Town of Smithfield
 news & updates
August 1, 2022 | Issue 33
UPCOMING EVENTS
See what's happening this month.

Victory Day: 8/8
  • Town Hall Closed
  • No Trash Pickup

Food Trucks and Concert: 8/16 - 4:00 PM
  • Deerfield Park
MEETINGS
Water Supply Board Adv.: 8/1
Conservation Commission: 8/3
Probate Court: 8/4
Land Trust: 8/4
Town Council: 8/9
Budget & Fin. Review: 8/10
Zoning Board: 8/10
Economic Development: 8/11
DEI Task Force: 8/17
Sewer Authority: 8/17
Traffic Safety: 8/18
Municipal Court: 8/18
Planning Board: 8/18
School Committee: 8/22
Camp Shepard Sub-Comm: 8/23
We hope you find this and future newsletters both informative and enjoyable. Your feedback is important to us. If you have comments or suggestions about the content, please email us at info@smithfieldri.com.
Welcome Message from Town Manager Randy R. Rossi
Welcome to the thirty-third edition of the Town's e-newsletter.

We are very excited that we were able to start off everyone's summer on the right foot with our Independence Day Celebration. Thank you to the residents of Smithfield who helped to make it a huge success. I am grateful to the Smithfield Special Events Committee for making it possible with the help of many others that are listed below.

The summer festivities will be continuing on August 16th, in Deerfield Park with the Smithfield's Food Truck Nights in the Park. The event will kick off at 4:00 PM with over 18 food trucks and music by Celebrations Entertainment (DJ Jim Gagnon). "Those Guys" will take to the patio at 6:00 PM. Make sure to bring your lawn chairs and dancing shoes for a great night out.

Through funds provided by the American Rescue Program (ARPA) and with a support and approval of the Smithfield Town Council, the Small Business Relief Micro-grant Program awarded checks to local businesses that met the grant criteria. Grant awards ranged from $500 to $3000. Combined grant awards totaled $100,000. 
 
The micro-grant program was able to infuse funds to local small businesses that were hardest hit by the pandemic, many of which were forced to close. Though not all grant requests were able to be funded, any additional opportunities for relief funding will be advertised and we wish to thank everyone who applied.  
Smithfield's Independence Day Celebration
A Special Thanks to the following for their help in creating this Outstanding Event:
  • Bryant University
  • Durham School Services
  • Smithfield Special Events Committee
  • Smithfield Fire Department
  • Smithfield Police Department
  • Smithfield Emergency Management
  • Glocester Emergency Management
  • Smithfield Parks and Recreation Department
  • United Rentals
  • Boyle & Fogarty Construction
  • Ocean State Food Trucks
  • Steve Anthony and Persuasion
Camp Shepard Sub-Committee Tours
The Town of Smithfield Camp Shepard Sub-Committee will be conducting tours of the property to give residents the opportunity to see the Jewel of Smithfield. The tours will take place on Saturday, August 20th from 9:00AM - 1:00PM which will be conducted on the hour (9:00, 10:00, 11:00 and 12:00).

Registration for the event is required for admission. Space is limited for the event, but based on resident demand additional dates and times may be scheduled in the future.


Economic Development Commission



Val’s English Tea & Pie Shop
Name and Location of Business:
Val’s English Tea & Pie Shop
466 Putnam Pike
Greenville, RI 02828
401-618-5537
 
Founders: Jon and Sharon Thompson

Name of person being interviewed: Co-owner Sharon Thompson
 
Where did you get the idea for this business: It was a lifelong dream.
 
What is the founder’s background that led to this business being started? A passion for baking and bringing joy to people through food.
 
How long have you been in business in Town? April of 2022
 
What does your business do?  The family-owned restaurant serves traditional five course English afternoon tea and bakes savory pies.
 
What is special about your business? The restaurant is in memory of Sharon’s mum, Valerie, who she says is always with her.
 
How does your business differ from your competitors? The tea shop offers a unique service which is a tradition long lived in England and a strong part of Sharon’s culture and heritage. The restaurant has an authentic menu and service.
 
What is the best way for potential customers to learn more about your business? Check out our website, social media sites, or just pop in and talk to us!
 
Any upcoming specials?  Trivia and pie night on August 9th, bridal and baby showers, and private parties.
 
Quote: “We love our little shop. It feels like home. We love meeting such wonderful people and bringing joy to them, albeit for just a couple of hours.”


Police Chief's Corner

Smithfield Emergency Management Agency
Hurricanes and Tropical Storms

It’s Hurricane Season 2022! Though quiet now, the Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1st to November 30th. These powerful storms can leave a wake of destruction and turn every day living upside down. Preparedness directly affects the impact of tropical weather. Here are some key tips from our partners at the National Weather Service to help you and your family be ready for one of the tropical cyclones, one of nature’s most powerful storms.
 
▪ KNOW YOUR RISK
Hurricanes and tropical storms bring high winds and heavy rain. Is your home prone to flooding? Do you live next to a body of water or stream that can quickly overflow trapping you in your home or blocking your escape route? Hurricane Esther (September 1961) dropped more than 8.5 inches of rain on Smithfield. Be ready if instructed to evacuate. 
 
▪ ASSEMBLE A DISASTER SUPPLY KIT
Help your family to put building a disaster supply kit into perspective. Think of building a kit as packing for a camp out. Food, water, flashlight, first aid, medication, cash, etc. are the same items you need for both a camping trip or a disaster. Be ready for 72 hours, or a 3 day camping trip. For more information on building a kit, visit: Ready.Gov/Kit
 
▪ GET AN INSURANCE CHECK-UP
Check with your insurance agent and make sure you are properly covered for a hurricane. Flood insurance is different from homeowners insurance and it is important to know what can be replaced after a disaster damages your home or business. To learn more about disasters and insurance, visit: 
 
▪ STRENGTHEN YOUR HOME
Look around your home and yard to see what can damage your house during high winds. Is the exterior siding secure? Do exterior storm doors properly close and latch? Do dead branches hang over your home? Does your bulkhead or window wells leak? Take the time to make repairs and prevent little problems turning into big ones.
 
▪ CHECK ON YOUR NEIGHBORS
You know your neighborhoods better than anyone else. Be aware of those neighbors who may need to be checked-in with during and after a hurricane. If these neighbors are elderly, ill or require assistance, let them know about the RI Special Needs Emergency Registry. Learn more by visiting:

▪ MAKE A PLAN
Sit down with your family and discuss what to do in an emergency. Develop a plan that includes securing household utilities, how you will communicate during a disaster, where you will seek shelter if you need to evacuate and how to care for your pets in an emergency. To learn more, visit: Ready.Gov/Plan
 
If you have specific questions on emergency preparedness, please contact Smithfield Emergency Management at 401-233-1095.


Fire Chief's Corner
Recreational Vehicle Fire and Life Safety
Summer travel times are upon us as we enjoy the beautiful summertime weather. Many of you travel with your travel trailers attached to your vehicle or have a recreational vehicle with all-in-one vehicle luxuries of camping. This type of travel makes for a great time to tour parts of the country or remain at a fixed camping site for the season. Regardless how you utilize your camper, these are great times had by all and I hope that your summer travels give you time to enjoy the beautiful country that we all live in.

However, while enjoying such good times, there are safe practices that should be adhered to while using your camper or recreational vehicle. See the following reminders to keep your travels safe! 
Town of Smithfield
Helping Hands Fund
Donations are being accepted 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.
Statewide Behavioral Health Resources

Immediate Support
  • For children and youth under age 18, call the 24/7 Kids’ Link Hotline at 1-855-543-5465.
  • 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
Peer recovery support specialists are people who are in recovery from a substance use or a mental health condition. Their life experiences allow them to help others experiencing similar situations. Learn how to connect with a certified peer recovery support specialist. 

Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder
  • 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).  
  • 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
Get access to safer drug use supplies like naloxone (Narcan®), sterile needles, and fentanyl test strips. Call or text for free delivery to an address or to arrange a pickup. 
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Vacancies for Town Boards and Commissions

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.”
  • The nomination form is available online here as well as printed copies available in Town Hall.
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Town of Smithfield [smithfieldri.com]