Restaurateurs: On Wednesday, May 13th, the Town Manager signed Smithfield Executive Order 2020-02 expanding outdoor dining and developing the necessary procedures for a streamlined approval process. Please complete the online application here.

• Executive Order 2020-02 – Outdoor Dining Expansion
• Temporary Outside Dining Application Form

• Restaurant Tent Checklist from RISFM
• RI Restaurant Guidance Phase-I

Submission Requirements

All Applicants must submit the following to rrossi@smithfieldri.com :

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 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. The hours of operation of any temporary outdoor service area approved hereunder shall be limited to 7:00 am to 10:00 pm.

 

April 24, 2020

Dear Residents, Businesses, and Community Partners:

Thank you! Thank you for staying home, limiting social interaction, washing your hands, and using face coverings in public. We know that staying home and being apart from our loved ones is becoming increasingly difficult and those that are still working in the public domain are worried on a daily basis.  Our deepest condolences go out to members of our community who have lost a loved one.  Please know that we are here for you and our thoughts are with you.

Please continue to stay home and practice good health measures so we can continue to slow the spread of the Coronavirus. 

The Governor has extended virtual learning through the remainder of the school year. This decision has been difficult for our students, our senior class, and our parents and family members that are assisting with learning at home. Our team of educators have been nothing short of amazing. Their creativity and determination are keeping our students engaged. Thank you! There will be further updates from the School Department.    

Thank you for the continued efforts of our Police and Fire Departments.  The newly implemented birthday celebration program has received an overwhelming response from the community.  In addition, the “Smithfield Fire Department Supports Local Business” competition has begun.  Submit your receipts for purchases from town businesses to the Fire Department and be entered into a raffle to win prizes. 

Important Information: 

If you are feeling sick and exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, visit the Department of Health’s self checker and schedule a test:

• Call your healthcare provider (if you have one) to get an order for a COVID-19 test at one of the drive-up testing sites at URI in South Kingstown, at CCRI in Warwick, or at Rhode Island College in Providence (adults and children).

Or

• Go to the CVS website to be pre-screened for testing and to get an appointment (adult 18+ only). 

Keeping Each Other Safe: 

• Stay at home, unless you are getting food, medicine, gas, or going to work.
• Social gatherings are limited to 5 people or less.
• Keep a log of the people you have come in contact with every day.
  • This will assist the Dept. of Health to trace your contacts in the event that you contract COVID-19.
• Wear a face covering in public. CDC guidance on face coverings, here.
• Restaurants are open for takeout and delivery only, this includes wine and beer.
• Public entertainment, recreation and close contact businesses must remain closed to customers (online, delivery or curbside pickup can be established).
• Domestic or international travel: people returning to R.I. for non-work purposes by any means of transportation must quarantine for 14 days.
• Telehealth must be extended under health insurance policies

COVID-19 has affected all corners of our community in some way. There is assistance available for families, mental health needs, those unemployed, and businesses. 

Individuals and Families 

• If you are unemployed or have been laid off, please contact the Department of Labor and Training. Their factsheet will help guide you and answer your questions (English, Spanish).
• The Federal CARES Act extended unemployment benefits for gig economy workers, small business owners, workers for hire, self-employed individuals and those who are otherwise ineligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits. Apply here.
• Job openings in Rhode Island Visit EmployRI.
• Utility shut-offs have been suspended until April 15^th. Evictions have been suspended until May 17^th.
• Free “Grab and Go” meals are available for children throughout Rhode Island. Food site locations (Smithfield – Old County Road School – 200 Old County Road).
• If you are in need of food delivery: http://www.oha.ri.gov/deliveryoptions/
• Health Source RI will remain open for new subscribers until April 30^th. Visit
• Rhode Island partnered with Care.com to increase childcare access. In addition to providing 90 days of free, premium access to their website, Care.com has created portals specifically for frontline workers and caregivers in R.I. – care.com/rineed.
• Hotel rooms are available at reduced costs for quarantine/isolation at Visit RI Havens.
• For additional resources please visit: https://www.smithfieldri.com/emergency/.
• BH Link: If you or a someone you love is going through a mental health or substance use crisis, there is help available: 401-414-LINK (5465), https://www.bhlink.org/, Triage Center: 975 Waterman Ave., East Providence
• For mental health assistance for children under 18, please call 855-KID(543)-LINK(5465)
• The R.I. United Way 211 hotline is available 24 hours, 7 days a week to answer questions and connect you with the supports you may need.

Businesses and Non-Profits

• Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Loan Advances: Questions and Application
• Small Business Administration (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program: Questions and Application
• Short-term bridge loans for restaurants and microbusinesses: Rhode Island restaurants and small businesses are eligible (businesses must have 1 to 10 employees; restaurants may have any number of employees). Applications available through org.
• Microenterprise Stabilization Grant Program: Rhode Island’s microenterprise stabilization grant program will assist small businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19 and left out of federal stimulus programs to-date with grants of up to $5,000. The program will provide to qualifying microenterprises. Funds may be used for working capital to cover business costs, such as rent, staffing, utilities. Visit.
• Technology support for Rhode Island businesses is available through Commerce RI (Tech Support for RI Businesses)
• Rhode Island Small Business Hotline: (401) 521-HELP
• Rhode Island nonprofit organizations at the forefront of COVID-19 response can apply for grants from the Rhode Island Foundation/United Way.
• Rhode Island Superior Court business protection program for those that may have defaulted on their debts during this time
• State and federal personal and business corporation tax filings have been extended until July 15th. 

Municipal Services 

As a reminder, our Town staff are also here to help. 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, email, or drop box located in the front of Town Hall. 

Voting 

As a reminder, Rhode Island’s Presidential Primary has been moved to June 2^nd, and voting will be done through mail ballot. The Secretary of State’s Office will be sending mail ballots to voters. To make sure your information and address is up-to-date, visit: https://vote.sos.ri.gov/Voter/UpdateYourVoterRecord

Please visit the R.I. Department of Health website for factual up-to-date information or call 401-222-8022.

Thank you for your support and cooperation during this unprecedented time.

Sincerely,

Randy R. Rossi
Town Manager

Cox Media is offering local restaurants two weeks of free TV advertising.

Restaurant owners interested in this free program can contact: MarketingInsights@CoxMedia.com.
Make sure to include the name and location of the restaurant in your email

Advertising space is limited and based on availability.

https://pbn.com/cox-media-offers-free-advertising-to-local-restaurants-to-ease-covid-19-impact/ 

Governor Raimondo’s Executive Order 20-14 prohibited all gatherings of more than 5 people and all non-critical, retail businesses from conducting in-person operations. However, critical businesses remain open and some of their employees must be physically present at the work site, requiring further measures to keep those employees, and their customers/clients safe.

Click the document image below for the full .pdf:

Dear Residents, Businesses, and Community Partners:

I hope you are healthy and safe. This has been a difficult time for everyone. Many of our neighbors are out of work, small businesses owners are trying to adapt, and we are separated from our friends and loved ones. Our community is here to help. If you or someone you know needs help, please contact our COVID-19 hotline at 949-4590 or the United Way 211 hotline. 

We wish our neighbors a blessed Passover and Easter holiday. We ask that everyone follow the Governor’s orders to not gather in groups of 5 or more. We remind synagogues and churches of all denominations that services cannot be held unless they are virtual. Our holiday celebrations will look different this year but we can still stay in touch and continue our acts of kindness by hosting a virtual celebration, calling an elderly family member, dropping off a meal, or checking on your neighbors. 

Please keep in mind the first responders and healthcare workers that are on the front lines fighting to keep our fellow Rhode Islanders alive and our community safe. Every time you put your own health at risk, you are putting their health at risk, as well. Thank you to our residents who are following these critical directives.

If you are feeling sick and exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, there are two ways to access free testing:

• Call your healthcare provider (if you have one) to get an order for a COVID-19 test at one of the drive-up testing sites at URI in South Kingstown, at CCRI in Warwick, or at Rhode Island College in Providence (adults and children).
• Go to the CVS website to be pre-screened for testing and to get an appointment (adult 18+ only). 

Governor Raimondo has extended many of her executive orders until May 8^th including the following:

• Stay at home, unless you are getting food, medicine, gas, or going to work.
• Social gatherings are limited to 5 people or less.
• Restaurants open for takeout and delivery only; this includes wine and beer.
• Public entertainment, recreation and close contact businesses must remain closed to customers (online, delivery or curbside pickup can be established).
• Domestic or international travel: people returning to R.I. for non-work purposes by any means of transportation must quarantine for 14 days.
• Suspension of certain criteria of the Open Meetings Act (virtual/telephonic meetings allowed) for essential government operations.
• Telehealth must be extended under health insurance policies.

Other updates from the Governor:

• Rhode Islanders must keep a log of the people they have come in contact with every day.
  • This will assist the Dept. of Health to trace your contacts in the event that you contract COVID-19.
• If you have been quarantined or are in isolation, you can access food delivery services through RI Delivers, com.
• The time period for local background checks for gun permits is extended from 7 to 30 days.
• The State House, casinos, state parks and beaches are closed indefinitely.
• State offices will offer customer services online only.
• Rhode Island courts are closed for non-essential business until May 17^th.
• The Department of Motor Vehicles has extended driver licenses, learner permits, ID’s, CLPs, CDLs, registrations, inspection stickers, and disability placards scheduled to expire in the months of March or April 2020 by 90 days. Additionally, they have suspended road tests but are continuing to offer other services online.
• Visitors are prohibited at nursing homes, assisted living facilities and state prisons.

COVID-19 has affected all corners of our community in some way. There is assistance available for families, mental health needs, those unemployed, and businesses.

Individuals and Families

• If you are unemployed or have been laid off, please contact the Department of Labor and Training. Their fact sheet will help guide you and answer your questions (English, Spanish).
• The Federal CARES Act extended unemployment benefits for gig economy workers, small business owners, workers for hire, self-employed individuals and those who are otherwise ineligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits. Apply https://covidemergencyuibenefits.dlt.ri.go.
• Utility shut-offs have been suspended until April 15^th. Evictions have been suspended until May 17^th.
• Free “Grab and Go” meals are available for children throughout Rhode Island. Food site locations (Smithfield – Old County Road School – 200 Old County Road)
• Rhode Island partnered with Care.com to increase childcare access. In addition to providing 90 days of free, premium access to their website, Care.com has created portals specifically for frontline workers and caregivers in R.I. – care.com/rineed.
• For additional resources please visit: https://www.smithfieldri.com/emergency/.
• BH Link: If you or a someone you love is going through a mental health or substance use crisis, there is help available: (401) 414-LINK (5465), https://www.bhlink.org/, Triage Center: 975 Waterman Ave., East Providence.
• For mental health assistance for children under 18, please call (855) KID(543)-LINK(5465).
• The United Way of Rhode Island 211 hotline is available 24 hours, 7 days a week to answer questions and connect you with the supports you may need.

Businesses and Non-Profits

• Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Loan Advances: Questions and Application
• Small Business Administration (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program: Questions and Application
• Short-term bridge loans for restaurants and microbusinesses: Rhode Island restaurants and small businesses are eligible (businesses must have 1 to 10 employees; restaurants may have any number of employees). Applications opened on Friday, April 3, through RILISC.org. 
• Technology support for Rhode Island businesses is available through Commerce RI (Tech Support for RI Businesses).
• Rhode Island Small Business Hotline: (401) 521-HELP.
• Rhode Island nonprofit organizations at the forefront of COVID-19 response can apply for grants from the Rhode Island Foundation/United Way.
• Rhode Island Superior Court business protection program is available for those that may have defaulted on their debts during this time.
• State and federal personal and business corporation tax filings have been extended until July 15th.

Municipal Services

As a reminder, our Town staff are also here to help. 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, email, or drop box located in the front of Town Hall.

Voting

As a reminder, Rhode Island’s Presidential Primary has been moved to June 2^nd, and voting will be done through mail ballot. The Secretary of State’s Office will be sending mail ballots to voters. To make sure your information and address is up-to-date, visit: https://vote.sos.ri.gov/Voter/UpdateYourVoterRecord

Please visit the R.I. Department of Health website for factual up-to-date information or call (401) 222-8022.

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

Sincerely,

Randy R. Rossi
Town Manager

The Town of Smithfield has partnered up with John J. Tassoni, Jr. to create a COVID-19 Support Fund to help Smithfield residents who might need assistance.