Budget, Term Limits, and Road Work: Highlights from Mayor's Live Chat

Yesterday on JohnstonPatch, we hosted our first-ever live chat with Mayor Joseph Polisena, and during the one-hour session, the mayor answered questions about several issues, including what's happening at the former Stuart's plaza, combining municipal services, term limits, and other issues.

We've also posted a full transcript of the live chat; below are highlights from the Q&A session sorted by subject.

Note: Some questions have been abbreviated.

LE Joe Hutnak: How is the overall process of preparing the budget going? How close do you feel you are to the goal of level-funding all departments?

Mayor Polisena: We're still in the process of putting it all together. We're very close. All departments will be level funded, unless some unforeseen emergency comes up.

LE Joe Hutnak: What are some of the major issues that you think could 'throw a wrench into the works' in next year's budget?

Mayor Polisena: The major issues for the next year's budget are pension costs. We must address our severe unfunded pension issues in order for our town to stay fiscally healthy.

elise: Working together with our neighboring towns (like street sweeping with NP) is great work!

Thank you, Elise. We've also consolidated with North Providence with our animal control officer and we are looking to consolidate other services as well — hopefully, with General Assembly approval.

LE Joe Hutnak: We've recently reported on the — are there any other collaborations you're working on?

Yes, police and fire dispatch. I would also like to work more closely with our school department to consolidate services within the town.

Two readers posed questions about what's been happening along the main artery, also known as RI Rte. 6:

elise: Route 6 near JMP [] is now a nice road. Do you know if the state has any plans to upgrade route 6 west of route 295? It is a terrible ride each day..

Joe DelPonte: Good afternoon, Mr. Mayor. What is going on with the Stuart's Plaza development?

Mayor Polisena: At this time, state DOT has no plans to upgrade Route 6 west of 295 however east of 295 towards Providence, new sidewalks are in the planning process. The owner of Stuarts Plaza had a meeting with a major box store and an agreement was signed and soon - as stated by the owner of Stuarts Plaza - construction will begin with a big box store, a couple of banks and a couple of restaurants. This is according to my conversation about 10 days ago with the owner/developer of Stuarts Plaza and those are his intentions.

Robert W Frank Sr.: Since you would like , why don't you propose term limits for members of the town council?

Mayor Polisena: That is up to the town council if they want to pursue it. I believe that the mayor seat should have 4 year terms so that he/she can continue to running the town. I also believe term limits should be nation-wide, as well as for our general assembly — but that's not up to me — it's up to the voters.

We received a couple of questions about the town's responsiveness to residents.

Phil Hippert: A few weeks ago the Johnston public works pick-up truck came by to fill pot holes on Maribeth Drive, however, all they did was drive around and NOT fill any pot holes. What a waste of our money.

Mayor Polisena: When that happens, you need to call my office immediately at 553-8800 and I will personally address the issue and also there will be a bond question in November to float a $5 million dollar bond to fix the roads that are in dire need of repair.

Helen Antonizio: Some years back, we had the option of communicating with the Mayor and Town Council members through email. Do you think that would be a possibility again?

Mayor Polisena: Absolutely. We answer e-mails everyday. I prefer to speak with people over the phone or in person to address their concerns. You may email me via [Administrative Assistant Janet Whiteley] jwhiteley@johnston-ri.us.

Peter Filippi: When you consider our financial dilemma and the need for such things as “tools” why haven’t you realized this need in the past? [T]he provisions are obscene and you haven’t made mention of any of them other than changing healthcare to save a few bucks when the endless holidays, sick days, personal days, longevity bonuses etc, are killing us, Thank you Peter A. Filippi III

Mayor Polisena: Many of the items you mentioned are contractual and were put into contracts many years prior to me becoming mayor. The way the courts rule in this state - you just cannot remove things - you have to go to court. This state is a very strong labor state - things have to be negotiated otherwise we'd just end up losing the battle in court. This is why we are supporting Governor Chafee's Municipal Legislative package which will help cities & towns.

I encourage you to contact your General Assembly delegation and ask them to support Governor Chafee's package like I have done. Yes, I did spend 12 years as a state senator, and anytime I voted on an issue that had a fiscal impact, I would always request a fiscal note — and if it was costly to the community without state financial support, I would not support that legislative action.

LE Joe Hutnak: As a follow-up: Are you planning any further coordination with other town officials around the state similar to the ?

Mayor Polisena: Yes. Tomorrow [May 10] I will be taping my cable access statewide TV show with 10-14 mayors, managers and town administrators as guests appealing to the general assembly to pass the governor's legislative package. The show will air on Thursday nights at 8:30 on Channel 13 statewide and then again Friday nights at 9:30 on channel 15 and that show will run all of May through June. I encourage people to tune in.

Frank Sr.: Can you tell us why you have not kept your promise of 2 months ago to reinstate widow Arcand's health and pension benefits?

Mayor Polisena: I am sure you are writing on behalf of the fire union. It is our intention to do that, however, the matter is currently in litigation and must go through the appropriate process.

LE Joe Hutnak: I'd also like to ask about the status of the landfill issue — Is the ? And do you feel they have made any real progress in dealing with the odor problems?

Mayor Polisena: The lawsuit is still going forward against RIRRC and the gas company who is responsible to extricate the gas and either a) turn it into energy or b) burn it off so there are no odors - which they have failed to do in the past. The lawsuit is pending in Superior Court against both RIRRC and Broadrock Renewable Energy. I believe that progress has been made but I also feel that the situation could happen again because Broadrock - in my opinion - has not taken the issue seriously.

LE Joe Hutnak: Matt Falvo sent us this question via email: "I was wondering, due to the Mayor's ongoing success in Johnston and his involvement with other state issues, would he be considering running for a state office?"

Mayor Polisena: Matt, thank you for your confidence, however at this time, I feel I still have so much more to accomplish for our great town and our fantastic citizens so I am not interested in running for statewide office. I love being mayor.

LE Joe Hutnak: As a follow-up to Matt's question: Can you outline your basic platform?

Mayor Polisena: Sure. I will continue with economic development, work on solving our unfunded pension liabiilties with police and fire, continue to look at streamlining town government by consolidating services with other communities. I will also continue to try and modernize our crumbling infrastructure by seeking grants. I would also like to see the success of the two 4-year term — term limits for mayor, not to exceed 8 years — to pass in the November election.

Miss Mitchell: This isn't a question, but thank you VERY much for coming in to Winsor Hill School today to visit our second grade students in the Town of Firework Valley. They really enjoyed talking with you!

Mayor Polisena: Thank you, Miss Mitchell. It was an honor for me - very rewarding!