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Smithfield council approves series of ARPA and capital contracts for parks, lighting and neighborhood center
Summary
Council approved reallocation of $86,150.01 in ARPA funds and multiple contracts and change orders including $29,649 for lighting at Boyle Field, a $129,282 sprinkler change order for East Smithfield Neighborhood Center and $124,382.50 for its parking lot; a series of votes were taken by voice.
Smithfield — On Dec. 17 the Town Council approved a package of ARPA and capital expenditures that funds safety, facility and field improvements across town.
Finance Director Melissa Devine asked the council to reallocate $86,150.01 previously designated for Willow Field Complex improvements into two categories — replacement garage doors at two fire stations and additional road/paving improvements — so the town could obligate the funds before the Dec. 31 ARPA deadline. "We're just reallocating the money that was already approved to two different projects that we are gonna be able to get done before 12/31," Devine said.
On separate items the council approved by voice vote:
- $29,649 to Sullivan & McLaughlin for additional lighting at Boyle Field Complex, a measure DPW and public‑safety staff described as addressing a "major safety issue" behind bleachers and concession areas; DPW Director Jean Allen said funding includes grant‑rebate opportunities from utility providers.
- A $129,282 change order for E.W. Berman to finish sprinkler installation at the East Smithfield Neighborhood Center, to be paid from ARPA funds; DPW Director Gene Allen said the price was lower than earlier worst‑case estimates and completes necessary systems for the facility.
- A $14,516 change order to upsize and install two boilers at the Neighborhood Center, which officials said reduces maintenance complexity and vendor coordination.
- A $124,382.50 contract (via a master price agreement) with Navigants & Improvement Co. for parking‑lot installation at the East Smithfield Neighborhood Center, with drainage work and a timeline contingent on weather.
- A $26,405 parking‑lot contract for Willow Field through the town’s existing paving contract pricing (Team Iose LLC).
- Purchase authorization for native infield mix (estimated aggregate ~$60,000) to restore 12 baseball/softball infields at $53/ton delivered with New England Specialty Soils.
- A season‑long fertilization program for town fields with Turf Supply Inc./Allen Seed for $102,407.75.
- A $13,348 roll‑up garage door for the public‑works garage bay and a $52,983 contract for replacement doors at Fire Station No. 2, both to be funded from ARPA/upper funds.
DPW officials said these items will obligate remaining ARPA funds and bring fields and facilities up to maintainable standards. Several councilors asked for confirmation that obligations and accounting were complete; DPW staff said after this meeting all listed ARPA funds would be obligated.
The council took public comments after votes, including requests from residents for small‑scale housing rehab and neighborhood assistance that councilors said they would review alongside block‑grant resources.
