Woonsocket Radio News Room

TOWN OF NORTH SMITHFIELD

April 13th, 2018 Edition

Message from Town Administrator

Gary Ezovski

Storm water management is something everyone is thinking about, right? 

Well, ok, in North Smithfield it’s probably just a few of us here in town hall and the department of public works.  But think about it we must, because federal and state law requires that we adhere to requirements associated with our general permit for the town’s municipal separate storm sewer system commonly referred to as our “MS4 permit”. The objective of the MS4 permit program is to reduce impact to rivers and streams from nonpoint sources of materials that are detrimental to surface water quality. 

While there are multiple potential sources of the problems, failing wastewater systems and animal waste can be among the most common. 

Our DPW crews have already gone through substantial effort to clean storm water structures across town. Sampling efforts by an engineering consultant have followed the cleaning. The results are good when the total number of locations is considered. Only eight of ninety-two pipe outfalls were identified to have varying levels of bacteria in storm water. These are not unusual findings, but they are matters that the program is established to identify and eliminate, so our next step is to establish and follow a plan to identify the sources of those concentrations.

As usual, while we follow the required process, the ultimate solution to most of our challenges might be accomplished through education. In this case, cautioning everyone that disposal of anything in storm water structures is not allowed and encouraging picking up after our pets could be among our most simple steps to full compliance.  After that, it is important to emphasize that waste discharge (solid or liquid) of any kind to any part of our storm water system is not allowed and could be a source of bacteria and other compounds in storm water. In some cases, a failing onsite waste water treatment system (septic system or cesspool) could be a contributor by overland flow to a storm sewer. Those circumstances are usually most evident at this time of year when groundwater levels are high, so any owner observing evidence of a failing system on their property is encouraged to seek maintenance service or repair as needed to eliminate the potential source.  

In the next few weeks and months, our consultant will be engaged to perform additional storm water sampling and to begin review of activities or conditions that could be a source of the problem concentrations. That work will take place near storm water discharge piping in the following neighborhoods: Martha Road, Main Street at Railroad St, Gilfillian Rd, Knollridge Dr, Brentwood Dr, Forest Hill Dr, St Paul St at Mendon Road, and Milton Ave at Mulberry St.

Communities across the state are all wrestling with the same requirements. It is our hope that we can achieve full compliance quickly and cost effectively. Keeping rivers and streams clean is the goal.

A first draft of the Comprehensive Plan amendment is nearing completion and will soon be reviewed by the Town Council and the public. The following survey will be used to gauge public opinion on general goals and policies within the plan. We encourage you to complete the survey and participate in the planning process. A complete copy of the draft plan is on the Planning Department page of the Town’s website.

CLICK HERE to take the survey

The Department of Public Works will conclude chipping services on April 13, 2018. We will no longer accept calls for chipping services after Friday April 13, 2018. Residents are welcome to drop off yard waste at our Highway Garage on Wednesdays from 3:00 PM- 7:00 PM, and Saturdays from 9:00 AM- 4:00 PM. We encourage residents to use the curbside yard waste collection which begins Monday April 9, 2018. Yard waste is collected on the same day as your trash and recycling.  Residents can have up to 8 leaf bags or cans, clearly marked, of yard waste out at the curb for weekly collection. The spring collection season runs from Monday April 9^th - Friday June 8, 2018.

For additional information contact 767-2200 x 348

FIRE/MEDIC EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

    The North Smithfield Fire & Rescue Service, Inc. will be conducting a written competitive examination for the position of entry level Firefighter/EMT on Saturday, May 5, 2018 at North Smithfield High School, 412 Greenville Road, North Smithfield. Application sign-up period ends Friday, April 20, 2018 at 4pm. There is a $60.00 exam fee paid prior to the close of sign up period. Test time is 0900 hours and NO ONE will be allowed in after 0845 hours. Sign-up, make payment, (no personal checks) and information packet can be picked up at Department Fire Control Center, Fire Station #1, 675 St. Paul Street, North Smithfield, RI. Phone number for information, qualifications, and directions, is 401-762-1135.

"This institution is an equal opportunity provider" 

UPCOMING EVENTS

We are pleased to announce 

North Smithfield's

16th Annual Clean & Green Day 

Saturday, April 28, 2018

  Each year we assemble a large group of volunteers from North Smithfield and surrounding towns who have a mutual interest in reducing litter, and thus improving the visual landscape. While litter cleanup is the primary objective of our Clean & Green Day, this event offers additional benefits in promoting anti-litter awareness, recycling and continued education.

Save the date and come April 28^th to participate in one of RI's largest community clean-up efforts. This year we plan to see as many as 500 volunteers.

Our "Hands-on cleanup" approach gives volunteers satisfaction in making a difference, as well as a sense of community by joining their neighbors in a much larger town-wide project. The experience often motivates volunteers to learn and do more in the interest of recycling and our environment year-round.  

The clean-up provides a great bonding opportunity for families and organizations to help together.  Scout troops and students are able to earn community service hours.

Volunteers can leave comments and questions, or pre-register for the event by using the Clean & Green link available

Click here to register

Donations can be made to "Town of North Smithfield/Clean & Green Day" P.O. Box 248, Slatersville, RI 02876. 

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/North-Smithfield-RI-Clean-Green-334578540277447/

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One of the North Smithfield High School Graduation Requirements is the completion of a Senior Project. Senior Project is a self-directed, personalized, project-based learning opportunity that provides seniors with the chance to explore any field or topic in which they are interested. Senior Project culminates in a presentation showcasing the work students have been doing throughout the year. 

We would like to cordially invite you to serve as a judge for the Fifth Annual Senior Project Presentation Day on Thursday, May 17^th. Judges will be trained in assessing projects upon arrival and a complimentary lunch will be served prior to the viewing and judging of students' presentations. The day will end by 2:30. 

Attached you will find an invitation to judge this event. If you are interested in attending, please register by opening the invitation and clicking on the link at the bottom of it. Once you have clicked ‘Submit’ on the form, your registration is complete and you will hear from me about a week before the presentation day with further details. 

The invitation and registration may also be accessed by clicking here.

Thank you, in advance, for your support and continued enthusiasm for the Senior Project initiative. Please feel free to email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any questions or concerns.

Lindsay Aromin

Senior Project Coordinator 

North Smithfield High School

412 Greenville Road

North Smithfield, RI 02896

George Nasuti Novans Pride 5K

Monday, May 28th, 2018

TIME TO PREPARE &

SAVE THE DATE

SATURDAY, JUNE 2, 2018

RAIN DATE: SUNDAY, JUNE 3, 2018

It's time to start decluttering and get ready for our annual North Smithfield Town Wide Yard Sale, benefiting the NS Food Pantry.

Residents can participate by holding an individual or multi-family yard sale at their homes. When they register with the Town Clerk, their location will be listed on the Town Web Site and in publicity, so that interested shoppers will have their location.

Residents who want to take part must go to the Clerk's office at the Town Annex at 575 Smithfield Road to obtain a yard sale permit for $5.00. Residents are encouraged to make a contribution to the town's Food Pantry at the same time. Yard sale addresses will be listed for permits obtained before Noon on Friday, May 25th, 2018. 

If anyone has feedback on how to improve the upcoming event, please contact Town Hall at 767-2200, ext. 301.

Stay tuned for more information.  

12th Annual 

North Smithfield 

Great Pumpkin Festival

Saturday - September 15, 2018

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

North Smithfield High School Grounds

The next committee meeting will be Wednesday, April 18th at 6:00 at R&R Machine Industries, Inc. 147 Industrial Drive, North Smithfield

Click Here for more information on the event and a list of the upcoming Committee Meetings.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

Sewer Commission Meeting

Wednesday, April 18th @ 7:00 pm

Primrose Fire Station

1470 Providence Pike

North Smithfield, RI 02896

PumpkinFest Committee Meeting

Wednesday, April 18th @ 6:00 pm

R&R Machine Industries

147 Industrial Drive

North Smithfield, RI 02896

Budget Committee Meeting

Thursday, April 19th @ 6:00 pm

Town Hall Conference Room

1 Main Street

Slatersville, RI 02876