Council Roundup

The Council Roundup is a digest of licenses, appointments and other proceedings from the Johnston Town Council’s May 13 meeting.

LICENSES

The council unanimously approved the transfer of ownership of a business license for Personal Touch Car Wash located 504 Killingly St.

The council unanimously voted to continue hearings for Convenience Plus until the June meeting. Convenience Plus – located at 1501 Atwood Ave. – is applying for both a business operating license and tobacco license, but did not have a representative present to speak on its behalf.

The council unanimously approved a private detective license for John Santilli of Intel Investigations, located at 14 Finne Road.

The council unanimously approved a hawker/peddler license for Keystone Fireworks, located at 1395 Atwood Ave., permitting the sale of fireworks from June 27 until July 6.

The council unanimously approved a hawker/peddler license for Phantom Fireworks, located at 2948 Hartford Ave., permitting the sale of fireworks from June 26 until July 6.

The council unanimously approved a business operating license, phone calls only, for Trolleri Design, located at 141 Peck Hill Road.

The council unanimously approved a business operating license for Rhode Island Tattoo Company, located at 1478 Atwood Ave.

The council unanimously approved a restaurant license for Breakfast at Tiffany’s, located at 560 Killingly St.

The council unanimously approved a business operating license, phone calls only, for Paquin & Sons Construction, located at 10 Craigie Ave.

The council unanimously approved the renewal of all business licenses for 2019-20.

LIQUOR LICENSES

The council unanimously approved a special class F liquor license for beer and wine for the Friends of the Johnston Senior Citizens Center at 1291 Hartford Ave. for an event of June 1. The approval is contingent on the group obtaining a TULIP – or Tenants’ and Users’ Liability Insurance Policy – to provide liability coverage.

The council unanimously approved a special class F liquor license for beer and wine for the St. Rocco Catholic Church’s annual feast and festival from Aug. 15-18.

PETITIONS

The council unanimously approved a petition from National Grid and Verizon for the installation of P-180-25, located on Central Avenue.

The council unanimously approved a petition submitted by Alfred Russ, Esq., on behalf of Murial Alterio, 31 West Scenic View Drive, for the purchase of a portion of land from the town to be referred to the Planning Board for an advisory opinion.

RESOLUTIONS

The council unanimously approved a resolution appointing Frank Manni as the auxiliary municipal court judge. Mayor Joseph Polisena swore Manni in during Monday’s meeting.

The council unanimously approved a resolution in opposition to House Bill 5437 Sub A and Senate Bill 512, an act relating to labor and labor relations, arbitration and continuance of contractual provisions. Polisena has publicly opposed the legislation – which extends the benefits and wages for municipal and teacher contracts while negotiations for a new deal are ongoing – and referred to it on numerous occasions as a “lifetime contract” bill. Less than a day after the resolution passed, Gov. Gina Raimondo signed the House and Senate bills into law.

The council unanimously approved resolutions ratifying mutual aid agreements between the Johnston Police Department and the Cranston and Smithfield police departments for reciprocal police services.

The council unanimously approved resolutions authorizing the mayor to enter into third-party agreements for administrative services relating to police officers and firefighters who are injured while on duty.

The council unanimously approved a tentative agreement between the town of Johnston and the Rhode Island Laborers’ District Council on behalf of Local Union 808 of the Laborers’ International Union of North America AFL-CIO.

The council unanimously approved a resolution pursuant to filing grant applications with the Department of Administration under the Fiscal Year 2018 Rhode Island Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program.

PUBLIC HEARINGS ON ORDINANCES

The council unanimously approved an ordinance eliminating off-street parking caps for businesses, a move Polisena heralded as positive for businesses in town. The council approved the amendment at last month’s meeting, and it came before the council for a public hearing on Monday. No one from the public spoke in favor or against the amendment. Polisena again teased a major business development in town, saying it would be the “first of its kind” in Rhode Island and hire about 400 people. The council also updated the town’s sign ordinance.

On a 4-1 vote, the council approved a petition for a zone change submitted by Gary Balletto requesting to change the zone on assessor’s plat 25, lot 5 from R-20 to planned district. Nearby residents voiced concerns about the proposed multi-unit development – which would be located off of Simmonsville Avenue – citing potential noise and lighting issues. The measure should come before the Planning Board again in a few months. The matter was approved with the conditions that all permits must be obtained and the development must be for residents 55 years or older. District 1 Councilwoman Linda L. Folcarelli was the lone “no” vote.