Court Staffers Moved to Rec Office

After finding that work on the lower level of the wasn't moving as quicky as it could — and facing the potential loss of volunteer help to complete the project — Mayor Joseph Polisena recently announced steps he's ordered to speed up the work.

"We're not going to close the courthouse per se," Polisena explained during a recent interview at , "but we're going to send the staff down to the (at Memorial Park). We've set up a temporary office there for them."

Following a roughly six-and-a-half month project to rehabilitate the upper level of the former building last year, workers have been trying since November to complete a planned office and meeting room space downstairs.

The issue, Polisena explained, is that the current part of the work — installing duct work and electrical service, among other items — required the complete shutdown of the building.

Ben Nascenzi, the town's building inspector, said that left the courthouse without functioning fire alarms. Add to that the noise and dust caused by the work being done and, Nascenzi added, "it was very disruptive."

Sen. Frank Lombardo (D-Johnston), who is donating the labor to install the new heating system, contacted Polisena and said the delays were potentially harming the project's timetable.

"I became increasingly frustrated last week, and I called Ben in, and I said 'Ben, what the heck's going on down there?'" Polisena recalled. "I want to get it done and over."

By moving the staff to the , Polisena and Nascenzi said the work to finish the lower level of the courthouse should be wrapped up within the next two or three weeks.

Court sessions are held Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and the second and fourth Thursdays every month.

When court is not in session, the court staff will be collecting fines and conducting other court business at the . Phone: (401) 272-3460.