Town of North Smithfield

September 18, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Message from Town Administrator

Gary Ezovski

Yesterday, during one of our very frequent dog walks to the Library’s “Centennial Park” along the Branch River, I noticed the very low water flow condition over the uppermost dam that is within view at the park. It struck me as the lowest flow condition that I have seen at that location. That is only a casual observation and not some declaration of record setting conditions by any means, but it certainly said to me that we are experiencing very dry conditions. This morning an article in the Providence Journal indicated Governor Raimondo has issued a statewide drought advisory. See that here: https://www.ri.gov/press/view/39357. Finally, the long-range weather forecasts I see continue to show nothing but dry weather. That adds up to need for a note of caution particularly since we have learned there are private wells in town that have reached stressed conditions. The good news is that I have checked with the Woonsocket Water Department from which North Smithfield’s public supply system is supplied. Woonsocket Water has ample supply despite the dry conditions to this point. The message today is simply to be mindful that while your water supply may be fine there are folks around us who may be experiencing lesser conditions. Though there is no need for restriction of water use with our town’s public systems, as this low water condition unfolds, your care in using water from a private well could be beneficial to you and a neighbor whose water supply may be struggling.  Please use water wisely and conserve now to minimize the number of no water conditions that could otherwise develop nearby. This photo of the dam on the reservoir was taken just after 8 AM this morning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Important Update to School-Age Guidance for Fall 2020* 

 

Face coverings play a critical role in mitigating risk related to COVID-19. Effective September 14, 2020, the RI Department of Human Services is requiring face coverings for all school-age children* (in addition to staff) in all DHS-licensed child care programs, even when children are in stable groups and physically distanced (6+ feet apart.) Important to note: this guidance will not pertain to other younger age groups served in DHS-licensed child care facilities such as infants/toddlers and preschoolers whose language development is often dependent upon visual cues and prompts from peers modeling appropriate speech. Face coverings will be critical in mitigating the risks associated with school-age children participating in multiple stable pods due to their enrollment in a DHS licensed child care facility and will mirror RIDE guidance for K-12 schools. 

 

Cloth face coverings should not be placed on children younger than age two; anyone who has trouble breathing; or anyone who is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance. 

 

Protective face coverings are not required for certain individuals, per CDC guidelines, or for anyone for whom use of such face covering would be damaging to his or her health or inhibit an activity of daily living (e.g. eating.)

 

 

 

 

 

CommerceRI.com

 

Here are the basics about the RestoreRI small business grant program:

This program is targeting some of the hardest hit industries here in Rhode Island, including retail, restaurants, and salons. Additional eligibility information can be found here

 

·     Eligible businesses who have 1-20 employees, or any restaurant or caterer, may apply for up to $15,000 in grant funding. 



·     Businesses must demonstrate a revenue loss of at least 30-50% or more in any month from March through July 2020, depending on the industry.

 

 

 

 

 

Curbside yard waste pick up is expected to start again in late September or early October.

Drop off at the Recycling Center is available during the hours of : Wednesdays 3pm-6pm & Saturdays 10am-2pm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ATTENTION NORTH SMITHFIELD RESIDENTS WHO ARE BLACKSTONE, MASS WATER CUSTOMERS

 

(St Paul St / Elizabeth Ave / West St / Middle St / Colerick St / Fountain St)

 

PLEASE READ THE ATTACHED NOTICE REGARDING A WATER BAN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September Dates are:



Saturday: 

·     September 19th & 26th, 10:00 - 10:30 am

·      

·     Tuesday:

September 22nd & 29th, 5:30–6:00 pm

 

In September we will need to confirm North Smithfield residency with a valid photo ID and a second form of identification such as a phone or rent bill with a North Smithfield address.

 

 

The Food Pantry is a drive through at the Slatersville Congregational Church, UCC at 25 Greene St on the Common. Please line up on Greene St and you will be directed into the parking lot and food will be delivered into your car. You must wear a mask to receive food. You can come to all four of our pantries. Questions call 401-678-0356

 

 

Thank you to our good friends at Wright’s Dairy for their generous donation of milk! We so appreciate your kindness, and our clients say thank you as well!!!!

 

Additionally, thank you but we cannot use additional volunteer help at this time. If you would like to donate money, please mail to P.O. Box 283, Slatersville, RI 02876. If you would like to donate food, please call (401) 678-0356 to arrange a time for drop off. We need soups, canned tuna and chicken, canned fruit and juice, toilet paper and paper towels. 

 

The flavors of the month for September is canned vegetables.

We are also in need of canned tuna & chicken.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UPCOMING MEETINGS

Agendas can be found on the Secretary of State Website by

CLICKING HERE

 

 

Town Council Meeting

Zoom Meeting

Monday, September 21, 2020 @ 6:45pm

Agenda

 

 

Zoning Board Meeting

Zoom Meeting

Tuesday, September 22, 2020 @ 7:00pm

Agenda

 

Crews are now focusing on recovery operations in central Texas following last week's historic flooding. At least 120 people are dead and over 170 are still missing. President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will be in the state tomorrow to tour the flood damage.        President Trump's attempt to restrict birthright citizenship is being stopped for now by a federal judge. The judge also granted class-action status in the case after the Supreme Court limited the ability of judges to block orders nationwide through other means. The order has been stayed for seven days by the judge to allow the government time to appeal.        Senate Majority Leader John Thune is discussing Senate races with President Trump. According to The Hill, the two met and broadly discussed races including Texas Senator John Cornyn's primary against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Paxton and Cornyn are both Trump allies, however the president has not endorsed either in the primary.        Tesla is getting ready to expand its robotaxi service beyond Austin, Texas. CEO Elon Musk shared news of the expansion on 'X,' and noted that the company is awaiting regulatory approval for a launch in the Bay Area "probably in a month or two." In addition to the expansion, Tesla will integrate xAI's Grok into vehicles as it rolled out a new iteration of the artificial intelligence chatbot.        Jury selection is underway in the murder trial of a Colorado dentist accused of poisoning and killing his wife. James Craig was arrested in Aurora after his wife Angela died in 2023 after multiple hospital trips. Investigators say a combination of cyanide and tetrahydrozoline led to her death.        One of rock's most legendary stars will hit the road this fall. Paul McCartney announced he'll continue his Got Back Tour starting September 29th in Palm Desert, California. Macca will visit 16 cities across North America including Las Vegas, Denver, Minneapolis and Atlanta before wrapping up November 25th in Chicago.