Town of Smithfield
news & updates
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Community Conversation about Mental Health and Substance Use in Smithfield |
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Join the Smithfield Mental Health and Substance Use Task Force in connecting our Smithfield community with resources to combat the continuing public health crisis of mental health and addiction is a challenge facing our community and our nation. Reaching residents afflicted by the epidemic of addiction and mental health remains a priority of our town in an effort to breakdown the stigma of addiction and connect people with pathways to recovery.
As with any crisis, we seek new ways to ensure that Smithfield families know how to connect with available resources. We are pleased to invite you to a Facebook Live / Zoom event on Thursday, May 12th at 7:00 PM. Listen to a panel of experts on fighting addiction and anonymously ask questions during the session. To join, please click: here
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Smithfield High School Sentinel Legacy Gala
Every year hundreds of thousands of people are affected by heart disease, not only does it affect people personally, but their loved ones as well. Smithfield High School is honoring Doreen Nicholson, who passed away suddenly in August of 2018 from a heart complication.
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Doreen was a loving mother of four, as well as a pillar in the Smithfield, RI community. Many who knew Doreen knew that she was an incredible person who had a significant presence in the community. She was involved in everything that she could. From PTA, to coaching, to volunteering, and so on. Being the selfless person she was, she organized many events throughout Smithfield and devoted most of her time to everyone else. Doreen was an incredible mother and friend, she accepted everyone into our home and was like a second mother to many. Doreen gave her family and community more than they could have ever asked for. |
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On Saturday, May 14th from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Smithfield High School will be putting on the second ever Sentinel Legacy Gala. This event will be put on by Megan Nicholson, Doreen’s daughter, and her fellow National Honor Society members.
The Sentinel Legacy Gala will be held in memory of Megan’s mom and all of those who have faced the challenges of heart disease. Join the Smithfield High School’s National Honor Society as they transform the halls of the school with food, entertainment, heart healthy demonstrations, hands only CPR, drawings, and lots of fun!
Smithfield High School is working in partnership with the Southern New England American Heart Association and vendors throughout Rhode Island to bring awareness to this important cause. The Sentinel Legacy Gala is free to the public, but we ask and encourage the community to support the Southern New England American Heart Association, by donating any monetary amount you deem appropriate or honorable.
or Text SHSAHA to 71777 (Msg & data rates may apply).
With a heartfelt thank you,
The National Honor Society of Smithfield High School
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On Saturday, April 23, 2022, members of the Smithfield Police Explorers had participated in the RI Police Explorers Stations Day at Camp Fogarty. Stations Day allows for police explorers from various agencies to participate in different scenarios involving topics related to domestic violence, DUI investigations, felony motor vehicle stops, arrest and control, accident investigations, and a firearms simulator. The explorers are evaluated on how effectively they managed each scenario. We are proud to announce that our SPD Explorers took home awards pertaining to how they handled domestic violence situations and felony motor vehicle stops. In the picture (from left to right) is Sgt. Monteiro (RI Army National Guard) with SPD Explorers: Cassidy Taylor, Alex Schoolcraft, Rebecca LaHousse, Elizabeth Shepard, and Braeden Hoyt. Congratulations to the SPD Explorers for a job well done! |
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Smithfield Emergency Management Agency
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It's Always a Good Time to be Prepared for Flooding!
Flooding is Smithfield’s #1 natural hazard. We often think that our flooding risk is limited to early spring, but flooding can happen all year long. When we say flooding, we mean all types of flooding; urban flooding, poor drainage flooding, and riverine flooding.
The Woonasquatucket River, the meandering ribbon of water that flows through Esmond and Georgiaville can go almost unnoticed until heavy rain arrives. A coastal storm that brought 2 inches of rain to Smithfield just a few weeks ago on April 18 and 19 is a reminder that the Woonasquatucket is quick to react to a surge of water and can quickly rise to dangerous levels in a short amount of time. During the storm, the river rose 2.14 feet from 2.43 feet (observed at 10:45PM on 4/18) to just under flood action stage at 4.57 feet (observed at 10:45AM on 4/19).
An automatic river gauge, managed by the US Geological Survey is located in Centerdale feeds the water level data of the river on an hourly basis to the Northeast River Forecast Office, meteorologists and to the Emergency Operations Center. You too may access this data by clicking:
During the New England Flood of 2010, the river reached its historic crest of 9.2 feet on March 30, 2010, just about a foot above the historic crest of 8.26 ft. that occurred on October 15, 2005. Since 1954, the river has reached action stage or above 40 times. The table below helps to illustrate that flooding is a year-long hazard.
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Kitchen Fires – the most common type of fire that causes home fires and fire injuries! |
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District Teacher of the Year |
Jessica DeRemer, Gallagher Middle School art teacher, has been named the 2022 District Teacher of the Year. Mrs. DeRemer began her tenure in Smithfield 25 years ago in August 1997. She was instrumental in writing the updated middle school art curriculum and in developing an art program that is inspiring to young adolescents. During the pandemic, she continued to share student artwork by creating virtual slideshows and presentations and kept a positive vibe in the school by having students create artwork with message of positivity, resilience strength and perseverance. |
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Town of Smithfield
Helping Hands Fund
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Donations are being accepted during the holiday season, and throughout the year, for the Town of Smithfield’s Helping Hands Fund established to help bring hope and joy to less fortunate families in our community. Contributions to the fund will be used to provide essentials including clothing, food, and gift certificates.
Please send your donation to the Town Hall, c/o The Town Manager's Office, 64 Farnum Pike, Smithfield, RI 02917.
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Statewide Behavioral Health Resources
Immediate Support
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For children and youth under age 18, call the 24/7 Kids’ Link Hotline at 1-855-543-5465.
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For people age 18 and older, call the 24/7 BH Link Hotline, 401-414-LINK (5465) or visit the BH Link Walk-In Triage Center, 975 Waterman Ave., East Providence to connect with a counselor.
Peer Recovery Support
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Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder
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Call Rhode Island’s Buprenorphine 24/7 Hotline, 401-606-5456, to talk with a healthcare provider, get an evaluation, and make a plan for Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT).
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Visit PreventOverdoseRI.org's Get Help webpage to find local treatment and recovery support services, including statewide locations for the Rhode Island Centers of Excellence.
Safer Drug Use Supplies
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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):
- Sewer Authority
- Conservation Commission
- Historic Preservation 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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