Foster Town Budget Meeting

The Financial Town Meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 5th, 2015 at the Captain Isaac Paine School. This is the meeting where taxpayers vote on the upcoming budget. Our Financial Town Meetings include participation from taxpayers where you are allowed to ask questions, offer opinions and even make motions to increase or decrease items in the budget. Below is the link to view the adopted budget for fiscal year 2015-2016. It is broken down so that you can see the increase or decrease in each line item for the upcoming year and for a few years back.

http://www.townoffoster.com/pdf/finance/2015-16%20TC%20Adopted%20Budget.pdf

Glocester Tax Payments Due May 1st

TOWN OF GLOCESTER FOURTH quarterly tax payment is due on MAY 1, 2015   POSTED APRIL 23, 2015Taxes unpaid after June 1, 2015 are subject to an 8% penalty (per annum) on the unpaid quarter(s) retroactive to August 1, 2014.
Failure to receive a tax bill/notice does not excuse the non-payment of the tax or any related interest/penalty.
Town Hall Hours are Mon. - Fri. 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.
Tax Collector phone- 568-6206, ext 4.
Payment Drop Box for your convenience.
Visa/Mastercard-glocesterri.org-Tax Collector

Avoid Paying Penalty-Interest On Your Taxes  POSTED SEPTEMBER 23, 2014The Town of Glocester is accepting electronic payments for real estate, tangible and motor vehicle taxes. To sign up for this no-cost direct payment service, complete the application form and return it to the Tax Collector’s office with a voided check or deposit slip. If you prefer, contact the Tax Collector’s Office (401-568-6206, ext 4).

April 20, 2015, Part 1 of 3, North Smithfield Town Council Meeting

April 19, 2015, Part 2 of 3, North Smithfield Town Council Meeting

April 19, 2015, Part 3 of 3, North Smithfield Town Council Meeting

04-22-15 Burrillville Town Council Regular Meeting - Apr 22nd, 2015

04-22-15 Burrillville Town Council Regular Meeting - Apr 22nd, 2015

Click on Red Link for the Video

North. Smithfield,R.I. News: Grants Provide Energy Boost to Solarize Program — ecoRI News

Grants Provide Energy Boost to Solarize Program — ecoRI News

Click on Grants, for the complete story on North Smithfield Solar.

Governor Raimondo Says Stadium Deal Not Fair; Owners Demand State Funding !

Kate Nagle, GoLocal Contributor

 

Go Local Photo
 

The owners of the Pawtucket Red Sox and their advisors at Monday's 195 Commission

The new owners of the Pawtucket Red Sox told the 195 Commission that a Providence stadium would be contingent on a public private partnership -- and Governor Gina Raimondo deemed the current deal "unfair" to Rhode Islanders.

Following the unveiling of the proposal of an $85 million stadium with a thirty year lease deal that would cost taxpayers $4 million a year, the owners presented their vision - and demands -- to the 195 Commission on Monday at the Commerce RI office.
"We can't do it by ourselves," said Red Sox CEO and PawSox owner Larry Luchino.  "It requires public-private partnership in this day and the age."
Raimondo, who wasn't present on Monday, issued a statement following the meeting in which she deemed the current proposal unfair to the state.
"I would love it if the PawSox stayed in Rhode Island, and the idea of a multi-use stadium in downtown Providence is exciting. But it's my job to look out for Rhode Island taxpayers, and I take that job very seriously," said Raimondo. "From what I understand of the owners' initial proposal, it appears that Rhode Island taxpayers would pay most, if not all of the cost of building the new stadium, yet the owners would stand to receive all of the profits. That isn't fair for Rhode Islanders."
"We look forward to receiving much more information about alternative financial proposals, and I remain committed to working with Mayor Elorza, the Speaker, and the Senate President to evaluate whether we can find a framework with the team's owners that will benefit Rhode Island," said Raimondo.

Go Local Photo

Opponents line the back of the room at Commerce RI

New 195 Chairman Joe Azrack opened the meeting by saying that a "fair deal" is was what the Commission would be looking for from the new owners.

"We need to ensure this a fair deal for the people of Rhode Island as well as the team's owners," said Azrak.
New information emerged Monday including parking, traffic, and visitor expectations, which did little to placate the opponents who filled the back of the room with signs.
"We're still in the early innings of this game," Lucchino told the Commission.  "We deserve some blame for not enumerating the public benefits that flow from this. This is an urban planning asset for you -- an opportunity to do something with this land, [for] the ancillary development."
195 Commission member Barrett Bready voiced concerns about the use -- and cost -- of the land during the question and answer segment.
"You're putting forward the ballpark as a way of attracting companies here. But clearly if the state is willing to sign a 30 year commitment at four to five million [a] year, there are much more direct ways to attract life sciences," said Bready, to applause in the audience.
"You have to account for other private development that this creates," Skeffington responded. "We're making it in a way that will continue..future growth.  Yes, there are other ways you can spend the money -- but there aren't other ways to bring in one million people a year downtown."

Go Local Photo

A speaking program took place prior to the meeting on Monday by opponents

Prior to the meeting, opponents to the stadium deal turned out for a speaking program held outside the Commerce RI offices.

The group included representatives from RI Progressive Democrats, RI Republican Party, Green Party of RI, DARE, RI Tea Party, Occupy Providence, and the Sierra Club.
Dave Fisher, co-host of The Coalition radio, spoke to the movement.
"We hear the owners are still committed to the 195 land, but we contend this isn't the highest nor the best use of the land," said Fisher.  "And we continue to reiterate that any taxpayer dollars that would be acceptable for the stadium are...0

Foster Town Council Meeting 4-23-2015

State Arbor Day Program to be Held on Friday, April 24 at Rhode Island College's Outdoor Bee Education Center

By Wayne G. Barber


DEM'S Janet Coit

       PROVIDENCE – The Department of Environmental Management announces that the annual Rhode Island Arbor Day celebration will be held on Friday, April 24 at Rhode Island College ’s Outdoor Bee Education Center . The Center is located on the RIC campus at 600 Mount Pleasant Avenue in Providence .   

            Participants in the 10 a.m. program will include DEM Director Janet Coit; Rhode Island College President Nancy Carriuolo; US Senator Jack Reed; North Providence Mayor Charles Lombardi; and RI State Forester Bruce Payton.  Members of the Rhode Island College Environmental Club, along with students from the Cooperative Preschool at Rhode Island College , will also take part in the program.  In addition to the planting of two red maple trees, the event will feature a reading of the official State Arbor Day proclamation and the announcement of America The Beautiful tree grants and Tree City USA community designations.

 

This year's Arbor Day celebration at Rhode Island College will add beauty and increase tree canopy cover to the newly-opened and custom-designed outdoor classroom. The Bee Education Center and apiary are part of the college’s Urban and Community Farming Initiative, which include a campus garden and farmers market. The ceremony will highlight the important Green Initiative work that Rhode Island College students and staff have undertaken to safeguard the environment and promote eco-friendly practices through sustainability programming and education. 

 





Ponagansett High School Earns Green Ribbon Award

Ponaganset High School 
 By Wayne G.Barber

Ponaganset High school

Ponaganset High School was one of the first schools to participate in the Rhode Island Solar on Schools program and has been generating electricity for more than a decade using 20 photovoltaic panels.

The Green Ribbon Awards 
The U.S. Department of Education honored 58 schools and 14 districts this year for their exemplary efforts to reduce environmental impact and utility costs.
The Department of Education evaluate the schools that applied for Green Ribbon awards on three criteria such as, reducing environmental impact and costs, improving the health and wellness of students and staff, and providing effective environmental and sustainability education incorporating STEM.
Previous RI Winners 
The six previous winners from Rhode Island are:
·       The Compass School, a charter public school in South Kingstown
·       The Claiborne Pell Elementary School, in Newport
·       The Greene School, a charter public school in West Greenwich
·       Classical High School, Nathan Bishop Middle School, and the Providence Career and Technical Academy, all in Providence
For more information

DEM Calls on Rhode Islanders to Celebrate Earth Day 2015

By Wayne G. Barber 

 

PROVIDENCE - On this 45^th anniversary of Earth Day, the Department of Environmental Management is encouraging Rhode Islanders to mark the occasion by joining a local clean up, taking easy steps to improve the environment, or simply getting outdoors and enjoying nature in state parks and management areas.

 

"Earth Day is a great time to roll up your sleeves and get involved in a community cleanup project," said DEM Director Janet Coit. "Throughout the week, volunteers in communities from Woonsocket to Westerly will be helping to beautify local neighborhoods and Rhode Island 's scenic and recreation areas.  Getting involved in these Earth Day projects is also a great way for people to practice environmental stewardship."

Since its start in 1970, Earth Day has served as a yearly catalyst for ongoing environmental education, action and change.  Activities surrounding Earth Day rekindle personal commitment and broaden the base of public involvement through active participation in a wide variety of events.  "Earth Day reminds us to take care of the lands and the waters that sustain us," Director Coit added.  "That responsibility requires action every day of the year."

 

Getting outdoors is also a great way to celebrate Earth Day.  Rhode Island is fortunate to have an abundance of easily accessible parks, beaches, management areas and bike paths where families can picnic, walk, bike, fish, or just enjoy the natural beauty. Getting out in nature is good for body and soul. Rhode Island has 14 state beaches, seven major state parks, 40,000 acres of state rural forestland, and over 400 miles of shoreline providing a diverse amount of conservation land and access points.

The Department is also encouraging Rhode Islanders to "Take 3." Take 3 is a call to action that encourages citizens to raise their environmental consciousness by committing to take three easy steps to improve the environment. Take 3 suggests dozens of ways to save energy, conserve water, reduce waste and respect nature. Take 3 suggestions are available at www.dem.ri.gov/earthdayx3.pdf. 

 

"Earth Day reminds us to take care of the lands and waters that sustain us," added Director Coit. "That responsibility requires action every day of the year."

 

For additional information on Earth Day, visit http://www2.epa.gov/earthday

 

Glocester: Invitation For Bid 2015-1 & Request for Proposals 2015-2

Public Notices

The following notices have been posted by the Town Clerk's Office:

INVITATION FOR BID 2015-01   POSTED APRIL 15, 2015FOSS EARTH SCIENCE KITS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENTBid documents can be obtained by clicking on the link below or at the School Business Office, Glocester Town Hall, PO Drawer B, 1145 Putnam Pike, Chepachet, RI 02814 on or after April 15, 2015 between the hours of 8:00am and 4:30pm. Bids must be submitted to the School Business Office by 3:30pm on April 27, 2015. Bids will be opened on same date at 4:00pm.

• Bid Documents

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS 2015-02   POSTED APRIL 8, 2015PROFESSIONAL AUDITING SERVICES, AGREED-UPON PROCEDURES SERVICESThe Town of Glocester is requesting proposals from qualified independent public accounting firms or accountants to conduct an examination and to render an opinion on the comprehensive annual financial statements of the town. Proposal deadline: 3:00pm, Monday, April 27, 2015.

Fire destroys multiple homes on waterfront in Burrillville

Fire destroys multiple homes in Burrillville - The fire was on Bethany Lane. The 27 summer homes were off Reservoir Road, Pascoag, R.I. just after Ice House Lane on the right heading towards Rt.44
 At about 3:00am Monday April 20, 2015 residents on Pascoag Reservoir noticed a large ball of fire across the lake and called Pascoag Fire Dept. The 3 cottage fire was fully engulfed and turned into a drowning of the fire and for protection of the closely settled summer cottages. A neighbor allegedly was doing spring yard work Sunday and burned the cleanup in a fire pit and thought every ember was out.
  Deputy Fire Chief  Michael Gingell of the Harrisville Fire Dept. said, 'any person who pulls a fire permit is liable for any and all fire suppression costs and any damages resulting from any escaped and/or uncontrolled fire."
 This is a single lane dirt road access 8 to 10 feet wide with no town water hydrants which hampered the firemens battle to contain the blaze.
 The properties were at 164, 184and 190 Bethany Lane and 184 is owned by Ron Girard of North Smithfield and he said  on Monday that the cottages in the neighborhood were built on leased land and that the owner did not allow people to stay there until the summer season begins in the month of May.
 Girard also said the ranch style house he owned on Bethany Lane was insured and if he is allowed that he intends to rebuild.
 "These things happen", Girard said. No injuries were reported.
 The Fire Marshall will sort this one out and it remains to be seen if R.I. DEM will permit rebuilding on such small lots with no town water or sewers on this isolated dirt road on scenic Pascoag Reservoir. Surrounding summer homes will now have to be checked for their water supply contamination. Great job by our Pascoag Fire Dept. on saving the close knit surrounding properties from a more devastating lose. It did not appear from this scribe that there was any lake run off pollution from the fire at this time by walking down and looking at the beach.

Reporting Wayne G. Barber  All photos the property of Wayne G. Barber, no commercial re-use without permission.

Power companies were on the scene.

190 Bethany Lane was one of the three total destroyed.

I checked for beach run off damage and the Pascoag fire dept. should be commended for containing the blaze.

This summer home was saved with minor damage.

Thank God we have the Pascoag Fire Dept. !

Thank You, Pascoag Fire Dept. !

 

Now check all equipment and hoses to be ready if needed.

April 6, 2015, Part 2 of 2, North Smithfield Town Council Meeting

April 6, 2015, Part 1 of 2, North Smithfield Town Council Meeting

Glocester Town Annual Rabies Clinic

DOG LICENSES & RABIES CLINIC   POSTED APRIL 17, 2015

2015 DOG LICENSES ARE DUE DURING THE MONTH OF APRIL

To obtain a dog license, you must show proof of rabies inoculation.

• DOG LICENSE FEE: $7.00

No license is required for any dog under the age of age (6) months. (RIGL 4-13-9)

Licenses may also be obtained in the Office of the Town Clerk, Town Hall, 1145 Putnam Pike, Chepachet, RI, Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm.

RABIES CLINIC WILL BE HELD SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015

Rabies Clinic will be held at Chepachet Fire Station, 1170 Putnam Pike, Chepachet, RI.

Cats & Ferrets: 10:00AM - 11:30AM
Dogs: 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM (Dogs MUST be leashed) — NO DOGS WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR RABIES VACCINATION BEFORE 11:30 AM.

Proof of current rabies vaccination is necessary to receive a three year shot.

You do not need to be a resident to obtain a rabies vaccination for your cat, dog or ferret.  By Wayne G. Barber

• RABIES SHOTS: $13.
• 

Burrillville News, Read All About It !

Burrillville News Annual Earth Day Clean Up Saturday, April 18, 2015 9:00 - 10:00 pm The first Earth Day in 1970 capitalized on the emerging consciousness, channeling the energy of the anti-war protest movement and putting environmental concerns front and center. Fast forward 45 years to 2015, more than 1 billion people in 192 countries will participate in Earth Day activities and events, making it the largest civic observance in the world. Sponsored by Burrillville Lions Club, Burrillville Conservation Commission, Waste Management, Burrillville Parks & Recreation, Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, Burrillville Department of Public Works and Dan's Management/Dunkin' Donuts, this annual event will kick off at 8:30 at DPW headquarters (65 Union Avenue, Harrisville).  There you will get your designated clean up area assigned and your gloves and pick up bags. Sign up to be a part of their Green Team to help with litter clean ups all year long.  If you can't make this event organize your own neighborhood clean up.   Burrillville Land Trust www.burrillvillelandtrust.org The Burrillville Land Trust is dedicated to maintaining the town’s rural character by preserving open space, protecting the beauty and viability of our farms, and preserving the woodlands, meadows, ponds and rivers around us. During the month of April the Land Trust has many events planned. These events include their monthly meeting, Earth Day cleanup and stone wall repair, movies and a walk in the woods with a master of the forest to name a few.  Visit their Northwest Greener Living Meet Up page online. Burrillville Bike Path www.visitburrillville.org Almost three years old now the Burrillville Bike Path is enjoyed by familes, walkers, bike riders, roller bladers, and people walking their dogs.  The bike path has entrances along Mowry Road, Railroad Avenue and Eastern Avenue.  The path connects the villages of Harrisville and Pascoag with an extension down to Duck Pond offering access to a wooded path around the pond. Now that most of the snow is finally gone the trash littering the bike path has become evident. There is not only a lot of paper trash but dog waste as well. Burrillville ordinance Sec. 4-44 states: It shall be unlawful for any person to fail to promptly remove and dispose of, in a sanitary manner, feces left by a dog being handled by that person on property, public or private, other than the premises of the owner or handler of such dog. Please remember that dog waste carries many germs and families with small children use the path.

The Legendary Peeper !

                       The scientific name of Hyla crucifer, the tiny tree toad with the shrill, bell-toned April voice, reaches back into Greek legend. Hercules, says the legend, was fond of a boy named Hylas. While they were adventuring with the Argonauts, Hercules sent the boy to bring water from a spring; but the water nymphs captured Hylas and thereafter he lived in the water, calling for Hercules in his sweet young treble voice. ever since, that voice has been heard in swamp and bogland in the Spring of the year.

There is really nothing strange about a hyla we know except that it is a small frog with a very large voice. It Lives and grows as much as any frog, from egg to tadpole to adult frog. It hibernates, and emerges in the burgeoning Spring hungry for food and mate. It belongs to a family very old upon this earth, and in a sense it represents the very Springtime of life.

We usually call this small tree frog the Spring Peeper, but there are other common names. On Martha's Vineyard it is the pinkle-tink, and on the Cape Cod it is the pinkwink. Both names are, to a degree, imitative of the hyla's call. But no name can more than hint at a sound, which is clamorous and exultant and strangely musical and yet quite unmelodic. A chorus of Spring peepers close at hand can be a din of disorganized sound; yet from a little distance this same chorus can be pulse-lifting and rich with the warmth of Spring itself. There's nothing else quite like it. That is why we  h/b/56

 Vernal pools or seasonal wetlands, are defined as naturally occurring, seasonal bodies of water, free of predatory fish populations, that provide breeding habitat for one or more species of amphibians and salamanders, snakes and fairy shrimp. Of the 13 types of snakes in Rhode Island our pool holds three, garter, ribbon and northern water snake.
Of the 7 species of turtle in Rhode Island our pools support 3, spotted, painted and the snapper.

Spotted salamanders and red spotted newts.
The wood frog, northern spring peeper, gray tree frog, green frog, pickerel frog, American bull frog and the eastern American toad

 

04-08-15 Burrillville Town Council Regular Meeting - Apr 8th, 2015

04-08-15 Burrillville Town Council Regular Meeting - Apr 8th, 2015

Rhode Island, 1947

Spring is Here !

   Yes maple syrup time. Some years the maple sap begins to rise in February, but more often it waits for March. It flows best when days are mild, in the 40's and 50's, and when nights are still frosty.
 It's worth noting that the system for grading maple syrup- a classification that rates syrups on color and strength of flavors-recently was updated to make the U.S. and Canadian systems consistent. The previous used "Fancy" and" Grade A" to indicate syrups with lighter flavors and colors, while the "Grade B" was darker and more robust.
  Under the new system, everything is Grade A, but descriptions have been added. The lightest group is now "Grade A: golden color with a delicate taste" and the darkest is "Grade A: very dark with a strong taste. Many people prefer a lighter syrup on pancakes and waffles, but chefs will go with the darker more robust when cooking with it or using it with savory foods.
 The sap may start in a warm spell, stop if the days turn cold, then starts again. Old-time sugarmen think snow on the ground helps. I know when the sap flow starts by watching the gray squirrels. They seem to know instinctively, go into the maples, nip off a few twigs, and lap the sap as it oozes. Then the chickadees also watch the squirrels and then drink at the taps' when the squirrels are away.
   Geese sometimes fly north now. They fly high and their gabble is like the distant barking of dogs. If they fly in fairly regular V's they usually are Canadian geese; if in loose, wavery V's or long, wavy lines they more are likely are the snow geese. Snow geese gather by the thousands and are a famous sight, Spring and Fall, at Fortescue, New Jersey, and Cap Tourments, Quebec.

 Mergansers appear on local rivers, both the American and the hooded mergansers. The males, with lots of snowy white on them, are eye-catching; their heads are green, their beaks are orange-red. The females are drab in grays and browns with only a little white on their sides. Soon after the mergansers come the ducks, black ducks first, then the wood ducks, then our mallards.
 Last week our pair of mallards returned to our vernal pond for the 34th consecutive season and lifted my spirits up naturally. Our children and grand children have all fed them. The mallards mate for life. Every spring they mate, lay the eggs, fight off the raccoons, domestic cats and dogs, hawks, skunks, fisher, coyotes, snakes and drought to beat the odds of raising a brood.
 Skunk cabbage blooms in the bogs; the flower has a carrion odor. Now and then someone finds hepatica in bloom, but I never find them till April. In a very early Spring, anemones may bloom in March; I look for them in damp, leafmoldy places at the edge of the woods.
 Birch catkins fatten around the time of the Equinox. And the pussy willows, the male catkins on the willow, appear.

40 gallons sap to make one gallon of Maple Syrup.

April and Robins

 People who can't tell a American bald eagle from a wild turkey vulture know what a robin looks like, and they know when a robin struts the lawn April must be here. April just isn't April, in this part of the world, without robin's. Spring couldn't come without them.
  The robin long ago became kind of a national bird without a shred of legal backing. It didn't need legal proclamations, for the robin is one of the best known and widely distributed birds in all these great United States of America. Perhaps most important of all, it is a cosmopolitan bird, equally at home in a big city park, on a suburban lawn and in the open country. Unlike most other thrushes, it prefers to nest near a house. Being a comparatively large bird, big as a blue jay, and a conspicuous bird with its black head and a cinnamon-red breast, the robin simply can't be overlooked. Besides, robins love to strut. And to sing, preferably from a street-side tree.
 The robin's song is often underrated, probably because the robin is so common and so vocal. But the robin,after all, is a thrush, and the thrushes are accomplished songsters. The robin sings long, loudly and rather deliberately. It's notes are clear and rich in tone. And no two robins sing exactly the same way: they vary their songs, put the phrases together differently. An individual robin may as many as ten different songs, varying with the time of day.
  Robins are already singing in many places in New England.

Love to Strut !

Their chorus will increase day by day. After all, it is April, even to a robin.