North Smithfield Public Comment

What do you do with an empty lot where a school used to be? If you're North Smithfield, RI — apparently you think about it for seven years. Elizabeth and Sarah dig into the full Halliwell Elementary saga: the closed school, the demolished building, the $5M in federal grants, the multi-generational center that never quite came to be, and the latest pivot back to Scouters Hall. They break down why this keeps stalling, what's at stake with the grant deadlines, and how residents can actually make a difference before the next election. Honest, local, and just a little chaotic — because they forgot to hit record the first time.A transcript and show notes are available at www.nspubliccomment.com/podcast-north-smithfield-public-comment/episode-two-the-halliwell-property

Follow us on social media @NSpublic comment North Smithfield residents can join the conversation at https://www.facebook.com/groups/northsmithfieldpubliccommentTranscripts are available at our website nspubliccomment.comCorrection: Elizabeth mentions volunteering at CPAC in 2010. The conference she mentioned took place in 2011.Sarah and Elizabeth introduce themselves and their podcast — a monthly deep-dive intolocal politics and community issues in North Smithfield, Rhode Island, toldfrom the perspective of two neighbors, small business owners, and moms who aredoing the research so you don't have to.Meet Your Hosts Sarah is a lifelong Rhode Islanderwhose husband's family has called North Smithfield home for four generations.Elizabeth is a transplant who fell in love with the town's community andcharacter after moving from the suburbs. Both are therapists, both are on theNorth Smithfield Democratic Committee — and both make clear this podcast isentirely independent of that affiliation.A Little Town History North Smithfield broke off fromSmithfield in 1871 and is made up of five mill villages along the Branch andBlackstone Rivers. Its population hovered around 3,000 in its early days,dipped as mills closed, then grew steadily after WWII — reaching roughly 12,500residents in the 2020 census. Today the town is a mix of multigenerationalfamilies and newer arrivals drawn by open space, good schools, and proximity toProvidence, Worcester, and Boston.How Local Government Works North Smithfield has five at-largetown councilors (elected by ranked choice vote to two-year terms) and afull-time town administrator (four-year terms). Boards and committees — staffedentirely by volunteers — do the deep research and bring recommendations to thecouncil. Sarah and Elizabeth highlight both the generosity of those who serveand the challenge of keeping seats filled.The Budget The FY2026 town budget isapproximately $55.3 million. Funding comes from property taxes ($11.49 per$1,000 assessed value), ~$16 million in state aid (including ~$9 million forschools), fees, and grants. North Smithfield carries about $10 million in anemergency reserve fund and tends to be skeptical of taking on debt via bonds.The Recurring Theme Delay, delay, delay — then a rushed,expensive fix when the problem becomes a crisis. Sarah and Elizabeth argue thispattern shows up across nearly every major issue in town, and they're here toshine a light on it before things reach that point.