Council Roundup

The Council Roundup is a digest of licenses, ordinances and other matters from the Oct. 13 Johnston Town Council meeting. District 5 Councilman Robert Civetti was not present because of a prior commitment.

COPPERFIELD’S

On a 4-0 vote, the Town Council approved a probationary entertainment license for Copperfield’s Bar and Grill, located at 678 Killingly St.

Owner Karim Menebhi received his restaurant and liquor licenses with little discussion, but District 3 Council Vice President Joseph Polisena Jr. balked at the notion of providing the entertainment license outright. Polisena said there had been numerous noise complaints from neighbors about the previous tenant.

“I can’t support the entertainment license,” Polisena said. “It would be a disservice the people I represent in that area.”

Menebhi said that music would cease at 11 p.m., while the establishment would close at 1. He argued that the location could not replicate the success of his Smithfield restaurant without live music to buoy it.

“Our venue is supported by the entertainment,” Menebhi said. “We’re not trying to duplicate what we have in Smithfield.

District 2 Councilman David Santilli Jr. said the town is trying to “be cognizant of the neighbors.” Polisena asked town solicitor Dylan Conley what recourse the town had regarding limitations on the license, and Conley said there were two options – place contingencies on the license or label it probationary.

“They have the right to have entertainment, but it’s not a grant,” Conley said of the probationary tag. “It can be removed at a much, much lower threshold than a show cause hearing. Very low standard to take it away.”

Mayor Joseph Polisena stepped to the podium earlier in the evening to raise concerns about parking at Copperfield’s as well. He said the previous tenant was using nearby Calef School for valet parking, and on one occasion a woman slipped getting into her car and sued the town. The restaurant license also passed, 4-0, with no parking allowed on town parking or Waveland Street. LICENSES

The council approved business operating and tobacco licenses for Convenience Plus, located at 1501 Atwood Ave.

The council approved a business operating license for Ace Adventure Dog Trainings, located at 1467 Atwood Ave.

The council approved a business operating license, phone calls only, for Sam’s Dog Service, located at 281 Morgan Ave.

The council approved a business operating license for Cambio’s Cuts, located at 190 Putnam Pike.

The council approved a business operating license for Medical Cosmetic and Wellness Center, located at 1481 Atwood Ave.

The council approved a business operating license for Elite Glass, located at 1351 Hartford Ave.

The council approved a business operating license, phone calls only, for BTW SM, located at 15 Anita Road.

The council approved a restaurant license transfer for The Punjab Indian Cuisine, located at 1565 Plainfield Pike. The board sent the license through with the contingency that parking is prohibited on Plainfield Pike. The council also OK’d entertainment and liquor licenses for the establishment. NEW BUSINESS

The council approved a petition from National Grid and Verizon New England to relocate a jointly owned pole on Kenton Drive.

The council approved the re-appointment of Anthony Pilozzi to the Zoning Board to fill his expired term.

The council approved a resolution requesting that the General Assembly enact legislation o amend a Rhode Island General Law pertaining to Johnston’s tax classification to synchronize it with the current state law.

The council approved a resolution authorizing the purchase of a new rescue vehicle for the Johnston Fire Department. Mayor Polisena said the old rescue would be donated to the Dominican Republic.

The council approved awarding a bid and authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement for the installation of a standby power system/generator for the Johnston Police headquarters.

The council approved a resolution authorizing a utility easement through the land known as assessor’s plat 29, lot 69, on Scituate Avenue.

The council approved a resolution awarding a bid and authorizing the mayor enter into an agreement for the installation of a new video surveillance system for the Johnston Police headquarters.

— Jacob Marrocco