Council President Russo called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM at the Johnston Municipal Court Building located at 1600 Atwood Avenue, Johnston, RI 02919.

Town Sergeant, Stephen Mallane led with the Pledge of Allegiance

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.

                                               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 except for Councilwoman Garzone

Also present were: Sarah O’Toole, Esq., Vincent P. Baccari, Jr and Donna Dumont, stenographer

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

Ordinance 2023-16

An Ordinance amending Article III entitled “Zoning Districts and Maps, Use Table”, Article V “Supplementary Regulations” and Article XII “Variances and Special Use Permits of Chapter 340 of the Town of Johnston Code of Ordinances. Said Ordinance allows for the retail sales of Cannabis and establishes standards for drive-through businesses

Pending Planning Board Advisory Opinion

2023-CP-149

Petition for a Zone Map Change submitted by Alfred A Russo, Jr., Esq. on behalf of Sunn Builders to change the Zone Map for Assessors

Pending Planning Board Advisory Opinion

2023-CP-151

CA Risk Consultants, Inc/ Location: 57 North Olney Street

Business Operating License- Phone Calls Only

Risk Management Consulting

Caludia Acerra present

Councilman Carnevale made a motion to grant 2023-CP-151

The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Folcarelli

Motion carried; Vote 4-0

2023-CP-152

DPM Construction/ Location: 19 Carriage Way

Business Operating License- Phone Calls Only

General Construction

David Morra present

Councilman Civetti made a motion to grant 2023-CP-152

The motion was seconded by Councilman Carnevale

Motion carried; Vote 4-0

2023-CP-153

Andres Autosports, LLC d/b/a Comella’s Autobody and Collision/ Location: 429 George Waterman Road

Auto Body License- Transfer

Holiday Sales-

Risk Management Consulting

Otoniel Andres present

Councilman Civetti made a motion to grant 2023-CP-153

The motion was seconded by Councilman Carnevale

Motion carried; Vote 4-0

2023-CP-154

The Financial Coach/ Location: 7 Tall Oaks Court

Business Operating License- Phone Calls Only

Financial Literacy for Individuals and Families

Ron Williams present

Councilman Civetti made a motion to grant 2023-CP-154

The motion was seconded by Councilman Carnevale

Motion carried; Vote 4-0

2023-CP-155

DKRI, LLC, d/b/a DKRI Graphics/ Location: 7 Hargreaves Street

Business Operating License-

Printing of Shirts, Signs, Banners & Decals

Michael Keough present

Councilman Carnevale made a motion to grant 2023-CP-155

The motion was seconded by Councilman Civetti and Councilwoman Folcarelli

Motion carried; Vote 4-0

Councilman Civetti made a motion to sit as the Johnston Liquor Licensing Commission

The motion was seconded by Council President Russo

Motion carried; Vote 4-0

2023-L-7

JJ & HH, LLC d/b/a The Punjab/ Location: 1565 Plainfield Pike

Class BV-Full Liquor License-

Dine-in and Take-out Restaurant

Jasmi Karki present

Councilwoman Folcarelli made a motion to grant 2023-L-7

The motion was seconded by Councilman Carnevale

Motion carried; Vote 4-0

2023-L-8

NMP, LLC d/b/a A Taste of Italy/ Location: 1302 Atwood Avenue

Patio License-

Deli and Caffe

Mario Menella present

Councilwoman Folcarelli made a motion to grant 2023-L-8

The motion was seconded by Councilman Civetti

Motion carried; Vote 4-0

Councilman Civetti made a motion to sit back as the Johnston Town Council

The motion was seconded by Council President Russo

Motion carried; Vote 4-0

District 1:

None

District 2:

Absent

District 3:

Councilman Carnevale requested to have stop signs and “Slow Children” signs placed on Waveland Street in the vicinity of the new Tri-County building

District 5:

Councilman Civetti requested an update on if the Town has applied for the Highway Repair Project Grant through the State

District 4:

Council President Russo requested that the Town Clerk send a letter to the EMA Director to investigate flooding issues at 8 Grove Avenue as the resident’s basement gets flooded during heavy rain from the water running down Forrest Hill Drive

2023-CP-156

Re-appointment to the Johnston Housing Authority to fill the expired term

Councilman Civetti made a motion to re-appoint Joseph Rotella to the Johnston Housing Authority

The motion was seconded by Councilman Carnevale and Councilwoman Folcarelli

Motion carried; Vote; 4-0

2023-CP-157

Petition from Narragansett Electric & Verizon New England to install a new jointly owned pole 30-51 on Juliet Court

Councilman Civetti made a motion to grant 2023-CP-157

The motion was seconded by Councilman Carnevale

Motion carried; Vote 4-0

2023-CP-158

Petition submitted by Robert Zoglio for a speed bump on Sweet Hill Drive-For referral to the Police, Fire and Public Works Departments

Councilman Civetti made a motion to refer 2023-CP-158 to the Police, Fire and Public Work’s Departments

The motion was seconded by Councilman Carnevale

Motion carried; Vote 4-0

2023-CP-159

Market Basket Truck Entrance Safety Issue- Discussion with Market Basket and RIDOT

James Lamp from LT Development representing Market Basket spoke about the issue of customers using the truck only entrance and discussed some possible solutions

Amir Pajazetovic, the store manager was also in attendance

The Town Clerk presented the Council with a letter from the RI DOT which stated that they believe that the issue is one of enforcement and suggested that a gate be placed at the entrance to only allow the delivery trucks through

The Council President read the letter from DOT into the record

Discussion ensued

Council President Russo allowed residents to speak

Jarred Sousa: complained of people yelling and swearing at him when he tries to turn onto Hargreaves Street

Alex Pznowsky: Complained that he has been trying to get this resolved with RI DOT since the store opened

Mike Keogh: Complained about difficulties with turning onto Hargreaves Street and that the cars stack to take the turn into the store and they do not let him turn

Don Heidress: Complained about having to turn into the medical building parking lot in order to turn into Hargreaves Street

Mr Lamp noted that Market Basket has been working on solutions and that he will promptly discuss with RIDOT the possibility of marking the street and adding a crash gate

2023-CP-160

Petition submitted by Peter St.Lawrence to change the Zone map for Assessor’s Plat 5, Lots 213, 232, 234, 238, 262 & 263 from R-20 to Industrial-I-L

For referral to the Planning Board for an advisory opinion

Councilman Carnevale made a motion to refer 2023-CP-160 to the Planning Board for an advisory opinion

The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Folcarelli

Motion carried; Vote 4-0

Resolution 2023-45

A Resolution awarding a bid for the purchase of 3 Network Servers for the Town’s Information Technology Network

Councilman Civetti made a motion to adopt Resolution 2023-45

The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Folcarelli

Motion carried; Vote 4-0

Abatements

2023-TO-10

Tax Assessor Abatements- October 2023

Councilman Civetti made a motion to grant 2023-TO-10

The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Folcarelli

Motion carried; Vote 4-0

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

Continued from August 15, 2023

Council President Russo noted that the attorney for the project requested that Ordinance 2023-12 be continued to the next meeting

Councilman Civetti made a motion to continue Ordinance 2023-12 to the November 14, 2023 meeting

The motion was seconded by Councilman Carnevale

Motion carried; Vote 4-0

Transcripts Prepared by the Stenographer

None

Minutes prepared by the Town Clerk:

September 11, 2023 Regular Meeting, Special Meeting & Executive Session

Councilwoman Folcarelli made a motion to accept the minutes and to place them on file

The motion was seconded by Council President Russo

Motion carried; Vote 3-0 with Councilman Civetti abstaining

October 4, 2023 Special Meeting

Councilman Carnevale made a motion to accept the minutes and to place them on file

The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Folcarelli

Motion carried; Vote 4-0

2023-CP-161

Claim from Gregory Sousa for damage to his vehicle

Councilman Civetti made a motion to refer 2023-CP-161

The motion was seconded by Councilman Carnevale

Motion carried; Vote 4-0

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.

Attest:

Vincent P. Baccari, Jr., Town Clerk