Episode Nineteen: North Smithfield Ballot Questions

Written By Elizabeth Hammond

View the full transcript.

Early voting is here! Sarah and Elizabeth are back — just the two of them — to break down all 10 local ballot questions facing North Smithfield voters (questions 6 through 15). From the controversial town council term lengths (Q6) to the new Department of Facilities and Capital Assets (Q8) to the code of ethics update (Q15), they dig through the legalese so you don't have to.

We cover:

  • Q6: Town Council Terms — staggered 4-year terms, how it works, and why it's the most controversial question

  • Q7: Personnel Board Duties — loosening restrictions on political activity

  • Q8: Department of Facilities & Capital Assets — a new department for long-term planning

  • Q9–Q10: Board of Canvassers & Tax Anticipation Notes — charter cleanup to match state law

  • Q11: Ordinance Publication — should the town keep publishing in newspapers?

  • Q12–Q14: Audit Requirements, Planning Board Powers & School Committee Powers — more state law alignment

  • Q15: Code of Ethics — replacing the town's voluntary code with the Rhode Island Ethics Commission standards

Vote down the WHOLE ballot, people. These questions are at the very end.

📅 Early voting: Wednesday, October 15th at Town Hall on Green Street 📅 Regular election: Tuesday, November 3rd 🗳️ Check your registration & polling place: vote.sos.ri.gov

📧 nspubliccomment@gmail.com 🌐 nspubliccomment.com 📘 Facebook: Public Comment North Smithfield 📸 Instagram: @nspubliccomment

#PublicComment #NorthSmithfield #BallotQuestions #VoteLocal #RhodeIsland #NorthSmithfieldRI #Election2026 #VoteDownTheBallot #LocalElections #Civics

Elizabeth Hammond
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Episode Eighteen: Candidate Chat with David Punchak