Polisena praises state response, looks to suspend limit on retiree part-time hours

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Mayor Joseph Polisena praised Gov. Gina Raimondo and Department of Health Director Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott’s response to the coronavirus pandemic during a phone interview Tuesday morning, saying they have been “rock stars” throughout the process.

Before the interview began, Polisena lauded the maintenance staff at Town Hall and other buildings across Johnston for adhering to the rigorous cleaning schedule in place. The mayor said the town institutions that are closed, such as Municipal Court and the library, are cleaned every couple hours.

He sent out a phone blast to residents on Monday notifying them the town is still open for business, despite his executive order last week closing several central buildings.

“The court is closed for adjudication, but the workers are behind a big piece of glass,” Polisena said. “We have marked off in squares the 6-feet social separation. We’ve done that to all the public buildings that are open. The Senior Center is closed, but they’re still doing meals for seniors. We have it taped off. We did that for the courthouse and did it for the Department of Public Works … You have to make sure the town still operates.”

Polisena said Raimondo and Alexander-Scott have been keeping Rhode Islanders “calm and informed,” noting he takes part in regular conference calls with updates on the state’s situation.

He added that he is asking to waive a rule limiting retirees to working 19 hours a week part-time, which Polisena said would be a safeguard in case numerous town employees become sick.

“That way I can have part-timers work more, pension rules are they can only work 19 hours a week,” Polisena said. “I’m trying to get that suspended for now. I asked a couple of days ago and they haven’t gotten back to me yet. To me, [Raimondo and Alexander-Scott] are really the unsung heroes. They’re two rock stars right now. I’m glad that the governor didn’t have everyone shelter in place because that would probably have a devastating effect on the economy.”

Polisena noted that no Town Hall employees have reported any flu-like symptoms recently either.

“Thank God, everyone’s healthy,” Polisena, a nurse by trade, said. “I walk through Town Hall and say, ‘Don’t forget, don’t touch your face.’ They all have gloves. They all have antiseptic wipes. They have Clorox wipes. That have Lysol spray. We’re really well prepared, and once again, the countertops get cleaned. They do not accept any paper or credit card from anybody unless they have gloves.”

Polisena, who was mayor during the Great Recession more than a decade ago, said he doesn’t remember the crash being as severe as it is now. He said he doesn’t envy President Donald Trump’s position of having to balance staving off both a pandemic and an economic crisis.

“If we continue doing this, people will lose their homes and obviously they’re losing their jobs,” Polisena said. “These mom and pop stores that are the backbone of our business, if they can’t restart, get a jumpstart when all of this is over, they’re not going to be able to come back. I understand what the president is trying to do … I’m just glad that I’m not the president of the United States having to make that decision. I think he’s done a great job, by the way.”

While he’s repeatedly expressed concern about the long-term effects on business in town, he offered some advice for nervous Rhode Islanders.

“I encourage people to stay in and listen to the governor … listen to the medical experts,” Polisena said. “Stay off the internet because there’s too much misinformation on the internet. Spend some time with your family and kids, if they’re home with you. Get reacquainted with your family. Everyone is busy. They have to pay their mortgages, pay for college. Now is the time to get reacquainted.”

The town is marching on, though, doing its best to keep up.

“We still have people that are paying taxes, whether through their credit card or coming in, people can come in and drop off their taxes here in the hallway,” Polisena said. “We’re in decent shape so far. My heart goes out to the businesses that are closed. I’m hoping soon that will end. When people clear that up, I hope they can start supporting local restaurants. As far as cash flow goes we’re OK at this point in town. We did a lot of pre-planning over the years with our surpluses and stuff.”

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