[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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],{"_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",6506293,"mediaKeyId","5784652-75dff21531057250445b5ae7ee029987","parentId",5784652,"title","Council approves amendment to union agreement to keep one evening town‑hall hour; measure passes 3‑2 after heated debate","audioSeconds",509,"startMs",2997000,"endMs",3506000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5784652-75dff21531057250445b5ae7ee029987&start=2997&end=3506","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5784652-75dff21531057250445b5ae7ee029987/thumbnail_2997000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6506293/Rhode-Island/Council-approves-amendment-to-union-agreement-to-keep-one-evening-townhall-hour-measure-passes-32-after-heated-debate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6506293-c4b4d3bbf5b8bfce8f9cff043b0eb0ad/orig.mp4?Expires=1775405580&Signature=R5Bk0V06Y0~OUcV--ocjCl4TGJMahV6bmtnAV2Vw-Yq3CAwMxcE39TKp864jrca4~ZthnJ1WNBDyn5Q651jUC~m1EUTjMsDF4iJjVvBMqiKcPH6dxK8q5czfiIGwTRKh4PUZRJoXJQxMc9VxJ2Gvux36IrW~G2TgyqskL92DpDsXipSzW8S7KzAjtRg83P4X-m7kCT-0TurGNkvVmYFqsMENOy-ISoRmrdUCwYnzxDR-fH5n9P2Rx3DmespRwsAKhfOac~T4~782nBw~kSY23FAb07rrfMJVKC8a-3gdTHegMBZyM9wYyY9Qj1I2lZbfHEcC5W0JJXijuzTAzzGfZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Smithfield","date","2025-09-17T04:33:06.633Z","article","The Smithfield Town Council voted 3–2 to authorize a memorandum of agreement (MOA) that modifies the collective-bargaining agreement between the Town of Smithfield and Local 1217, Laborers’ International Union of North America, to codify an arrangement that keeps town offices open an extended evening on Tuesdays in exchange for an abbreviated Friday schedule.

Opponents said data from a 12-week pilot did not support making the schedule part of the collective-bargaining agreement. A council member who voted against the MOA said, “Out of the 12 weeks of this pilot period, there have been 6 customers in total that have come in for the town clerk services during the Tuesday extended hour period. Seven Tuesdays out of the 12 did not see a single individual come to the clerk's office for services,” and added that customer-usage records for other departments were not provided.

Another opponent warned that putting hours into the collective-bargaining agreement would restrict the town manager’s flexibility to set or change hours to meet future needs: “If we include an amendment to the present collective-bargaining agreement, it will prevent the town manager from setting or changing the hours of operation of the town hall, as best as the needs of the town could change over the course of the year.”

Supporters argued the extended hours benefit residents and employees, and that other towns have implemented similar schedules successfully. One proponent said the schedule improves employee morale and resident access and predicted usage will grow as the program becomes better known. Another council supporter said, “I full steam ahead.”

The council took a recorded roll call for the motion; the motion passed 3–2.

Ending: With the MOA approved, town staff said the schedule will be implemented as agreed and departments will monitor usage; opponents urged continued review and data collection to evaluate long-term need.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","09/16/2025 Town Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved a memorandum of agreement modifying the collective-bargaining agreement to retain an extended Tuesday evening schedule and shorter Friday hours; opponents argued the pilot data did not justify locking hours into the union contract.","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},6506297,"Council approves school 'stage 2' submission to state; building committee and residents urge ongoing review",538,2331000,2869000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5784652-75dff21531057250445b5ae7ee029987&start=2331&end=2869","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5784652-75dff21531057250445b5ae7ee029987/thumbnail_2331000.jpg","/articles/6506297/Rhode-Island/Council-approves-school-stage-2-submission-to-state-building-committee-and-residents-urge-ongoing-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6506297-c0a4e4d497ed7eb3daf0a20539e5ce43/orig.mp4?Expires=1775405580&Signature=YdXDBdPcy3qmGLCLpdPCfF4HJAvq3vVwHJW1aUvm-3LZPXPdgsHAuET5MKylll8O24nQyDopKIsrmBz-kWz530U7fpjonfXDVN~4j2qAKWAK9IA69hDzPh-MmVVlDPnDCBj2qAk7kQZdIRfLFuxeJ2vm5DR4MwX9PLkLMLiJAqMGMCeIWdNrGVfUC~~RISxpudk~kImV0O674b-FqvWH0RPmwZTxeoRkNY4WvNGD5BZlYRUeDU2Exgplkt-bmsCYuW4I2DhC-Ecfhetomh-4yXMbd2vJpRMTkrgaS-XLJLJjOMo8N0eGqt9I2ILssHPbTJiBq0KbJmB0zBbQywBp4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Smithfield Town Council approved the school department’s stage 2 construction submission to the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE), sending a roughly 550-page plan to the state for review and potential approval.

Patrick Furlougall, owner’s project manager with Colliers Project Leaders, said the stage 2 document details how the district intends to address needs identified in an earlier stage 1 application and that the school seeks RIDE review and comment. “That document has been sent to y'all. I think it's 550 ish pages and has the plan for how we plan on addressing the need that was established in the stage 1 application,” Furlougall said.

If RIDE approves the submission, the school would be eligible to move projects into the district’s five-year capital-improvement plan and begin processes such as hiring an architect and a contractor for projects slated to start in 2026. Furlougall and council members emphasized the stage 2 approval does not in itself appropriate annual budget dollars; budgets will continue to be approved year by year.

Council members pressed for clarity about whether approving the stage 2 plan would bind future councils. Furlougall said projects could be deferred to the next five-year plan if priorities shift: if planned projects are pushed off for funding reasons, they would not be permanently ineligible but could be moved to a later plan.

Jessica Sala, vice chair of the school committee, told the council the school building committee reviews projects regularly and posts meeting notes. Outside the meeting, resident and committee member Zach Smith urged the council to prioritize school repairs, saying the district’s 2017 report estimated $25 million in needs and that current costs are higher.

The motion to approve the stage 2 submission passed on a recorded voice vote.

Ending: With RIDE review pending, the district and council will track the state’s comments and, if approved, proceed to incorporate approved projects into the capital plan and subsequent annual budgets.","The council approved the school department's stage 2 submission to the Rhode Island Department of Education to move planned capital projects into the five-year capital-planning process; staff said RIDE review could conclude by November and that emergency projects have separate reimbursement rules.",{"_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},6506302,"Smithfield council approves $19,700 sewer-rate study; staff say fund balance healthy but historical deficits persist",158,1539000,1697000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5784652-75dff21531057250445b5ae7ee029987&start=1539&end=1697","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5784652-75dff21531057250445b5ae7ee029987/thumbnail_1539000.jpg","/articles/6506302/Rhode-Island/Smithfield-council-approves-19700-sewer-rate-study-staff-say-fund-balance-healthy-but-historical-deficits-persist","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6506302-6c05158118b01d626ed260064d58992e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775405580&Signature=AclNtltBW83ZJqhJBaFXTISjL7WkASbldma3HfnNjbrezN2PVkLuItqBMZzzAG6hnu2kBSMcMJ3WnKuO9SGUycfeZiNlKw4FGtJYaHyssF0PWPnGq--uxhVTA0QcVtKYTL6M8ozCT4VqhRAQgmQDmkN2mieM5upzKd3pOuBFThCYSABN3veydcY~x2eeuOE80Rd5HdKZbu9n~ZvBMNaL67QPHrQGGy7kGz8m5Zvjtt2FJKHBDFXmD9p44YqbltD8cGVJ6QiHkRbcf80JqHb2JxwQYEFp1-VzyVx7bMwGeIUi1FYAxlDcBG76YzVKm8Q0lechYb5bSx2BAhoZbBsbSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Smithfield Town Council authorized a contract, through the Interlocal Purchasing System, for a sewer rate study not to exceed $19,700, to be funded by the sewer department operating budget.

Town Engineer Josh Veil told the council the sewer enterprise has operated at a deficit for several years and the flat monthly fee of $4.50 may warrant reevaluation. “The town's sewer enterprise fund has been operating with a budgetary deficit for the past several years,” Veil said, adding that the current fiscal-year appearance of a surplus reflected capital expenditures that had not yet been used.

Veil said the consultant will compare Smithfield with three similarly sized municipalities and present alternative rate structures, including usage-based options, and will evaluate capital-improvement needs as part of the analysis. He told the council the study vendor estimated a roughly five-month timeline for completion.

Councilors asked about the sewer fund balance. Veil and other staff offered differing figures during discussion: one staff reference to last year's audit put the fund balance near $12.8 million; another speaker noted a fund-balance figure closer to $4.5 million for portions of the sewer enterprise. Veil told the council that capital and operating balances are tracked in the enterprise fund and that, if the enterprise runs deficits, those would be covered from the fund balance.

The motion passed by voice vote. Council staff said follow-up will include execution of the contract and delivery of the consultant's report with rate alternatives and capital forecasts.

Ending: The town expects the consultant's report to return to council with recommendations on new rate structures and capital planning within the five-month timeframe Veil described.","Council authorized a sewer rate study (≤ $19,700) to evaluate the town's flat sewer fee and capital needs; town engineer said study will compare peer municipalities and take roughly five months.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":92,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":95,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6506308,"Smithfield council approves routine licenses, event permits and several town contracts",2194,3733000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5784652-75dff21531057250445b5ae7ee029987&start=1539&end=3733","/articles/6506308/Rhode-Island/Smithfield-council-approves-routine-licenses-event-permits-and-several-town-contracts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6506308-602102b0390521bd84753bde30256d00/orig.mp4?Expires=1775405580&Signature=Wk6ehO1fCTsyDaMU20oC~HYlza7Dmy3Ziokq47-JJSa6m85EigPfrmLlq~9W3fPvxfLXYaovVePU8i9360R8eSXwSaIoj~f4ap0eoqx8GzQaeGW8~zk6d0uL8jHHEqJ3jPfOF6kLWxiUIJ3TZGcAlNCMusvp1OsS9EQvaK9O6YirXZzWHNcm0hEYXiI-EYfsagk48ctW80qBdCtjk0vw00ibZF~TGqmWzr-nUPNo3k6qDMyYXVtBc1HP1eefntwA6yeSm43E9z030CaV5IkGQkeha3VIebIJOYjnYVMDgTezjkAFwy0YZNZTye9gWQZRXO0m3Lhg3JNd~vvV0485Yw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Smithfield Town Council on a series of mostly unanimous voice votes approved renewal licenses, event permits, townwide requests for proposals and several contract awards.

Councilors voted to schedule a public hearing for Oct. 21 on proposed amendments to Chapter 236, Article 1 (miscellaneous provisions) to add sections on penalties for repeated violations of state tobacco and alcohol laws. During the meeting the council approved renewal applications for an intoxicating beverage license, an entertainment license, a one-day dance license and multiple massage-therapy and massage-establishment licenses for named applicants, all subject to compliance with state regulations and local ordinances and final approvals where required.

The council authorized permits for two community road races: a “Battle Against Brain Cancer” road race at Deerfield Park on May 17, 2026, and a Sour Apple Road Race at Deerfield Park on July 12, 2026. Both were approved by voice vote.

The council authorized procuring services across several townwide vendor pools by approving requests for proposals for plumbing, HVAC, mechanical and electrical on-call services so the town can re-establish preexisting contract arrangements.

On contracting and capital items, the council authorized: (1) a sewer rate study via the Interlocal Purchasing System in an amount not to exceed $19,700 to be funded from the sewer department operating budget; (2) a bid award to install an electronic messaging board at Smithfield High School funded in part by the Class of 2020 and Smithfield School Department funds; and (3) a contract not to exceed $118,980 with WM Lamont & Sons to replace HVAC units at the senior center, to be funded by Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. All three motions passed by voice vote.

Votes at a glance (selected motions):
- Schedule public hearing on Chapter 236 amendments: approved (voice vote).
- Renew intoxicating beverage license (The Von Von Tigger Social Club LLC): approved (voice vote).
- Approve multiple entertainment, one-day dance and massage licenses (several named applicants): approved (voice votes).
- Approve event permits (Battle Against Brain Cancer, Sour Apple Road Race): approved (voice votes).
- Authorize sewer rate study contract (≤ $19,700): approved (voice vote).
- Authorize RFQs/RFPs for plumbing, HVAC, mechanical, electrical on-call services: approved (voice votes).
- Award bid for electronic messaging board at Smithfield High School: approved (voice vote).
- Authorize senior-center HVAC replacement (≤ $118,980, CDBG funds): approved (voice vote).

Because most motions were routine and decided by voice vote, the council did not record detailed roll-call tallies for those items. Two contested items with recorded tallies are covered in separate articles in this package.

Ending: The council then moved to public comment and adjourned after residents spoke about town-hall hours, roadway access for proposed developments, and school facilities needs.","At its most recent meeting the Smithfield Town Council approved a slate of license renewals, event permits, routine contractor solicitations and several contract awards including a sewer rate study and a senior-center HVAC replacement.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves amendment to union agreement to keep one evening town‑hall hour; measure passes 3‑2 after heated debate

Council approves school 'stage 2' submission to state; building committee and residents urge ongoing review

Smithfield council approves $19,700 sewer-rate study; staff say fund balance healthy but historical deficits persist

Smithfield council approves routine licenses, event permits and several town contracts