Valley Breeze

MAY 30-JUNE 5, 2013 Serving North Smithfield, Blackstone and Woonsocket FREE Breeze The valley Field day fun High Spirits Good Shepherd School students get outside for end-of-year activities. PAGE 8 Paranormal enthusiasts will gather this weekend in Woonsocket. LIVING @ "Like" us on valleybreeze.com Search for The Valley Breeze Newspapers North Smithfield School Committee rebuffs Council on auditor change A quiet day of remembrance By SANDY PHANEUF Valley Breeze Staff Writer sandy@valleybreeze.com Valley Breeze photo by David Wuerth Memorial Day brought many residents to local cemeteries, to solemnly honor fallen veterans. At Saint Paul's Cemetery in Woonsocket, Elsie Gucfa plants flowers at the gravesite of her late husband. See more photos on page 6. Towns disagree on wastewater No. Smithfield, Blackstone seek legal advice on new $300,000 fee By SANDY PHANEUF Valley Breeze Staff Writer sandy@valleybreeze.com WOONSOCKET – An agreement allowing several neighboring communities to use the city's wastewater treatment facility has long expired, but attempts to negotiate a new contract that tacks on more than $300,000 in fees has met serious resistance, and towns are now seeking legal advice on a proposed interjurisdictional plan for service with Woonsocket. Residents in Blackstone, See WASTE, Page 15 NORTH SMITHFIELD – The School Committee has refused a request by the Town Council that they terminate their contract with Nadeau Wadovick, LLP, in order to create a single audit system for school and municipal books this year. The idea, which originated as a recommendation from the Budget Committee, would have the School Department ending the contract with their current auditor one year ahead of schedule, a change that, according Principal Robert Civetti of Braver PC, is permitted by state law. "Continuance beyond the initial fiscal year of the three year contract is at the discretion of the local municipality," Civetti explained in a letter to budget board Chair Michael Clifford. North Smithfield is currently the only municipality in the state that uses separate audit firms to examine school and town finances. The town's annual audit, which is required by the state Auditor General and used to verify Lafleur compliance with state laws, is currently performed by Braver PC. Lori Gelfuso, principal auditor for the Office of the Auditor General said her office is aware that North Smithfield still uses separate audit firms. "As this office believes it is desirable to have one audit contract, we advised the town and School Department that once the contracts expired they should submit a request to our office for one audit contract," explained Gelfuso. The Town Council unanimously voted to authorize Town Administrator Paulette Hamilton to request a change of the School Department's audit firm on April 15, and in a letter dated April 16, and See AUDITOR, Page 15 Vallee Jewelers AST. GERMAIN SSISTED LIVING 35-50% OFF YES! WE HAVE STOREWIDE CLEARANCE SALE Plan Ahea d The Upcom for in Holidays & g Gift Giving ! HURRY IN FOR BEST SELECTION! Mon-Thurs. 12-9 PM; Fri., Sat. & Sun. 12-10 PM OVER 50 FLAVORS OF ICE CREAM Diamond Rings Necklaces • Bracelets Earrings • Wedding Sets Watches • Giftware • Jewelry Boxes Vallee Jewelers • Since 1936 9 Eddie Dowling Highway at Park Square North Smithfield, RI • 769-7080 Monday-Friday 9am-5pm; Saturday 9am-3pm ©2013 Breeze Publications Inc. N o Opn w e OpnHous Jun 4th 130–3: m e e e : 30p • Affordable Assisted Living • 24 Hour on site Care • Full Meals 7 days a week • Housekeeping / Laundry • Activities Accepting Applications St. Germain Manor ~ 401-597-5867 429 East School St., Woonsocket, RI WOONSOCKET Housing Authority

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