NORTH SMITHFIELD TOWN COUNCIL AUGUST 1, 2022
83 GREENE STREET, NORTH SMITHFIELD, RI 02896 6:45 P.M.
PARTICIPATION FOR THIS MEETING WILL BE IN-PERSON ONLY.


The meeting will also be livestream. Please join the meeting (viewing only) from your computer, tablet, or smartphone by clicking on this link:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFgw5KxL950ZgZ_DKz8B-MQ

or go to the North Smithfield YouTube page - North Smithfield Town Meetings

**If technical difficulties occur during livestream the above specified meeting will resume as scheduled.

Documents related to the meeting will be posted on the Town Council’s page of the Town’s website on Monday August 1, 2022, at 4:00 p.m., see link here:

https://clerkshq.com/NorthSmithfield-ri


I. OPEN MEETING – PRAYER – PLEDGE
II. ROLL CALL
III. OPEN FORUM PURSUANT TO 42-46-6 (d) (Maximum 15 minutes)
IV. DISCUSSION BY COUNCIL, VOTE, OR OTHER ACTION ON PAYMENT OF BILLS FOR JULY
V. EXECUTIVE SESSION (Closed Session)
A. Discussion By Council, Vote, or Other Action on RIGL 42-46-5(A)(2) Sessions Pertaining to Collective Bargaining or Litigation or Potential Litigation
1. Potential Litigation
VI. PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE NORTH SMITHFIELD ZONING ORDINANCE SECTION 13 TITLED “AMENDMENTS” - Jeffrey Harris
A. Continuation of Public Hearing
B. Discussion by Council, Vote, or Other Action on 2nd Reading
VII. OLD BUSINESS
A. Discussion by Council, Vote, or Other Action on Update of Halliwell Review Committee – Mr. Corriveau
B. Discussion by Council, Vote, or Other Action on Update of Municipal Building Review Task Force – Mr. Nordstrom
VIII. NEW BUSINESS
A. Discussion by Council, Vote, or Other Action on Abatements/Supplementals– Ms. St. George
B. Discussion by Council, Vote, or Other Action on 2022-2023 Rhode Island Low-Income Home Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) Contractor Agreement – Ms. DeJesus
C. Discussion by Council, Vote, or Other Action on North Smithfield Fire and Rescue Contract and Addendum (July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2025)
1. Authorization of Signature – Contract
2. Authorization of Signature – Addendum
D. Discussion by Council, Vote, or Other Action on National Grid Pole Installation - Located on Pine Hill Road, Plat 7- Lot 38 – Mr. Pendergast
E. Discussion by Council, Vote, or Other Action on Public Works Purchase of Loader Forks – Mr. Pendergast
F. Discussion by Council, Vote, or Other Action on Departmental Budget Transfer – Ms. DeJesus
G. Discussion by Council, Vote, or Other Action on Appointments to Boards/Commissions
1. Sewer Commission– Completion of a Five Year Term Ending 11/30/2026 (Appt by TC)
IX. ADJOURN


Individuals requesting special assistance should contact the Town Clerk’s Office at 767-2200, ext. 326 seventy-two (72) hours in advance of the meeting date. 

Agenda posted July 28, 2022.

The Biden administration is telling House Speaker Mike Johnson it's up to state governors to decide if the National Guard is needed to subdue pro-Palestine protests on college campuses. Johnson called on President Biden to call in the National Guard after visiting Columbia University on Wednesday. The Speaker said "there is an appropriate time for the National Guard" if the protests aren't contained quickly.       The Supreme Court is considering whether Donald Trump is immune from criminal prosecution for acts he took in office. The case before them Thursday centered around Trump's federal election interference charges. Trump's attorney argued prosecuting a president for official acts "incompatible" with Constitution. The special counsel attorney argued the Constitution does not grant a president absolute immunity.       Librarians in Alabama could face criminal charges if a newly-passed bill becomes law. The Republican-controlled state House of Representatives passed a bill where librarians at public libraries or public schools can be arrested if accused of distributing material considered "obscene." The bill passed on a party-line vote of 72-to-28. The bill originally called for the offense to be a Class C felony with a maximum ten-year sentence, but was changed to a Class C misdemeanor with a maximum three-month sentence.       Kim Kardashian is promoting criminal justice reform at the White House. The reality TV star joined Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday to help promote a new rule from the Small Business Administration that will lift loan restrictions for people with criminal records. Kardashian is a long-time advocate for non-violent drug offenders, and helped elevate the issue during the Trump administration.       A New Hampshire man is avoiding jail time in his sentence for making a hoax bomb threat at Harvard as part of an extortion scheme. William Giordani yesterday pleaded guilty to the charge of concealing a federal felony, and was sentenced to three years of probation. Giordani allegedly placed a tool bag that was rigged to look like an explosive device at the Harvard Science Center Plaza. He then called Harvard Police claiming to have placed three bombs on campus, demanding bitcoin to stop the bombs from exploding.       Buying a home is now more expensive than ever. A new report from Redfin found the median home price in the United States is now over 383-thousand-dollars, a record high. The economic research lead with Redfin says prices may drop slightly in the coming months, but buyers should accept that "housing costs are likely to remain elevated for the foreseeable future."