NORTH SMITHFIELD – Filling vacancies and confirming new terms for members on the town’s many volunteer boards and committees was the first order of business this week for newly seated Town Administrator Scott Gibbs and members of the Town Council.
Appointments on Monday included seats on the Budget Committee, where two members – Christine Early and Bobby Bradford – indicated they no longer wish to serve, while two candidates who fell short in their bids for election to Town Council in November – Douglas Osier and Kevin Newton – stepped up to take their place for three year terms. The changes leave one remaining vacancy, with former budgeter David de la Cruz resigning with two years remaining on his term following his recent election to the School Committee.
Paul Nordstrom was reappointed for a five year term on the Asset Management Commission, while councilors opted to table appointments to a new Charter Review Commission to the second week in January. Applicants for that new board include Newton; former School Committee member Paul Jones; former town administrator candidate Elizabeth Newberry and Jeffrey Porter, a member of the Planning Board who also currently serves as chairman of the Halliwell Review Committee.
“I think we have four great applicants, but I also would like to see more applications for this committee as well, so I think that would give us more time,” said Councilor Rebecca DeCristofaro of the decision to wait.
“We didn’t really set up this committee yet,” said Councilor John Beauregard. “We also have to narrow the scope and give them direction.”
Jones was also seeking re-appointment for a five year term to the town’s Economic Development Commission, and was confirmed unanimously at the meeting on Monday, Dec. 2.
Newberry, meanwhile, also applied to serve on the Groundwater Protection Committee, while Planning Board member Gary Palardy and Conservation Commission member Roger Jalette did not seek reappointment to that board. Current members approved for re-appointment included Cynthia Roberts, Carol Drainville, Liane Jalette and Gail Berlinghof. Rebecca DeCristofaro will serve as the new council liaison to the GPC, with two spots open to the public still remaining.
Jo Ann Paulus applied to join the Halliwell Review Committee, but councilors also tabled that appointment, along with decisions regarding the Multigenerational Advisory Committee. With the former Halliwell Elementary School now officially chosen as the site for the town’s new multi-generational center, councilors noted that both boards have completed their assigned tasks.
“We were talking about maybe disbanding this committee as well as the multigenerational,” noted Council President Kimberly Alves.
Town Solicitor David Igliozzi is expected to draft a resolution for a potential merge of the two boards, also to be taken up at the council’s meeting in January.
The Public Art Advisory Committee, a board formed in 2020 to add life to the then newly completed Town Hall building, saw several resignations, with Jennifer Tripp, Lauren Masolowski, Julie Tilley and Ashleigh Beauregard stating they no longer wish to serve. Sarah Hemendinger and William Lincourt were reappointed for two year terms.
On the Historic District Commission, three current members – Jeffrey Harris, Daniel Couture and Joel Rochon– were reappointed for three year terms. Members Daniel Taylor and Jason Proctor were reappointed to three year terms on the Juvenile Hearing Board, leaving no open seats for new applicant Kayla Lanoie.
Maureen Donnelly was reappointed for a three year term on the Personnel Board, and Sean Rousseau for another three years on the Public Safety Commission.
The Parks & Recreation Commission had terms expiring for seven seats and all but one member, Cheryl Marandola, were reappointed for two year terms. Louis Maccarone joined the board, which also includes Ann Fieler-Lilley, Jennifer Keith, Gregory Burnep, Malinda Howard, Theresa Grist and Gabriella Stelle.
Marandola has also indicated she no longer wishes to serve on the Planning Board, but it seems she may have a few more meetings following a decision Monday night. Alves motioned to table the issue so the council can look at the ordinance limiting planners to two five year terms. Chairman Gary Palardy has said he hopes to continue in the role, but has reached the term limit.
“We have members coming up to their ten year term,” Alves noted.
Igliozzi noted that without a vote, everyone remains in their capacity, and if the council ultimately decides to change the ordinance it will take several meetings.
On the Senior Citizen Advisory Committee, two year reappointments including Linda Thibault, Guy Boulay, Irene Shewchuk, Paulus and Joyce Dolbec, while Mary Lou Brais no longer wished to serve. Lanoie was added to the ranks this week.
Also reappointed to their roles for another two year term were lgliozzi; Asst. Town Solicitor Stephen Archambault; Municipal Court Judge Aram Jarret; Municipal Court Clerk Valerie Orellana and Veterans Advisor David Thibault. Probate Judge Robert Rossi indicated he no longer wished to serve, and Tracy Loignon was appointed to the open seat over two other applicants: William Vescera and David Graham.
Michael Marston was appointed to another five year term on the Zoning Board and Andre Gill will fill a one year term as alternate.
Gibbs also reappointed several individuals to additional three year terms including Emergency Management Director Peter Branconniere; Electrical Inspector William Bernadini; Plumbing and Mechanical Inspector Phil Paul; Senior Citizens Advocate Thibault and Tree Warden Stanley Zuba.
Councilors noted that remaining vacancies on town boards will be advertised with an updated list expected in the coming weeks.
