Common lights the way into 2021
The annual Luminaria display at Slatersville Congregational Church did not take place on Christmas Eve due to inclement weather, but has been rescheduled for New Year’s Eve.
Normally, Luminaries are lit on the Common from 6 p.m. to midnight on Christmas Eve, with several hundred votive candles lighting the night for passersby, and those attending services at the church.
This year, the display, made up of tapers placed in white paper bags each year for decades by church volunteers, is scheduled to illuminate the village starting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 31, weather permitting.
Residents are invited to drive by to see the candle light, in hopes that the display will bring hope for the year 2021.
Town Hall closed for the holiday
North Smithfield Town Hall will close at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 31, and municipal offices will also be closed on Friday, as town staff celebrates the New Year.
Trash and recycling pickup will also be delayed for one day for the holiday.
Holiday recycling
The highway garage at 281 Quaker Highway will be accepting cardboard and wrapping paper on Tuesday, Dec. 29. Materials can be dropped off from 3 to 5 p.m., along with yard waste or accepted recyclables. The town offers free drop off for ridged plastic and scrap metal items. as well as used motor oil. Officials remind resident not to leave items outside the gate after business hours, as they will take notice.
Department of Public Works officials noted that Christmas Trees can also be recycled, with live trees composted and artificial trees processed with scrap metal. All trees must be free of ornaments, tinsel and lights, and cannot be in plastic bags.
The town will offer curbside pickup for live trees starting Thursday, Dec. 28, and running through Jan. 15. Live trees will be picked up by DPW on regular trash days, weather permitting. Residents can also bring the trees to the highway garage during regular business hours.
Second Hand Smoke
Second Hand Smoke will ring in the New Year with a performance on the heated pavilion at Lindy’s Tavern on Saturday, Jan. 2 from 2 to 6 p.m. Safe social distancing will be practiced.
Town meetings
There are no town board or commission meetings scheduled for this week.
The Town Council will begin their 2021 meeting schedule next week, with workshop sessions generally to be held on the first Monday of every month and regular meetings on the third Monday each month.
The complete Town Council meeting schedule for the new year can be found here.