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Neighbor urges town action after state-owned dumpster placed 15 feet from property line
Summary
A Sales Hill Road resident told the council the dumpster at a state-owned group home is emitting odors, is close to his yard, and remains despite a notice of violation; he says the zoning officer has not issued a written determination and the town is seeking clarification from the State.
Paul Soares, a neighbor of the state-owned group home at 173 Sales Hill Road, told the North Smithfield Town Council the dumpster placed on that property is 15 feet from his lot line and has made his yard unusable at times because of odor and vermin concerns. "We shouldn't have to live next to a garbage dump," Soares said, adding he filed a zoning complaint and received a notice of violation with a compliance date of Jan. 14, 2026 but never received the inspector's written findings.
Town staff told the council they have asked the State for clarification about whether state-owned or licensed community residences fall under local dumpster rules. The administrator said the Public Works director has reached out to the State and that the town is attempting to identify whether local zoning applies; he offered the resident his personal cell phone and promised to keep him updated. Soares said the dumpster had been emptied only monthly since his complaint, increasing odor problems.
Next steps: staff said they will continue fact-finding with the State and the Public Works director will pursue practical interim solutions, such as restoring town-issued barrels, if feasible. The resident provided documents and photographs to the clerk for follow-up.
