Early voting
Early or emergency voting has begun at Town Hall for the Primary Election, which is on Tuesday, Sept. 8. The mandatory hours set by the Board of Elections is Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except on Election Day, when it will end at 4 p.m. and Monday, Sept. 7, which is Labor Day.
Votes will be cast in the new town council chamber, where the number of people in the building will be managed to maintain social distancing while sustaining all appropriate access conditions, according to town officials. Voters are asked to bring a valid photo ID.
NSPD Blood drive
The North Smithfield Police Department has scheduled a blood drive, to be held on Tuesday, Aug. 25 from 2 to 6 p.m. at 575 Smithfield Road. Donors are invited to “give a pint, get a pint,” with all participants 21 and older to receive a coupon for a free pint of beer at participating locations. All donors will also be registered for a chance to receive a $100 Amazon gift card.
The Rhode Island Blood Center is now taking appointments for the drive, noting that walk-in donations will only be accepted if spacing permits at the time of arrival. Make your appointment by visiting https://donate.ribc.org/donor/schedules/sponsor_code with sponsor code 3989.
At the library
Registration begins this week for several program that will take place at North Smithfield Public Library throughout September.
Growing a Reader – geared for children ages 2-7, will take place on Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. and Fridays at 10:30 a.m.
The Storywalk outside the library will take place on Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., weather permitting.
The adult craft in September will be a washer pendant with participants to create the craft at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept 22 and Thursday, Sept. 23 at 6 p.m.
Book Babble – a virtual discussion of the book Shine! by J.J. and Chris Grabenstein for ages 9-13 will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 29 at 4 p.m.
To register, visit the NSPL website here.
Forum
Northern Rhode Island News On the Web’s 2020 Candidate Forum for Town Administrator took place on Wednesday, Aug. 19 with participation of all three candidates for the role: Paul Jones, Douglas Osier and Paul Zwolenski.
The event was streamed live on the NRI NOW Facebook page and will remain there for viewing through the primary scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 8 and beyond.
You do not need to be logged in to Facebook to watch the event. Simply visit the NRI NOW Facebook page here.
NRI NOW has tentatively scheduled a second forum for candidates for Town Council in October.
Entertainment
At The Island on Friday, Aug. 28, catch a free concert with N.V.R., Almost Gone and Edge of Dreams. The show, put on by Greyfox Productions, will run from 6:00 to 10:15 p.m.
The North Smithfield Heritage Association will offer a guided tour of the Great Wall, William Mowry Homestead, Amasa Sweet Quarry and NS48 Oliver Smith Cemetery on Saturday, Aug. 29. Participants will meet in the North Smithfield Middle School parking lot, with the tour to start at 9 a.m.
All participants must wear a cloth mask, and a hat, long pants, comfortable walking shoes, water and insect repellent are suggested.
Simone named VP of RICF
The Rhode Island College Foundation has announced new members of the executive committee and new directors for the 2020-21 year, and a North Smithfield resident was among those named.
Eugene Simone, of North Smithfield, was named vice president. Simone is currently employed as a vice president at Ameriprise Financial and is a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel.
Town meetings
The North Smithfield Municipal Buildings Review Task Force will hold a meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 25 starting at 5:30 p.m. The agenda and instructions to participate can be found here.
The North Smithfield Zoning Board will hold a meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 25 starting at 7 p.m., with an agenda and instructions to attend found here.