Johnston Town Council votes ‘yes’ to mayor’s proposal to take land

JOHNSTON, R.I. (WLNE) — Local officials gathered at the Johnston Municipal Court Tuesday evening for a special town council meeting to discuss and vote on the mayor’s new proposal to use eminent domain to take a plot of land on George Waterman Road.

On Tuesday, the council voted “yes” to the mayor’s proposal of taking the land on George Waterman Road with the goal to build a brand new public safety complex, which would feature a new Town Hall, police station, and fire station.

However, this means the the proposed construction of 252 low-income housing units on George Waterman Road has come to a swift end.

At the meeting, Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr. expressed why he believed the town needed the new complex, claiming its “embarrassing for the town that they have to worry about their safety.”

Polisena said that the Town Hall, which was built in 1939, has many issues, including holes in the roof, stairwells that are too narrow that have caused people to fallen down many times, messy offices, and a closet with no floor.

He also added that the building is not handicap accessible, claiming that seniors struggle up and down staircases, and that some people can’t get around the building.

“There are some people we cannot serve,” Polisena said.

Another point made by the mayor included the HVAC systems, which he said do not work in many parts of the building, and that putting new technology into an old building is counterintuitive.

“It is no longer conducive to give the residents what they deserve,” Polisena said. “What kind of government can serve you if you can’t use the building?”

Outside the building, the mayor said there is only eight parking spots for the Town Hall.

Officials also discussed the status of the fire station, with Johnston Fire Chief David Iannuccilli listing multiple problems with the structure.

According to Iannuccilli, the building has had no significant upgrades, repairs have been more frequent, there have been numerous leaks, and that the wires that run through the building are not properly secured.

Additionally, he said there is no female shower facility for the staff, the 57-year-old roof needs to be replaced, and the building needs a new heating and cooling system.

He said the department has tried to secure grants but efforts were unsuccessful.

“My firefighters deserve better,” Iannuccilli said.

Fire Marshal John Roberts said the station does not meet fire code, and that they “close businesses down if they don’t meet code, but we are operating.”

When discussing the current police station, Johnston Police Chief Mark Vieira said the building’s pipes are corroding and leaking, the bathrooms do not have hot water, there are water spots on the ceiling, and the fire alarm system needs to be upgraded.