Committee recognizes Burrillville business owner for generosity in work on public schools

BURRILLVILLE – The owner of a town-based construction company was recognized at the Burrillville School Committee’s September meeting for his generosity in helping to improve the town’s public schools.

Steve Roderick of Construction Junction received a citation for completion of work at three schools and a field house in recent years, with school officials noting that he donated both materials and labor.

“Mr. Roderick has completed a number of projects in pretty much all of our schools over the last, I would say, five or six years,” said Supt. Michael Sollitto. “That includes major renovation projects at Levy, here at the high school, most recently at the middle school over the summer.”

District Director of Strategic Initiatives and Development Maria Quiray Lawrence later told NRI NOW that Roderick’s projects have included painting of the exterior of the BHS dome gymnasium, an Austin T. Levy Elementary School hallway, garage doors at Burrillville Middle School, and the exterior of the George Ducharme Field House. 

“Every project that he does, Steve always gives something back to the schools,” said Sollitto. “It’s a donation of labor and materials and extra work that’s done consistently every single time, every single job.”

A Burrillville resident and native who graduated with the BHS Class of 1985, Roderick opened his business Construction Junction in North Smithfield in 2016, according to records filed with the Secretary of State. In addition to painting, the business offers commercial and residential partition and wall framing, and rough and finish carpentry.

Roderick purchased a lot at 1126-1134 South Main St. in Burrillville in 2023 to serve as the company’s future headquarters, with plans to move from a spot in Slatersville at 11 Main St. The 3.4 acre property once served as home of an auto repair shop and junk yard, and has been cleaned up significantly over the past two years, with Roderick removing some 3,000 tires and starting environmental remediation.

At a School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 9, Sollitto presented an official citation recognizing the business owner’s contributions to the district.

“Be it known by all that the Burrillville School Department hereby extends sincere appreciation and gratitude to Steve Roderick, Construction Junction, for donation of labor and materials to the Burrillville Public Schools as part of several school renovation projects,” the citation noted. “Your support of out schools is greatly appreciated. Thank you for all that you’ve done for our school community.”

“We just wanted to take a moment to recognize him and thank him for all that he’s given back to the schools and that he’s done for us over the past several years,” Sollitto said.