The Smithfield Town Council opened a public hearing Oct. 7 to consider proposed amendments to the town's code governing the Juvenile Hearing Board.

Marcy Diorio, who said she has served on the juvenile hearing board for three years and has acted as interim coordinator for roughly a year, told the council the board provides a local alternative to family court and requires substantial case-management time. "Smithfield last year had 11 cases," Diorio said, adding that the City of Providence had 35 cases and had hired a full-time coordinator.

Diorio described the coordinator role as confidential case management, recordkeeping, family support and meeting facilitation; she said state and local confidentiality rules require careful handling of juvenile records. She said Tri-County had previously coordinated the board under grant funding and helped with minutes and case follow-up, and that local coordination would require similar staff time or volunteer capacity.

Council members asked for clarification about current membership: Diorio said there are three Smithfield members and one alternate on the regional board and that the town would post vacancies to fill the seven-member committee. Diorio said she hoped the ordinance would take effect in roughly 30 days so the board could begin meeting under the revised structure.

The hearing record did not show a final vote adopting amendments on Oct. 7. Council discussion focused on resource needs and the logistics of moving from Tri-County coordination to local management; the council signaled intent to post openings and work with chiefs to get the board up and running.