December 1, 2023 | Issue 49

Recycling tips for the holidays!

DO! If the elves deliver cardboard boxes to your doorway, keep in mind that Smithfield Department of Public Works has cardboard recycling containers that accept large pieces (up to 5ft.) of flattened cardboard for recycling. We get a LOT of extra cardboard during this season, so please call ahead to make sure we have space in our containers, 401-233-1034 X205.   

DO! When it comes to presents, be sure to recycle wrapping paper, gift bags, gift boxes, tissue paper, holiday cards, envelopes and wrapping paper tubes. It is best to have flattened paper for recycling, try to avoid bunching it up.

DON’T Please leave out any foil or Mylar gift wrapping, photo cards, gift bows and ribbons. All of these items should go in your trash cart, as they tend to wrap around the equipment at the recycling center, leading to costly shutdowns.

DO! Be sure to recycle plastic blister packaging. The often hard-to-open, firm plastic packaging that items such as small toys and consumer electronics come in. It is a rigid plastic container, so it can be recycled.

DO! Let’s face it, Santa carries a plastic bag, not a sack. If you are lucky enough to know him, tell him to take his plastic bags, plastic bubble wrap and any stretchy plastic film to a ReStore container for recycling. Most supermarkets have ReStore containers in their entry ways.  

DO! Trees and Natural Wreaths- completely remove all decorations from trees and wreaths for recycling. The 2023 tree and wreath collection will be the first two full weeks of January (the week of the 2^nd and the week of the 8^th). No other yard debris will be collected at this time. 

DON’T Please do not put holiday lights in your recycling cart.

DO! If you would like to recycle your lights, please bring them to Smithfield DPW, by appointment, call 401-233-1034 X205.

DO! For many of us, the best part of the holiday season is eating and drinking with family and friends. Please remember that all of those plastic cups, glass bottles and aluminum cans should be placed in the recycling carts. Aluminum foil pie plates and pans can be recycled too! These items should be empty at a minimum, rinsed if possible.

DON’T Place non-recyclable food service items in the recycling cart. Make sure any paper cups, plates (paper or plastic), napkins, foam cups and plastic cutlery are disposed of in the trash cart.

DON’T Place foam in your recycling cart. Foam packaging and foam food packaging products should be placed in the green lid trash carts. Clean packing peanuts are accepted for reuse at the UPS store. Please call ahead to ensure that they can accept the quantity that you would like to drop-off.

DO! Call Melissa, at Smithfield DPW, with any questions related to trash and recycling, 401-233-1034 x205.

DO! Have a wonderful holiday season!

The Smithfield Senior Center is hosting the 1^st Annual Santa Sale-A-Bration!!! The event will be held on Saturday, December 9^th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Santa will be at the Center taking free pictures in front of the fireplace and there will be limited food items for sale. All proceeds will go towards future Senior Center activities. All types of crafters, vendors, sales representatives, and direct sales representatives are invited to participate in this vendor fair. If you are interested in securing a spot, please contact the Senior Center at 949-4590.

Applications are available at American Martial Arts located at 3 Commerce Street in Greenville. Inquiries can also be emailed or call 401-949-3525.

For any additional information feel free to reach out to Sergeant Paul Gorman, Smithfield Police Department 401-231-2500 ext. 140 or email.

On Wednesday, November 1st, Town Councilwoman Rachel Toppi, Liz Catucci (President and CEO, Northern RI Chamber), Chris Whitten and the Premeer Real Estate team celebrated the ribbon cutting and open house of the newly formed Premeer Gives Back Foundation. The mission is to bring the community together to give back to those in need, not only in the form of charitable funds, but by being the helping hands and advocating voice for the communities we work and live in.

On Wednesday, November 8th, the Town of Smithfield graciously accepted one of the first accessibility inclusive tables, known as Tina’s Tables, that promote space for wheelchair users and non-users to gather. The tables were manufactured by the Steel Yard in Providence. Smithfield was one of four communities to be awarded a table through a competitive grant program. Smithfield Town Council Vice President Michael Iannotti and Town Councilwoman Rachel Toppi joined Tina’s Table Founder Tina Guenette, Parks & Recreation Director Robert Caine, EMA Director Todd Manni and town resident Logan Loiselle at the ceremony. The table has been located at Deerfield Park next to the soccer concession stands.

Give the gift of Emergency Preparedness

2023 Edition

The gift giving season is always a great time to help friends, neighbors and loved ones be prepared for the next emergency or disaster. When you are searching for that perfect little something, gifts that can be used in a disaster are always a great idea! 

We have updated our list of preparedness items that we think would make the perfect gift idea. Here is a list of our favorite preparedness tools and supplies for the 2023 gift giving season that won’t bust your holiday budget: 

• Flashlights with extra batteries are always a great gift. Flashlights and batteries are so important when the power is out or when you find yourself broken down on the side of the road. Remind loved ones to prevent accidental fires and never use candles during power outages.
• First aid supplies and kits are always a great gift idea! Remind friends and family to have first aid kits and supplies available in the home as well as in vehicles.
• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are often overlooked as a valuable gift idea. Remember, manufacturers recommend replacing home detectors every ten years and the holiday season might be the perfect time to upgrade detectors for loved ones.
• Filter straw is a great way to filter water. The straw like device can be easily stored in a hiking bag. Should you become lost or need additional water while in the outdoors, the straw will allow you to access potable water from streams and pond sources.
• Vehicle safety hammers are a small, mountable tools with a striking head and a sharp cutter that should be kept in your vehicle and in a spot that can easily be reached from the driver’s seat. A vehicle safety hammer can quickly break side windows and cut seatbelts strap so you are able to escape from an overturned vehicle. 
• Dehydrated food items are key to surviving a disaster. These food items can be found on-line or in the camping section of stores. Dehydrated food has a long shelf life and store easily. Utilize these meals during extended power outages or when roadways to grocery stores are closed after a storm. 
• Hand crank/manual can opener can be a lifesaver when the power is out and it is time to utilize those emergency canned goods. Pick can openers with sturdy handles and large crank mechanism so that they are easy to use.
• NOAA weather alert radio is a great way to keep people up-to-date on severe weather and breaking emergency news. These little radios also link you to the latest weather information provided by the National Weather Service.

We hope these suggestions help with your gift giving ideas. On behalf of all of us at Emergency Management, we wish you and your family a happy and safe holiday season and prosperous New Year!   

Mission Statement:

The Conservation Commission shall acquire, protect, and conserve open space, land and natural resources for the people of the Town of Smithfield and future generations. It shall protect watershed resources and preserve natural aesthetic areas with the Town, and run educational projects to accomplish these goals and foster the value of these irreplaceable resources in our town.

The Smithfield Conservation Commission needs two new members for the commission.

The Commission meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 7:oo PM at the Conservation Center located at 5 Waterview Drive.

Information about Conservation Commission Activities

Winter Holiday Safety

Winter holidays are a time for families and friends to get together. But that also means a greater risk for fire. Following a few simple tips will ensure a happy and fire-safe holiday season.

Holiday Decorating

• Be careful with holiday decorations. Choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant.
• Keep lit candles away from decorations and other things that can burn.
• Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both.
• Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Read manufacturer’s instructions for number of light strands to connect.
• Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged.
• Keep decorations away from windows and doors.

Holiday Entertaining

• Test your smoke alarms and tell guests about your home fire escape plan.
• Keep children and pets away from lit candles.
• Keep matches and lighters up high in a locked cabinet.
• Stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stovetop.
• Ask smokers to smoke outside. Remind smokers to keep their smoking materials with them so young children do not touch them.
• Provide large, deep ashtrays for smokers. Wet cigarette butts with water before discarding.

FACTS

• More than one-third of home decoration fires are started by candles.
• More than two of every five decoration fires happen because decorations are placed too close to a heat source.

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.

Medication Disposal - Smithfield Police Station

• The Smithfield Police Department provides the public with a safe, convenient, and responsible means to anonymously dispose of various unused, unwanted, and/or expired medications 24/7.  
• Accepted Items: prescription medications/patches, ointments (sealed in zip-lock bags), over-the-counter medications, vitamins, medication samples, and pet medications. 

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.
• Interested parties should complete the online application form. Please make sure to include interest or experience in the field of each particular board or commission that you are applying for.
• 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):
• Affordable Housing Advisory Board
• Budget and Financial Review Board
• Conservation Commission
• Economic Development Commission
• Historic Preservation Commission
• Smithfield Land Trust
• Smithfield Sewer Authority
• Smithfield Water Supply Board Advisory 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.”
• The nomination form is available online here as well as printed copies available in Town Hall.