March 26, 2020

Dear Residents, Businesses, and Community Partners:

Thank you for your support and cooperation during this unprecedented time. We understand that it has been extremely challenging to be confined to your home, have your children home from school, and to have to limit the operation of your business. We expect that with your help, the steps that we have taken locally will help slow the spread of the virus and move us one step closer to returning to our normal lives. 

The Town of Smithfield is following the latest updates and guidance on Coronavirus (COVID-19) locally, state-wide, and nationally. It is important that we all stay informed, follow guidance from state health officials and not solely relying on social media or rumors. As a reminder, the Town of Smithfield will be updating our COVID-19 Webpage frequently and sharing information on our official social media pages (Facebook or Twitter).

As another weekend approaches, we cannot stress enough how important it is to continue to follow the directives to stay home, only go out when absolutely necessary, limit gatherings to 10 people  5 people or less, and wash your hands frequently or use alcohol-based hand gel. These directives apply to our local parks, fields, playgrounds, and courts, as well. If you see too many people gathering, find another park or field. The Police Department continues to monitor this closely. Don’t risk it! It’s not worth it.

I would like to extend a special thank you to our emergency medical services team, firefighters, police officers, and healthcare workers in our community. It is important that we keep them safe which is another important reason to follow state health directives and slow the spread of the virus. Our teachers, support staff and school administrators have put in an enormous amount of effort to get ready for distance learning. It was all hands-on deck to make sure our students had the tools that they needed, to re-adapt lessons, and go live this week. We encourage everyone to continue to be patient, as we are all learning together. Our municipal staff, from DPW to the senior center and everyone in between, have all stepped up and are adapting to help our residents in any way that they can. Thank you!

As a reminder, Governor Raimondo and the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) are directing Rhode Islanders to do the following:

• Effectively immediately, all residents and visitors that have recently visited New York state are directed to self-quarantine for 14 days from the day they left the State of New York. That means do not go to work and stay at home.
• Domestic travel: Anyone returning to Rhode Island by plane (with the exception of public safety, health care professionals and pilots) must immediately self-quarantine for 14 days. That means do not go to work and stay at home.
• International Travel: If you have traveled anywhere internationally in the last 14 days, self-quarantine for 14 days. That means do not go to work and stay at home.
• Rhode Island residents who work in another state must work from home if possible. Rhode Island businesses with employees who are residents of another state must make every attempt to let those employees work from home.
• Avoid all crowded places, large events, and mass gatherings. However, people should continue doing essential errands such as going to the grocery store and picking up prescriptions. 

Local Updates:

• The Smithfield Town Hall and all other municipal buildings are closed to public traffic until further notice.  All departments are currently operating and all staff will be available by phone or email.
• Most Board and Commission meetings have been suspended until further notice.  Any Board and Commission meeting will be conducted virtually/telephonically, please check for updates on the Town’s website for all postings.   
• Property owners and businesses can pay their taxes online, mail their payments to 64 Farnum Pike, Smithfield RI  02917, or use the dropbox located in the front of Town Hall.  The 3^rd Quarter Municipal Tax and Smithfield Water payment deadlines have been extended to April 30th although we encourage those that can to submit payments beforehand.

• If you are out of work or if your business has been affected by COVID-19, RI Department of Labor and Training has resources available. More information and website. 

• The Governor moved Rhode Island’s primary election to June 2 for what will likely be a primarily mail ballot election. Make sure you are registered and that your information is up-to-date here: http://vote.ri.gov.
• Senior Center: We have closed the Senior Center but with the help of the Senior Center staff and volunteers we are providing meals to those in need of assistance.
• For additional resources and for a full listing of what’s opened and closed, please visit: https://www.smithfieldri.com/emergency/.
• The State of Rhode Island has partnered with Care.com to increase child care access for frontline workers responding to the COVID-19 crisis. In addition to providing 90 days of free, premium access to their website, Care.com has created portals specifically for frontline workers. Rhode Island residents interested in becoming caregivers can visit care.com/rigive to register.
• If you have questions:
  • Department of Health COVID-19 Hotline: 401-222-8022, Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm
  • Town of Smithfield COVID-19 Hotline: (401) 949-4590, Mon-Fri 8:00am-4:00pm (For necessary assistance and also to register to volunteer)
  • Town of Smithfield Emergency Management: (401) 233-1033
  • RI United Way Hotline: 2-1-1, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Thank you again for your support and cooperation. Stay safe and be well.

Sincerely,

Randy R. Rossi
Town Manager

Town of Smithfield State of Emergency Declaration (.pdf) 
Updated – passed by the Smithfield Town Council on March 19, 2020

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The Annual Rabies Clinic scheduled for April 4th, 2020 has been postponed until further notice.

The RIVMA Board is postponing all RIVMA Municipal Rabies Clinics scheduled for the month of April.