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