job losses and financial hardship due to COVID-19. Fortunately, there’s a new, statewide rental and utility assistance program to help. RentReliefRI provides assistance to Rhode Island renters struggling to pay their rent or utilities as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rhode Island renters having trouble covering rent and/or utility payments may qualify for total of 18 months of assistance. Known as RentReliefRI, the program can pay for rent and utilities owed back to April 1, 2020 and can also cover up to three months of upcoming rent. Renters may apply for help with paying for utilities even if they do not need help paying for rent. Applicants must meet certain income limits and eligibility requirements. Eligible households must be at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI), which translates into approximately $69,200 annual income for a family of four in most parts of the State. Funds will be paid directly to landlords and utility service providers. For more information, visit RentReliefRI.com and download the one-pager here.
About RentReliefRI: RentReliefRI is being supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number ERA0013 awarded to the State of Rhode Island by the U.S. Department of Treasury.
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Coming Soon…. Assistance for Homeowners
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The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in thousands of Rhode Island homeowners falling behind on their mortgage payments and housing-related expenses. RIHousing will soon launch the Homeowner Assistance Fund Rhode Island (HAFRI) program which will help eligible Rhode Island homeowners remain in their homes. The program is expected to open in August 2021 pending U.S. Department of Treasury approval.
HAFRI can cover mortgage arrearages, mortgage payments, utility arrearages and other housing-related costs such as overdue property taxes or condo fees for eligible applicants. To learn more about the program and register to receive updates visit RIHousing.com.
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The Witch Tree Smithfield
by: Amber VanTine
An avid hiker or an individual just looking for some peace in the forests of Rhode Island will usually come across beautifully large trees that create a canopy of shade for the person who has visited the wood. But when one comes across a lone tree with deep scarring, twisted, and mangled branches with rot and decay clinging desperately to the marred bark, it may cause that once brave soul to not feel so at peace any longer. That appeared to be the case for the old Witch Tree that once stood in the middle of the intersection between Colwell Road and Mann School Road in Smithfield, Rhode Island. Apparently, according to legend, there was once a witch that lived in a house by the tree. Unfortunately, the house burnt down with the witch inside, and so the tormented and angry soul of the witch began to haunt the tree that bore witness to her demise.
Now that tale sounds quite interesting and I’m sure made many who drove by wonder if the charred and angry spirit of a witch was nearby deciding if they should meet such a cruel end as she did. However, upon further investigation according to some legends the tree was used as a marker in a field during the 1800s for wagons, horses and those on foot eventually creating a fork in the road for travelers with the tree being at the center of both roads. Over time when the area was paved, instead of taking the tree down the workers decided to keep the tree where it was. Whether that was due to superstition or to lack of equipment no one really knows. But regardless of all of that information what I found to be interesting was that it appears that the Witch Tree didn’t receive that title until the 1980s. Apparently, during that time and before many people thought if they drove their car backwards around the tree three times at night with the lights off they would provoke the witch to come forth so these curious ghost hunters would come face to face with her tormented soul. But I’m sure as many of you may have gathered a tree placed in such a precarious spot and then many wanting to meet this witch most likely had their lives come to a bitter end by finding themselves the victims of an automobile accident. Which from that point would just add to the legend that the witch was the cause for those horrible accidents not the driver’s recklessness or lack of attention.
What I also found fascinating is that the story of the witch meeting her fiery end in her home nearby the Witch tree almost mirrors the legend of Dolly Cole the witch of Foster, Rhode Island. Just as the witch in Smithfield Dolly Cole’s home also burnt down as well because her neighbors thought she was a witch, however Dolly Cole wasn’t at home and the only casualty that happened that night was that of her child. Upon seeing her home in flames and knowing her child was dead one legend states that Dolly Cole cursed the town and all that lived in. She was later unfortunately murdered at the age of 27 by drowning. Though Foster is 31 minutes away from Smithfield sometimes people may borrow tales and gruesome stories from surrounding towns to build a similar legend for their local town folks to ponder about. Which makes me question if that is what happened with the tale of Smithfield’s Witch Tree.
Alas, even with all these legends and theories back in 2008 due to extensive damage and rot the old Witch tree was torn down. Yet, a new younger tree was put in its place…Could this be for the townsfolk who wanted to have the landmark replaced? Or…could it be that this tree is the only protection the town has against the wrath of an angry and vengeful witch? I guess we’ll never know.
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Economic Development Commission
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Savoring Smithfield Restaurants take the guess work out of eating healthier
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For one week, eating out in Smithfield just got healthier. Local food establishments will have the opportunity to highlight healthy menu items as part of the Savoring Smithfield restaurant week developed by the Smithfield Economic Development Commission (EDC).
The program was created by the EDC to promote healthy living among residents after a challenging year with the COVID-19 pandemic. Savoring Smithfield was influenced by similar programs that have popped up throughout the country, such as Shape Up Somerville, in Somerville Massachusetts, and Live Well Missouri.
Diets are largely linked to human health and environmental sustainability; the foods eaten, the way they are produced, and the amounts wasted or lost have major impacts on the planet. Unhealthy diets pose a greater risk for morbidity and mortality and can contribute to environmental degradation. But food can be an important driver of change, with restaurants, other food service establishments and their customers being part of that change.
Food establishments that choose to be part of Savoring Smithfield will help customers easily identify and select healthier menu options when eating out for the week. Savoring Smithfield items include more plant-based and lean-protein animal sourced foods that are better for people and the planet. The week was developed using science-based nutrition criteria to identify Savoring Smithfield items and participating restaurants must serve at least two healthy menu options that meet the specific criteria.
The Economic Development Commission is planning to hold the Savoring Smithfield week in the month of September. The Commission is actively recruiting food establishments to make this an exciting event for businesses where the week is all about promoting them! If you are a restaurant owner or manager who would like to participate or learn more information about the week, please reach out to Stephanie McCulloch, EDC member, by email.
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Fire Safety for People with Disabilities
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1 in 4 American adults (61 million) live with a disability
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If you or a loved one has a disability, here are some safety tips to improve the safety for disabled people. Whether living independently at home, in an apartment, or an elderly complex, consider the following.
Understand your fire risk
- Having physical or mental disabilities doesn’t mean you can’t keep you and your family safe from fire.
- Build your home safety plan around your abilities.
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Install and maintain smoke alarms
- Smoke alarms with a vibrating pad or flashing light are available for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
- Smoke alarms with a strobe light outside the home to catch the attention of neighbors, and emergency call systems for summoning help, are also available.
- Ask the manager of your building, or a friend or relative, to install at least one smoke alarm on each level of your home.
- Test smoke alarm batteries every month and change them at least once a year. If you can't reach the test button on your smoke alarm, ask someone to test it for you.
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Live near an exit
- Although you have the legal right to live where you choose, you'll be safest on the ground floor if you live in an apartment building.
- If you live in a multistory home, arrange to sleep on the first floor.
- Being on the ground floor and near an exit will make your escape easier.
Plan your escape
- Plan your escape around your capabilities.
- Know at least two exits from every room.
- If you use a walker or wheelchair, check all exits to be sure you can get through the doorways.
- Make any necessary changes, such as installing exit ramps and widening doorways, to make an emergency escape easier.
Don't isolate yourself
- Speak to your family members, building manager or neighbors about your fire safety plan and practice it with them.
- Contact your local fire department's nonemergency line and explain your needs. They can suggest escape plan ideas and may perform a home fire safety inspection if you ask.
- Ask emergency providers to keep your needs information on file.
- Keep a phone near your bed and be ready to call 911 or your local emergency number if a fire occurs.
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Elementary Reconfiguration Project Update
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School additions at all three elementary schools are nearing completion with inspections and a final punch list being completed. At McCabe, new windows help tie in the old part of the building with the new addition. New unit ventilators and flooring in the existing building is progressing, as are kitchen renovations. Security cameras, bathroom work, playground completion, and additional landscaping are expected in the next couple of weeks.
At LaPerche, work must be done to exterior brickwork to alleviate the water infiltration problem that has plagued the school in recent years. Additional grading on the site and finishing landscaping will commence in August. Substantial work is being done in the existing building on restrooms, flooring, univents, and painting.
The roof work at OCRS is waiting on the delivery of insulation. Abatement is complete in the existing school and work is nearing completion in the addition. After removing the ceiling at OCRS, issues were noted relating to fire codes. For example, above the ceiling, a gap exists above the classroom doors, allowing smoke to migrate to or from corridors to classrooms. This must be sealed, at a substantial cost, to mitigate the issue. The management of the entire project has enabled us to address these issues while also staying under budget.
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Foundation Walls Being Poured at Pleasant View Elementary, Summer 2020
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The Same Vantage Point, Summer 2021
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Agendas, minutes, and presentations are posted on the school construction update page.
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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 and resume. A letter of interest may contain your interest or experience in the field of each particular board or commission that you are applying for.
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Check online for board & commission vacancies at Onboard click the “Run Report” button on the left of that page.
- Current Openings Include (Feel free to use the links below to contact the board chairs for additional information):
- Conservation Commission
- Smithfield Water Supply Board Advisory Commission
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Affordable Housing Advisory Board
- Economic Development Commission
Smithfield Samaritans
- 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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