Town of Smithfield
news & updates
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October 1, 2021 | Issue 23 |
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Smithfield's All Lit Up Christmas Parade |
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This year’s Smithfield’s All Lit Up Christmas Parade will be held on Saturday, December 4th at 4:00 p.m. If you would like to be a part of this year's festivities, please complete a parade application. Please contact Kate McAdam-Prickett at 391-6521 or Tom Winfield at 864-3356 with any questions on the application process.
All completed applications must be submitted by Monday, November 22nd.
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Attention Smithfield Businesses!! |
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NEW BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT...
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The Church Mouse Thrift Shop at St. Thomas Church |
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Friday, October 3rd was the Grand Opening of the Church Mouse Thrift Shop, the newest ministry of St Thomas Episcopal Church. As is true for many places, the last 18 months have been incredibly tough for St. Thomas. In addition to the pandemic, this community also had to manage a clergy transition. In the midst of it all, the tenacious spirit of this community remained aglow. A few daring and adventurous people had a vision to create something new. Tina Caldwell, Judy Chase, and Marie Piadade worked with the Church to take the bold step of launching a major new initiative during a pandemic. This marks the beginning of a new chapter in the life of St. Thomas Church and a new chapter for the Greenville/Smithfield community as we seek to further build our partnership and relationship.
Be sure to come on down to the Church Mouse Thrift Shop (Tuesdays 10-2, Thursdays 3:30-6:30, and Saturdays 10-3).
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Play Time Indoor Play and Parties |
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We would like to welcome Smithfield’s newest business; Play Time! On September 3rd, we had the pleasure of celebrating the grand opening with a ceremonial ribbon cutting.
Play Time’s mission is to provide a clean, safe and fun play space and party destination for children ages six months to six years old. Play Time offers multiple themed dramatic play stations made with creativity, imagination and learning in mind. There is a complimentary coffee and tea bar for parents and caretakers to enjoy while watching their kids have fun.
Please be sure to check them out at 151 Douglas Pike.
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ATTENTION SMITHFIELD STUDENTS: The Smithfield Youth Council is currently accepting applications for students in grades 8 - 12. The primary function of the Youth Council is to serve as a communications link between the youth of Smithfield and the local government. Clink on the link below to apply. |
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Economic Development Commission
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Savoring Smithfield to take place October 9th through the 17th
Come try a healthier menu item during the Economic Development Commission’s Savoring Smithfield restaurant week! From Saturday, October 9th through Sunday, October 17th participating food establishments are highlighting their healthy menu items. These menu items include more plant-based and lean-protein animal-sourced foods that are better for people and the planet. The week was developed using science-based nutrition criteria to identify Savoring Smithfield items and participating restaurants must serve at least two healthy entrées or full meal options that meet the specific criteria.
Thus far, we have some great restaurants participating including:
These businesses have identified delicious items anyone can enjoy, such as heart healthy salads that can come with lean proteins as well as entrees rich in fresh vegetables. Several of these locations also cater to individuals with dietary restrictions: gluten free, dairy free, vegan, and paleo, for example.
The EDC is still looking for other restaurants that would like to be promoted during the week and businesses that do participate will be highlighted on the Commission’s Facebook page and receive Savoring Smithfield fliers to display. If you are a restaurant owner or manager who would like to participate or learn more information about the week, please reach out to Stephanie McCulloch, EDC member.
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Halloween Is Coming - Enjoy It Safely! |
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One of my most favorite times of the year that I ever had with my children as they were growing up was going out trick-or-treating on Halloween evening. It was one of the more memorable times for me and my wife during our daughters’ childhood.
It started with dinner together with their grandma and grandpa followed by visiting their other grandma and grandpa. Then we were off and running for the night’s events. It was a large neighborhood that we lived in at the time and the kids exhausted us as we traveled through the neighborhood. We arrived back at home at the end of the night with a ton of candy!
I am sure many of you can relate to similar Halloween nights with your family. Those are the memories that we make in life that are so precious. Unfortunately, time passes very quickly, so create those Halloween memories now!
I hope you and your family enjoy this year’s Halloween. Enjoy it by having fun, but stay safe at the same time.
Keep the following in mind and enjoy yourselves!
- Tell children to stay away from open flames including jack-o-lanterns with candles in them. Be sure they know how to stop, drop and roll if their clothing catches fire. (Have them practice, stopping immediately, dropping to the ground, covering their face with hands, and rolling over and over to put the flames out.)
- The thrill of the holiday often factors into accidents as excited kids rush from door to door. Keep children on the sidewalks, and shepherd them carefully when they need to cross the road. In areas without sidewalks, walk on the far edge of the road, facing traffic.
- Make sure adults know where the kids are going. A parent or responsible adult should accompany young children door-to-door.
- Check candy for choking hazards like gum and hard candies. Throw away any candy that is not sealed with a wrapper and avoid homemade treats received from strangers.
If you are planning to welcome trick-or-treaters to your home, follow these safety steps:
- Light the area well so young visitors can see.
- Sweep leaves from your sidewalks and steps. Clear your porch or front yard of obstacles someone could trip over.
Top five Halloween fire safety tips
- Use a battery-operated candle or glow stick in jack-o-lanterns
- When choosing costumes, stay away from long trailing fabric
- Teach children to stay away from open flames, including jack-o-lanterns with candles in them.
- Dried flowers, cornstalks, and crepe paper catch fire easily. Keep all decorations away from open flames and other heat sources like light bulbs and heaters
- Provide children with flashlights to carry for lighting or glow sticks as part of their costume.
- Remember to keep exits clear of decorations so nothing blocks escape routes. Make sure all smoke alarms are working in your home.
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Smithfield Fire Department is Awarded $25,000 Grant from Bristol County Savings Bank |
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The Bristol County Savings Charitable Foundation marked its 25th Anniversary with a $25,000 grant to the Smithfield Fire Department during a check presentation ceremony held recently at the station headquarters. The grant is part of the Foundation’s efforts to support organizations that have been on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Fire Department will use this donation for general public safety and the safety of its firefighters. |
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Elementary Reconfiguration Project Update |
Finishing Construction Project for Our Schools
Ahlborg Construction continues to make progress on finishing work for our elementary school buildings. The focus for August was to complete all life-safety items so that a temporary certificate of occupancy could be issued. Items that remain on their list for completion include the following:
Pleasant View Elementary School
- Complete kitchen and servery areas.
- Finish second learning lab (old library room).
- Add permanent wall between teachers’ room and classroom.
- Replace panels with glass in front classroom.
- Complete hydroseeding.
- Install granite school sign.
Old County Road School
- Complete second layer of pavement.
- Finish lighting programming for select areas.
- [Note that the gymnasium needs will be addressed after approval of a change order.]
LaPerche Elementary School
- Redo gymnasium floor topcoat.
- Finish second layer of pavement.
- Finish hydroseeding and landscaping.
All Schools
- Touch up paint.
- Repair broken tiles.
- Repair selected electrical outlets.
- Replace plantings under warranty.
- Add pull down electrical units in maker spaces.
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Agendas, minutes, and presentations are posted on the school construction update page. |
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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):
- Camp Shepard Sub-Committee
- Conservation 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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