Zwolenski drops out: Two remain in race for North Smithfield town administrator

NORTH SMITHFIELD – Town Administrator Paul Zwolenski has opted not to seek a second term, leaving just two candidates remaining in the race for North Smithfield’s top office.

Zwolenski, who has held the position since 2020, had originally declared his intent to run for another four year term, but did not complete the effort to submit signed nomination papers this week, saying he had a change of heart.

“I’ve accomplished everything I wanted to,” Zwolenski told NRI NOW on Friday, July 12. “It’s time to spend the time with my family that I haven’t had for the past 30 years of serving on boards and commissions, on the Town Council and as town administrator.”

His decision brings to an end decades of service in North Smithfield government. A former professor at Johnson & Wales, Zwolenski first began serving the town as a member of the Planning Board in 1994. He went on to become town planner, a position he held for three years, and was a member of several other boards over the years, including zoning. He is also among the town’s longest-serving council members, putting in 16 years in the elected role prior to his recent four leading operations at Town Hall.

Now 70, the Pawtucket native said he’s satisfied to be leaving North Smithfield in a strong position for its next leader.

“We got a lot done,” he said.

Zwolenski’s achievements over the past four years included completing setup of the town’s Emergency Management center – which, at the time he took office, had not yet moved into the Town Hall building at 83 Green St. The center was up and running just in time to coordinate Covid-19 emergency response efforts, and the administrator worked hand-in-hand with emergency personnel to help guide the town through the pandemic, organizing volunteers and the distribution of vaccines with a focus on the most medically fragile residents first. He coordinated testing for Town Hall staff to ensure continuation of essential services and later, spearheaded drive-through distribution of tests to residents in an event at the former Halliwell Elementary School. Working with EMA and a group of volunteers, he also led efforts to register residents for vaccines, and obtained and distributed truckloads of tests to spaces for pickup, such as the North Smithfield police station.

Another major challenge at the start of his administration was the state of Kendall Dean Town Hall, where a renovation project remained largely incomplete. Zwolenski took action to alleviate water and sewer concerns at the building, address an elevator shaft issue and create greater accessibility, adding a ramp by the entrance. He worked with staff to set up conference and other rooms that had been left in disarray, and filled with an assortment of old records and construction debris.

The administrator also pushed forward an effort to increase the town’s veteran tax exemption from $45 to $350, and has worked with various town departments to obtain some $8 million in grants. Funds have included $4 million for creation of a multi-generational center, $1 million for police station repairs and $1.2 million to complete the first phase of work to bring water lines to the St Paul Street neighborhood, a project for which the town has recently applied for additional grants. His administration secured $1 million to dedicate toward passive recreation at the Halliwell property; $360,000 for police cruisers and other emergency response equipment; $180,000 for repair work on the historic Mowry Tower; and $129,000 for energy efficiency improvements at the police station. $1 million His leadership led to thousands in additional grants to benefit town seniors, as well as funding for hazard mitigation, and to obtain guidance in a rewrite of the town’s zoning laws. Recently, he worked with schools Supt. Michael St. Jean to obtain a Learn365RI grant.

His efforts to improve town infrastructure have included progress at the Halliwell property and a long-overdue project to address town water tanks through removal and repair. He participated in Gov. Dan McKee’s road repair program, resulting in reimbursement for improvements to North Smithfield roadways, and has been involved in talks in a promising ongoing effort to bring water lines to the Route 146 corridor. His work to reduce blight included addressing broken down school buses that were previously parked on Railroad Street for decades despite efforts by previous administrators.

And with the end of his term at the demanding job still many months off, Zwolenski notes his work is ongoing, including negotiations of an energy cost reimbursement from Rhode Island Energy and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation.

The administrator said he is also proud of his Town Hall hires, including the appointment of Joanne Buttie to the position of town clerk and Tami Jacques to deputy town clerk. He said qualified picks have included Planner Marc Carrulo, Water & Sewer Supt. William Descoteaux, Building and Zoning Official Leo Cote, Asst. Zoning Official Vivian Drummond and Finance Director Antony St. Onge.

“Whoever assumes the seat is in a great position,” he said. “It’s a great team.”

But his tenure was not spared a controversy. In 2022, Zwolenski’s former administrative assistant filed suit against the town leader, alleging employment discrimination as a result of what she said was inappropriate conduct. The suit was ultimately settled and dismissed with a $60,000 pay out from the town’s insurer in May, but the issue has been a focus for critics throughout his final years in office.

And at least one of what were initially thought to be his challengers for the role named the incident among their reasons for running.

Zwolenski’s decision not to run means voters will now choose between political newcomers Elizabeth Newberry and Scott Gibbs when they cast a ballot this November. Newberry, a direct sales consultant with a long record of volunteerism and the wife of District 48 Rep. Brian Newberry, has said she plans to focus on collaboration and respect if elected to the role. Gibbs, president of the Economic Development Foundation of Rhode Island, has pledged to lead a culture of professionalism, responsiveness, and effectiveness in Town Hall.

Former Town Councilor Thomas McGee had also initially declared his intent to run for the seat, but has since withdrawn from the race.