Smithfield council approves sidewalk bricks, land dedication and $902,000 toward county intersection project; vendors press for permanent farmers market home

Smithfield’s Town Council on Dec. 3 approved multiple routine and capital items and heard extensive public comment pressing for a permanent home for the Smithfield Farmers Market.

The council voted to approve two consent items (a $500,000 appropriation to Isle of Wight County for a water and sewer agreement and several invoices over $20,000), accepted the deeded dedication of roughly 17.458 acres from the Mallory Point developer, approved an amendment to Mallory Point proffers that allows a single‑lane roundabout with right‑of‑way reserved for future expansion, and authorized a $902,000 town contribution toward the Ben’s Church Boulevard–Turner Drive transportation project being advanced with Isle of Wight County and VDOT.

The public comment period was dominated by market vendors and downtown business owners who described the Mistletoe Market as a major economic boost and urged council support for a permanent market structure at the Grange site. Vendors and market leadership cited safety and weather concerns at the bank parking‑lot…