North Smithfield Town Council - June 16, 2025
Regular Meeting — June 16, 2025
Meeting overview
Agenda at a glance
| Agenda item | Summary | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Payment of Bills | $3,855,316.23 | Approved |
| Gun Control Opposition Resolution | Resolution opposing RI 2024 gun control legislation. 15 other RI cities/towns had passed identical resolutions. 63-signature petition submitted in support. | Approved 4–1 |
| FY2025–26 Budget — Public Hearing | Continuation. Key issues: non-union salary increases, 50% water rate increase, fire hydrant rentals, $700K levy miscalculation disclosed. | Continued to June 23 |
| Police Vehicle — Ford Explorer | $74,931.30 total. $51,995 covered by federal JAG grant; $22,936.30 from cruiser detail fund. | Approved |
| Code of Conduct | Proposed code of conduct for boards and committees. Substantive objections raised including First Amendment concerns and censure mechanism. Solicitor to research case law. | Continued pending research |
| Material Sand & Stone — GZA Expert | $10,000 proposal from GZA Environmental for expert review of hearing testimony. | Informational |
| Material Sand & Stone — Road Use Permit | One-year permit with $150,000 bond. One member recused as abutter. | Approved 4–0 |
| MySenior Center Software | $8,500 one-time, $2,100/year. Grant-funded senior services tracking system. | Approved |
| Tax Ordinance — Ch. 301 | First reading. Public hearing and second reading scheduled for June 26. | Accepted (first reading) |
Key issues and discussion
Gun Control Resolution — Opposition to RI 2024 Legislation
A resolution opposing Rhode Island’s 2024 gun control legislation was introduced, noting 15 other RI cities and towns had passed identical resolutions. James Oven (158 CIDMA) submitted a 63-signature petition in support. The resolution was framed around constitutional originalism, arguing the legislation disarms law-abiding citizens while criminals will disregard restrictions. The resolution passed 4–1, with DeCristofaro as the sole dissent.
FY2025–26 Budget — Public Hearing (Continued)
The budget public hearing continued with extensive testimony from department heads and budget committee members. Budget committee member Mike Davis disclosed a $700,000 levy miscalculation in the administration’s original proposal: the town was told the levy was at the 4% maximum when it was actually closer to 2.5%.
Davis also flagged a proposed 50% water rate increase, questioned why the town pays rental fees for non-functional Woonsocket fire hydrants (rental up 30%), and opposed large non-union salary increases without quantitative data supporting claimed market gaps. The committee had requested a Lincoln-style salary analysis; when they asked to see Lincoln’s actual study, they were told to file individual APRA requests.
Budget committee chair Douglas Oja echoed the committee’s independence, suggested shared software licensing, and raised concerns about the senior services procurement process. Fire Chief and DPW Director both requested specific line-item adjustments. The finance director flagged an $8,500 e-finance system upgrade required for FY2026. The hearing was continued to June 23.
Code of Conduct for Boards & Committees
DeCristofaro introduced a proposed code of conduct for all elected and appointed officials serving on town boards and committees. The proposal included a signature requirement acknowledging receipt and agreement, and a censure mechanism by majority vote for violations.
Substantive objections were raised, including concerns that the censure mechanism was “ripe for abuse” and that requiring signatures could implicate First Amendment rights. A Maine Supreme Court case (Libby v. Fecto), in which a legislative censure of a minority member was struck down, was cited and the solicitor was asked to research its applicability.
The item was continued pending the solicitor’s research on First Amendment case law and the applicability of anti-harassment/anti-discrimination policies to elected and appointed officials versus employees.
Material Sand & Stone — Expert and Road Use Permit
GZA Environmental was selected at $10,000 to provide expert review of testimony Material Sand & Stone’s experts had already given in ongoing hearings. The planner was directed to confirm with Material’s attorney that they would cover the fee.
The council also approved a one-year road use permit with a $150,000 bond (4–0, one member recused as an abutter). During closing forum, Richard Grubb (Violet Street) presented a detailed complaint about the permit process: the original permit was approved in executive session with no prior public comment, a resident who asked about the permit’s status at a later meeting was met with silence even though a new permit had already been signed, and the permit conditions lack enforcement mechanisms.
Senior Services Transition — Procurement Concerns
The MySenior Center software purchase ($8,500 one-time, $2,100/year, grant-funded) was approved unanimously, but the discussion expanded into broader questions about the town’s transition away from Aging Well (Woonsocket) to a town-run senior services program.
Budget committee chair Douglas Oja raised concern about the administration helping build a board of directors for a specific entity, calling it “backroom politics.” He argued the town should issue an RFP so the best-qualified operator comes forward, rather than steering the contract to a specific person. The administrator clarified he was assembling volunteers, not hiring, and supports a 501(c)(3) structure. The budget line was labeled “North Smithfield Senior Services” to preserve flexibility.
Public comments
| Speaker | Summary |
|---|---|
| James Oven 158 CIDMA, (Opening Forum) |
Submitted a 63-signature petition in support of the gun control opposition resolution. Posed a rhetorical question about the constitutional argument for bearing arms in the context of those who call the current administration tyrannical. |
| Mike Davis Budget Committee member, (Budget Hearing) |
Defended budget committee’s independence. Disclosed $700K levy miscalculation. Flagged 50% water rate increase and 30% fire hydrant rental increase for non-functional hydrants. Opposed non-union salary increases without quantitative market data. Committee was told to file APRA requests to see Lincoln’s salary study. |
| Douglas Oja 1984 Providence Pike, Budget Committee Chair, (Budget Hearing) |
Echoed committee’s collaborative approach. Suggested shared software licensing. On senior services: raised concern about steering a contract to a specific entity without competitive process, calling it “backroom politics.” Argued the town should issue an RFP. |
| Fire Chief (Budget Hearing) |
Requested $3,378.71 increase to vehicle maintenance budget for spare engine rebuild parts cost increase. |
| Ray Pendergast Director of Public Works, (Budget Hearing) |
Requested DPW software/licenses increase ($3,156 to $5,916) for vendor price increase. Noted Animal Control position reclassification from Supervisor to Officer. |
| Richard Grubb Violet Street, (Closing Forum) |
Detailed complaint about Material Sand & Stone road use permit process: approved in executive session without public comment; resident’s inquiry met with silence despite permit already signed; conditions described as unenforceable “paper tigers” with no fines. |