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| Johnston Town Council |
| Town Council Minutes | December 8, 2025 | Johnston Municipal Court Building | ||
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| Council President Russo called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM at the Johnston Municipal Court Building located at 1600 Atwood Avenue, Johnston, RI 02919. | ||||
| Town Clerk, Vincent P. Baccari, Jr., 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 2025-1, 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 | ||||
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Award & Recognition Ceremonies | ||||
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Status on Public Hearings | ||||
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| 2024-CP-173 | Petition submitted by Mohamad Yaser & Rhonda Sasa to change the zone map for Assessor’s Plat 8, Lot 14 on Morgan Avenue from R-20 to R-7 for referral to the Planning Board for an advisory opinion Pending Planning Board Advisory Opinion | |||
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| 2025-CP-10 | Petition submitted by Bachar Sasa to change the zone map for Assessor’s Plat 43, Lots 264 & 265 on Shun Pike from R-40 to I-Industrial for referral to the Planning Board for an advisory opinion | |||
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| Ordinance 2025-4 | An Ordinance in amendment of Article IV, Section § 340-16 of Chapter 340 entitled “Industrial Performance Standards” of the Town of Johnston Code of Ordinances. Said ordinance amends the section regarding noise, for referral to the Planning Board Advisory Opinion Pending Planning Board Advisory Opinion | |||
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Ordinances to be Read | ||||
Licenses | ||||
| Richard Tailor Express/ Location: 1450 Atwood Ave., Unit 7 Business Operating License- Tailor and Dry Cleaner Continued from November 10, 2025 | ||||
| Richard Mercado present Councilwoman Garzone made a motion to grant 2025-CP-153 The motion was seconded by Councilman Carnevale Motion carried; vote 5-0 | ||||
| Federal Express Corporation/ Location: 29 Green Earth Ave. Business Operating License- Air and Ground Shipping Continued from November 10, 2025 | ||||
| Councilman Civetti made a motion to grant 2025-CP-164 The motion was seconded by Councilman Carnevale & Councilwoman Garzone Motion carried; vote 5-0 | ||||
| Direct Hire Solutions, LLC / Location: 7 Freedom Court Business Operating License- Phone Calls Only Source candidates and present them to hiring companies Continued from November 10, 2025 | ||||
| Carlos Asian present Councilman Carnevale made a motion to grant 2025-CP-180 The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Folcarelli Motion carried; vote 5-0 | ||||
| Buildwise / Location: 11 Susan Circle Business Operating License- Phone Calls Only Carpenter Continued from November 10, 2025 | ||||
| Applicant not present Councilwoman Garzone made a motion to remove 2025-CP-181 from the agenda The motion was seconded by Councilman Carnevale Motion carried; vote 5-0 | ||||
| Musicians Corner / Location: 223 Putnam Pike Business Operating License- Musical Instruments Retail and Music Lessons | ||||
| Applicant not present Councilman Civetti made a motion to continue 2025-CP-199 to the January 12, 2026 meeting The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Garzone Motion carried; vote 5-0 | ||||
| Rhode Island Periodontics, Inc d/b/a Rhode Island Periodontics / Location: 1740 Atwood Avenue Business Operating License- Periodontics and Dental Implants | ||||
| Gregory Theberge present Councilman Civetti made a motion to grant 2025-CP-200 The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Garzone Motion carried; vote 5-0 | ||||
| The Jewelry Center, Inc d/b/a The Jewelry Center / Location: 1221 Atwood Ave Business Operating License- Change of Location Holiday Sales- Retail Jewelry Store and Repairs | ||||
| David Santilli present Councilwoman Folcarelli made a motion to grant 2025-CP-201 The motion was seconded by Councilman Carnevale Motion carried; vote 5-0 | ||||
| Dubuisson Landscaping, LLC d/b/a Dubuisson Landscaping / Location: 728 Central Ave Business Operating License- Phone Calls Only Landscaping | ||||
| Oscar Dubuisson present Discussion ensued regarding that the storage of commercial vehicles and equipment is prohibited Councilwoman Folcarelli made a motion to grant 2025-CP-202 subject to no commercial vehicles/equipment stored at the site The motion was seconded by Councilman Carnevale Motion carried; vote 5-0 | ||||
| Who’s Treasures, LLC / Location: 2555 Hartford Ave Business Operating License- Holiday Sales- Resale of Antiques and Vintage Gifts | ||||
| Marie Bishop present Councilman Civetti made a motion to grant 2025-CP-203 The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Garzone Motion carried; vote 5-0 | ||||
| Dasilva-Lining Coaching and Consulting / Location: 18 Forrest Hill Drive Business Operating License- Phone Calls Only Life Coaching, Personal Development & Wellness | ||||
| Yolanda DaSilva-Melo present Councilman Civetti made a motion to grant 2025-CP-204 The motion was seconded by Councilman Carnevale Motion carried; vote 5-0 | ||||
| Healthier Air / Location: 20 Vinton St Business Operating License- Phone Calls Only Heating and Air Conditioning- Repair and Replace | ||||
| Jose Echeverria present Councilman Civetti made a motion to grant 2025-CP-210 The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Garzone Motion carried; vote 5-0 | ||||
Liquor Licensing Commission | ||||
| Councilman Civetti made a motion to sit as the Johnston Liquor Licensing Commission The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Garzone Motion carried; vote 5-0 | ||||
| El Comal Restaurante y Café, LLC d/b/a El Comal Restaurante y Café / Location: 1031 Plainfield Street Class BV-Full Liquor License- Small restaurant serving authentic Guatemalan food Continued from November 10, 2025 | ||||
| Karen Chicas present Councilwoman Folcarelli made a motion to grant 2025-L-16 The motion was seconded by Councilman Carnevale Motion carried; vote 5-0 | ||||
| CWO Enterprises d/b/a Sandos Pizzeria/ Location: 1571 Atwood Ave., Unit #3 Liquor License- Class BV-Full- 2025-2026 Annual Renewal of Liquor License | ||||
| Councilman Civetti made a motion to grant 2025-L-17 The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Garzone & Councilman Carnevale Motion carried; vote 5-0 Councilwoman Garzone made a motion to sit back as the Johnston Town Council The motion was seconded by Councilman Civetti Motion carried; vote 5-0 | ||||
Constituent Requests | ||||
| District 1: None District 2: None District 3: Councilman Carnevale requested: Speed enforcement on Craigie Street Add Headley Avenue to the list of roads to be paved 126 Hedley Ave/corner of Dyerville Ave, requested that snow be plowed past her house to the end of Hedley Avenue to the Golf Course as they blocked her driveway in the past | ||||
| District 5: Councilman Civetti requested a report of how much funding that the Land Trust has available for conservation District 4: Council President Russo requested an update for the requested signs near the Woonasquatucket River The Town Clerk noted that Director Deller has been in contact with RIDEM and they are working on it | ||||
Unfinished Business | ||||
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New Business | ||||
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| Re-appointment of Zachary Gordon to the First Town Council Position of the Johnston School Committee The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Garzone Motion carried; vote 5-0
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| Petition submitted by Mohamed Yaser Sasa to amend his original petition 2024-CP-173, a petition for a zone change of Assessor’s Plat 8, Lot 14 Amendment proposes changing the originally proposal from R-20 of R-7 to an amended zoning designation of R-20 to a Planned Development District- For referral to the Planning Board for an advisory opinion | ||||
| Councilwoman Garzone made a motion to refer 2025-CP-206 to the Planning Board for an advisory opinion The motion was seconded by Councilman Carnevale Motion carried; vote 5-0 Petitioner, Sam Sasa addressed the Council and discussed his original proposal which received a unanimous decision of approval by the Planning Board and that he is willing to amend his original plan Discussion ensued regarding staying with the original proposal and withdrawing the proposed amendment Mr. Sasa Requested to withdraw his amended petition and that he will stay with his original plans Councilwoman Garzone made a motion to withdraw 2025-CP-206 from the agenda The motion was seconded by Councilmen Carnevale & Civetti Motion carried; vote 5-0 | ||||
| Petition for a zone change submitted by Miles Gas, Inc to change the zone of Assessor’s Plat 54, Lots 10 & 120 from R-40 to B-2- for referral to the Planning Board for an advisory opinion Councilman Carnevale made a motion to refer 2025-CP-207 to the Planning Board for an advisory opinion The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Garzone Motion carried; vote 5-0 | ||||
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| A Resolution Authorizing the mayor to enter into a purchase agreement for an EZ 0012-T dump insert for the Department of Development and Public Service The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Garzone Motion carried; vote 5-0 | ||||
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| A Resolution Authorizing the mayor to enter into a purchase agreement for a High-Pressure Root Cutter for the DPPS The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Folcarelli Motion carried; vote 5-0 | ||||
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Resolution 2025-61 | A Resolution Authorizing the mayor to enter into a purchase agreement for two Chevrolet Silverado 5500 trucks with dump bodies and plows for the Department of Development and Public Service The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Folcarelli Motion carried; vote 5-0 | |||
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| A Resolution Authorizing the mayor to enter into a change order between the Town and Beta Group for additional engineering services for the Woodlake Park re-design The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Folcarelli Motion carried; vote 5-0 | ||||
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Resolution 2025-63 | A Resolution Authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement for engineering, design and permitting services for the Belfield Avenue stormwater management project The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Garzone Motion carried; vote 5-0
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| 2025-CP-208 | Segal to present: The Town of Johnston Actuarial Results, Disclosures, and Trust Documents as of June 2025, including: • Police and Firefighters Pension System • Fire Retiree Longevity Plan • Fire COLA only Plan • Police COLA only Plan Finance Director, Joseph Chiodo discussed three trust agreements that will be presented to the Town Council for approval at a future meeting Councilman Civetti made a motion to continue 2025-CP-208 to the January 12, 2025 meeting The motion was seconded by Councilman Carnevale & Councilwoman Garzone Motion carried; vote 5-0 | |||
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Abatements | ||||
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| Tax Assessor Abatements – December, 2025 The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Garzone Motion carried; vote 5-0 | ||||
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Public Hearings for Ordinances | ||||
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Approval of the minutes and transcripts from previous meetings | ||||
| Transcripts Prepared by the Stenographer Minutes prepared by the Town Clerk: November 10, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes Councilwoman Garzone & Councilman Carnevale made a motion to accept the minutes and to place them on file The motion was seconded by Council President Russo Motion carried; vote 5-0 | ||||
Claims | ||||
| None | ||||
Requests to be heard | ||||
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| Please note: pursuant to Section 8 of the Johnston Town Council Rules, 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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| Hestor Betancur to discuss: the Greystone Bridge- do not want a new bridge after the demolition of the old bridge | ||||
| Mr. Betancur discussed the removal of and the ownership of the Greystone Bridge | ||||
Adjournment 8:28 p.m.-Councilwoman Folcarelli excused herself from the meeting Councilwoman Garzone made a motion to adjourn the meeting The motion was seconded by Councilman Carnevale Motion carried; vote 4-0 The meeting adjourned at 8:29 p.m. | ||||
| Attest: | | |||
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| Vincent P. Baccari, Jr., Town Clerk | ||||
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