North Smithfield Public Comment

About North Smithfield Public Comment

Between school drop-offs and running businesses, who has three hours for a Town Council meeting? Stop sifting through social media rumors and dense agendas. Public Comment is the go-to podcast for North Smithfield news that actually impacts your life. Hosts Sarah and Elizabeth—moms and local business owners—do the heavy lifting for you. We track school funding, tax spending, zoning, and the environment, delivering clear facts for your morning commute. Stop guessing and start knowing. Local news, made for neighbors, by neighbors.

Publisher

Elizabeth Hammond and Sarah LaFontaine

Category

government

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

23 Mar 2026

Latest episode

22 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

19 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   22 Oct 2026

   North Smithfield Ballot Questions

   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

2. 

   15 Oct 2026

   Episode Eighteen: Candidate Chat with David Punchak

   Hosts Sarah LaFontaine and Elizabeth Hammond interview David Punchak, a town council member running for re-election. The conversation covers David's upbringing in Lincoln, Rhode Island, where he grew up surrounded by extended family; his career in design, where most of his work is budget-driven municipal projects rather than the creative work he prefers; and his years of volunteer involvement in town youth sports, including serving as soccer president for two years after his own children had finished participating. Topics include family influence on civic engagement, the tension between budget constraints and design quality in municipal work, and the practical realities of local government service. Find David at "Punchak for North Smithfield Town Council" or contact him at  401-265-8253. Find Public Comment at nspubliccomment.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PublicCommentNorthSmithfield or on instagram @nspubliccomment

3. 

   8 Oct 2026

   Episode Seventeen: Candidate Chat with Nelly Burdette

   In this episode, hosts Elizabeth Hammond and Sarah LaFontaine sit down with Nelly Burdette, a psychologist, working mom, and first-generation immigrant running for Rhode Island Senate District 17 (Lincoln, North Smithfield, and North Providence). Nelly shares why two decades in mental healthcare pushed her to run for office — not as a career politician, but as a community member determined to fix broken systems from the inside. We dig into the affordability crisis hitting Rhode Island families, the silos stalling mental health progress, what it takes to rebuild trust between communities and their government, and the door-to-door conversations that keep Nelly hopeful. Plus, Nelly answers our signature questions: if she had a magic wand on day one, what would she change? And what's the one question no one ever asks that she wishes they would? Topics covered: • Healthcare access & affordability in Rhode Island • Mental health system silos and stalled initiatives • Rebuilding community trust in local government • Nelly's immigrant story and what shaped her • "Little p" politics and why every conversation matters • The magic wand question: healthcare for all • What gives Nelly hope 🔗 Learn more about Nelly's campaign: electnelly.com 📧 Reach the show: nspubliccomment@gmail.com 🌐 nspubliccomment.com 📱 Instagram: @nspubliccomment 📘 Facebook: Public Comment North Smithfield If you like what we do, leave us a five-star review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts — it helps your neighbors find us.

4. 

   1 Oct 2026

   Episode Sixteen: Candidate Chat with Veronicka Vega

   Veronica Vega is running for Rhode Island House District 49,representing Woonsocket and part of North Smithfield. We talk about economic development, school funding, infrastructure, clean energy, and what it really means to be an accessible representative. Veronica also shares her personal story — from experiencing homelessness to running for office. Public Comment: North Smithfield is local news by the neighbors, for the neighbors. We're two local moms and small business owners digging through the issues so you don't have to. Find us at nspubliccomment.com Email: nspubliccomment@gmail.com (mailto:nspubliccomment@gmail.com) Instagram: @nspubliccomment Facebook: Public Comment North Smithfield Find Veronica at vegaforri.com on Facebook &Instagram

5. 

   24 Sept 2026

   Episode Fifteen: Candidate Chat with Jon Brien

   Sarah and Elizabeth sit down with Rhode Island StateRepresentative Jon Brien, the only independent in the RI General Assembly, representing District 49 (Woonsocket & North Smithfield). Jon shares his remarkable political journey — from serving as a Democrat, to losing his seat by 50 votes, to returning a decade later and winning by the exact same marginas an independent. They dig into his landmark 340B prescription drug legislation that took on Big Pharma, Rhode Island's energy policy and why your bills keep rising, the broken two-party system, and what a three-party future could look like. Plus, Jon reveals the career he always wanted — and it involves a turntable, not a gavel. Public Comment is a hyper-local civic podcast hosted by Sarah LaFontaine and Elizabeth Hammond, two North Smithfield moms and small business owners doing the heavy lifting so you don't have to. Find us at nspubliccomment.com or on Facebook at PublicComment North Smithfield. Find Jon by phone (401-559-3999) or email (jondbriendistrict49@gmail.com)

6. 

   19 Sept 2026

   Episode Fourteen: Public Comment After Dark with Guest Host Bryan Murray

   Sometimes following local politics is enough to drive you to drink - so that's what we did. Elizabeth and Sarah are joined by guest host Bryan Murray for the first-ever episode of Public Comment After Dark. They do a wine and tequila filled deep dive into the North Smithfield town council race. They unpack the pettiness of the local campaign season, from sign-stealing drama to Facebook feuds, and explore why nice neighbors seem to transform after they declare a candidacy. Then, the trio puts all eight town council candidates — Kevin Carriere, Rebecca DeCristofaro, Sean Fuller, Paul Jones, Ann Lilley, BethNewberry, Michael Plante, and David Punchak — through the "Google Test," searching to see what everyday voters can actually find online about each candidate's platform. From SEO-optimized websites to candidates with no digital presence at all, they leave no search result unturned. Plus, Bryan shares his vision for building communities that residents inherit, and we ask him the question no one ever asks. Pour yourself a glass of your favorite after-dark beverage and tune in.Find us: • Website: nspubliccomment.com • Email: nspubliccomment@gmail.com • Facebook: Public Comment North Smithfield (page and group) • Instagram: @nspubliccomment Find the Candidates: • Kevin Carriere: https://kevinforns.com/ • Rebecca DeCristofaro (incumbent): https://yourteamfornstc.com/ • Sean Fuller • Paul Jones: https://www.electpauljones.com/ • Ann Lilley: https://yourteamfornstc.com/ • Beth Newberry: https://yourteamfornstc.com/ • Michael Plante • David Punchak (incumbent): https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563070934094

7. 

   17 Sept 2026

   Episode 13: Candidate Chat with Mark Fasano

   In this episode of Public Comment, Elizabeth and Sarahwelcome Mark Fasano, candidate for North Smithfield School Committee. Mark talks about his 20 years as a North Smithfield resident, his work building the town's youth softball program, and his goals for the school system if elected. It's a conversation about community, kids, and what it means to serve your town. Public Comment is a local news podcast covering NorthSmithfield, Rhode Island — by the neighbors, for the neighbors. Mark's website is https://fasanofornorthsmithfield.weebly.com Follow us: Facebook at Public Comment North Smithfield| Instagram at @nspubliccomment

8. 

   10 Sept 2026

   Episode Twelve: Candidate Chat with Ken Block

   This week on Public Comment, we sit down with Ken Block —independent candidate for Rhode Island governor — for a deep, no-talking-points conversation about the state's biggest problems and what it actually takes to fix them. Ken gets into it all: why housing affordability is one ofthe hardest problems Rhode Island faces and why there are no easy answers. Why he believes bus fares should be eliminated; the education crisis in Rhode Island's urban districts, and why fixing K through 3 is the key to everything else. He shares the remarkable story behind his book — how he was hired by the Trump 2020 campaign to investigate voter fraud, found none, and ended up subpoenaed by multiple grand juries. Plus: why Rhode Island's 911 system is dangerously slow, how the Washington Bridge failed because of clogged drains, why $44,000-a-year health insurance is crushing the state, and his plan for a regional insurance marketplace across New England. We also ask Ken our traditional closing question — what'sthe one thing he'd fix with a magic wand? His answer might surprise you. Find Ken at kenblock.com. Find us at nspubliccomment.com, onInstagram @nspubliccomment, and on Facebook at Public Comment North Smithfield.

9. 

   31 Aug 2026

   Episode Eleven: Candidate Chat with Xay Khamsyvoravong

   Former Newport mayor Xay Khamsyvoravong joins Elizabeth and Sarah to discuss his run for Rhode Island Lieutenant Governor. The conversation covers his family's immigrant story, the real responsibilities of the LG office, and why workforce is the through line connecting every major challenge facing the state — from housing construction and healthcare access to infrastructure and education. Topics include the NSPTO's impact on local schools, thehealthcare provider shortage and billing paperwork crisis, mental health support for kids, Flock camera privacy concerns, Rhode Island's billion-dollar infrastructure liabilities, and why proactive local government is essential tokeeping communities thriving. Xay also shares advice for first-time town council candidates, lessons from fighting to keep Newport's birthing center open, and the question he wishes more people would ask him. Find Xay at xayforri.com or @xayforri on social media. Find us at nspubliccomment.com or@PublicCommentNorthSmithfield on Facebook and Instagram.

10. 

    27 Aug 2026

    Episode Ten: Candidate Chat with Michael Plante

    Michael Plante, candidate for North Smithfield Town Council,joins Elizabeth and Sarah to talk about why he's trading a 43-year real estate career for local government. From contaminated school water that's gone unfixed for years, to budget waste hiding in plain sight, to his fiduciary-firstphilosophy — Michael makes the case that local politics needs more business sense and fewer cheerleaders. Plus: the quarry dispute, flock cameras, solar farms, zoning reform, and the teachers and Boy Scout leaders who shaped him. Find us at nspubliccomment.com or email nspubliccomment@gmail.com (mailto:nspubliccomment@gmail.com). Follow Public Comment North Smithfield on Facebook and Instagram (@NSPublicComment). Contact Michael at 401-487-7600.

11. 

    12 Aug 2026

    Episode Nine: Candidate Chat with Sue AnderBois

    Elizabeth and Sarah sit down with Sue AnderBois — candidatefor Rhode Island Lieutenant Governor and current Providence City Council member — for a wide-ranging conversation about energy policy, road safety, governmenttransparency, and surveillance. Sue breaks down what a lieutenant governor actually does inRhode Island, previews her upcoming energy plan, and explains how Rhode Island's regulated utility model keeps your bills climbing. She shares the story behind her "What are you gonna do about it?" tattoo and how it drives her approach to public service. We also dig into Sue's work transforming North Main Streetin Providence — bringing more safety improvements to the dangerous corridor in two years than the previous 30 combined — and her advice for citizens serving on local boards and commissions who feel like they're being ignored. Then we get into Flock cameras: the privacy concerns, datasharing with out-of-state agencies and potentially ICE, what Providence has done to put guardrails in place, and whether a statewide ban is possible. Plus a very important Parks and Rec endorsement question. Find Sue at sueanderbois.com. Find us atnspubliccomment.com. A full transcript and show notes are available on our website. Resources & Links: • RISE Energy Audit (free energy audit through Rhode Island Energy): riseengineering.com • Providence Special Committee on the Environment & Resiliency (Flock camera research presentation): available on the Providence City Council website • Vision Zero: visionzeronetwork.org • RI Infrastructure Bank (climate resilience programs): riinfrastructurebank.com

12. 

    30 Jul 2026

    Episode Eight: Candidate Chat with Gabriella Stelle

    Gabby Stelle is running for North Smithfield SchoolCommittee — and she's not a politician. She's a born-and-raised North Smithfield mom, PTO treasurer, soccer commissioner, softball coach, and the person who helped bring the Hoops program back to town. In this episode,Elizabeth sits down with Gabby to talk about what she'd protect in the school system, why she believes every school needs a mandatory SRO, and how she'd approach the budget without sacrificing the teachers and programs that makeNorth Smithfield special. Plus: her actual answer to "what question do you wish someone would ask you?" is worth the listen. Connect with Gabby Stelle: 📧 gabbystelle@gmail.com (mailto:gabbystelle@gmail.com) 📘Facebook: Gabby for School Committee Connect with Public Comment: 🌐nspubliccomment.com 📧 nspubliccomment@gmail.com (mailto:nspubliccomment@gmail.com) 📘 Public Comment NorthSmithfield (Facebook Group)

13. 

    16 Jul 2026

    Episode 7: Candidate Chat with Ann Lilley

    Ann Lilley has been quietly doing the work in NorthSmithfield for years — community garden, Parks & Rec Commission, Groundwater Protection Commission — and now she's running for Town Council. In this episode, she joins Elizabeth and Sarah to talk about why she's taking that step, and what she thinks is broken in how our town communicates, spends money, and plans for the future. From the town website's glaring gaps to the million-dollar Halliwell question to the 2029 Comprehensive Plan, this conversation is packed with practical ideas and a genuine love for this community. Plus: campaign bingo update, a candidate forum announcement, and a sneak peek at something exciting coming soon. You can get in touch with Ann at her email - jslilley@yahoo.com (mailto:jslilley@yahoo.com) and get in touch with us at our website - nspubliccomment.com or our facebook page -facebook.com/PublicCommentNorthSmithfield

14. 

    2 Jul 2026

    Episode Six: Material Sand and Stone and HT Auto

    Sarah and Elizabeth are back with a deep dive into two of North Smithfield's most contentious local issues. First up: the quarry. Known officially as Material Sand & Stone (or Pound Hill Quarry), this operation has been battling the town over grandfathered mining rights, noise ordinances, silica dust, and well contamination since at least 2022 — though the legal saga stretches back to the 1950s. Then: HT Auto Junkyard, where a change in ownership turned a once-harmonious neighborhood business into a recurring public nuisance complaint — and a lesson in how hard it can be for residents to actually get heard. But the real thread running through both stories? Citizen advocacy. Not politicians, not agencies — neighbors showing up, speaking out, and refusing to let things slide. With election season heating up, Sarah and Elizabeth break down exactly what you can do right now to make your voice count. Public Comment: news by the neighbors, for the neighbors. Visit our website at nspubliccomment.com or follow us on facebook @ PublicCommentNorthSmithfield

15. 

    19 Jun 2026

    Episode Five: Candidate Chat with Paul Jones

    Sarah and Elizabeth sit down with Paul Jones — small business owner, community advocate, and candidate for North Smithfield Town Council — for a wide-ranging conversation about what it actually takes to govern a town well.Follow Paul's campaign at his website, electpauljones.com and get in touch at paul@electpauljones.comFollow Public Comment at  facebook.com / publiccommentnorthsmithfield   (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbkUyNmd6dzRwLXNBcGRmeE9RQkE2QkppRzlOd3xBQ3Jtc0tsYVhkQjBLX1dBcHk0S0U5em4yRnhLV3RuOTFYd19kN2x0a25abTdtX0t3N1g0Sm9CUjJ4RWFDYU1CdVZ2NEV2TV9MLUhKVUtjYzAtNUowT2ZSeTZ6ZkdfMU54YTdoNnNINEhDY2w4eDFzaGh2NE5YTQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FPublicCommentNorthSmithfield&v=hK2GESIbDxg)In this episode, Sarah and Elizabeth Cover:Paul's background running The Care Concierge and his decades of community serviceWhy North Smithfield is stuck in a cycle of reactive governance — and what proactive leadership looks likeThe Woonsocket Hill Road collapse and what deferred infrastructure maintenance really costsThe long-delayed senior center and why North Smithfield is one of the only communities in Rhode Island without oneBusinesses flouting town ordinances while individual residents get hit with $500 finesThe rooster debate — and why backyard chickens are actually a small business issuePaul's "Day One" priority: a digital town hall for transparent municipal trackingThe nonprofit Elves for Elders, and why it's Paul's proudest achievementElection Bingo — download your card at nspubliccomment.com!Full transcript and show notes are available at nspubliccomment.com

16. 

    4 Jun 2026

    Candidate Chat with Kevin Carriere

    In this episode of Public Comment North Smithfield, hosts Sarah and Elizabeth interview Kevin Carrier, a candidate for North Smithfield Town Council and professor of social and political psychology at Stonehill College. Kevin discusses his three core campaign priorities: government transparency, environmental protection, and housing affordability in North Smithfield, Rhode Island. The conversation covers the town's communication gaps, the controversy around the police station bond vote, the quarry and junkyard issues affecting residents, and the challenge of keeping North Smithfield affordable for young families and retirees alike. Kevin also shares why he began attending North Smithfield Town Council meetings, what frustrated him about the public comment process, and what he would prioritize if elected — including making the town budget publicly visible and easy to understand. Full show notes and transcripts are available on our website, https://www.nspubliccomment.com/ Kevin’s campaign website is https://www.kevinforns.com/ (https://www.kevinforns.com/)

17. 

    20 May 2026

    The Police Station Renovation

    The North Smithfield police station has been a problem since 2014. In this episode, Elizabeth Hammond and Sarah LaFontaine break down the full history — from the original $5.4 million bond that wasn't enough, to a failed $20 million ballot measure, to the $9 million bond that finally passed in early 2026. They dig into what "minimum standards" actually means for the officers and residents who use the building, why crumbling brick, exposed wiring, and asbestos have been left unaddressed for decades, and what the difference between a "police station" and a "public safety complex" really signals. Plus: why the town's communication failures may have cost them voters — and what you can do right now to make your voice heard before the renovation begins. Public Comment is your neighbor-to-neighbor guide to what's actually happening in North Smithfield, Rhode Island.

18. 

    23 Apr 2026

    The Halliwell Property

    What do you do with an empty lot where a school used to be? If you're North Smithfield, RI — apparently you think about it for seven years. Elizabeth and Sarah dig into the full Halliwell Elementary saga: the closed school, the demolished building, the $5M in federal grants, the multi-generational center that never quite came to be, and the latest pivot back to Scouters Hall. They break down why this keeps stalling, what's at stake with the grant deadlines, and how residents can actually make a difference before the next election. Honest, local, and just a little chaotic — because they forgot to hit record the first time. A transcript and show notes are available at www.nspubliccomment.com/podcast-north-smithfield-public-comment/episode-two-the-halliwell-property

19. 

    23 Mar 2026

    Welcome to North Smithfield

    Follow us on social media @NSpublic comment North Smithfield residents can join the conversation at https://www.facebook.com/groups/northsmithfieldpubliccomment Transcripts are available at our website nspubliccomment.com Correction: Elizabeth mentions volunteering at CPAC in 2010. The conference she mentioned took place in 2011.Sarah and Elizabeth introduce themselves and their podcast — a monthly deep-dive intolocal politics and community issues in North Smithfield, Rhode Island, toldfrom the perspective of two neighbors, small business owners, and moms who aredoing the research so you don't have to. Meet Your Hosts Sarah is a lifelong Rhode Islanderwhose husband's family has called North Smithfield home for four generations.Elizabeth is a transplant who fell in love with the town's community andcharacter after moving from the suburbs. Both are therapists, both are on theNorth Smithfield Democratic Committee — and both make clear this podcast isentirely independent of that affiliation. A Little Town History North Smithfield broke off fromSmithfield in 1871 and is made up of five mill villages along the Branch andBlackstone Rivers. Its population hovered around 3,000 in its early days,dipped as mills closed, then grew steadily after WWII — reaching roughly 12,500residents in the 2020 census. Today the town is a mix of multigenerationalfamilies and newer arrivals drawn by open space, good schools, and proximity toProvidence, Worcester, and Boston. How Local Government Works North Smithfield has five at-largetown councilors (elected by ranked choice vote to two-year terms) and afull-time town administrator (four-year terms). Boards and committees — staffedentirely by volunteers — do the deep research and bring recommendations to thecouncil. Sarah and Elizabeth highlight both the generosity of those who serveand the challenge of keeping seats filled. The Budget The FY2026 town budget isapproximately $55.3 million. Funding comes from property taxes ($11.49 per$1,000 assessed value), ~$16 million in state aid (including ~$9 million forschools), fees, and grants. North Smithfield carries about $10 million in anemergency reserve fund and tends to be skeptical of taking on debt via bonds. The Recurring Theme Delay, delay, delay — then a rushed,expensive fix when the problem becomes a crisis. Sarah and Elizabeth argue thispattern shows up across nearly every major issue in town, and they're here toshine a light on it before things reach that point.

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Apple Podcasts (US)

4.0 / 5

4 ratings

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