Gene Allen

The public hearings for the Zoning Board of Review included consideration and potential action on two applications. Old Business involved an appeal by April Harris regarding the Town of Smithfield Building/Zoning Official's denial of an annual school inspection compliance letter for property at 311 Stillwater Road. New Business included a request by Frank D'Andrea for a variance to install an inground pool in the side yard at 31 Greenlake Drive, deviating from zoning ordinance § 6.4.1. The agenda also allotted time for deliberations on these specific public hearing matters and an open public comment period.

The agenda for the meeting included reviewing the Treasurer's report and discussing new and old business items. Key discussion points centered on volunteer outreach, filling open positions, and updates from the Conservation Commission and Technical Review Committee. Significant time was allocated to Property Updates, including tracking completed and signed-up properties, and addressing property additions, trail marking (specifically Clark Road), GIS mapping for Swan Woods Reserve, and signage installation. A work session was planned to discuss digital organization tools like Arc GIS, Facebook, and Google Drive. Event planning covered the Land & Water Summit and Earth Day clean-up activities. The meeting concluded with an Executive Closed Session regarding real estate acquisition or lease discussions, followed by reconvening for public comment.

The meeting included an executive session to discuss personnel matters, including interviewing candidates for town boards/commissions and discussing an Injured On Duty Police Officer status, as well as collective bargaining negotiations for police and firefighter union contracts. The open session featured special recognitions for several Police Department personnel, including Detective Lieutenant Douglas Cerce, Commercial Enforcement Officer Neil Marcoccio, Officer Daniel Wise, and Officer Jeffrey Cooper for various traffic and investigative awards. Action items included considering and acting upon several board appointments and reappointments, such as the Board of Canvassers and Board of Assessment Review. Public hearings were scheduled to consider the adoption of the Capital Improvements Program Plan for 2027-2046 and approvals for Intoxicating Beverage License renewals. New business included authorizing requests for proposals for water main extension, street paving, and pavement crack sealing services. The council also authorized a contract for architectural services for the Overbrook Academy project and discussed the necessity of a financial review committee, ultimately voting to rescind a prior resolution and establish a Town Manager's Financial Expenditure and Management Review Team instead. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to Council Member Toppi's proposal for mandatory annual reports from all boards and commissions to enhance transparency for the public and the council.

The executive session agenda included consideration, discussion, and potential action on matters related to potential litigation pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws Section 42-46-5 (a) (2). Following the executive session, there was a motion to seal the minutes of the Executive Closed Session held on the same date, and a subsequent motion to reconvene into Open/Public Session to announce any required closed session votes.

The agenda for the meeting included the approval of minutes from a previous session, review and approval of the January 2026 check register, and a review of financials through January. New business focused on the Feeney Pinkerton SHA Contract extension proposal. The board also discussed motions related to going into executive session to discuss personnel matters. The extracted minutes from the previous January 7, 2026 meeting detail discussions on approving December 2025 financials, staff raises, a longevity payment policy, the medical buyout policy, flat rent increases, and pet policy concerns. The January meeting also covered the election of officers, with the Chair and Vice Chair nominated and approved.