Settlement spurs creation of JHS athletic complex

Mayor Joseph Polisena recently announced a $3 million settlement with Rhode Island Resource Recovery, with funding to be allocated to the creation of a new athletic complex at Johnston High School (JHS).

The mayor filled the auditorium at the high school last week with department heads, members of his administration, school committee members, parents and children to announce the settlement and good tidings for the town’s schools and children.

“We have plans to totally rebuild the Johnston High School Athletic Complex,” he said. “This complex will be available for the children of today, tomorrow and the future.”

The announcement drew a flurry of applause and cheers, as members of the town’s football community, parents and coaches absorbed the news.

“Our youth deserve this. It’s our town and our town deserves it,” said the mayor. “This will be a state-of-the-art facility. There will be a synthetic football field, a new rubberized track and field, new concession stands and handicapped accessible bathrooms.”

The mayor also assured the audience that there would be new, accessible and comfortable bleacher seating at the complex.

“I want to stress that everyone will have accessibility to this complex.”

The settlement of $3 million, resulting from the “release of persistent and permeating odors” from the landfill, will be paid in one installment of $1.5 million, with the subsequent $1.5 million being paid out over a course of 14 years.

Michael OConnel, Director of Rhode Island Resource Recovery, was called to the podium. “We feel that this is a satisfactory resolution to this problem,” he said.

“We like to be known as a good neighbor. We want to get rid of the perception of the evil empire that some people think we are,” said OConnell. “[We] didn’t put the landfill in the middle of the town, but it’s here. We’re glad this one’s over. It’s a happy ending.”

“This will be a Herculean task,” said the mayor. “We are going to get it done.”

The mayor, flanked by department heads, called upon members of the administration to speak.

“It’s going to be a challenge,” said Stephanie Manzi, Town Council vice president. “When we are done, we’re all going to run a lap together.”

“This is truly one of the great days in Johnston education,” said Dr. Bernard DiLullo Jr., Superintendent of Schools. “We couldn’t accomplish this task without the dedication and high quality of our coaches, family involvement, our community, our administration and our school department,” he said.

Plans are already moving forward to get the project started in November, just after the finish of the football season.

“We are having our first committee meeting this Saturday,” said Polisena on Monday. “The committee is already formed and we are going to get this done.”

The committee overseeing the complex is made up of members of the administration, elected officials, coaches, school committee members and the general public.

As for funding the entire project, the mayor was confident that the town would be able to complete the complex.

“We have the $1.5 million up front,” he said. “Then we have steady payments coming in for 14 years. We will get the funding. If we have to borrow against the $1.5 million coming in, we will. We’re going to get this done.”

A graduate of Johnston High School, the mayor felt the project was a good way to give back to the town.

“You’re always going to get the naysayers,” he said. “There are always going to be people who aren’t going to like what you do. This is for the kids. I want to make the town better for the children of the town. It’s how I was raised – always give back.”