Kindergarten registration
Registration for children entering kindergarten in 2025 will be held at Austin T. Levy Elementary School at 135 Harrisville Main St. on Wednesday and Thursday. April 9 and 10, from 4 to 8 p.m. Children must turn 5 by September 1 to register and documentation must be provided including the child’s original birth certificate; immunization and physical records; two different utility bills dated within the month; a current tax bill or mortgage statement; and a notarized affidavit of residency. Caregivers are instructed to bring the child if they have not yet been screened by child outreach.
Cemetery cleanup
The Burrillville Historical & Preservation Society is seeking volunteers to help out with a cleanup of Cemetery #12 at the intersection of Howard Avenue and Charles Street in Pascoag on Saturday, April 12 starting at 9 a.m. Volunteers are asked to bring rakes, brush loppers, leaf blowers, gloves and water. The event is held in celebration of Rhode Island Cemetery Preservation and Awareness weeks.
Chestnut planting
The Burrillville Land Trust is inviting the public to help them reintroduce the American Chestnut tree, one seed at a time. The trust will hold a seed planting event on Saturday, April 12 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. or until seeds run out at 665 Maureen Circle in Mapleville.
“Once upon a time, the American Chestnut ruled the woodlands of northwestern Rhode Island and well beyond,” noted the trust in a release. “Then came the pathogenic fungus Cryphonectria parasitica – also known as the Chestnut blight. The fungus wiped out the intolerant American Chestnut – eliminating the tree from the New England landscape.”
The trust has been been giving away seedings for the past five years in hopes that some would survive blight and live to produce seeds that are resistant to the fungus, and on April 12, the group will be planting seeds taken from a hyper virulent tree. The tree has been tolerant to a highly aggressive or virulent form of the Cryphonectria parasitica fungus for decades and is covered with rapid and severe cankers that should lead to the its death, but it has survived.
The event is free and open to anyone and visitors are invited to help plant one or two of those seeds, and sign up to take one of the seedlings home near the end of the Burrillville Farmers’ Market in September or early October, when they will be about a foot tall.
This and other events sponsored by the Burrillville Land Trust are part of a year long celebration recognizing the 25th anniversary of the volunteers who help keep Burrillville beautiful and protect its rural character.
Almost, Maine
Assembly ACT will hold performances of Almost, Maine at the Assembly Theatre at 26 East Ave. this weekend, with show on Friday, April 11 and Saturday, April 12 at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, April 13 at 2 pm. “Almost, Maine” was written by John Cariani and follows people in the fictional settlement in northern Maine through love and loss.
Tickets cost $20 or $15 for students and seniors and can be purchased here.
Town hunt
Editor’s note: The below event has been postponed to Friday, April 18 at 11 a.m.
The Burrillville Parks & Recreation Department will hold its annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 12 starting at 11 a.m. at Branch River Park by Burrillville Middle School. Kids age 8 and under are invited to arrive no later than 10:45 a.m. with their own bag or basket. The event will include raffles, and Dinolicious food truck will be on site, with all proceeds to benefit Burrillville programs. The event, originally scheduled for April 5, was cancelled due to rain.
DPNA Easter
The Downtown Pascoag & Neighborhood Association will hold an Easter event rain or shine on Saturday, April 12, from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 50 Lodge Road. The event feature several egg hunts by age groups as well as shopping with local crafters and vendors, and photos with the Easter bunny. There will be five egg hunts with children divided by age and space is still open in many age groups with participants asked to register here.
Stuff the Gazebo
The Burrillville Lions Club will be stuffing the gazebo in Harrisville on Sunday, April 13, collecting donations for the Burrillville Weekend Snack Pack program. Drop off donations with the Lions in front of Levy School from 9 a.m. to noon, with items needed including peanut butter, pasta, mac and cheese, juice boxes and other non-perishables. Donations will provide weekend meals for some 50 Burrillville children in need.
Town meetings
Editor’s note: The first meeting listed below was cancelled for a date to be determined.
The Burrillville Planning Board will hold a meeting on Monday, April 7 for an agenda that includes a public hearing on the turf field project. The meeting will be held in the auditorium of Burrillville High School at 425 East Ave. starting at 7 p.m.
The Burrillville Personnel Board will hold a meeting on Tuesday, April 8 starting at 5 p.m. at Jesse Smith Library at 100 Tinkham Lane. The agenda is here.
The Burrillville School Committee will hold a meeting on Tuesday, April 8 starting at 6 p.m. in the media center of Burrillville High School at 425 East Ave. The agenda is here.
The Burrillville Sewer Commission will hold a meeting on Tuesday, April 8 starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Wastewater Treatment Facility at 141 Clear Rive Drive. The agenda is here.
The Harrisville Fire District will hold a monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 8 starting at 7 p.m. at 115 Central St. The agenda is here.
The Burrillville Zoning Board will hold a meeting on Tuesday, April 8 starting at 7 p.m. at the town building at 105 Harrisville Main St. The agenda is here.
The Burrillville Town Council will hold a meeting on Wednesday, April 9 starting at 7 p.m. at the town building at 105 Harrisville Main St. The agenda is here.
For those interested in attending the American Chestnut nut planting, if the weather turns to rain, the event is cancelled for the general public. The nuts will be planted by members of the land trust and need to be planted rain or shine this weekend so we can give the foot-long seedlings away in late summer or early fall. You can find out more by sending an email to [email protected].