Smithfield committee weighs naming request and advertising plan to fund field maintenance

A Smithfield resident asked the committee to name the far corner throwing cage at the high school track for volunteer coach John Sonni in recognition of decades of service, and committee members discussed that request alongside a draft advertising and naming policy intended to generate revenue for athletic facility maintenance.

A speaker who identified the honoree as her father described his "33 years to the Smith the track program" and asked that the throwing area be named after him rather than placing him in the Hall of Fame, which she said he would dislike. Committee members said the policy permits naming but suggested bringing a specific request back on a future agenda for a vote and asked town counsel to review legal and policy constraints.

Separately, staff presented a draft advertising program (banner and sign sizes, sample three‑year rates and vendor models) and said the town manager had connected staff to neighboring districts and vendors for examples. One committee member suggested language that advertisement funds be explicitly directed to field maintenance and not used for unrelated expenses; others asked staff to seek comparable pricing from neighboring districts and consider affordability for small, local businesses.

Officials said they will continue research, consult with the town manager and vendors, and likely return recommendations to the committee for formal consideration and potential contract language to ensure funds are used for facility upkeep.