North Smithfield council directs $4M federal grant to Hallowell site for multigenerational center

The North Smithfield Town Council voted 3–2 on Oct. 7 to direct $4 million in federal grant funding toward the Hallowell site for a proposed multigenerational community center, ending a months‑long debate over whether to place the project at Hallowell or renovate/replace Scouters Hall at Pacheco Park.

The decision follows more than two hours of public comment and discussion. Proponents argued Hallowell offers room for future expansion and quicker progress toward construction; opponents, including immediate neighbors, raised concerns about amplified noise, loss of wildlife habitat and the effect on property values. Jeff Porter, chairman of the Hallowell Review Committee, told councilors the committees and consultants had repeatedly recommended Hallowell and summarized prior council endorsements of the site.

Why it matters: Councilors said delay is eroding the grant’s purchasing power because inflation and construction costs reduce the value of the $4 million over time. Supporters urged the council to act so the town can lock a site, refine a budget and pursue design work. Opponents and some committee members said a Scouters option could be more cost‑effective and urged the town to explore renovation grants to preserve community history.

What the council did: After public testimony from residents, committee chairs and the project architect, Councilor [mover] made a motion to choose a site; the roll call vote recorded three yes votes and two no votes in favor of Hallowell. Council members directed committee leadership to work with BH&A to seek a contract amendment for full design services from schematic design through construction documents and bidding, and to consider adding an asset management commission representative to the building committee.

Details and context: During public comment, Linda Tebow, chair of the Multi‑Generation Advisory Committee, presented the committee’s recommendation and cost estimates for converting Scouters Hall (an option priced in the committee material at about $4.27 million for a new 5,200‑square‑foot facility). Consultants and architects presented scenarios and emphasized that site‑work costs were a key driver in any comparison: Pacheco/Scouters had different site constraints and potential unseen site costs, while Hallowell required an identifiable area of site work but allowed expansion in the future.

Next steps: Council instructed Mr. Porter and the Hallowell Review Committee to pursue a full‑service contract amendment with BH&A for the Hallowell site and to return design and budget numbers for the council to consider. The council also noted open seats on the advisory committees and discussed formalizing committee membership and duties for construction oversight.

The council did not finalize operating‑budget estimates for either location; several members asked staff to produce projected annual operating and maintenance costs before later construction decisions or bidding.