Mayor Seeks Twin River Cash for Dam Repairs

A bill that would set aside table game revenue into a fund for dam repairs has been held for more study.

Faced with costly repairs of four Johnston dams DEM deemed unsafe, Mayor Joseph Polisena and Rep. John Carnevale are betting on funds from the state to pay the bills. Polisena recently testified in support of H-5357, a bill that would put aside 20 percent of the revenue from table games at Twin River toward a fund for fixing dams. The revenue would be dedicated to municipalities that own dams the state Department of Environemental Management declares unsafe. Details of the meeting were originally published by The Johnston Sunrise on Thursday. For the text of the bill, see the attached PDF. However, following the testimony, the bill was held for further study, which is often legislative code for tabling a bill. No further dates for a …

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Peter A. Filippi III

11:15 am on Tuesday, April 30, 2013

The money we dish out in longevity bonuses in which many town workers receive over $8,000 annually in addition to 15 paid holidays, outrageous severance packages, 20 sick days, 3 personal days and on and on could resolve this issue in the time it would take to repair them. Instead of cutting back on services we should cut back on the endless provisions that are insane. Taking the revenue from the…   more ›

Mayor Stands Firm on Mutual-Aid Despite Plan to Reduce Calls

Despite a pilot program intended to reduce the burden on emergency calls in Providence, Mayor Polisena said it will not change his decision to deny Mutual Aid to the city.

Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena said a proposal to reduce the burden on ambulances will not sway his decision to deny Providence Mutual Aid, reports the Johnston Sunrise.    Earlier this month, a team of Rhode Island legislators, health care professionals, emergency responders discussed a pilot program that would divert people with behavioral, alcohol or substance abuse issues away from emergency rooms and into more appropriate places for treatment.  The Sobering Treatment Opportunity Program, or STOP, is intended to alleviate emergency rooms from repeat patients. The proposal calls for transitional housing for up to 20 individuals as well as employment assistance and connections to sobriety programs and health care. According to a …

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JohnstonPatch Election Guide

The candidates, voting information and issues that will be affecting Johnston.

  As we look ahead to November’s elections, JohnstonPatch is devoted to bring you the information you need about every race in town. Bookmark this page for updates. Candidates: Be sure to complete our Candidate Survey to provide your information to Johnston voters. [Names in blue have already completed our survey.] Click on a candidate's name for biographical information and answers to our candidate questionnaires, and check back for updates. LOCAL: Johnston Mayor: Mayor Joseph M. Polisena (D) Peter A. Filippi (R) Town Council, Ward 2: Melvin Steppo Jr. (I) Anthony Verardo (D) Town Council, Ward 4: Council President Robert V. Russo (D) Robert Matteo (R) Johnston Referenda Items: Question 10: Term Limits for Mayor Question 11: Road Repair …

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Week in Review

Top Stories for Oct. 1—5

Our coverage of the Apple Festival, police reports, and politics topped the list this week.

  Our coverage of the 25th Annual Apple Festival, police reports, and continued strength in the local housing market made the list of highest-read stories Oct. 1: [VIDEO] 'This Is What Johnston Is All About' On Monday, lots of folks checked out our video from the first day of the Apple Festival. Oct. 2: RI State Police Arrest Log: Stolen Goods Suspect Nabbed on Warrant Another week, another police report in the top stories list. Oct. 3: JPD to Promote, Appoint Officers In advance of Friday's ceremonies, we noted the promotions and appointments at the Johnston Police Department. Oct. 4: Polisena Discusses Re-election Platform Our interview with Mayor Joseph Polisena — who is seeking a fourth term this year — collected lots of hits on …

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Mayor, Fire Union President Dispute Access To Plaque

Fire Union President Keith Calci said the area where the 2004 plaque is hung is public; Mayor Joseph Polisena said there is no public access to the hallway.

When Mayor Joseph Polisena announced on Dec. 8 that he had found a plaque vandalized inside Fire Station #1, he placed the blame squarely on members of the fire union. Among other reasons for his belief, the mayor said the area where the plaque is hung is off-limits to the public. "I just happened to stumble upon it, quite frankly," Polisena explained. "[Firefighters] tried to say 'They use that station for voting,' but the voters stay where the fire trucks are, they don't go inside the building — and it's a secure building; it's not that someone can get in there off the street." Police Chief Richard S. Tamburini supported Polisena's contention during the Dec. 8 press conference — but fire union President Keith Calci called the mayor's …

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News Brief: Mayor Announces Start Of Tax Amnesty Program

Residents who owe back taxes from 1990 to 2009 can pay what they owe, without penalty, beginning Oct. 3.

On Sept. 26, Mayor Joseph Polisena announced the formal start to the town's tax amnesty program that was approved by the General Assembly in July. Flanked by members of the Town Council, Polisena outlined the program, which provides a 45-day window for people who owe motor vehicle or tangible taxes from the years 1990 to 2009 to pay their balances without interest or penalties. Polisena said about $1.9 million in car taxes and $2.4 million in tangible taxes remains outstanding. Residents who owe current taxes are not eligible to participate in the program, explained Polisena, who added that the program formally starts on Oct. 3 and will include two scheduled half-days on Saturdays during the 45-day period.

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Video: Mayor's BBQ And Picnic

There wasn't an empty seat to be found as attendees packed the senior center on Aug. 30.

The Johnston Senior Center was filled on Aug. 30 with residents who stopped by to enjoy the Mayor's annual barbecue and picnic. Good food, raffles, music by Vini Ames, and old friends made the event a success. The picnic was truly a community event — several people volunteered to serve food and make sure the event went well, including elected officials, members of the Senior Center's board, and the Johnston Explorers Post #405. "We've got volunteers from every walk of life — from the Mayor, who actually served over 40 meals out there, to people from the Town Council, our advisory board, and the Explorers," said Center Director Tony Zompa. "The whole community pitches in so the seniors can have a good time."

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Junior LL Squad Earns Plaudits

Mayor Joseph Polisena, U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse and Rep. James Langevin offer their congratulations to the local team who won the Junior Little League Eastern Regional title.

Johnston's Junior Little League team won some notable praise after winning the Eastern Regional tournament in Freehold Township, NJ, on August 11 — Mayor Joseph Polisena and two members of the Rhode Island Congressional delegation contacted JohnstonPatch with words of encouragement for the team. During a phone interview on August 12, Mayor Joseph Polisena praised the team for their performance. "I'm proud of them and the whole town is proud of them," Polisena said. "They keep Johnston in the forefront, and that's due to their sportsmanship, their dedication, and their teamwork." Polisena, who saw the team off last week before their trip to New Jersey for the Eastern Regionals, said he's "been thinking of them every day" and was "delighted…

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EcoJam Stresses Healthy Living

Teens combine Jam2Fit and Eco Extras programs to improve health and the environment.

On June 4, the Johnston Senior Center was the site for a student-led drive to help people improve their health and their environment. The event, called Ecojam, is the creation of two local teens looking to make a difference. The "Eco" part of the festivities was the idea of Karissa Arias, a recent high school graduate, who has a deep interest in environmental issues. She uses recycled materials to make stuffed animals and other items, including her prom dress. "I've been part of the Environmental Justice League for two years and (have) become more passionate about it," said Arias. The "Jam" component of Ecojam is the idea of Jummy Olagundoye. After coming to the United States from Nigeria at age 11, she started eating unhealthy foods. …

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80% Of Money For Court Relocation Already In Place, Says Mayor

About $200,000 of the expected $250,000 needed to move the town's municipal court to the former Mohr Library is already budgeted.

Mayor Joseph M. Polisena announced this week that about 80 percent of the money needed to renovate the former site of Marian J. Mohr Library is already budgeted. Following the April 9 grand opening of the new 12,000-square-foot home for Mohr, the brick building on Atwood Avenue that housed the library for nearly 50 years is scheduled to be renovated to accomodate the town's municipal court. During a recent interview at Town Hall, Polisena said that because Court Clerk Joseph Tedino and town staffers are doing the work, the expected $250,000 cost will be for materials — and added that the town will make that money back because it will no longer be leasing a storefront for the court. According to the current town budget, the Municipal Court …

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