Saturday, April 17, 2021        

Smithfield COVID-19 Vaccination and Response Update – April 16, 2021

 

April 16, 2021
 
Dear Residents, Businesses, and Community Partners:
 

Rhode Island’s percent positivity rate, as it relates to COVID-19, is up from last week, now 2.5% (2.4% last week). With highly contagious variants of the virus still present, it is important to wear high-quality masks, wash your hands, limit large gatherings, and keep your distance. It is important that we all continue to stay focused on defeating this virus!

COVID-19 Vaccine

Additional Vaccine Appointments: Today (4/16) at 5 p.m., roughly 16,000 vaccine appointments will be posted on VaccinateRI.org.

Current Eligibility: People age 40 and older who live, work, or go to school in Rhode Island, and those 16 and older who live and work in the hard-hit zip codes of 02893, 02906, 02910, 02920, 02911, 02914, and 02919.

Expanded Eligibility: Starting April 19th, all Rhode Islanders ages 16 and older will be eligible.

Transportation: Starting Monday, April 19th, R.I. Public Transit Authority will begin offering free fares to those going to and from vaccination appointments. People with vaccine appointments can email CustomerService@RIPTA.com or call 401-781-9400.

Vaccines for Veterans: The Providence Veterans Medical Center is hosting several vaccination clinics in April. For a schedule visit here. For more information or concerns click here or call 401-273-7100 ext. 16226.

Homebound Vaccinations: Those that are homebound and filled out the state’s survey may receive calls from one of these three vendors: MedTech, Alert Ambulance, and PACERI, in order to schedule at date/time to receive their vaccination at the address they provided. If you are homebound and have not requested a vaccine, please do so through this survey: Homeboundvax.

Pre-Register: Rhode Islanders can now preregister for the vaccine on Portal.RI.gov or by calling 844-930-1779.

Options for eligible Rhode Islanders to be vaccinated:  

  1. State Sites: Register for a vaccine here or call 844-930-1779.
  2. Regional Sites: Located in East Providence, Johnston and Westerly. Appointments are required. Visit VaccinateRI.org.
  3. Pharmacies: CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Stop and Shop.
  4. Lifespan Clinic and Care New England Clinic

For more information on vaccines, visit: Covid.RI.Gov/vaccination. Sign up for RIDOH’s weekly vaccination newsletter here.

COVID-19 Testing

Please consider getting tested on a weekly basis. Rapid and PCR testing is available at various locations throughout the state. 
 
Rapid walk-thru testing is available at the Smithfield VFW (47 Farnum Pike) everyday from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.
 
Rapid and PCR testing is available at various other locations throughout the state for those with and without symptoms. For a list of locations, visit. To make an appointment, visit. 

Housing Assistance Program

Rhode Island Housing launched a $200 million statewide rental assistance program – RentRelief RI – for tenants and landlords who have been hurt financially by the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications are now open: RIHousing.com/RentReliefri/

New Grant Program for Businesses

RI Small Businesses Relief Grant Program provides $5,000 to R.I. small businesses affected financially by COVID-19. Applications are open and will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis through April 30.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering grants for Shuttered Venue Operators, including operators of live venues, live performing arts organizations, museums, movie theatres, as well as live venue promoters, theatrical producers, and talent representatives. For more information and a list of resource partners that can provide application guidance, click here.

FEMA Funeral Assistance

FEMA is accepting applications for a Funeral Assistance Program for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020. Visit their FAQ page for eligibility requirements and more details here.

Local Updates
 
With the warm weather on the way we have issued Executive Order 2021-01  to once again expand outdoor dining to accommodate the outdoor dining option for our restaurants.    
Smithfield Town Hall is open to the public with limited hours. Until further notice, Town Hall will be open to the public from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon, Monday through Friday. All departments will continue to operate as normal and all staff will be available by phone or email. Please access the building from either the front door or side ramp at the rear of the building. Contact Info for all departments.
 
Thank you for your continued patience and cooperation.
 
Sincerely,
 
Randy R. Rossi
Town Manager

 

 
 
Available Resources
  • RIDOH COVID-19 Hotline
    •  401-222-8022 or email
  • United Way 24/7 Hotline
    • 2-1-1
  • Re-Opening Guidelines
  • Statewide Testing
  • K-12 Testing
  • COVID-19 Business Testing Contact Center
  • Children’s Behavioral Health Issues
    • Kids’ Link, a service administered by Bradley Hospital/Lifespan at (855) 543-5465.
  • Mental Health and Substance Use Assistance
    • BH Link Hotline: (401)-414-LINK (5465)
    • 24/7 Walk-In Center: 975 Waterman Avenue, East Providence
  • Delivery Services for those in Quarantine
    • RI Delivers: call 2-1-1 or the Point at 401-462-4444. Visit RIDelivers.com
    • RI Thrives is available for deliveries of groceries, medication, and health, beauty & medical supplies. For more information go to: RIthrives.com.
  • Housing Assistance
    • Call 2-1-1 or visit here.
  • Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence
    • Those seeking help can call (800) 494-8100.
  • Business Assistance

RI Small Business Relief Grants

Governor Dan McKee and Rhode Island Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor have announced this week the creation of a new grant program to assist small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program will use $20 million in CARES Act funds to give qualifying businesses $5,000 grants. The first round of applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis beginning, Thursday, April 15, 2021 at 3:00 PM through Friday, April 30, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. Future rounds and expansions of this program are possible depending upon demand and availability of funds.
 
Grants for qualifying businesses will be awarded at one funding level of $5,000. To be eligible, businesses must be a for-profit business based in Rhode Island, have less than $1 million in gross receipts in the 2020 tax year, and have received less than $25,000 in state COVID-related financial assistance to date. Successful applicants must demonstrate a net financial need that exceeds the $5,000 grant amount. The grant program is designed to help cover costs such as wages or salaries, operational expenses incurred to enable the business to remain open through the state of emergency or costs associated with reopening of a business that was previously shut down due to the pandemic. More information and the application can be found at CommerceRI.com/ReliefGrant.

Who is eligible? 

This program is designed for Rhode Island small businesses. Applicants must:

  • Be small Rhode Island-based for-profit businesses with less than $1M in 2020 “gross receipts or sales”;
  • Demonstrate that they have a COVID-related net financial need of $5,000 or greater. This will be calculated by subtracting the total amount of COVID related grants or financial assistance received for 2020 from the total drop in gross receipts from 2019 to 2020. Businesses who do not meet the $5,000 requirement may also add COVID-related increased costs or expenses.

Additional eligibility details will be made available soon.

Businesses that require assistance may contact the Rhode Island Commerce Small Business Hotline by clicking here.

Town Manager Signs Executive Order to Expand Outdoor Dining

Restaurateurs: On Wednesday, April 14th, the Town Manager signed Smithfield Executive Order 2021-01 to expanded outdoor dining and developing the necessary procedures for a streamlined approval process. Please complete the online application here.

From Town Manager Randy R. Rossi: 
“Today, I have signed Executive Order 2021-01 to expanded outdoor dining to accommodate the outdoor dining option for restaurants. The Town is reaching out to all restaurants to provide the necessary guidance and a streamlined process.”
 
Helpful Documents (.pdf)

Submission Requirements

All Applicants must submit an online application here :

  1. A plan showing:
    1. The proposed outdoor service area;
    2. The proposed number of seats (capacity may not exceed the current licensed capacity);
    3. The location of physical barriers (concrete blocks) or other protection to keep diners separated from other trafficked areas; and,
    4. For restaurants wishing to temporarily convert a portion of off-street parking areas into service areas, a parking plan;
  2. Evidence that the expanded service area is covered by liability insurance;
  3. Where any portion of the proposed area of temporary expansion is owned by a separate legal entity, a written authorization from the property owner; and
  4. All temporary expansions of service areas shall make adequate provisions for parking and the physical safety of diners, and shall be operated in compliance with current:
    1. Social distancing or other applicable regulations issued by RIDOH and/or RIDBR;
    2. All applicable fire codes and provisions of the Life Safety Code;
    3. Applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act; and,
    4. Shall maintain a setback of at least ten feet (10’) from the front side and rear property lines of the licensed premises, and shall maintain a setback of at least twenty feet (20’) from any property line abutting a residential use.
    5. Where use of a tent is proposed, a separate tent permit shall be required subject to a full Life Safety Inspection by the Smithfield Fire Department prior to being occupied.
  5. The hours of operation of any temporary outdoor service area approved hereunder shall be limited to 7:00 am to 10:00 pm.
 
 

Town Forum on Race and Equality

 

Virtual Town Forum on Race and Equality in Smithfield

Video and Resources

 

 

Town Meetings – 2021-02-17 Town Forum on Race and Equality on Vimeo

vimeopro.com

The Smithfield Town Council Invites the Community to a Virtual Town Forum on Race and Equality in Smithfield Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at 6:00 PM. Including leaders…

 

Available Resources 

 

Public Hearing – Zoning Map Amendment Information

NOTICE OF CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING
on Smithfield Zoning Map Amendments

The Smithfield Town Council considered amendments to the Town’s Zoning Map at a January 19th public hearing. After reviewing the proposed changes with staff and hearing from a number of residents regarding the zone changes, the Town Council voted to continue the hearing to March 2nd and then continued to March 16th.  You are receiving this notice because your property may be among the properties affected by the proposed zone changes. Information on the changes can be found on the Town Planner’s page of the Town’s website www.smithfieldri.com. Please review the information on the web page and contact Town Planner, Michael Phillips, or Town Manager, Randy R. Rossi, with any questions you may have. You may also attend the virtual meeting on March 16, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. via GoToMeeting https://www.gotomeet.me/RandyRossi/smithfield-town-council, at which time you will be given the opportunity to speak during the public hearing.

Michael Phillips, Director of
Planning and Economic Development
P: (401) 233-1017
mphillips@smithfieldri.com

Randy R. Rossi, MBA, CGFM
Town Manager
P: (401) 233-1010
rrossi@smithfieldri.com 

###

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Smithfield Town Council will hold a Virtual Public Hearing on Tuesday, January 19th, 2021 at 6:00 PM. The purpose of the Public Hearing is to consider and act upon proposed amendments to the Smithfield Zoning District Map. The proposed amendments are proposed to conform the Zoning District Map to the Future Land Use Map contained in the Smithfield Comprehensive Community Plan in accordance with the provisions of Section 45-22.2-13(c) of the General Laws of Rhode Island. Notice of the public hearing is made in accordance with the provisions of Section 45-24-53 (a) and (b) of the General Laws of Rhode Island.

VIRTUAL MEETING
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://www.gotomeet.me/RandyRossi/smithfield-towncouncil
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States (Toll Free): 1 877 568 4106
United States: +1 (646) 749-3129
Access Code: 342-830-965
For technical support dial: 401-233-1010

Public Hearing Notice with Maps

Excepts from Comprehensive Community Plan (Based on Proposed Amendments)

Comprehensive Community Plan (Full Version)

 

 

Public Notice Registry

Public Notice RegistryThe Town of Smithfield has established a public notice registry allowing any person or entity to register for electronic notice (email) of any public hearing related to changes to the local regulations related to subdivision of land and for any public hearing related to zoning ordinance amendments.  Register  your email address below in the form or on the Town Planner page (left column).

Please note that after your email address is submitted, a confirmation email will be sent and you must reply to confirm.

 

Public Notice Registry Sign up

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