| Town Council Minutes | August 15, 2023 | Johnston Municipal Court Building |
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| Council President Russo called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM at the Johnston Municipal Court Building located at 1600 Atwood Avenue, Johnston, RI 02919. |
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| Town Sergeant, Stephen Mallane led with the Pledge of Allegiance |
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| Please note: pursuant to Rule 3 Section E of the Town Council Rules, adopted by Resolution 2023-4, the Council shall adjourn at 10:30 p.m. and any unfinished business shall be carried to the fourth Monday of the month or to a date agreed upon by the Council. |
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Roll Call |
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| District 1 – Councilwoman Linda L. Folcarelli District 2 – Vice-President Lauren A. Garzone District 3 – Councilman Alfred T. Carnevale District 4 – President Robert V. Russo District 5 – Councilman Robert J. Civetti |
| All Councilmembers were present Also present were William J. Conley, Jr., Esq, Vincent P. Baccari, Jr., and Donna Dumont, stenographer |
Award & Recognition Ceremonies |
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Status on Public Hearings |
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| 2022-CP-47 | Petition for a Zone Change submitted by Attorney, Joseph Shekarchi on behalf of Trinity Properties of RI, LLC to change the Zone for 198 Shun Pike, Assessor’s Plat 33, Lot 63 from R-40 to Planned District For referral to the Planning Board for an Advisory Opinion Pending Planning Board Advisory Opinion |
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| Councilman Carnevale made a motion to suspend the rules and to take Resolution 2023-36 out of order The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Garzone Vote 5-0 |
| Resolution 2023-36 | A Resolution requesting that the RI General Assembly introduce and pass legislation to authorize the Town to issue a tax credit for real property situated in Town which is owned and occupied by resident-owners aged 65 and older |
| Mayor Polisena Jr discussed a phase in of a senior tax credit Councilwoman Garzone made a motion to adopt Resolution 2023-36 The motion was seconded by Councilman Carnevale Motion carried; vote 5-0 |
Ordinances to be Read |
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| Ordinance 2023-15 | An Ordinance amending Chapter 220-73 of the Town of Johnston Code of Ordinances entitled “Parking Prohibited at All Times on Certain Streets. Said ordinance proposes no parking on the southbound side of Trieste Street |
| Councilman Civetti made a motion that Ordinance 2023-15 had been read The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Garzone Motion carried; Vote 5-0 Public Hearing to take place on September 11, 2023 |
Licenses |
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| 2023-CP-113 | |
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| 2023-CP-114 | |
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| 2023-CP-115 | |
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| 2023-CP-116 | |
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| 2023-CP-117 | |
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| 2023-CP-118 | |
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| 2023-CP-119 | |
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| 2023-CP-120 | |
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| 2023-CP-121 | |
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| 2023-CP-122 | |
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| 2023-CP-123 | |
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Liquor Licensing Commission |
| Motion carried; vote 5-0 |
| 2023-L-6 | Deli and Cafe |
| Motion carried; vote 5-0 |
Constituent Requests |
| District 1: Councilwoman Folcarelli requested to have the overgrowth cut on the Town’s property on Shun Pike and requested a traffic study for the placement of a “No Thru Truck” sign at Shun Pike and A Street District 2: None District 3 Councilman Carnevale requested: · Move the street sign for Olivia Court to a pole to be inserted at 8 Kern Acre Drive at the intersection and also add a sign on the pole for Kern Acre Drive · Stated that Forand is requesting a speed bump · Stated that Merino Street is requesting a speed bump · Requested an update on 3 pending speed bumps for King St, Homestead St and Leading St District 5: Councilman Civetti requested: · Request to DOT to have the speed limit reduced on Greenville Ave coming off of 295 heading west or at least having more speed limit signs placed there · Pine Hill Road Brush cutting |
| · Central Avenue- Water Line Construction; requested better communication to the affected residents · Heywood Lane brush cutting and road repair · Update on the use of the ARPA funding; what it has been committed to · Update on if the Town is participating in the State’s road repaving matching funds program · Update on if the Town is participating in the State’s Community Facilities Projects Grant for 2.3 million dollars · Relocate Stop sign at the corner of Camelot and Bishop Hill directly across from Golden View Drive-currently, it is around the bend and not as visible District 4: None |
Unfinished Business |
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New Business |
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| 2023-CP-124 | District 1 Appointment to the Johnston Senior Citizens Advisory Board to fill an expired term |
| Councilwoman Folcarelli made a motion to appoint Robert Piscione to the District 1 position on the Senior Citizens Advisory Board The motion was seconded by Councilman Carnevale Motion carried; Vote 5-0 |
| 2023-CP-125 | District 2 Appointment to the Johnston Senior Citizens Advisory Board to fill an expired term |
| Councilwoman Garzone made a motion to appoint Stephen Mallane to the District 2 position on the Senior Citizens Advisory Board The motion was seconded by Councilman Civetti and Councilwoman Folcarelli Motion carried; Vote 5-0 |
| 2023-CP-126 | District 4 Appointment to the Johnston Senior Citizens Advisory Board to fill an expired term |
| Councilman Carnevale made a motion to appoint Arnold Vecchione to the District 4 position on the Senior Citizens Advisory Board The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Folcarelli Motion carried; Vote 5-0 |
| 2023-CP-127 | Two Appointments to the Johnston-Smithfield Juvenile Hearing Board |
| Councilman Civetti made a motion to appoint Joseph Carnevale to the Johnston-Smithfield Juvenile Hearing Board The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Garzone Motion carried; Vote 5-0 A second appointment was not made at this time |
| 2023-CP-128 | Petition submitted by Sherry Maner for the installation of a speed calming device on Merino Avenue for referral to the Police, Fire and Public Works Departments |
| Councilman Carnevale made a motion to refer 2023-CP-128 to the Public Works, Police and Fire Departments The motion was seconded by Councilwomen Folcarelli & Garzone Motion carried; Vote 5-0 |
| 2023-CP-129 | Petition from Narragansett Electric & Verizon New England to install a new jointly owned pole P-188-52 on Central Avenue across from existing P-188-50 |
| Councilwoman Garzone made a motion to grant 2023-CP-129 The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Folcarelli Motion carried; Vote 5-0 |
| 2023-CP-130 | Petition from Narragansett Electric & Verizon New England to install a new jointly owned pole P-18 on Ostend Street |
| Councilwoman Garzone made a motion to grant 2023-CP-130 The motion was seconded by Councilman Civetti Motion carried; Vote 5-0 |
| Resolution 2023-34 | A Resolution appointing a Judge to the Johnston Probate Court on an interim basis for the current term |
| Councilwoman Garzone made a motion to adopt Resolution 2023-34 appointing Frank J. Manni as judge of the Johnston Probate Court The motion was seconded by Councilman Carnevale Motion carried; Vote 5-0 |
| Resolution 2023-35 | A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement between the Town and the State of Rhode Island for pavement and sidewalk improvements on Hartford Avenue from Killingly Street to Atwood Avenue |
| Solicitor Conley and Director, Thom Deller spoke about the agreement Councilwoman Garzone made a motion to adopt Resolution 2023-35 The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Folcarelli Motion carried; Vote 5-0 |
| Resolution 2023-36 | A Resolution requesting that the RI General Assembly introduce and pass legislation to authorize the Town to issue a tax credit for real property situated in Town which is owned and occupied by resident-owners aged 65 and older |
| Resolution 2023-36 was taken out of order and was granted; see Resolution 2023-36 above |
| Resolution 2023-37 | A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the RI Infrastructure Bank (RIIB) under the Community Septic System Loan Program (CSSLP) to provide low interest loans for septic system/cesspool repair or replacement |
| Councilman Civetti made a motion to adopt Resolution 2023-37 The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Garzone Motion carried; Vote 5-0 |
| Resolution 2023-38 | A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the RI Infrastructure Bank (RIIB) to participate in the Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy Program (C-PACE) |
| Councilman Civetti made a motion to adopt Resolution 2023-38 The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Garzone Motion carried; Vote 5-0 |
| Resolution 2023-39 | A Resolution awarding a bid and authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement for the purchase and installation of a Tax Administration and Collection System |
| Assistant to the Finance Director, Tyler Carney presented the bid results to the Council Short discussion ensued Councilwoman Garzone made a motion to adopt Resolution 2023-39 The motion was seconded by Councilman Civetti Motion carried; Vote 5-0 |
| Resolution 2023-40 | A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a Tower Lease Agreement between DISH Wireless, LLC and the town for the tower located at 1520 Atwood Avenue |
| Short discussion ensued Councilman Civetti made a motion to adopt Resolution 2023-40 The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Folcarelli Motion carried; Vote 5-0 |
Abatements |
| 2023-TO-8 | Tax Assessor Abatements- August 2023 |
| Councilman Civetti made a motion to grant 2023-TO-8 The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Folcarelli Motion carried; Vote 5-0 |
Public Hearings for Ordinances |
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| Ordinance 2023-12 | An Ordinance formerly known as Petition 2023-CP-57, requesting to amend the zone map for Assessor’s Plat 38, Lot 164, behind 8 Putnam Pike to change the zone from R-15 to B-2 |
| Attorney K. Joseph Shekarchi addressed the Council regarding the proposed zone change Expert witness Steven Cabral from Crossman Engineering discussed and answered questions and concerns regarding traffic impacts Council President Russo opened the hearing to public comment: Harlon Hersey: Questioned why this was before the Town Council and not the Zoning Board Discussion ensued regarding traffic concerns Councilwoman Garzone made a motion to continue Ordinance 2023-12 to the October 12, 2023 meeting The motion was seconded by Council President Russo Motion carried; Vote 5-0 |
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| Ordinance 2023-13 | An Ordinance formerly known as Petition 2023-CP-61, requesting to amend the zone map for Assessor’s Plat 26, Lots 77, 85, 111 & 149 – 1725 Plainfield Pike to change the zone from R-20 to R-7 |
| Attorney John Mancini addressed the Council regarding the proposed zone change and discussed some adjustments that were made to their original proposed development Expert engineer Josh Kline from Stonefield Engineering discussed and answered questions regarding traffic impacts, drainage and buffer zones Council President Russo opened the hearing to public comment: Harlon Hersey: discussed concerns with the sewer capacity and DEM compliance Marcia Dolan: discussed drainage concerns and ice problems in the winter Arlene Siraivo: inquired about which lots would be used for the parking areas Alex Girgorian: Inquired about the type and size of the landscaping that would be used for the buffer Victoria Fazio: expressed concerns with traffic impacts |
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| Councilman Carnevale made a motion that the public hearing for Ordinance 2023-13 had been held The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Garzone Motion carried; Vote 5-0 Councilwoman Folcarelli made a motion to adopt Ordinance 2023-13 with the following stipulations: 1. The development project for this site shall be age restricted, 55 years old and over. There shall be no residents under age 55. The maximum amount of time any person under age 55 may temporarily reside in one of the residential units is 3 months. 2. A traffic study shall be conducted for the project. Said traffic study must be conducted while school is in session and said traffic study must be satisfactory to and approved by the Town of Johnston Planning Board. 3. A maximum of 30 residential units may be constructed on the site. Fifty percent of the total units constructed shall be three bedroom residential dwellings and Fifty percent shall be two-bedroom residential dwellings. 4. Any and all approvals required by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management shall be obtained by the developer applicant. 5. If any of the above conditions one through four are not met as determined by the Building Official for the Town of Johnston, the development will revert to its original zoning designation of R-20. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Garzone Roll call vote: District 1: Aye to adopt District 2: Aye to adopt District 3: Aye to adopt District 4: Aye to adopt Motion carried; Vote 5-0 |
| At this time the Town Council took a break from 9:25 p.m. and went back on the record at 9:30 p.m. |
| Ordinance 2023-14 | An Ordinance formerly known as Petition 2023-CP-94 requesting the Abandonment of portions of Stella St, Maria St, Middleton St & Celia St |
| Henry Rosciti addressed the Council regarding the proposed road abandonments Council President Russo opened the hearing to public comment: No person spoke for or against Ordinance 2023-14 Councilman Carnevale made a motion that the public hearing for Ordinance 2023-14 had been held The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Folcarelli Motion carried; Vote 5-0 Councilwoman Garzone made a motion to adopt Ordinance 2023-14 The motion was seconded by Councilman Carnevale Roll call vote: District 1: Aye to adopt District 2: Aye to adopt District 3: Aye to adopt District 5: Aye to adopt District 4: Aye to adopt Motion carried; Vote 5-0 |
Approval of the minutes and transcripts from previous meetings |
| Transcripts Prepared by the Stenographer May 8, 2023 Regular Meeting, Special Meeting and Executive Session Councilwoman Garzone made a motion to accept the transcripts and to place them on file The motion was seconded by Councilman Civetti Motion carried; Vote 5-0 June 12, 2023 Regular Meeting and Show Cause Hearing-Johnston Gas Councilwoman Garzone made a motion to accept the transcripts and to place them on file The motion was seconded by Councilman Civetti Motion carried; Vote 5-0 Minutes prepared by the Town Clerk: July 10, 2023 Regular Meeting Councilwoman Garzone made a motion to accept the minutes and to place them on file The motion was seconded by Councilman Civetti Motion carried; Vote 4-0 with Council President Russo abstaining |
Claims |
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| 2023-CP-131 | Claim from Kim Bunnell for damages |
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| 2023-CP-132 | Claim from Michelle Vicente for damage to her property |
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| 2023-CP-133 | Claim from David Rossi for personal injuries |
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| 2023-CP-134 | Claim from Kristie Rocha for personal injuries |
| Councilman Carnevale made a motion to refer 2023-CP-131, 2023-CP-132, 2023-CP-133 & 2023-CP-134 to the Solicitor The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Folcarelli Motion carried; Vote 5-0 |
Requests to be heard |
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| Please note: pursuant to Resolution 2023-4 of the Johnston Town Council, any person requesting to address the Council shall be heard for a maximum of 3 minutes. This will be strictly enforced. The Council may not take any action on matters appearing in the request to be heard portion of the agenda. |
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| 2023-CP-135 | Amy Dixon to discuss: Town Improvements/Schools |
| Amy Dixon shared her ideas and opinions regarding the state of the School Department |
Show Cause Hearing |
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| 2023-CP-97 | Show Cause Hearing for 5 Star Management, LLC- Johnston Gas, Inc d/b/a Johnston Gas 1209 Hartford Ave Continued from July 10, 2023 |
| Joseph and Josephine Najim addressed the Council regarding compliance with cleaning up their property and rats in the area Council President Russo asked if the public would like to speak |
| Donna Ricci: discussed concerns with rats after the camper was removed Pat Tucker: expressed safety concerns with all of the cars and requested that a fence be installed Carol Malargas: Spoke of concerns regarding rats and storing cars for extended periods Councilman Civetti made a motion to close and remove the show cause hearing from the agenda The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Garzone Motion carried; Vote 5-0 |
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Adjournment Councilwoman Garzone made a motion to adjourn the meeting The motion was seconded by Council President Russo Motion carried; Vote 5-0 The meeting adjourned at 10:19 pm |
| Attest: | |
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| Vincent P. Baccari, Jr., Town Clerk |
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