National Grid Gets Noise Limit Waiver; Town Asks State To OK Out-Of-State Recyclables

It was a quick night for the Town Council on March 14. With Councilors Eileen Fouco (Dist. 1) and David Santilli (Dist. 3) absent, the council finished the evening's business in less than an hour. Besides routine business, the council addressed some issues which could potentially have a major impact on the town.

Councilors approved a request by National Grid for relief from the town's noise ordinance.  The company is in the process of a major project which would update the power lines over a 25-mile stretch from North Smithfield to Warwick.  Approximately 5.5 miles fall with Johnston's borders.

The power lines being upgraded are located near I-295. Company representatives pointed out that there are few houses within close proximity to the lines, but they do have a team of four people who will canvass the affected neighborhoods to address concerns and inform the community.

The project is expected to end sometime in 2013, with the Johnston portion of the upgrades completed by the third quarter of 2012. Though the noise will exceed the level allowed by the town, it will not be constant. Work will be performed in 3- to 4- day increments.

The total project will cost $247 million, and tax payments to the town will be approximately $2 million annually.

Also, in a unanimous 3-to-0 vote, the council approved a resolution which would ask the General Assembly to allow the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (RIRRC) to accept recyclables from outside Rhode Island.  If approved, the legislation could have far-reaching benefits for the town.

As the host town, Johnston would receive 25 percent of the profits, the RIRRC would receive 25 percent, and a formula would be used to divide the remaining 50 percent between the other 38 cities and towns in Rhode Island.

The night concluded with a presentation by Dr. Harvey Waxman, who is trying to gain support for legislation which would restructure how the property tax is calculated.

Under Dr. Waxman's plan, property changes to the levy would be applied directly to the current assessment, and re-evaluations would occur only when ownership changed.

Councilors took no action on Dr. Waxman's proposal.