Community Bulletin Board — Town of Smithfield, RI

RIDOT Paving in Smithfield in October

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation will be milling and paving two (2) sections of roads affecting Smithfield.

1. Jenckes Hill Road pavement surface will be milled this week (10/7 through 10/11) from Route 246, in Lincoln, to the North Central Airport. This will affect Smithfield residents along a short length of Jenckes Hill Road from the Lincoln town line to the North Central Airport. Re-Paving of this section is expected to start around 10/20/2019, weather permitting. Work times have been issued as occurring between 9 PM to 6 AM during the specified dates.

2. Greenville Avenue pavement surface in Smithfield and Johnston is expected to be milled starting Friday, 10/11/19 and continue through Tuesday, 10/15/19. Work limits have been listed along Greenville Avenue between Sanderson Road (Route 5) to Hillcrest Avenue, Smithfield. Work hours are listed from 8 AM to 4 PM during the specified dates. Re-Paving of this section is expected to start during the week of 10/21/2019, weather permitting.

Both projects are expected to be complete on or before 10/31/2019. Residents and motorists should expect delays and are advised to seek alternate routes during the duration of work.

Road Work Notification: Greenville Avenue

Road Work Notification: The Greenville Water District will begin installation of the water line on Greenville Avenue starting on Monday, October 7th. The majority of the traffic on this road is early morning and late afternoon. The GWD has spent the last week laying out the scope of work and has found the traffic to be minimal during daytime hours which will help to complete this project in a timely manner.

It is expected that the replacement of the water lines will protect the road from any future repair and restoration upon completion of the overlay for many years to come.

Town of Smithfield Bowling Tournament – Benefiting the Human Services Holiday Fund – Friday, October 25th

4 Great Recycling Opportunities All In 1 Day! Saturday, November 2

Town of Smithfield Recycling – 4 Great Recycling Opportunities All In 1 Day!
Saturday, November 2, 2019 at Smithfield DPW
Mattress/Box Spring – Sensitive Document Shredding – Electronics Recycling – Rigid Plastic Recycling

Mosquito-Borne Illness Prevention at Athletic Facilities – UPDATED

October 17, 2019

Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus (EEEV) – Update from Smithfield EMA

With guidance from the Rhode Island Department of Health, the “No Outdoor Activities after 6:30/Dusk” precaution that was set into place to prevent human infection from East Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus and West Nile Virus (WNV) can be suspended as temperatures continue to fall.

Though we have not yet experienced the hard frost, which effectively eliminates the remaining mosquito population, environmental and health officials indicate that as temperatures fall back to 58 degrees and below, mosquito activity is lowered, limiting the chances of being bitten by an infected mosquito. Mosquito activity almost stops completely at temperatures below 50 degrees. With this guidance and in conjunction with the long-term (10 day) forecast, daily high temperatures are expected to range between 50 degrees and the low 60s and the daily low temperature range is expected between the low 50s and mid-40s for the Smithfield area. During this part of autumn, temperatures begin to fall as the sun sets bringing forecasted temperatures at or below the 58 degree threshold.

Though scheduling afternoon and evening activities may resume, this is not an “all-clear” signal. It continues to be highly recommended that applying an EPA approved insect repellent and covering exposed skin when outdoors to prevent insect bites continue until the mosquito population is eliminated by a hard frost.

Even with these adjustments, our response to this season’s mosquito-borne illness continues and Emergency Management remains in close contact with state health and environmental officials.

Sincerely,

Todd Manni

Director of Emergency Management

Town of Smithfield

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Mosquito-Borne Illness Prevention at Athletic Facilities

Due to the recent illnesses and detection of mosquitoes carrying Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile Virus (WNV) within the state and region, all town outdoor athletic facilities will close at 6:30PM or dusk (which ever comes first) for town youth recreation leagues.

EEE and WNV are spread through the bites of infected mosquitoes. Upon the advice of state health and environmental officials, the town is closing all outdoor athletic facilities for youth recreation leagues at 6:30 or dusk (should dusk come sooner). This closing is intended to avoid the time period when mosquitoes are most active. Additional steps to take in reducing exposure to the virus when outdoors include encouraging athletes to wear an EPA-registered insect repellent that includes contains DEET, Picaridin (known as KBR 3023 and picaridin outside the US), IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), Para-menthane-diol (PMD), and/or 2-undecanone. Insect repellent should be re-applied every four ours. Athletes and spectators alike are also reminded to cover exposed skin to limit mosquito bites. Lastly, open water containers/cups should be emptied and properly disposed of to prevent additional spots where mosquitoes can lay eggs.

The town continues to make every effort to limit the population of mosquitoes that potentially carry serious illnesses spread by mosquitoes. The town has placed larvicide in storm drains in an effort to disrupt mosquito breeding grounds. These efforts are effective in reducing the mosquito population; it does not eliminate the threat of mosquitoes carrying these viruses. We will closely monitor conditions and advice from state environmental and health experts as we work to protect the public’s health.

Randy Rossi, Town Manager
Todd Manni, Director of Emergency Management
Robert Caine, Director of Parks & Recreation

Blue-Green Algae Bloom Closes Georgiaville Pond – Now Reopened

Update – August 27, 2019 – GEORGIAVILLE POND BEACH HAS REOPENED – No cyanobacteria was identified in the latest tests at Georgiaville Pond Beach. There is no longer a need for an advisory and the beach has reopened. We will continue to be vigilant with water testing.

Update – August 15, 2019: The Town is voluntarily closing Georgiaville Pond Beach due to possible blue green algae. We will re-open depending on water sample results.

Update – August 3, 2019: RIDOH and DEM Recommend Lifting Restrictions for Blue-green Algae in Georgiaville Pond

The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) recommend lifting the advisory restricting recreational activities at Georgiaville Pond in Smithfield. The advisory was put in place because of high levels of blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria.

Recent consecutive surveys and sample analysis confirmed that blue-green algae has been present but at acceptably low levels and that cyanotoxin is not present in detectable concentrations.

Blue-green algae conditions can change quickly, and it is possible that blooms may affect Georgiaville Pond again, or other waterbodies in Rhode Island. The public should avoid contact with any body of water that is bright green or has a dense, floating algal mat on the water’s surface. Blue-green algae blooms may look like green paint or thick pea soup. Toxins may persist in the water after a blue-green algae bloom is no longer visible.

To report suspected blue-green algae blooms, contact RIDEM’s Office of Water Resources at 222-4700 or DEM.OWRCyano@dem.ri.gov

https://www.ri.gov/press/view/36446

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Blue-Green Algae Bloom Closes Georgiaville Pond in Smithfield – The advisory will remain in effect until further notice.

Press Release

The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) are advising people to avoid contact with Georgiaville Pond in Smithfield due to a blue-green algae (or cyanobacteria) bloom in the pond. Blue-green algae can produce toxins, including microcystins, that can harm humans and animals.

All recreation, including swimming, fishing, boating and kayaking, should be avoided. People should not ingest water or eat fish from Georgiaville Pond. Pets can also be affected by exposure to the algal toxins and thus owners should not allow pets to drink or swim in the water. The advisory will remain in effect until further notice.

Skin contact with water containing blue-green algae commonly causes irritation of the skin, nose, eyes, and/or throat. Common health effects associated with ingesting water containing algal toxins include stomach ache, diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea. Rarer health effects include dizziness, headache, fever, liver damage, and nervous system damage. Young children and pets are at a particular risk for health effects associated with algal toxins. People who have had contact with these ponds and experience those symptoms should contact their healthcare provider.

If you come into contact with the water, rinse your skin with clean water as soon as possible and, when you get home, take a shower and wash your clothes. Similarly, if your pet comes into contact with the water, immediately wash your pet with clean water. Do not let the animal lick algae off its fur. Call a veterinarian if your animal shows any symptoms of blue-green algae poisoning, including loss of energy, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, or any unexplained sickness that occurs within a day or so after being in contact with water. People are cautioned that toxins may persist in the water after the blue-green algae bloom is no longer visible.

It is possible that blue-green algae blooms may be affecting other waterbodies in Rhode Island. People are advised to avoid contact with waterbodies that exhibit bright green coloration in the water or at the water surface and/or dense floating algal mats that form on the water’s surface. The water may look like green paint, thick pea soup, or green cottage cheese. To report suspected blue-green algae blooms, contact DEM’s Office of Water Resources at 222-4700 or DEM.OWRCyano@dem.ri.gov and if possible, send a photograph of the reported algae bloom.

More Information

The Smithfield Town Council Announces the Smithfield Samaritans Initiative

The Smithfield Town Council has a new initiative program called “Smithfield Samaritans,” and encourages anyone in the community to self-nominate or submit a name to the Town Manager, of a Smithfield resident or business in town who is doing or has performed an act of kindness or a good deed that is notable or charitable.

The Town Council will review all nominations that are submitted and will each month select one individual or business to be recognized with a citation and the opportunity to speak at the council meeting explaining their good deeds “on the record.”

The nomination form is available online here as well as printed copies available in town hall.

Click the image to print, view or download the .pdf form

Tri-County Community Action Agency Seeks a Prevention Coalition Coordinator

The Tri-County Community Action Agency is seeking a full time Prevention Coalition Coordinator. The position is responsible for carrying out the provisions of prevention and education services in the areas of substance misuse and other identified topics in prevention to promote and support positive lifestyle choices.

BSA Scout Troop 2359 and Cub Scout Pack One Smithfield Information

Troop 2359 Smithfield is a brand new troop in town that meets every Wednesday from 7-8:30 PM at the Elks Lodge at 326 Farnum Pike in Smithfield. Boy Scouting is for boys age 11-17, and is a community-oriented program that instills values such as citizenship, teamwork, honesty, respect, responsibility, and fitness, while being a lot of fun. We practice skills for life, from first aid to public speaking to wilderness survival, while helping our community through service projects.

We welcome you to come to a meeting and check it out for yourself. For more information, contact Troop 2359 Scoutmaster Mike at mguilmain@cox.net or call 401-578-5261.

Pack One Smithfield is a Cub Scout Pack in town that meets every Tuesday from 6:30 to 7:30 PM at the RC LaPerche Elementary School on Limerock Road in Smithfield. Cub Scouting is for boys and girls in Kindergarten through 5th grade. Up to age 11, and is a community-oriented program that helps our children grow up in a way that promotes mutual respect for others while understanding more about the community we live in.

We welcome you to come to a meeting and check it out for yourself. For more information, contact Pack One Cubmaster Mike at mguilmain@cox.net or call 401-578-5261.

Smithfield Transitions to Code Red Resident Emergency Notification System

Click the logo above to go to the registration site

The Town of Smithfield has transitioned to the Code Red Resident Emergency Notification System. Code Red replaces the Nixle emergency notification system and will allow the town to be compatible with state emergency agencies and more communities in Rhode Island.

In the event of a town-wide emergency or a localized geographical emergency, the town’s police department, fire department, emergency management agency or designated local official will be able to call, email, and text thousands of residents at once, notifying them of the emergency and also give instructions if needed. Using mapping databases Code Red can target a notification to a few residents on one street, or expand to any designated area within the town.

Messages regarding the safety, property or welfare of our residents will be disseminated using the Code Red system. These may include local AMBER alerts, locations of shelters for weather events, emergency instructions due to a large fire or chemical incident, boil water advisories, evacuation notices, etc.

Please Register Your Cell Phone
Technology plays a vital role in everyone’s day-to-day life. We know that not everyone uses a house phone today. In Rhode Island, most 9-1-1 calls are made from a cell phone. The 9-1-1 call-out database is compiled of home phone numbers, there is no 9-1-1 database for cell phones. More people use email and texting to communicate and the town wants to ensure that we can use those avenues to communicate with our residents for official information.

We encourage everyone to register with Code Red. To do so click on the Code Red logo above to go to the registration site. Users can register for emergency notifications only and can also register for general notifications as well. Residents should know that the information they provide on the link is safe. Information is not, and will not be, shared with anyone. No one has access to the account but local and state emergency officials authorized to activate warnings and alerts to the public.