Two weeks ago, the Town Council approved $27,000 in donations to various organizations and nonprofits. Before that vote, I raised a serious concern: the town exceeded last year’s appropriated budget by more than $1 million — in reality, closer to $1.2 million. Despite this, the Council approved $12,500 for WellOne, $2,500 for the Blackstone Valley…

As Chair of Smithfield’s Budget & Financial Review Board, I’ve seen our town’s finances up close — how budgets are built, how they’re changed, and how they’re actually followed. And what I’ve seen is am major part of why I’m running for Town Council. Our budget has grown dramatically over the past decade, but our…

When my wife and I moved to Smithfield in 2014, the strength of the school system was one of the biggest reasons we chose this community. As we settled in, started our family, and became more familiar with Smithfield Public Schools, we grew increasingly concerned about the downward trajectory in educational quality. We saw dedicated,…

Thank you to everyone who joined me at my Meet the Candidate event on Thursday. I truly appreciated the support, the conversations, and the thoughtful questions you brought forward. We covered a wide range of topics important to residents, including the School Bus Challenges, Pickleball Courts, Commercial Tax Rates, Senior Tax Freeze, and the Food…

Join Ian McLean for an evening of conversation and community at Uncommon Pair Brewing! Learn about his vision for the Smithfield Town Council and share your ideas for our town’s future. Enjoy good company, local brews, and meaningful discussion. All in support of Education, Public Safety, Public Works, and Responsible Growth. Thursday, September 3rd •…

As I’ve been talking with residents around town, a few questions come up again and again, especially regarding my views on the recent data center proposal and on LMI housing. These topics affect Smithfield’s long‑term character, resources, and quality of life, so I want to share my perspective openly and directly. Below, you’ll find my…

I recently sat down with Joe Siegel for a conversation on his publication, Joe’s Substack. We talked about my press release announcing my candidacy for the Smithfield Town Council and spent time digging into why I chose to run as an Independent. In the interview, I explained that my focus is on building coalitions that…

Welcome to the new Ian McLean for Smithfield page. I created this space to make it easier for residents to stay informed about the work happening in our community and to understand the responsibilities, discussions, and decisions that shape our town. My goal is to provide clear, accessible updates that help people feel connected to…