NORTH SMITHFIELD – The town of North Smithfield has a voter-approved bond of $9 million – and also some $10 million in reserves – to fund the planned renovations at the 585 Smithfield Road building that serves as headquarters for the North Smithfield Police Department.
But how much of those reserves will be used – and how much of the bond drawn down – has yet to be determined, with a vote on the matter expected at a special meeting of the Town Council to be held on Monday, April 27.
Town Administrator Scott Gibbs said he is currently looking into the logistics of holding the gathering at the station itself, to allow those in attendance to see first hand how the funds will be put to use.
“We’ve been working hard on a variety of fronts,” Gibbs said this week on progress on the project.
Voters approved the $9 million bond referendum 532-462 at a Special Election in February.
Gibbs said the team working on the project has since confirmed that one costly expense, an elevator, is not required for ADA compliance, but has asked for a full review to double-check the information.
“That’s not going to delay the project at all,” he said, noting the first steps to the renovation will involve demolition and hazard mitigation.
Gibbs said the group is also working on the issue of fiber connections for police dispatch, one portion of the project that will be funded through a $500,000 federal grant.
Of the contractor’s ongoing effort to establish a guaranteed maximum price – expected for presentation at the April 27 meeting – Gibbs said, “So far it seems everything is on par.”
Councilor Rebecca DeCristofaro noted that the board has asked the town Budget Committee to include in their deliberations how the bond will impact taxpayers, information that she noted will help board members determine how much of the project should be funded through the town’s reserves. While voters authorized $9 million, councilors have discussed drawing down less than the full amount of that bond.
“We didn’t make a decision at the last meeting because we wanted to hold off until budget to understand the potential implications,” DeCristofaro said.
“They are coming out with their recommendation as to how much we will be pulling from unrestricted fund balance,” said Gibbs. “We’ll make sure that the chairman of the Budget Committee understands your expectations.”
It was Councilor John Beauregard who suggested holding the special meeting at the station.
“If the council wanted a tour of the building we wouldn’t have to reconvene,” Beauregard said. “Anyone who was in attendance would be more than welcome to join us on that tour. I think it would be a great opportunity to get a first hand look at the condition of the police station.”
Gibbs noted that if held at the alternative location, the April 27 meeting will be recorded, but not live streamed.
“We’ll look at the logistics of that councilman,” said Gibbs.
“I think it’s a good idea,” Beauregard said.
The agenda for the April 27 special meeting has not yet been published.
David G has zero concern for the health, safely and well being of the NSPD. He only cares about his personal piggy bank.
JP has zero concern for seniors and NS taxpayers struggling to afford rent and groceries so the lazy NS police department can work in a the taj mahal making $150K annually and enforcing zero laws. I look out for the greater good of the majority instead of the minority. JP why don’t you try to call the police chief to discuss a criminal activity issue. The chief is never available or will call anyone back.
Absolutely! They never ever got back to me on theft of my late parent’s money and large home items. Tools, rifles, machinery. And now I see a familiar object in a home nearby up for sale.
Unfortunately, got no assistance when requested. Chief never ever answered my emails. Over 2 yrs. So I am here to support you on that fact. Sad as it is. And it should not be this way. You pay their salary.
First David G: Renters in NS don’t pay property taxes so not sure what your statement meant. Maybe you have zero understanding of who actually pays taxes and who doesn’t.
You went from we are spending to much on the station to now the police staff itself makes too much. They don’t need a safe secure space to work in and then the chief doesn’t do anything either. Who calls the station and asks for the chief to report criminal activity? Sounds pretty unhinged and you don’t understand current wages, what a safe workspace should like like and the hierarchy of how to file a complaint. I seriously hope you never have to actually call on the police for help….
Actually renters do pay taxes, on personal property and also via rent rises factored in by landlord. There is no landlord I know or have known that swallows all the tax increases out of their pockets, and does not extend that into what rent will be in actuality. Not being rude, just presenting a fact as my parents were also landlords, and I saw the workings at an early age. And we know renters are advised to get their own ins as landlords do not cover renter belongings.
When I went in to the police station, in person, they passed the buck. When I emailed, no ans there either, as to going up the chain of command because nothing occurred at lower level. So some of us are familiar with chain of command, to seek assistance after inaction. Your police station overall, is small, and the Chief not so personable.
All renters pay taxes, landlords just pass it on to them with rent increases, business 101….
JP renters do pay taxes, it is part of their rent payment and rent goes up when taxes go up but you would have to understand finance to understand the concept. Second you ask for the chief when the lazy do nothing police officers ignore your calls to report crime. But the chief is as non responsive as his staff. And finally if salaries were not as high maybe some funds could be spent on maintenance. And how did the facility get so bad, oh wait the chief and department ignored maintenance so they could get paid more and force the town to spend millions of dollars on an oversized facility. The police department does not practice any fiscal responsibility.
David G: when was it or is it the responsibility of the men and women in uniform to maintain and upkeep the building? You might want re-read the charter to see who is responsible for that, seeing you have zero understanding of who actually is responsible.
Please enlighten all the readers when you reported a crime that was completely ignored and not followed up upon? I’m sure the call logs which are public records will match the date and time you share with the readers here. I wonder if the crime occurred on Black Plain?
When one goes in person or emails, where are those records? If they refuse to give you/ fill out papers and say then and there they can do nothing, not even investigate, what then? They pick and choose what they do not want to do. Which makes me question any and all training/skill level of those employed there. But as many do, we move on knowing that justice was not attainable in NS as to physical items taken. Luckily in my case, SS investigated and found thousands stolen from my late parent. But physical items missing, no, by NSPD. Plain and simple. They could not be bothered. How many others are denied assistance? I am just one that spoke up. And as for cleaning, they can pick up around themselves. They can go for photo ops, but can’t even do some light cleaning where they are employed?
It’s a shame that administrative failures like this are the lasting impression North Smithfield leaves on families.
Cool, you’ve completely abandoned the actual charter again. I’ve already told you who was responsible, and yet you come here with misinformation again. *Brings up charter* Ah yes, that would be article xi, section 2, last amended in 2018 but probably was there before then since the charter came to be. To quote the charter: “The Police Chief: He shall also be responsible for all town property in his custody.” And since the police department is town property AND he’s in charge of the building…. It looks like it’s him currently. Since the repair money was taken away from them in 2016, via council decision, wouldn’t repairs also fall on that council?
Gibbs and Beauregard have zero concern about the impact of the bond to the taxpayers.
There is not a thing wrong with you being concerned as to rising taxes, per your budget concern, and where your tax dollars are going! A good governance cares and is equally discriminatory in their spending. Asking questions is a good thing! Only careless fools don’t ask questions beforehand. Not everyone has unlimited funds.
Too many make fun of those who do ask questions. Deserve answers. Showing our children how respectable adult constructive conversations need to be is imperative, too much hate today.