The North Smithfield Police Department has been housed in the former Bushee School since the 1980s. While our officers have been working in a building deemed "uninsurable," the town's leadership has struggled to deliver a transparent plan for necessary renovations. This timeline tracks the journey from a 2014 renovation bond to the current $9 million funding request, documenting a legacy of fiscal mismanagement.
North Smithfield Police Station
The Detailed Timeline: 2014–2026
2014: The $5.3 Million Earmark
November 2014: North Smithfield voters approved a $12 million bond for the renovation of various town buildings. $5.3 million of that bond was specifically earmarked for the former Bushee School to house the police station.
2020: The Missing Millions Surface
January 2020: The town council was considering rebuilding, rather than renovating, the police station. Town residents questioned where the $5.3 million was spent and what remained to cover ongoing renovation needs.
August 2020: The Town Council reported that only $1.4 million of the original 2014 bond remained. The remaining millions were spent on other "undisclosed projects" without the police station ever being renovated. The Council voted to hire a new architect (replacing SignalWorks) to consider building a brand-new station instead of renovating the existing one.
2021: Expensive Studies and New Plans
January 2021: Taxpayers paid $50,000 to Hartford-based Tecton Architects to study the site.
April 2021: Tecton identified major structural issues and recommended a new building with an $18.3 million price tag. Residents immediately criticized the scale, noting the proposed station was larger than those in towns with double our population.
2022: Uninsurable and Unstable
January 2022: The town was officially notified that the police station was uninsurable without immediate renovations.
September 2022: The town approved $80,000 for short-term "band-aid" repairs to keep the building minimally usable. The Council opted not to put a new bond on the ballot yet due to a lack of a clear scope.
2023: The $20 Million Bond Failure
May 2023: Against warnings that a backup plan was needed in case the ballot initiative failed, the Council put a $20 million bond on the ballot. Another $1 million was spent on emergency repairs just to keep the building insurable. Voters rejected the $20 million bond. The town, having no backup plan, returned to square one.
2024: A Return to the Original Architect
May 2024: The Council decided the Bushee School building could be saved through renovation. They rehired Eric Army of SignalWorks (initially hired in 2016). Despite his lack of public safety complex experience, his plan focused on cost-effective, triaged priorities.
2025: Costs Skyrocket in 30 Days
October 2025: A renovation estimate was presented for $4 million ($3M bond, $1M grant).
November 2025: Within just one month, the projected cost climbed to $9 million. The original $5.3 million from 2014 remained entirely unaccounted for.
2026: The February 3rd Bond Vote
January 2026: The Town Council returned to the voters, asking for a new $9 million bond to renovate the same structure they were funded to fix in 2014. The bond was approved by voters on February 3rd.
Demand Accountability for North Smithfield’s $9 Million police station bond.
A voluntary code is a suggestion, not a standard. North Smithfield deserves a government that is accountable to its people, not one that operates above the rules.
Email the Council: Demand that financial records related to the police station renovation be made public.
Attend meetings: Make sure you and your neighbor are aware of decisions and expenses related to the police station.
Vote: In November, elect fiscally responsible leaders who pledge to account for public dollars in a transparent manner.