NORTH SMITHFIELD – Ann Lilley announced her candidacy for North Smithfield Town Council, highlighting the work she has done in the town. She and her husband John have lived in Forestdale for 36 years, raising three children.
Over the last several years, Lilley has served the community by volunteering. She has been on the North Smithfield Parks and Recreation Commission since 2019. She founded the Halliwell Community Garden in 2020, where she continues to coordinate volunteers, share gardening expertise and work with the North Smithfield Food Pantry to distribute fresh vegetables grown at the garden. She volunteers every year at the town Easter Egg Hunt, organizes crafts and activities at The Great Pumpkin Festival and does face painting at Kids Day in the Park and Spooky Nights.
In addition, she has set up workshops in seed starting, composting and art classes. She began the Daffodil Project in 2020, working with the North Smithfield Heritage Association, an effort that has resulted in the planting of almost 20,000 daffodil bulbs in North Smithfield.
Lilley said she is motivated to run for town council because the town needs to build trust and work cooperatively at all levels.
“I believe the people of North Smithfield deserve a local government that is responsive, transparent and responsible,” Lilley said. “We can make our government more easily accessible and provide more information so everyone can participate in the process.”
“Having worked to better our town at a grass roots level, I’m committed to bringing residents into the conversation of setting goals and building community,” Lilley said.
Lilley has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Rhode Island and has worked in sales, marketing and as a childcare director.
