Town Manager to Speak on Shared Municipal Services Thursday Night

Operation Clean Government (OCG) will sponsor a public forum, “Shared Municipal Services in Action” Thursday, June 27 from 6:30 - 8 p.m. at the Smithfield Senior Center, 1 Wm. J. Hawkins Jr. Trail. 

The organization plans to present the benefits of municipalities sharing services, effecting lower costs without necessarily impacting service quality to residents. 

Presently, Smithfield, North Smithfield, Burrillville, and Glocester participate in an inter-municipal agreement allowing shared services and equipment in an effort to reduce costs. Pawtucket’s School Department and City Hall  will soon be sharing the services of a single Informational Technology (IT) department in an effort save operating costs and improve
efficiency. 

The public is invited to learn about these shared municipal services and others currently in use throughout the state.

Local leaders who have implemented service sharing in their communities will describe their experiences.  Panelists include Dennis Finlay, Smithfield town manager, and Paulette Hamilton, North Smithfield town administrator. Pawtucket Mayor Donald R. Grebien has also been invited to join the panel. They will be joined by Senator Louis DiPalma, Co-chair of the Joint Commission on Shared Municipal Services; and John Simmons, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council. 
 
The organizers and participants are seeking attendee feedback, and there will be a question-and-answer period after the initial panel discussion. 
 
“We need to seek solutions that address shrinking public funds while maintaining the public service needs of our communities,” said Margaret Kane, President of Operation Clean Government.
 
Operation Clean Government (OCG) is a group dedicated to promoting honest, responsible, and responsive state government in Rhode Island. We need your help to advance our mission and change the practice of politics in the Ocean State. PLEASE VISIT WWW.OCGRI.ORG.