Development News for Smithfield, Rhode Island
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06/02/2026 Smithfield Town Council Meeting
Tuesday, Jun 2, 2026
Smithfield Council Approves $50 Sewer Fee Increase, Orders Development of Tiered Usage System
The council discussed and ultimately approved a $50 increase to the sewer fee for fiscal year 2027, with a mandate for the town engineer to develop a tiered system based on consumption and report progress by May 31st, 2027. This decision follows extensive public comment and council deliberation regarding the financial health of the sewer authority, which is projected to be depleted by 2029 if no action is taken. The rate increase aims to address infrastructure and operational costs, as well as to move towards a fairer system reflecting actual usage.
Residents, Council Members Raise Concerns Over Collective Bargaining Agreement Transparency
During public comment, residents and council members expressed concerns regarding the process of approving collective bargaining agreements. Specifically, the timing of when these agreements are made available to the public and the council for review was questioned. There's a desire for greater transparency, with calls for draft agreements or fact sheets to be released to the public well before a vote, to allow for public input and more thorough council review. Current practices and state statutes were discussed in relation to what can be kept confidential and what should be public information.
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