Read for a cause
North Smithfield Public Library has started its Winter Reading Program: Reading for a Cause. This year, the cause is to bring attention to wildlife protection of a vulnerable species.
Librarian Miss Renee has issued a challenge to North Smithfield families. For every page that patrons read, she will donate a penny towards the sponsorship of a snow leopard at the Roger Williams Park Zoo. The money raised will help provide food, health checkups, habitat improvement and animal enrichment as well as promoting the cause of protecting the leopards in their natural habitat.
The program is open to kids, teens and families. To participate visit https://nspl.beanstack.com or stop by the library to pick up a paper tracking sheet.
Heritage Hike
The North Smithfield Heritage Association invites residents to enjoy a woodland hike along old roads, trails and paths in the Harkness Conservation Area on Saturday, Jan. 9. Participants will view the scenic Blackstone and Branch River Valleys, as well as historic stone features on the rigorous two hour walk.
The hike is not recommended for children. The group will depart from the Forestdale Schoolhouse at 190 School St. at 9 a.m.
Masks are required, and comfortable hiking shoes and a bottle of water are suggested.
Municipal Court postponed
North Smithfield Municipal Court will not hold trials or arraignments in January due to surging cases of COVID-19, and has continued all pending matters until February. Arraignments originally scheduled for the first Wednesday of the month, this week on Wednesday, Jan. 6, will instead be held on Wednesday, Feb. 3 starting at 6 p.m.
Trials, normally held on the third Wednesday of the month, were originally scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 20, and will now be held on Wednesday, Feb. 17 starting at 6 p.m.
Those with emergency inquires can contact the Municipal Court clerk at court@nsmithfieldri.org or (401) 765-5734.
Payments can still be made online at curiasystems.com/payment. Checks can also be mailed to North Smithfield Municipal Court, 575 Smithfield Road, North Smithfield, RI 02896.
Volunteer deadline
The deadline to submit applications for those who hope to volunteer to fill openings on municipal boards in town is coming up this week.
The town of North Smithfield is seeking members for committees including the Assessor’s Board of Review; the Asset Management Commission; the Budget Committee; the Conservation Commission; the Economic Development Commission; the Historic District Commission; the Juvenile Hearing Board; the Parks & Recreation Commission; the Personnel Board; the Planning Board; the Public Safety Commission; the Senior Citizen Advisory Committee; the Sewer Commission and the Zoning Board of Review.
Anyone interested in volunteering is asked to contact Town Clerk Lillian Silva Scott at (401) 767-2200 ext. 326 or lsilvascott@nsmithfieldri.org for an application or to download the application here and submit it to:
83 Greene St., North Smithfield, RI 02896.
The deadline to submit applications is Wednesday, Jan. 6.
Town meetings
The North Smithfield Town Council will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 5 starting at 6:45 p.m. Residents can attend via Zoom, with the agenda and link found here.
The North Smithfield School Committee Budget Subcommittee will hold a meeting on Thursday, Jan. 7 starting at 6 p.m. The agenda and instructions to attend via Zoom can be found here.
