After seven years as Town Manager, Randy Rossi is bidding farewell at the beginning of October. Rossi, 45, will serve as the new Executive Director of the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns.
“It’s a consortium of all of our communities under one umbrella,” Rossi said. “So that we have one voice going to the General Assembly and working with the Speaker, the Senate President, and the Governor to protect the interests of the taxpayers.”
“We also want to make our communities better,” Rossi continued. “Provide the tools they need to help them get better between trainings, seminars, and networking events. It’s really the main arm to help communities.”
Rossi, a Cranston native, served as the City Treasurer. He also served as Treasurer for the town of Foster.
Rossi graduated from Bryant College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He obtained a master’s degree in business administration from Strayer University. Rossi served as Smithfield’s Finance Director before being appointed as Town Manager in 2017.
“I think we have a great team of managers, staff, and capable people including volunteers for our Boards and Commissions,” Rossi noted.
Rossi is also proud of the bond which was obtained to pay for the multiple expansions of the schools. He said the taxpayers saved money due to the low interest rates at the time.
The completion of the Boyle Athletic Complex at Smithfield High School and the HVAC upgrades at the schools were also significant accomplishments for Rossi.
Dealing with the coronavirus pandemic in 2020/2021 was an immense challenge for city and town governments across the country. Rossi is appreciative of the way Smithfield made it through an extremely difficult time.
“There was no playbook written for how to handle [a major health crisis], Rossi recalled. “It was all about staying ahead on the messaging, so the residents knew we were here. We never closed. Town Hall was always open.”
However, access to the building was limited to protect the safety of the employees. An additional drop box for bills was added outside.
“We expanded our electronic capabilities. We wanted people to know that we were here with them, and we did that all the way through the pandemic. We wanted to make sure our businesses got protected. We got a lot of grant dollars to get the resources that the businesses needed. Providing masks, providing tests. The way this community came together during that time was just remarkable. We were a top community in this country.”
Rossi and his family have embraced living in Smithfield due to the close-knit nature of residents.
“It’s such a welcoming community,” Rossi said. “It’s very positively focused.”
Walking away from a job he has enjoyed was an emotional decision.
“This community is definitely in my heart. If you look at it, it’s the longest position I’ve ever held in my life. It’s tough to step away. I put everything into what I do and that’s what the people who work with me do. They don’t work for me, they work with me, my employees. We’re a team and we do everything we can every day to know that the residents are getting what they deserve.”
An announcement on who would be an Interim Town Manager was not made at press time.
Rossi advises his successor to “be available and visible.”
“You need to let everybody know that you’re no different than they are. You have to know what’s going on in order to make big decisions.”