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REPORT CARD

WE LISTENED — WE PROMISED — WE DELIVERED

DEMOCRATS MOVE SMITHFIELD FORWARD

The Town Council, School Committee, and our State Legislators have worked cooperatively to move the Town and Schools forward. They shared a strong focus on maintaining fiscal responsibility, planning for the future of our students, upgrading the Town's aging infrastructure, and minimizing the tax burden on citizens through legislation, obtaining grants, securing additional state aid, and implementing creative cost-saving measures.

FINANCIAL

  • Preserved the senior tax freeze

  • Provided residents with no tax increase in two out of the last three years

  • Hired a grant writer who secured over $3 million in grant funds

  • Worked to repeal the car tax

  • Fought for our veterans by exempting their military pensions from taxation

  • Supported $250 per child RI Economic Stimulus Payments to families

  • Voted against the gasoline tax

  • Executed a solar agreement, projected to save taxpayers $12 million over the next 25-years

  • Approved a low-interest loan program for residents to borrow for septic system repairs

SCHOOLS

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  • Allocated funds to rebuild the Boyle Athletic Complex

  • Upgraded sound, lighting, and projection systems in the high school auditorium

  • Completed renovations and additions to our three elementary schools on time and on budget

  • Approved school energy upgrades projected to reduce yearly costs by $84,000, significantly reducing our carbon footprint and saving approximately $1.7 million over a 20-year period

  • Secured an additional $75,000 in state aid for schools

QUALITY OF LIFE

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  • Committed funding for construction of the amphitheater, outdoor skating rink, and splash park at Deerfield Park

  • Funded the renovations of the East Smithfield Neighborhood Center

  • Worked with Dog Park Committee to open 1st ever Town Dog Park

  • Allocated $1.5 million for paving and sidewalks, tripling the investment

  • Preserved 114 acres of open space in Camp Shepard

  • Pledged yearly contributions for Capital Improvements in the schools

  • Implemented a monthly newsletter, in conjunction with the Town Manager, to maintain transparency and keep residents informed

PRESERVING OUR SENIOR TAX FREEZE

Council Vice President Sean Kilduff and Council members T. Michael Lawton and Angelica Bovis, along with candidates John J. Tassoni Jr. and Kate Zimmerman believe it is important to continue making Smithfield affordable for our seniors and are committed to maintaining our senior tax freeze. We also feel strongly that potential opportunities for construction of new senior housing facilities should be explored. The Town’s recent $300,000 grant award will be utilized for needed renovations to the Senior Center, further ensuring that our senior community remains a priority.

Seniors are a vibrant segment of our community, and it is our obligation to ensure that their quality of life is maintained.

TAX RELIEF FOR RESIDENTS

Smithfield's legislative delegation prioritized adopting state budgets that bring tax relief to Smithfield residents. Representatives Gregory Costantino and Bernard Hawkins were determined to fight for the complete elimination of the onerous car tax. As a result of their hard work the car tax was repealed a year early, providing Smithfield residents much needed tax relief. They also fought for our veterans by exempting their pensions from taxation.

LEGISLATORS SUPPORT AN EQUITABLE STATE AID FORMULA

Town legislators supported the formation of a special legislative committee to re-examine the school funding formula. Costantino stated, “The constant fluctuations in state aid need to be addressed to ensure that our school department and our students do not get short changed." When Smithfield lost state aid, both Hawkins and Costantino stepped up to the plate and worked hard to restore an additional $75,000. Hawkins, a former Town Council President, stated "I have seen firsthand the impact of how drastic changes in the state aid funding formula impact Town budgets.”

Senate 22 Candidate David Tikoian agreed “As your Smithfield legislative delegation, we will continue to be tenacious in fighting for a more equitable school funding formula.”

REBUILDING BOYLE ATHLETIC COMPLEX

The current Town Council appropriated over $1.6 million and the School Committee over $2 million to rebuild the Boyle Athletic Complex. The project is tentatively scheduled to begin in Spring 2023 and will qualify for 35-50% reimbursement from the state. “Upon completion, it will be a state-of-the-art facility that our students and residents can enjoy both for school events and active recreation.” stated Council Vice President Kilduff. The project funding also included major HVAC and energy efficiency improvements to the middle and high schools.

IT'S AN "ALL STUDENT" AGENDA

The School Committee and Town Council are proud that renovations and additions to LaPerche, Old County, and Pleasant View Schools were completed on time and on budget. The RI Department of Education hailed the work as a model to follow. This once-in-a-generation investment in our schools provides our elementary students with an educational environment which is second to none and includes:
 

  • New gymnasiums at LaPerche and Pleasant View and a renovated gymnasium at Old County

  • New art rooms, media centers and maker spaces

  • Early childhood education classrooms and new classroom spaces


The School Committee was persistent and as a result, state of the art lighting, sound, and projection systems were installed in the SHS Auditorium. These upgrades have enhanced our performing arts programs and are an asset to our town. The media center at Gallagher Middle School was also renovated, providing an engaging learning environment for our students.

School Committee candidate Elizabeth (Beth) Worthley praised the committee for these accomplishments and added “We must continue to focus on needed upgrades to our middle and high school, working to provide ALL our students with state-of-the-art facilities.” Candidates Aaron Bishop and Kristina A. Fox concurred with Elizabeth (Beth) Worthley but did not stop there. Bishop added “In addition, it is essential that we continue supporting teachers in developing and implementing curriculum that meet the academic needs of ALL our students.” He notes that his children attend LaPerche, one of 3 Blue Ribbon Schools in the State and one of approximately 325 in the country. Fox went on to say, "We must also continue to support the growth of programs and curriculum that help ALL students feel safe, respected, included, and prepared for success."

Our School Committee candidates will work as a team with current members in maintaining a positive relationship with the Council, fostering collaborative relationships with the school community, and continuing to support programs that move our district forward in the best interest of ALL our students.

TOWN FINANCES A PRIORITY

As a result of strong fiscal oversight, the Town Council has adopted two no tax increase budgets in the last three years. Council Vice President Sean Kilduff, Councilman T. Michael Lawton, and Councilwoman Angelica Bovis, along with council candidates, Budget and Financial Review Chairperson, Kate Zimmerman, and former State Senator John J. Tassoni, Jr. pledge to continue making strong fiscal oversight of Town finances a priority. Through the hiring of a grant writer, the Town aggressively pursued opportunities and received over $3 million dollars in grant funds. These monies are being utilized for the following projects:
 

  • Upgrade the Town's aging wastewater treatment facility

  • Renovate the East Smithfield Neighborhood Center

  • Build an amphitheater at Deerfield Park

  • Construct an outdoor skating rink and a splash park at Deerfield

  • Facilitate infrastructure improvements within the Economic Growth Overlay District.


The team agrees that the Town Council must continue being creative in its efforts to raise revenue and follow through on grant opportunities to fund capital projects. Councilman and Senate candidate David Tikoian expressed "Each dollar obtained through grant funding is one less dollar in revenue the Town needs to collect from our taxpayers."

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Councilman Lawton expressed "We believe it is essential to engage with residents and build upon the sense of community that makes Smithfield the perfect Town in which to live."

As we emerged from the pandemic, our Town Council and School Committee members believed it was extremely important that our residents return to the quality of life they experienced prior to COVID. Based on guidance from the RIDOH and RIDE, the School Committee implemented a plan which included cautions to minimize the spread of COVID and a return to in-person learning for K-6 students and hybrid learning for 7-12 students. Elected officials canvassed neighborhoods to conduct a post Covid assessment to address issues that may have arisen during the pandemic. The Council engaged our Smithfield Youth Council to work with Town officials on various civic projects including the cleanup of Town trails.

We recognize that community engagement must extend to our youth, who are our future leaders. Walking throughout the town also gave us the opportunity to engage with residents and assure them that as elected officials, we will continue listening to their concerns.

CAMP SHEPARD - PRESERVED OPEN SPACE

The Council has formally begun the process of developing a master plan for the 114-acre Camp Shepard site by appointing a committee of Town residents to solicit input and formulate ideas as to future recreational uses. Community participation and transparency is paramount in this process.

"The fact that Smithfield is able to preserve land from development so that our residents can enjoy additional recreational opportunities is a big win for all!” exclaimed Councilwoman Bovis.

ECONOMIC EXPANSION THRIVES

Our Democratic Town Council candidates believe that responsible expansion of the Town's economy consistent with our Comprehensive Plan is essential to expand our commercial tax base and reduce the financial burden on our homeowners.

Councilman Tikoian pledges that, as Senator, he will advocate for legislative policies that enhance our economic growth.

Since January 2020, the Town has witnessed a flurry of economic activity. Fidelity Investments announced the creation of 500 jobs and Brown Medicine completed a 5,200 square foot space to service our community.

The Town's unique access to Route 295 and proximity to Boston are factors which help create business opportunities within the Town's Economic Growth Overlay District. Responsible planning will help create jobs in Smithfield, providing our residents opportunities to be employed in the community in which they live.

Candidate Tassoni emphasized “It is imperative that we promote our local economy in order to attract new businesses and retain existing businesses.” Candidate Zimmerman continued “As a group we must listen to concerns of our business owners and demonstrate that we are a business-friendly community deeply committed to ensuring their success.”

LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATES ON RHODE ISLAND TAX STRUCTURE

Representatives Bernie Hawkins and Greg Costantino, along with Councilman and Senate 22 candidate David Tikoian agrees it is imperative that Rhode Island reform its tax structure in a manner that not only provides relief to our residents but also makes RI competitive with neighboring states.

Tikoian added “The expenditure of taxpayer dollars needs to be managed in a manner that eliminates waste, encourages shared municipal services, supports our students, and encourages job expansion.”

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