Town of Smithfield
news & updates
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January 1, 2021 | Issue 14 |
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Home for the Holidays
House Decorating Contest
Winners Announced!
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We had a total of thirty-two (32) contestants which were judged on “curb appeal”, creative design and overall presentation. After a very difficult deliberation, we are excited to announce this year’s winners below: |
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The Knobel Family
22 Candlewood Drive
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The Conte Family
13 Chamberlain Street
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The DiSciullo Family
27 Meadow View Drive
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Our Home for the Holiday’s Committee would like to extend our gratitude to all of the participants for their creativity, hard work, and dedication to lighting up the Town. The residents of Smithfield have helped to illustrate the true meaning of holiday SPIRIT that makes the season so bright and we are proud to call Smithfield our home because of it!
Wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season.
Smithfield Home for the Holiday’s Committee
Liz Bryant, Alyson Bilotti, Tommy Winfield, Town Council Vice-President Sean Kilduff, Town Council President Suzy Alba, Town Manager Randy Rossi
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The Smithfield Police Department is once again participating in the Rhode Island Supreme Court Christmas gift program to assist those in need. The members of the department would like to offer warm wishes this holiday season. Stay Safe! |
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First, Happy New Year from the men and women of the Smithfield Fire Department. After experiencing a crazy year like 2020, we have hope that 2021 is a better year for all of us.
Now, let’s discuss the COVID-19 vaccine. Some people may be concerned about getting vaccinated now that a COVID-19 vaccine is available in the United States. While more COVID-19 vaccines are being developed as quickly as possible, routine processes and procedures remain in place to ensure the safety of any vaccine that is authorized or approved for use. Safety is a top priority, and there are many reasons to get vaccinated.
COVID-19 vaccination will help keep you from getting COVID-19.
- All COVID-19 vaccines that are in development or being distributed are being carefully evaluated in clinical trials and will be authorized or approved only if they make it substantially less likely you’ll get COVID-19.
- Based on what we know about vaccines for other diseases and early data from clinical trials, experts believe that getting a COVID-19 vaccine may also help keep you from getting seriously ill even if you do get COVID-19.
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Getting vaccinated yourself may also protect people around you, particularly people at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
COVID-19 vaccination is a safer way to help build protection.
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COVID-19 can have serious, life-threatening complications, and there is no way to know how COVID-19 will affect you. And if you get sick, you could spread the disease to friends, family, and others around you.
- Getting COVID-19 may offer some natural protection, known as immunity. But experts don’t know how long this protection lasts, and the risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19 far outweighs any benefits of natural immunity. COVID-19 vaccination will help protect you by creating an antibody (immune system) response without having to experience sickness.
- Both natural immunity and immunity produced by a vaccine are important parts of COVID-19 disease that experts are trying to learn more about, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will keep the public informed as new evidence becomes available.
COVID-19 vaccination will be an important tool to help stop the pandemic.
- Wearing masks and social distancing help reduce your chance of being exposed to the virus or spreading it to others, but these measures are not enough. Vaccines will work with your immune system so it will be ready to fight the virus if you are exposed.
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The combination of getting vaccinated and following CDC’s recommendations to protect yourself and others will offer the best protection from COVID-19.
- Stopping a pandemic requires using all the tools we have available. As experts learn more about how COVID-19 vaccination may help reduce spread of the disease in communities, CDC will continue to update the recommendations to protect communities using the latest science.
Watch the CDC website at cdc.gov for updated recommendations to protect communities using the latest science.
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Information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Bulk and Metal/Appliance Collection Requests
All requests for bulk and metal/appliance collection are accepted by our hauling company, Waste Management. There are two ways to request a pick-up:
The Waste Management Call Center- please call (800) 972-4545. There will be a short series of prompts. Below is a guide to navigate the prompts. They will first ask if you have a customer ID. We do not use customer ID numbers in Smithfield, so hold for the next prompt.
- Press 1 for residential curbside service
- Press 3 for all other customers
- Press 4 for all other inquiries
- That will take you right to a rep. They will ask your town, please say Smithfield (not Greenville, Esmond or Georgiaville). Be sure to have a pen handy as they will give you a ticket number/confirmation for the pick-up.
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Please note: Not all items can be accepted through curbside bulk collection. Below are a few exceptions, other exceptions may apply:
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Mattresses/box springs - accepted at special events, by appointment. Be sure to keep mattresses and box springs clean and dry. Call (401) 233-1034 x105 for more information and options.
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Construction debris - windows, doors, toilets, sinks, wood boards, drywall, sizing, flooring, fencing and other items that are attached to a home/building.
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Electronics - accepted by appointment at Smithfield DPW. This includes televisions, computer monitors, tablets, computer towers, laptops, just about anything with a cord. Exclusions for drop-off are items containing coolant, wood encased speakers and laser printers. Call (401) 233-1034 X105 to see if your item qualifies and to make an appointment for drop-off.
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Tires - accepted at an annual event, must be rimless.
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Empty propane tanks - accepted, by appointment at Smithfield DPW.
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Large rigid plastics - accepted by appointment at Smithfield DPW. Must be made completely of plastic, larger than a hard hat, smaller than a 95 gallon sized trash cart. Common items are storage containers larger than 5 gallons in size, laundry baskets, upright plastic furniture and trash barrels. No PVC pipes, siding or fencing. Call (401) 233-1034 X105 to see if your item qualifies and to make an appointment for drop-off.
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Hazardous Waste - accepted at Eco Depot Events.
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Elementary Reconfiguration Project Update |
As of December 31st, 253 days have elapsed since the start of construction for our elementary schools’ renovations and additions and an estimated 38% of the original, base contract work is complete.
At McCabe Elementary School, roof trusses have been set, exterior framing is complete, and the roof for the gym portion of the addition is in place. The focus for the next few weeks will be getting the new building weathertight, including window installation. Masonry will start for the gym, providing the community with some vision of the final look of the structure. All major site work has ended for the winter season and site lighting is at 95% complete.
At LePerche Elementary School, exterior framing, roofing, and site work for this phase of the project are complete. With the building almost weathertight, progress in the new few weeks will focus on enabling work for the new interior spaces.
Construction crews have put footings and foundation walls in place for the Old County Road Elementary School addition, and steel erection is expected as soon as the weather allows. The goal is to enclose the building by the end of January 2021.
On December 7th, a Wood Truss Topping Off Ceremony was held at McCabe to mark a milestone in the progress of the building project. Students enjoyed seeing the crane hoist the wood truss to its spot on the addition’s roof. Other ceremonies will be planned at various points through to the completion of the three projects.
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Left to Right: LaPerche Elementary Addition, McCabe Elementary Wood Truss Topping Off |
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Agendas, minutes, and presentations are posted on the school construction update page. |
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Smithfield COVID-19
Support Fund
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The Town of Smithfield has partnered up with John J. Tassoni, Jr. to create a COVID-19 Support Fund to help Smithfield residents who are in need of assistance. |
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Gift Cards or Donations can be delivered or mailed to:
Smithfield Town Hall
c/o Town Manager, Randy Rossi
64 Farnum Pike
Smithfield, RI 02917
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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. A letter of interest may contain your interest or experience in the field of each particular board or commission that you are applying for and, optionally, resume information.
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Check online for board & commission vacancies at Onboard click the “Run Report” button on the left of that page.
- 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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