Politics & Government
Town will Get $3 Million in Landfill Lawsuit Settlement
The town and Rhode Island Resource Recovery have reached a settlement, ending a lawsuit that was filed in 2011 over nasty odors emanating from the state landfill.
The town will get $3 million in compensation, Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena announced, and the money will be used to rebuild school athletic facilities complete with a new athletic field with synthetic turf, a new rubberized track, bleacers, bathrooms, concession stand and more.
The mayor said local youth have endured poor quality facilities and a football field that felt like an "electrocardiogram."
The town will get $1.5 million now and another $1.5 over the next 14 years, according to the settlement.
Planning and development for the new athletic facilities will be spearheaded by a new task force that should start meeting soon.
The town can still cite Resource Recovery for future violations at the landfill.
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