The Council Roundup is a digest of hearings, ordinances, licenses, and other proceedings from the Johnston Town Council’s January 21 meeting. All members were present except Council President Robert Russo.
STATUS ON PUBLIC HEARINGS
Zone Map Changes:
Valerie McGuire submitted a petition to rezone Assessor’s Plat 57, Lot 170 on Hartford Avenue from mixed B-2 and R-40 to B-2. This was referred to the Planning Board for an advisory opinion.
Mohamad Yaser and Rhonda Sasa petitioned to rezone Assessor’s Plat 8, Lot 14 on Morgan Avenue from R-20 to R-7. This was also sent to the Planning Board for review.
ORDINANCES
Ordinance 2025-1:
Authorizes borrowing up to $300,000 for planning stormwater facility improvements. Town Planner Thomas Deller presented this ordinance.
Ordinance 2025-2:
Amends Chapter 340, Article IV, Section § 340-16 of the Town Code, focusing on industrial performance standards. The ordinance requires covering dirt mounds to minimize dust, sediment runoff, and erosion. It was introduced by Councilwoman Linda Folcarelli on behalf of residents near industrial sites and referred to the Planning Board for an advisory opinion.
LICENSE APPROVALS
The Town Council unanimously approved the following licenses:
Avalon Assemblies: Antonio Benevides, for furniture and equipment assembly services at customer locations, based at 23 Rollingwood Drive.
809 Auto Sales: A name change and license for Juan Castillo at 577 Killingly Street, a former used car dealership.
True North Tattoo LLC: Elizabeth Sylvia at 1227 Atwood Avenue, offering tattoo services and art commissions.
Iced Hair Studio LLC: Aysel Aliyeva at 1481 Atwood Avenue, specializing in haircuts, coloring, and styling.
Donald’s Auto Repair: Donald Funes at 32 Starr Street.
Busy Bees LLC: Karissa Kane at 2674 Hartford Avenue, an indoor children’s play area with working suites for adults.
Tortilleria Guatemalteca Jirch: A take-out food business at 56 Greenville Avenue.
Freshman Barbershop: Manuel Jiminez Morales at 1500 Atwood Avenue.
CONSTITUENT REQUESTS
Traffic Signs and Enforcement:
Maribeth Drive residents requested “Do Not Block the Box” signs with additional fines at intersections with Killingly Street and Ruth Street. Suggestions were made to involve the State Highway Commission.
Central Avenue residents reported speeding concerns and suggested traffic enforcement or installing a speed bump.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Land Donation:
Resolution 2024-45 authorizes accepting donated land (Assessor’s Plat 35, Lot 185) near the Public Works Garage. Environmental conditions were discussed, and the motion was adopted.
Flood Mitigation Project:
Resolution 2024-66 approves over $2 million in grant funding for the Atwood and Hartford Avenue Chronic Flooding Mitigation Project. Additional funding is anticipated.
NEW BUSINESS
Petitions and Resolutions:
Narragansett Electric and Verizon were approved to install a new pole on Spruce Street.
Bachar Sasa petitioned to rezone Assessor’s Plat 43, Lots 264 & 265 on Shun Pike from R-40 to Industrial, referred to the Planning Board.
Resolution 2025-5 approved $6,490 for engine diagnostic hardware/software for the Department of Development and Public Services.
Resolution 2025-6 increased Central Nurseries’ contract by $9,201.25 for a landscaping buffer due to unexpected issues.
A climate control system for the sign machine room, at a cost of approximately $8,000, was approved.
A $50,000 beautification plan for a landscape project near Town Hall was authorized.
CLAIMS
Claims from Clerkin, Sinclair & Mafouz, LLP on behalf of Debra Lombardi (vehicle damage) and Benitz Caceras Mirca (damages) were referred to the town solicitor.
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