Raimondo Notes Johnston's Moves to Fix Local Pension System

Mayor Joseph Polisena explained that without union agreement, the town's pension system could fail.

  State Treasurer Gina Raimondo recently noted the work being done in Johnston to reform its pension plan as an example of how local officials are continuing the work highlighted by the Rhode Island General Assembly's passage of a controversial set of state pension reforms in November, 2011. Mayor Joseph Polisena, who successfully lobbied the town council to create a pension board in early 2011, recently proposed a 20-year freeze on cost of living adjustments, or COLAs, among other reforms for local pensions. During an interview on Wednesday at Johnston Town Hall, Polisena said the town had not yet received a response from the unions, adding that they may face a complete loss of retirement payments without some kind of agreement. "The …

• Videos (1)

Johnston Town Centre to Bring 'Hundreds of Jobs'

Work has began to revamp the Hartford Avenue property, which is expected to include Price Rite and BankRI.

Construction has begun at the new Johnston Towne Centre, a project Mayor Joseph Polisena said will bring hundreds of jobs to the town. The $1 million-plus construction contract was awarded to Johnston company Cleri Construction Corporation, Polisena and Jeffrey Saletin of Saletin Real Estate Group announced Monday.  “This development is now a reality because of the cooperation of Mayor Polisena along with the Johnston Town Council and Planning Board,” Saletin said in a release. The mayor and the town council worked with the developers and issued Tax Increment Bond financing to help jump start the project. “The developer is spending millions of dollars creating a Growth District in our town out of an old, blighted and abandoned shopping …

•  4 Comments
• Photos (1)

Town Suspends Arrested Firefighter

David Lashus, 49, has been out of work since an injury in 2009.

  Mayor Joseph Polisena announced on Tuesday that the town has suspended firefighter David Lashus, 49, without pay following his arrest on Nov. 9 on felony drug charges. During an interview at Town Hall, Polisena said that Deputy Police Chief David DeCesare delivered a letter to Lashus at his home notifying him of the suspension. "I had to get some justice for the taxpayers, so [Lashus] can no longer go an collect his salary," Polisena explained. State police arrested Lashus at his Plainfield Pike home after officers say his 21-hear-old son signed for a package of marijuana delivered by police, the Providence Journal reported. Officers from the state police High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force reported finding 100 marijuana …

•  3 Comments
• Photos (1)

Election Night 2012 in Johnston [VIDEO]

Take a look back at the action on Nov. 6 from inside Johnston Democratic headquarters.

  The accompanying video shows the scene at Johnston Democratic headquarters on Tuesday night, Nov. 6, where the party swept all of the contested races, including the ones for mayor, General Assembly, and town council. Mayor Joseph Polisena, who won a fourth term, and Town Councilman-elect Anthony Verardo, who won his first, speak about reaching the end of the campaign season.

• Videos (1)

Polisena Discusses Re-election Platform

The three-term incumbent spoke about the upcoming race, his opponent, and his record during an interview with JohnstonPatch.

  Following his formal reelection bid announcement on Sept. 27, Mayor Joseph Polisena hosted JohnstonPatch for an interview at Johnston Town Hall covering his accomplishments as mayor, the work he feels is still ahead, and his opponent in the race, Peter Filippi. We've transcribed excerpts from the coversation below. Making the announcement, campaign message: We had over 150 people show up, which was great — volunteers and supporters — and we had Sen. Whitehouse and Sen. Reed and several other state dignitaries. We're moving forward — I think the town has come around since I took office in 2007, our economic development has exceeded my expectations, we're looking at $550 million in new business. I know people say "you keep saying that …

•  7 Comments
• Photos (8)

Week in Review

Johnston's Top Stories for Aug. 27 — 31

Our school-related coverage continued to get the most traffic on JohnstonPatch this week.

  Aug. 27: Polisena Looks to Stop Out-of-Town Kids Attending Johnston Schools On Monday, our preview of Mayor Polisena's press conference scored big numbers of readers. And our follow-ups — which included the first report from Johnston Town Hall and a video from the announcement — reached lots of interested readers and viewers, as well. Aug. 28: Bus Company Issues Route Updates With just a day to go until the start of school in Johnston, lots of parents clicked on our updated bus routes on Tuesday. Aug. 29: What Restaurant is Johnston Missing? Our call for feedback on what eatery would work in Johnston kicked off some lively discussion — and topped the list of most-read stories. Aug. 30: [VIDEO] Safety the First Priority at First Student …

•  1 Comment
• Videos (1)

Peter A. Filippi III

8:12 am on Monday, September 3, 2012

The greatest story that could ever happen to this town would be if residents voted me in which would be the shot that would be heard around the state and perhaps across the country   more ›

Mayor Joseph M. Polisena

The incumbent is seeking a fourth term in 2012.

Name : Mr. Joseph M. Polisena Also known as : N/A Date of birth : 27 June 1954 Place of residence : 52 Lakeshore Drive, Johnston, RI 02919 Attended college : Yes College : CCRI, ROGER WILLIAMS UNIVERSITY & CAMBIDGE COLLEGE Degree : ADN=NURSING, BS=HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES, M.ED=MASTERS DEGREE IN EDUCATION Year of graduation : 1985-CCRI, 1988-ROGER WILLIAMS UNIVERSITY & 1998 - CAMBRIDGE COLLEGE University : CAMBRIDGE COLLEGE Degree : M.ED - MASTERS DEGREE IN EDUCATION Year of graduation : 1998 University : N/A Area of research : N/A Year of graduation : N/A Job titles held : REGISTERED NURSE & PROFESSOR @ CCRI Employers : ST. JOSEPH HOSPITAL/FATIMA & CCRI Party affiliation : Democrat Running for a: Local office Running for position: MAYOR-…

• Photos (1)

[VIDEO] Johnston Officials to Pursue Owners Who Claim Out-of-Town Kids

Mayor Joseph Polisena, school Supt. Dr. Bernard DiLullo, and town Code Enforcement Officer Peter DelPonte address the issue of non-residents attending local schools.

  This morning at Johnston Town Hall, Mayor Joseph Polisena issued what he termed "a stern warning" to homeowners who claim that out-of-town students are living at their homes: "If you're allowing this, you will pay financially — and you will pay dearly." Polisena announced the town's efforts to identify residential property owners who allow non-Johnston families to claim their homes as residences — and withdraw the town's 20-percent homestead tax exemption and impose a $500-per-day fine on those who are found. The accompanying video includes excerpts from today's press conference, including Polisena, school Supt. Dr. Bernard DiLullo, and town Code Enforcement Officer Peter DelPonte speaking about the issue. DiLullo explained that the …

• Videos (1)