Council approves vehicle purchase, budget transfer, contracts and multiple routine items

The North Smithfield Town Council on April 7 approved multiple motions and budget items, including purchase and contract awards, budget transfers and routine payments.

Among the actions approved, the council voted to authorize the manufacture of a new Lifeline rescue vehicle for the Fire & Rescue department, approved a Department of Public Works budget transfer moving $32,103.83 from a streetlight project to snow-and-ice removal, added three vendors to a Rhode Island master price agreement for tree trimming and removal, and approved payment and contract-authorizing steps connected to the police-station renovation project.

Votes and key outcomes at a glance

- Replacement Lifeline rescue (Fire & Rescue): Motion to approve manufacturing of a new rescue vehicle at an estimated $449,882 was approved. The council recorded unanimous approval on the roll call. The item was described as being funded from the department’s third-party billing account (Fund 120). Officials noted the price is an estimate subject to change because of chassis availability and other contingencies.

- Payment of bills: The council approved payment of bills for April 7, 2025 in the amount of $283,310 by roll call vote (recorded unanimous).

- Eagle Scout project — Slater Park (Peter Croshaw): The council voted to approve the Eagle Scout improvement project at Slater Park presented by Peter Croshaw (motion made and seconded; roll-call approval recorded).

- Department of Public Works budget transfer: The council approved transferring $32,103.83 from the streetlight project to snow-and-ice removal/reserves to cover a seasonal deficit (approved by roll call).

- Tree removal Master Price Agreement: The council accepted the recommendation to add Stanley Tree Service, Northeastern Tree Service and Warwick Tree Service to the State of Rhode Island master price agreement list for tree trimming and removal (approved by roll call).

- Payment to Signal Works (police station work): The council approved payment to Signal Works (invoice 24001518) for renovations to the North Smithfield Police Station in the amount of $33,141.25 (approved by roll call).

- Selection and contract facilitation for Owner’s Project Manager (OPM) for police station: The council authorized Signal Works to facilitate drafting an industry-standard contract between ECC Corporation and the Town for OPM services, at an amount not to exceed $207,792, to be reviewed by administration and the town solicitor (approved by roll call).

- Resolution revision for Hallowell Multi-Generational Building Committee: The council directed the solicitor to modify the committee resolution to allow co-chairs (approved by roll call).

- Assignment of legal representation: The council voted to assign a newly filed tax case (Dudley Development Corp. v. Jennifer St. George, tax assessor) to the town’s municipal-rate counsel, consistent with earlier assignment of related matters.

How the council recorded votes

Most roll-call entries recorded unanimous “yes” votes from the council members present. Roll-call sequences were read aloud for each motion and recorded in the meeting minutes; individual members listed by name during roll calls included Mister Cristoforo, Missus O'Hara, Mister Punchak (multiple transcript spellings), Miss Alves and others present on the dais.

What remains next

Several items approved at the meeting carry follow-up steps: procurement and manufacturing timelines for the rescue vehicle (estimated 2 to 2.5 years for build), drafting and review of the ECC OPM contract by administration and the solicitor, and continued design and permitting steps for the police-station renovation project and Hallowell Multi-Generational facility. The council recorded no votes during closed session and sealed those minutes per Rhode Island law.