[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6497146,"mediaKeyId","5448088-acdabb99273aecc20f7f20af389b4ccc","parentId",5448088,"title","Updates on Hollowell multi‑generational project, municipal building bids and fundraising plans","audioSeconds",879,"startMs",2587000,"endMs",3466000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5448088-acdabb99273aecc20f7f20af389b4ccc&start=2587&end=3466","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5448088-acdabb99273aecc20f7f20af389b4ccc/thumbnail_2587000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6497146/North-Smithfield/Providence-County/Rhode-Island/Updates-on-Hollowell-multigenerational-project-municipal-building-bids-and-fundraising-plans","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6497146-dc8ae3e93a4912b4e7ef725b676b54b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1778340298&Signature=FBENnvdwUwvfhg43qeWIbFBWxuByAtELa81X1QIAZkbjLYkLZgxrygZ6It2Bsoo99D7EJEqCOEyjXYerkUW-23jZipEvx-K02I3EWoqB32RpaIr~xcjHJW3P61B9I8Aulopl1sBN9lgk16JVFVARHrXaLqGawNPI6ChGwZ8hj5VXkuG4Od3w92G5Prfg6ZdAAv0O4zbiuisTO925juO~rsHFn9XFx-GBU~ufXWY2HzIUBpg6wdEN1vDC1zV7Z6KCYGLB-Ek4PlvjDztw0aMKVBXWkF~b853TbzP9TLGqIQiefgRTgd6p3T8sI20xHAagm23lSc8MzPeVThSJcURJdw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town Council of North Smithfield RI","date","2025-07-22T06:25:29.37Z","article","Committee and staff updates on the Hollowell multi‑generational project and related municipal building work were presented to the North Smithfield Town Council on July 21, outlining the project’s design development status, funding searches and the contractor‑selection timetable.

Chuck Porter, presenting for the Hollowell Multi‑Generational Building Committee, said architectural firm BH+A completed design‑development documents and the project is out for cost estimating. The committee reviewed finishes and exterior materials and is collecting grant and donation prospects, Porter said. He listed potential funding sources the committee has researched, including Navigant Credit Union, Walmart, Stop & Shop, USDA, Bank of America, Mondelez and CVS.

Porter said the North Smithfield Food Pantry has declined to be part of phase 1 of the building program. The committee also reported interest from donors who want to make commitments; Porter and council members discussed whether the town should accept immediate donations or instead collect signed commitments to avoid having to return funds if the project does not proceed. Councilors asked the administration to propose a clear deposit/commitment policy and to consult town solicitor and finance staff on safeguards for donated funds.

On the municipal building review task force, staff said construction documents were completed June 30 and released on bid‑solicitation platforms and to preselected contractors. A pre‑bid walk‑through was scheduled for the next morning and construction manager bids were expected mid‑August. The task force noted a wide developer/contractor interest and said market pricing has softened slightly; because of delays it will re‑advertise public meetings and peer‑review sessions that had been postponed.

Councilors and staff discussed donor strategies and naming rights as one avenue to boost private support. Council members cautioned that large gifts require clear documentation and that small, unsolicited cash donations should be handled carefully; staff proposed encouraging commitments and forming a repository for proposed referendum or campaign items.

The committee also reported that cost estimates will be reviewed against available grant opportunities; the town administrator said a $1.5 million congressional request for Hollowell has been included in a delegation packet and staff will meet with Senator Reid’s office to discuss the request. Additional federal and state grant efforts related to Route 146 corridor planning and water projects were also described to the council.

No binding decisions were made at the meeting; staff and the committee were directed to return with cost estimates, a donor policy and updated procurement schedule for council review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","NORTH SMITHFIELD TOWN COUNCIL MEETING 7/21/25","oneSentenceSummary","Committee and staff updates on the Hollowell multi‑generational project and municipal building work were presented July 21, reporting design development complete, cost estimating under way and contractor solicitation planned for mid‑August.","taxTitle","North Smithfield, Providence County, Rhode Island","taxId",79584,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6497133,"Votes at a glance: North Smithfield Town Council actions, July 21, 2025",5974,4677000,10651000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5448088-acdabb99273aecc20f7f20af389b4ccc&start=4677&end=10651","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5448088-acdabb99273aecc20f7f20af389b4ccc/thumbnail_4677000.jpg","/articles/6497133/North-Smithfield/Providence-County/Rhode-Island/Votes-at-a-glance-North-Smithfield-Town-Council-actions-July-21-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6497133-e2aa543a775b8c53fe82bffb3b35e68b/orig.mp4?Expires=1778340298&Signature=L2HWi2Bs2U~SbNGgAUGqy8uMq27en39netAlTH0q5Iy5R-Z5V~uwajsfkRYCmeKdsypA3NU1qc8SUpOGWE5bZmYqGUgTjg2~lZ2kWjxkJRfLcqLmGxNvarkW4JqfewtW0qgZkIUiUMTT-dBlltvwUW8XvC~9SJH9RBnw9a1wa3apgQrTZ~6q4c1I4~7d6-EZN2jiFAvjVmMst3vr7VzPW6zuwvWt0ozyRFpfe38JZideIpgYo5hIjulHRZNN~r3fZxSmvcgAabAqDyLjrjsfQObTVeO7NA8y9Sa2GysIj7LssD6nxyIKlsgX0w7CXz9bTWGa0o3ChY7D8dMt6yisQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The North Smithfield Town Council took the following formal actions on July 21, 2025 (roll calls recorded in the meeting transcript). Where the transcript recorded roll‑call results, those outcomes are listed; voters are recorded using the names as spoken on the roll call.

- Transfer of liquor license: Motion to approve transfer of a liquor license from Yamafuji, Inc. (doing business as Yamafuji) to Fuji RI Inc. (doing business as Yamafuji) — Approved on roll call (recorded as unanimous approval in transcript).

- Mobile food truck license (Rollin Ice Cream): Motion to approve mobile food truck license for Rollin Ice Cream (location: town events) — Approved on roll call (recorded as unanimous approval in transcript).

- Code of Conduct for boards and committees: Motion to adopt the revised code of conduct (enforcement language removed) — Approved on roll call (recorded as unanimous approval in transcript).

- Accept resignation from Groundwater Protection Committee (Leanne Gillette): Motion to accept resignation — Approved on roll call (recorded as unanimous approval in transcript).

- Appointment to Public Arts Advisory Committee (Elizabeth Matthews): Motion to appoint — Approved on roll call (recorded as unanimous approval in transcript).

- Town clerk land records contract with Avenue/Carahsoft: Motion to approve five‑year contract and authorize payments totaling the contract amount — Approved on roll call (recorded as unanimous approval in transcript).

- Consent agenda and minutes: Consent agenda items were approved; the council also approved amended minutes for June 16, 2025 after corrections were read into the record.

- Payment approvals: Council approved FY24‑25 remaining ACH/invoice payments and FY25‑26 initial ACH/invoice payments as presented; totals and line‑item breakdowns were read in during the meeting (see clerk/finance packet).

- Executive session and legal actions: Council voted to enter executive session under Rhode Island General Laws (R.I. Gen. Laws § 42‑46‑5) for litigation and potential acquisition matters. After return to open session, the council authorized the town solicitor to retain outside counsel to represent the zoning board of review in the case Jose Garcia Jr. and Alina S. Garcia v. North Smithfield Zoning Board of Review et al. at the municipal rate described in the transcript.

The meeting transcript records these votes by roll call and records “yes” responses from council members for the listed approvals; no council 'no' votes were recorded in the public roll calls included in the transcript. The council did not record separate tallies for abstentions or recusals in the public roll calls included in the audio/text record.","The North Smithfield Town Council on July 21 approved a series of routine and substantive items by roll call, including a liquor‑license transfer, a mobile food truck license, adoption of a boards‑and‑committees code of conduct, a five‑year land records contract, committee personnel actions and payment approvals.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6497135,"Council approves five‑year land records contract; town to plan budget for rising vendor fees",0,10666000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5448088-acdabb99273aecc20f7f20af389b4ccc&start=10666&end=10666","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5448088-acdabb99273aecc20f7f20af389b4ccc/thumbnail_10666000.jpg","/articles/6497135/North-Smithfield/Providence-County/Rhode-Island/Council-approves-fiveyear-land-records-contract-town-to-plan-budget-for-rising-vendor-fees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6497135-13ed1f61a382dd139ad716b33fe6148d/orig.mp4?Expires=1778340298&Signature=F84AV6sLtaL8uNYD4pm4o0qgqFdXmg00iVOUVxO8QfhWE0jiFmF-OmrOBFkSN-aXf1RzZWiso8uZrf7BHDp02vLhEPGuWgdnU2cZoPOPZf8qwIoApGdOQnB~gDqAvFUjX-6ouMNHAHbiGGP9LfjT2NROMl1oESW~G0ssnt83ZxlOKcFn67dhurmYlSbaBBh4cSiLsDOFFcHaqOWFp6yex-BXddgpP230iCY5-dBFa8P6YxMZAYqnflN~UvNvZJrd5EUGNlZ~tt3aPycY-l~wBj347kXQvWuG5tI3kC-Ag9gZsnEVMXfrTnSSPu0l6yhgqK3npu5svbhAv9WmhT-6hA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The North Smithfield Town Council on July 21 approved a five‑year contract with vendor Avenue (Carahsoft parent) to provide land‑record transaction processing, credit‑card payment services and an optional fraud‑alert feature the town requested.

Town Clerk staff said the vendor’s platform is effectively required to process paid transactions for notary services, business registrations, recordings and other office services, and that the vendor is retiring its older system in favor of a newer platform. The clerk told the council that adding a fraud‑alert service — a feature that notifies residents if recordings appear under their name or address — increased near‑term costs and prompted the town to accelerate adoption of the new platform.

The contract covers five annual payments and the clerk said historical land‑record fees have been used to support the service to date. The clerk and town administrator told the council the fund will support costs for several years but that the town should begin budgeting general‑fund contributions to smooth future increases. One councilor suggested phasing the general fund contribution in over multiple budgets; staff agreed to propose a schedule to allocate part of the cost to the general fund and part to the land‑record retention fund.

A motion to approve the contract and authorize payment over the five‑year term passed on roll call.","The council authorized a five‑year contract for land records services with Avenue/Carahsoft after the clerk said the platform and a new fraud‑alert feature are essential; finance staff said the town will need to set aside budgeted funds in future years to cover rising contract costs.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6497140,"Council adopts code of conduct for boards and committees after removing enforcement penalties",1106,3600000,4706000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5448088-acdabb99273aecc20f7f20af389b4ccc&start=3600&end=4706","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5448088-acdabb99273aecc20f7f20af389b4ccc/thumbnail_3600000.jpg","/articles/6497140/North-Smithfield/Providence-County/Rhode-Island/Council-adopts-code-of-conduct-for-boards-and-committees-after-removing-enforcement-penalties","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6497140-919e49c906c17c7d2169ea5c633f6177/orig.mp4?Expires=1778340298&Signature=fw7rHnH7tatXpQ3B5d1mDdWgUKuAuVANxoLQPK21t1Bp8F6APHq3jQ7qJfsEIngLfz2HaijggeZ~ixZcxEe-IJuNxiAqi1QaR4tLyyXd9vvCpMbR1BadRWvYl3kUxCJbVpStnaR8nPY6pNXSJghOe35MOJjFp2F2mTT9UD6d1XmK1AdkGLg4JWVSSKKH6rYXx5UXqaAF55yyW8zrBub5Lzk-dBkaj~4x8R5LXM00sRSQVr7E~UXGp1M-7raNZzArskngL9pG-PSDucT9BEDAldPiuyR6rmK~pb26adfOFPKKYXFdPVMj-TwYA31wUL8mLLKYqRc-StxlLrIQx7NqGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The North Smithfield Town Council on July 21 approved a code of conduct policy for town elected and appointed officials and volunteer board and committee members that emphasizes compliance and respectful discourse and removes enforcement penalties from earlier drafts.

Councilwoman Rebecca De Cristoforo, who introduced the item, said she worked with the town solicitor to revise enforcement language so the document “raises awareness and encourages compliance rather than enforcement penalties.” She told the council the policy removes language that some members felt would infringe on First Amendment rights and that the town would monitor compliance while not imposing immediate sanctions.

Some council members questioned whether the policy should apply only to official town actions and communications, or also to public statements made by volunteers and officials outside of meetings. One councilor said the policy should apply only to official acts; others argued that elected and appointed officials represent the town when volunteering or speaking in public and should be mindful of public posts and commentary.

Council members repeatedly described the final language as a compromise. “Good government requires compromise,” one member said before the roll call. The motion to adopt the code as revised passed on roll call.

The council instructed staff to distribute the policy to board members, volunteers and appointees and to include an acknowledgment of the code on future board and committee applications.","The North Smithfield Town Council voted to adopt a code of conduct for elected and appointed officials and board/committee members emphasizing compliance and respectful discourse; council removed provisions for public censure or sanctions after debate about First Amendment concerns and applicability to private conduct.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6497151,"Consultant outlines community choice aggregation, opt‑out details for North Smithfield residents",1316,446000,1762000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5448088-acdabb99273aecc20f7f20af389b4ccc&start=446&end=1762","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5448088-acdabb99273aecc20f7f20af389b4ccc/thumbnail_446000.jpg","/articles/6497151/North-Smithfield/Providence-County/Rhode-Island/Consultant-outlines-community-choice-aggregation-optout-details-for-North-Smithfield-residents","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6497151-5f188d3b8802082d0c27d3c78c123a33/orig.mp4?Expires=1778340298&Signature=FxldUlSLL8-UuWdqPzXDcbTV-j2jqSaGoKEvfJNRQTXC1DWcw4UD26IoZ0qgJ9iClCHRBGlMN8qlnKJEWARdXMbjzK4-cjpuWnasBK-y2GSsvj5EO7olgDHYGuM2fntXi8mxsmlcphmvSPu7nH~EDjecHP8K88z7qSrPc4b0FWYDnHS0MAdR4DrHkFvxJo06pRLu1GKSclUxzxtDCzCKByTG04O~QW~O65Ic97OSxB443VsurPfm5JSEZVD5tVm6d1fFegy2rHI7snR6oR0T~xPYZ01hZtPZwcfQ~oN9wwddsq2RXXz20FhBCLhPm~gd1J5BkwESb5W3QdJ3-19H-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Freedom Energy Logistics CEO Bart Crometh told the North Smithfield Town Council on July 21 that a community choice aggregation (CCA) program could let the town collectively buy electricity supply for residents currently on Rhode Island Energy’s last‑resort service, potentially lowering winter bills and smoothing price swings.

Crometh said the program is run under state law and functions as an aggregated buying group that bids with third‑party suppliers on behalf of customers on default service. “One of the things this program helps to rectify is that…we see some pretty massive fluctuations,” he said, citing winter rate increases that can reach around 50 percent. He added that the program is typically able to solicit competitive bids and that towns have the option of locking in one‑ to multi‑year supply terms.

Council members pressed Crometh on how the program would affect bills and customer service. Crometh said customers would still receive bills from the utility and would call the utility for connection or outage issues; the supplier charge would appear on the bill as a North Smithfield aggregation charge. He described the program as “opt‑out”: after the town selects a supplier and receives Public Utilities Commission approval, residents on last‑resort service receive notices and have 30 days to opt out; those who do not opt out are enrolled but can leave the program at any time with no early‑termination fee.

Crometh estimated typical aggregate savings around 10 percent versus the utility’s published rate to compare, while noting that savings vary with market conditions and can be larger in extreme market events. He said suppliers typically underwrite the risk that some enrolled customers later opt out, and that procurement timing (for example, locking rates when market conditions are favorable) is a tool CCA administrators can use to reduce volatility.

Crometh described Freedom Energy Logistics as a municipal adviser with municipal clients in New England and said his company would provide turnkey education and customer service materials, a North Smithfield‑specific website, and regulatory support to the town through the PUC process. He said Freedom is paid by a small fee built into the supply rate rather than by direct town payments.

Council members discussed resident concerns about automatic enrollment. One councilor said she preferred opt‑in and said she “couldn’t support” an opt‑out approach for that reason. Crometh said opt‑in programs have historically been far more expensive on a per‑customer basis and that the opt‑out model returns acquisition cost savings to ratepayers.

Council members asked for additional information and said they want to educate residents before taking further steps. Crometh offered to return to answer more questions and work with the town on public hearing logistics should North Smithfield decide to pursue a CCA plan.

The presentation did not include a council vote or formal action on forming an aggregation plan; council members said they would request more information and the item will remain under consideration.","Freedom Energy Logistics presented a community choice aggregation (CCA) option to the North Smithfield Town Council, explaining potential savings, opt‑out mechanics and consumer protections and answering council questions about outreach, program length and impacts on customers receiving utility assistance.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Updates on Hollowell multi‑generational project, municipal building bids and fundraising plans

Votes at a glance: North Smithfield Town Council actions, July 21, 2025

Council approves five‑year land records contract; town to plan budget for rising vendor fees

Council adopts code of conduct for boards and committees after removing enforcement penalties

Consultant outlines community choice aggregation, opt‑out details for North Smithfield residents