Politics & Government
Council Gives Mayor OK To Handle JHS Boiler Contract
The Town Council also passed a resolution recognizing the JHS varsity baseball squad.
is one step closer to getting a new boiler and hot water system after a town council vote on July 18.
Councilors passed a resolution authorizing Mayor Joseph M. Polisena to negotiate and sign a contract to replace the high school's current boiler, which is 44 years old.
"The school system is spending about $8,000 a year on gum, if you will, to keep it going," Polisena told the council.
District 3 Councilman David Santilli, a former school committee member, was pleased with the news.
"I'm glad this administration is going through with it, and the kids will be warm," said Santilli.
At its June 13 meeting, the council approved a $1.43 million improvement plan, to be funded by new bonds. Of that amount, $500,000 is set aside for the boiler replacement.
Councilors approved the authorization by a 4-0 vote, with President Rovert V. Russo absent.
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Council honors varsity baseball squad
Earlier in the meeting, the council recognized the in the RI Interscholastic League Baseball Division II State Championship.
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Due to their late arrival, the team missed the initial reading of the resolution, but were recognized by the councilors upon their arrival.
"If you were on time, Councilman Pitochelli was going to buy you tacos at Taco Bell," joked Mayor Joseph Polisena.
Town buys flood-prone properties
Polisena also announced that the town recently bought two houses along flood-prone areas in town, on River Avenue and River Drive.
"This has been a long-standing problem — any time it rains, they get flooded," explained Polisena.
Polisena said the town is using funds from the U.S.D.A. Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRSC) to buy houses in the area.
At first, the NRSC asked the Town to contribute to the project, but they later backed off that requirement, Polisena added.
"Just to reiterate, it's not going to cost Johnston one penny," said Polisena.
The two recently-purchased properties will eventually be demolished, but not before being put to good use, Polisena said — the Johnston Police Department's SWAT team will use them temporarily for drills before turning them over to the fire department for training exercises.
The council is next scheduled to meet on Aug. 8.
