[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6648152,"mediaKeyId","3411779-f495cca318d5fcc7d504f194888d94a0","parentId",3411779,"title","Residents urge Smithfield council to discuss and oppose proposed state assault-weapons ban","audioSeconds",456,"startMs",2634000,"endMs",3090000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3411779-f495cca318d5fcc7d504f194888d94a0&start=2634&end=3090","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3411779-f495cca318d5fcc7d504f194888d94a0/thumbnail_2634000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6648152/Rhode-Island/Residents-urge-Smithfield-council-to-discuss-and-oppose-proposed-state-assault-weapons-ban","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6648152-9c0ed5122e861d46584a47733cf2252b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146370&Signature=ejyLkrtvcDFMVrY8zChEKer1-8BxFt4U7ZFfjGotjtxyVQhwvZODsevJrZXmWp60buYq~VjRJHF~QAAe9qgNvjBeeUDuYdTIvbo90Gt3wvjWOwsVtQqX5gvcB8um0vTfhLtkjt9Ib0EiZsY960gGNziyE0r7f~w7LGsltpYxlHNAqtu-66g7d1ptLZhCB-0uekIH5bU6LFn~TUeFvjvZwMX0tncvBRaNYYEzKprIqK-UudPDT~rR7M~W0m3Wrdk~QxEwf4T~I2ECHgvn26cnqTD4nC9Ps5NxEwY3KCrw97AQ~OQJkxNJfMw-Vn3DtCmehciqquJNX84AVCqwpD15oQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Smithfield","date","2025-05-20T00:00:00Z","article","During the public-comment period, multiple Smithfield residents urged the Town Council to place consideration of a proposed state assault-weapons ban on a future agenda and to adopt a formal resolution opposing the measure.

Dan Kiesler, a 16-year Smithfield resident and representative of Parabellum Provisions, described potential municipal costs and liabilities associated with collecting, cataloging and storing firearms if such a ban were enacted and later overturned. He told the council the town could face responsibilities for climate-controlled storage and potential litigation over returning firearms in the condition received.

Other speakers, including Joe Varon, Jeff Gross and Glenn Gresco, urged the council to join other towns that have passed resolutions opposing the proposed ban; the meeting record shows at least 13 towns had adopted similar resolutions as of the prior night. Speakers framed their requests on constitutional and fiscal grounds and left printed materials with the clerk.

Council members did not take formal action during the meeting, but one council member invited the matter to be put on a future agenda for discussion.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","05/20/2025 Smithfield Town Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Several residents asked the Town Council to consider passing a resolution opposing a proposed state assault-weapons ban and to bring the topic before the council for public discussion, citing storage and fiscal concerns if the law passes.","taxTitle","Smithfield, Providence County, Rhode Island","taxId",79585,"location","Rhode Island","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6648155,"Smithfield council adopts resolutions on paraplegic property exemption and tax-class flexibility; approves small abatement",610,1800000,2410000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3411779-f495cca318d5fcc7d504f194888d94a0&start=1800&end=2410","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3411779-f495cca318d5fcc7d504f194888d94a0/thumbnail_1800000.jpg","/articles/6648155/Rhode-Island/Smithfield-council-adopts-resolutions-on-paraplegic-property-exemption-and-tax-class-flexibility-approves-small-abatement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6648155-c0bd6ceed8c809def02f083de1eebeec/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146370&Signature=FOzzzuctKO9vzdwxgjuLxofmPM~oyfT31guZwQ38ezQz0Rgkgi0Ijtg52DK8ieGx9SRv3fKzbO7e2AYodeWVh6auPScREG4ZbkJc0J2y2NroG0P1Fo8lTg04Y~tj5PEUc4gqF5v5Sd5jL9rt7QpTIyg1OJ2rjnmR-AY50-tgmCwX3Oi3QZYscxZDU1aHYGXqy9KdCY1NVaE0kFBLfi~j-mitdfY0QWoTXc5URlcFe6PNZDuVHpKcU3W4PHSY7Ez728kXexm2mvRhBTnuavtLTCXSa584Lo-YlYmgco-58-4HWDZ8kAftV8dlVMy2-6s4VBS9VGAnnFuFKxl9ihmXEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Smithfield Town Council on Tuesday adopted a pair of resolutions related to property tax policy and approved a one-off abatement of $205.05.

Council adopted a resolution asking the state General Assembly to enable a local exemption for people with paraplegia or quadriplegia who have modified their homes to accommodate disabilities. The sponsor said the change would mirror an approach used by North Providence and that the local ordinance later would specify eligibility and the exemption amount; the sponsor suggested matching the existing $250 disability exemption but said the exact figure would be set in a local ordinance following state enabling legislation.

Separately, the council approved a resolution seeking a change to state law that governs tax classification and reevaluation (discussed with references to \"general law 44-3\" and a separate chapter title read during the meeting). Tax assessor Chris Less explained the proposal would decouple the residential and commercial tax-rate formulas so the town could set rates independently when market forces cause residential values to rise faster than commercial values. Staff and council members said the change would not affect the current year but would provide flexibility in the next budget cycle to avoid shifting disproportionate tax burden onto residential property owners.

Finally, the council approved a $205.05 tax abatement that staff described as the final appeal adjustment of the year, a small correction resulting from an appeal process.","Council adopted a resolution asking the General Assembly to allow a local exemption for homeowners with paraplegia or quadriplegia and approved local action to seek flexibility on property tax classification and revaluation; the council also approved a $205.05 tax abatement.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6648157,"Council schedules study and ordinance amendment steps for proposed Smithfield municipal court",126,420000,546000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3411779-f495cca318d5fcc7d504f194888d94a0&start=420&end=546","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3411779-f495cca318d5fcc7d504f194888d94a0/thumbnail_420000.jpg","/articles/6648157/Rhode-Island/Council-schedules-study-and-ordinance-amendment-steps-for-proposed-Smithfield-municipal-court","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6648157-364e7424af2afe027037f9a8037cc3d7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146370&Signature=Xa9X6Mqoz5Vt8A8-4aL4c9z0Yx6DdN6FN0n8vrm9~D-7xXlZMbEFmQ~u6bzHPQdyKo1iZVkURgbatiEIReUIGf6MQCQ9E5NSFDM7N8PC2yCjVlF8Sfu7926h1SYGRWUKqZ2fVAyxYrkTAizM33esfafwGWw2VO99IXjVoQlCkbfS105wuqNvDaR77q7h3kt3Fttqhf-uCP91Z~dJEl6gP2M9Lsl8ORCAeq93ICmYJnw7c9-WaAQ0YLHa5wquO7OkmvApNjviiWKss4xcLz2AAdBqCgAVKcl63z5TPhMHAyen4l-PFMo2UNzMplCekGH-oNanApdvTeaDqYR~USa0wA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town Council voted to schedule a public hearing and to move an amendment forward that would give Smithfield the authority to create a municipal court capable of handling traffic tribunal cases.

Council members said two steps are needed: (1) enabling legislation at the state level to authorize towns to create municipal courts for traffic and related violations, and (2) a local study to determine whether such a court would be economically and operationally advantageous for Smithfield. A council member sponsoring the amendment said she had spoken with colleagues in Cranston and other municipalities and emphasized that legislation to grant authority should precede a study of feasibility.

The council moved the matter to a future meeting (noted as July 15 in the meeting) and instructed that, if advanced, a study and additional conversations be undertaken before any final decision. One council member requested that the Budget and Financial Review Board review potential cost and benefit figures, noting that a prior financial review commission had once considered local collection of traffic fines but concluded the financial advantage was unclear.

No formal court was established during the meeting; the council’s action was procedural to advance the ordinance amendment and allow for further study and public hearings.","The council voted to move forward with an ordinance amendment to enable a municipal court to hear traffic tribunal cases, and agreed to study whether creating a municipal court would be advantageous to the town.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6648164,"Smithfield council approves multiple licenses and extends Dell support contract",1158,602000,1760000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3411779-f495cca318d5fcc7d504f194888d94a0&start=602&end=1760","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3411779-f495cca318d5fcc7d504f194888d94a0/thumbnail_602000.jpg","/articles/6648164/Rhode-Island/Smithfield-council-approves-multiple-licenses-and-extends-Dell-support-contract","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6648164-a9c4d866b05d3a784c0539d4b9cd5ede/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146370&Signature=HF6sDWVYJ8Td7rc6z2~cJq-RQZOV4rBzqu60x8J7SdT5yiLe367Ewo8kI7Ymi6bC4EhoX20NRw-E26muCHz5jC5CwNLdXTV46bCAn50mGBFC-H4ZuHXZkiIzHbb7EbzemWZPi2tjItwLILqI58Q8oyEfavykG1WbNqpMI2rEq-s0M8Ls8Dekon3i5JJhMTWzT8IfTalHBNJzbASL0O9~mgBGCGARokWwrVTRCMhlBrR2b6XsyVOuuL8O0S~8ytvHN20H3btOqT2qJ~i7OUmlQ7-fpVDCM8HcV23qk0bqW3lNGXe67XilRC6Ua19dXPniBjiSVAfIp9oq0aJerVBMdg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Smithfield’s Town Council on Tuesday approved a package of routine licenses and a three-year support contract for town servers, acting on multiple items typically handled by consent.

The council approved a one-day special-event license for We Be Jammin LLC to host a community celebration for the Smithfield Police Department anniversary on July 26; annual holiday/vendor licenses for AJL LLC (New England Frozen Lemonade); a one-day beer-and-wine permit for an Allen Saint Pierre birthday event at the Smithfield Senior Center; and a mobile food-truck license for Johnson Shave Ice LLC to operate at a specified site. The council also granted a new entertainment license for SBGP LLC doing business as Rocket 55 Lounge and several licenses — victualing, entertainment and a special dance license — for 2 Brothers Restaurant LLC, DBA Frank and Johnny’s, at 743 Putnam Pike.

In separate action, the council authorized the town manager to enter a cooperative purchasing agreement (OMNIA/National Cooperative Purchasing Alliance) with Dell Technologies for three years of support and maintenance on the town’s data-center equipment in an amount not to exceed $48,509.21, to be funded from the computer services account in the operating budget. Dave DeChano, the town IT director, said the contract would extend current support while the town plans a server refresh in future years.

All motions were approved by voice votes with no roll-call tallies recorded during the meeting. Several council members confirmed that the vendors had completed the required state and local permitting steps, including Rhode Island Department of Health registration for a mobile food establishment and copies of retail licenses and certificates of good standing for on-premises alcohol licenses.","The council granted several special-event, food, liquor and entertainment licenses, approved a three-year Dell maintenance contract for town servers and renewed routine permits in a single consent-style sequence.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6648169,"Smithfield council authorizes police dispatch console purchase; funding drawn from Bryant public safety fund",625,1101000,1726000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3411779-f495cca318d5fcc7d504f194888d94a0&start=1101&end=1726","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3411779-f495cca318d5fcc7d504f194888d94a0/thumbnail_1101000.jpg","/articles/6648169/Rhode-Island/Smithfield-council-authorizes-police-dispatch-console-purchase-funding-drawn-from-Bryant-public-safety-fund","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6648169-9f1ead84d63c75b3da4d56cfa13b692b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146370&Signature=X0bKXW~ZFIfd2YXkWESjvj8z6-c2XkajR0QrWdTlfHfYRbcA4Dei2Rb-QPOcFg9yR-8Q37HGu3m0pcwbqYyvkdswp022y1SkVVFmWNtGaHoewxZJ9SkWLsyTEKKZi0nMD7VB5-TSARC1i7SgI38GF6KXbtZFWV-9CQUPeMBEoWcRl8rYl9SBxG8b-a~EK04j47l~dnefIIs3jTvUuoblJCilyanYvjf~IafN-3BsVmppSJRimrBj4Xp4wtS3Q05fgWRiwdxgmsAClF0UNNsTWahkqftl0CLNcv9EwKXJRhA6tIseU-Hn9mPOvcO3QKFoOFtQL7os86Kdr9T2CCbvyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Smithfield Town Council on Tuesday authorized the police department to buy a Motorola computer-aided dispatch console through a state cooperative purchasing arrangement, with funds drawn from the Bryant Police and Fire Public Safety Fund.

The purchase, described during the meeting as \"in the amount of $363 and $401\" when read aloud, was approved by voice vote after extended discussion about funding sources and capital accounting. Chief Eric Dolan told the council the console is the most up-to-date system compatible with the department's Motorola radios and said the town has been pursuing the upgrade since 2022 because the current Telex system is failing unpredictably.

Council members pressed for clarity on where the money would come from and whether the expenditure should have been integrated into the town's budget and Capital Improvement Program. The chief and other staff said the cost would come from the Bryant Police and Fire Public Safety Fund; council members noted the account currently holds roughly $750,000 as stated in the meeting and that prior purchases had used the same fund.

Council discussion covered whether the account’s expenditures appear in the annual budget process. One council member asked that future similar items be reviewed by the Budget and Financial Review Board and included in the Capital Improvement Program; town staff acknowledged that practice should be tightened going forward. The council approved the purchase by voice vote with no recorded roll call. The chief said the system would likely be ordered in June and installation would follow when equipment arrives.

The council additionally noted that the Bryant account has been used in the past for related radio and console upgrades, including a recent fire dispatch console purchase that combined grant and fund sources. Several members urged improved transparency on capital spending and programming as the town moves away from the special fund structure.","The Town Council approved a purchase of a new Motorola computer-aided dispatch console for the police department, using funds from the Bryant Police and Fire Public Safety Fund amid council questions about accounting and the town's capital planning.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge Smithfield council to discuss and oppose proposed state assault-weapons ban

Smithfield council adopts resolutions on paraplegic property exemption and tax-class flexibility; approves small abatement

Council schedules study and ordinance amendment steps for proposed Smithfield municipal court

Smithfield council approves multiple licenses and extends Dell support contract

Smithfield council authorizes police dispatch console purchase; funding drawn from Bryant public safety fund