Council Round-up

The Council Round-up is a digest of licenses, appointments and other proceedings from the Johnston Town Council’s June 8 meeting. This month’s meeting was held via Zoom because of the coronavirus pandemic.

LICENSES

The council unanimously approved a business operating license, phone calls only, for Koko City Rentals, located at 1074 Plainfield St.

The council approved a business operating license, phone calls only, for Advanced Welding Services, located at 15 Industrial Lane.

The council approved an expansion of an existing business license to include tobacco for The Joint on 6, located at 2948 Hartford Ave.

The council approved a business operating license, phone calls only, for RI Web Services, located at 2 Camille Drive.

The council approved a business operating license, phone calls only, for Pearson’s Tree Service, located at 21 Vacca St.

The council approved a business operating license for Elite Physical Therapy, located at 1412 Atwood Ave.

The council approved a business operating license, phone calls only, for KBR Remodeling, located at 153 Bishop Hill Road.

The council approved a renewal of all 2020-21 bingo licenses.

The council, sitting as the Liquor Licensing Commission, approved a special Class F liquor license for the annual Our Lady of Grace Church Feast of LaMadonna Della DiFesa festival, which will be held from Sept. 10 to 13.

NEW BUSINESS

The council referred a petition to the Planning Board from Goulin Realty for a utility easement through Assessors Plat 29, Lot 69, located on Scituate Avenue.

The council authorized a resolution allowing Mayor Joseph Polisena to enter into an agreement for the repaving of certain streets within the town.

Council President Robert Russo pleaded with residents to keep their garbage sealed until garbage day to prevent rodents from getting in to cans. He said he wants to “push residents to keep their yards clean,” and noted the town can’t use any types of poison to prevent collateral damage to neighborhood pets.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

The council approved an ordinance that would require parties erecting solar systems in town to cover the cost of decommissioning.

“This is just at the end of life at any of the solar fields, there is a large amount of equipment on the property that can be expensive to remove,” assistant town solicitor Dylan Conley said. “The town doesn’t want to be stuck in a position covering the cost to remove.”

Conley said building parties would either have to provide a bond or deposit with the town.

The council approved an ordinance ordering the assessment and collection of property tax on the ratable real estate, tangible personal property and an excise tax on registered motor vehicles and trailers.

The council approved an ordinance renaming the Johnston Police Department as the Town of Johnston Chief Richard S. Tamburini Law Enforcement Complex.

“This is something that the chief deserves,” Council Vice President and legislation sponsor Joseph Polisena Jr. said. “We’re all very appreciative of the chief and the high standards he brought to the Johnston Police Department. He’s made the Johnston Police Department better now than it was when he took over. I want to thank the chief personally and wish him well in his retirement.”