Rachel Toppi - Smithfield Town Council

Rachel Toppi - Smithfield Town Council Elected member of the Smithfield, RI Town Council

2nd term: 2024 - present
1st term: 2022 - 2024

Purpose: To share information with the public.

Disclaimer: Not an official Town page. Posts reflect my personal opinion and not those of my employer.

Check out these two free events in Smithfield tomorrow, Saturday, June 6.Have a great weekend.
06/06/2026

Check out these two free events in Smithfield tomorrow, Saturday, June 6.

Have a great weekend.

06/05/2026

Great news: The Senate has read and passed the attached housing bill on 6/4/26.
TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING - Prohibits contractors from submitting a single application to a local review board seeking a comprehensive permit for housing projects in certain circumstances.
🔗https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/SenateText26/S2421.pdf

Thanks to Councilman Michael Iannotti for proposing this solution stemming from one of the top concerns expressed by our constituents: The Effects of Large Housing Developments in Smithfield.

Big thank you also to our State Senator, David Tikoian, State Representatives Paul Santucci and Gregory Costantino, and all respective members of the House of Representatives for sponsoring this bill once again.

Last year, the bill was proposed and passed on the Senate floor, but died in committee on the House side. This year, we are hopeful.

(Scroll down for a summary and real-life example.)
As you know, state legislation enacted by the general assembly plays a major, overreaching role in the municipal housing development process. This is not a Smithfield-specific issue but a state-wide problem.
📄 These bills are a piece of the puzzle and a step in the right direction towards the preservation of our neighborhoods.

You can email your support for H-7659 at the address below:
📧 Email [email protected]
OR
📞 Call 401-222-2587
Share with your friends and family.

Below is a summary using the past Limerock Rd. development proposal as a real-life example:

"H-7659 and S-2921 would allow municipalities that have not met the 10% affordability requirement to choose to adopt Inclusionary Zoning with a one-to-one affordable to market density bonus in lieu of having to allow the large density bonuses contained in the comprehensive permitting statute provided that the municipality’s Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance requires at least 50% of housing units (in projects with at least 10 units) be LMI units. For example, a 218 unit project on 38 acres has been proposed in Smithfield under the comprehensive permit statute. Density bonuses are large because it is a 50% LMI proposal, even though the property is located in the 2-acre minimum lot size or R-80 zone. Absent the density bonuses, a maximum of 19 units would be allowed (one for every 2 acres). If H-7659 and S-2921 were enacted and Smithfield enacted a 50% Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance, 9 of the 19 units would have to be affordable and the developer would receive a 9 unit density bonus for a total of 28 units, a much more reasonable development for an R-80 zone than 218 units."

FYI - Sharing for awareness. This was not something I requested.
06/04/2026

FYI - Sharing for awareness. This was not something I requested.

Members of the public are encouraged to join us for this important discussion.
06/03/2026

Members of the public are encouraged to join us for this important discussion.

06/03/2026

The persistent disrespect shown to individual council members is troubling.

This council frequently postpones items, often tabling them multiple times for various reasons.

When I requested a delay to facilitate further review and legal clarity on a contract, I was quickly dismissed with a “Too bad for you” type of attitude.

Many times, my requests are dismissed, or I am not included at all in decisions or preference inquiries. The last time I checked this is a five member council, not a four member council, not a three, not a two, and not a one.

It appears there is a lack of consideration and care to ensure all members are adequately informed and comfortable with the items they vote on.

This lack of consideration for council members translates to a lack of care for the residents and taxpayers they represent. It appears that who we represent and why we are in the seat is often forgotten by some.

This council, like its predecessor, often rushes through business, sometimes despite having sufficient information and sometimes without allowing adequate review time. Why? Why are we always in a rush to push items through? If we legally have more time to review, what is the problem?

The manner in which town council business is conducted is in dire need of improvement.

As always, I am sharing to keep constituents informed. All town business affects you in someway.

It doesn’t have to be this way. To effectuate change, it requires at least three members who believe in good governance.

06/02/2026

Last evening, Councilman Iannotti and I attended the Charter Review Commission meeting. During the meeting, the commission addressed the topic of implementing term limits for town council members in the Town Charter. A majority of commission members did not support including a term limits recommendation for council members.

The commission also discussed, albeit with procedural uncertainty, transitioning the town's government structure from a council-manager system to a council-elected town administrator/mayor model. The consensus was clear: members again opposed recommending this change.

It appears unlikely that either proposal will be brought before the council.

Lady slippers spotted today at Camp Shepard.
06/02/2026

Lady slippers spotted today at Camp Shepard.

Click here for the B&FRB recommended budget that will be voted on by the Town Council on June 16: https://www.smithfield...
05/28/2026

Click here for the B&FRB recommended budget that will be voted on by the Town Council on June 16: https://www.smithfieldri.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/5260
Reminder that the Town Council Work Session with the B&FRB is scheduled for Tuesday, June 9. This is to go over any additional questions, etc.

Town of Smithfield, RI

🇺🇸 Remember, Honor, Respect 🫡 May God bless all the brave men & women who paid the ultimate price for our freedoms, thei...
05/25/2026

🇺🇸 Remember, Honor, Respect 🫡

May God bless all the brave men & women who paid the ultimate price for our freedoms, their families, our veterans, current active duty military, police, fire, and first responders,
& may God Bless all of America 🇺🇸

May we never take it for granted.

“The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.”

Just for fun - SHS Junior Prom 2003. I believe this was at Kirkbrae CC. In honor of tonight’s junior prom.The year when ...
05/22/2026

Just for fun - SHS Junior Prom 2003. I believe this was at Kirkbrae CC. In honor of tonight’s junior prom.
The year when we always had a disposable camera on hand, made scrapbooks, and most importantly, were present in the moment and made lasting memories with friends.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone.

Address

64 Farnum Pike
Smithfield, RI
02917

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