Message from Town Administrator
Gary Ezovski

There are times when I know where this note will focus early on a Monday. Other times, it’s driven by a last-minute thought. Today the motivation is a newsletter from the St Antoine Community’s Executive Director, Debrah Putman, that I was able to read this morning (see note below).  Debrah said “As we near the end of our 4 th  week in quarantine, I find myself feeling optimistic. At this time, Saint Antoine Community remains COVID-19 free, and I believe we can stay this course as long as we continue to follow our strict state guidelines”. Debrah also explains that based on bed count, St Antoine is the largest nursing home in the state. As we hear again and again that our senior population across the state has been victimized most by COVID 19, I found it highly encouraging to know of St Antoine’s success. That is outstanding work right here in our little town.   Could there be a better example for us that following the advice offered by RIDOH can keep us healthy? 

As we enter a weekend where family gatherings and so many traditions have always taken place, let us not be tempted to let down our guard against spread of this COVID 19 virus. Let us follow the example of everyone on the team at St Antoine with hope everyone can stay healthy! Please stay home and practice all aspects of social distancing and optimum hygiene!  

Finally, regardless of one’s personal perspective on religion and faith, at Easter when winter subsides and spring takes hold, I like to think the universal message is that life begins again. Let’s hope that it comes this year with the power needed to overcome this virus!  

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 14, 2020, at 6:00 pm
Virtual Zoom Meeting

 PLEASE NOTE THAT THE SPRING YARD WASTE PICKUP HAS BEEN CANCELLED
UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE BECAUSE OUR CONTRACTOR HAS PERSONNEL OFF DUTY DUE TO THE COVID-19 VIRUS.

 WE APOLOGIZE FOR THE INCONVENIENCE.

  • Two (2) laborers have been assigned to follow the trash and recycling curbside routes picking up yard waste bags until further notice. They will also be monitoring what is being put out curbside with regard to trash and recycling.

  • With that said, residents are welcome to bring yard waste, ridged plastic and scrap metal items as well as used motor oil on Saturdays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm and also on Wednesdays 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. We ask that residents not bring the bulky items and appliances to the Public Works Facility.  

  • Also, residents should still adhere to the trash and recycling rules. For example, trash service is for household trash items that are generated in normal day-to-day living. This includes kitchen trash, bathroom trash and the like. All trash must be bagged – no loose trash.

  • As for recycling being put out at curbside, here are some reminders. Paper and cardboard should be clean and flattened. Cartons must be empty and rinsed. Place the plastic tops back on the cartons, metal cans, lids and foil. They should be cleaned, and the foil should also be cleaned and bunched up. Containers must be empty and rinsed out. Remove the metal tops from the glass bottles and jars first and recycling separately. Plastic containers should be empty and rinsed out and place the plastic tops back on prior to recycling. 

  • Recyclables must arrive at the Materials Recycling Facility loose. Remember, no plastic bags, bags of bags or recycling inside of bags. Also, no foam containers or plastic containers that once held flammable materials like motor oil, antifreeze, pesticides or herbicides.

  • As always, residents are encouraged to go to the town’s web site to view all the updated information regarding the trash and recycling program.
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.
PLEASE NOTE NEW DATES!!

Monday, April 20th - Friday, April 24th

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.
TOWN OF NORTH SMITHFIELD
NOTICE OF VOTER REGISTRATION

Due to Covid-19, the Town Clerk’s office, located at 575 Smithfield Road, is currently closed to the public.

On the following website noted below, you can register online or print the form to mail it to the Town Clerk’s Office at the address above. Due to the public health emergency, there will be fewer polling places available on June 2 nd . For this reason, we are urging voters to vote by mail. 


For those residents who are not already registered to vote, the last date to register to be eligible to vote in the Presidential Preference Primary Election scheduled for June 2, 2020 is:

SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2020, FROM 1:00 P.M. TO 4:00 P.M.

Voter registration forms will be made available in the lobby of the North Smithfield Police Station, 575 Smithfield Road, for new voter registrations and to correct names and addresses of registered voters.
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)
Are you homebound due to Covid-19 and need medicine or groceries delivered to your home?

AHOPE may be an entity you can consider for help!

AHOPE is a purely volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization extending a hand to the elderly, the sick and all those vulnerable individuals who are homebound during this crisis.
Business Assistance Resource
These resources below have been identified by Governor Raimondo who has recommended
Rhode Islanders to contact for obtaining
COVID-19 related assistance.
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.
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
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.