Johnston public meetings in 2024

Town Council Meeting

The Johnston Town Council will meet to authorize borrowing up to $300,000 for stormwater facility planning and consider resolutions for police, fire, and infrastructure projects. The meeting includes several business operating license applications and vehicle damage claims.

• Authorize borrowing up to $300,000 for stormwater facility planning
• Authorize agreement for Atwood and Hartford Avenue chronic flooding mitigation
• Authorize purchase of new Dispatch Radio System for Police Department
• Authorize purchase of body armor for the fire department
• Authorize upgrades to the Town's website for ADA compliance

Regular Planning Board Meeting

The Johnston Planning Board approved several land development plans and a rezoning request, continued a public hearing on a retirement community, and discussed a low-income housing pre-application.

• Approved 24-unit housing development at 1725 Plainfield Pike
• Approved rezoning 2697 Hartford Avenue from R-40 and B-2 to B-2
• Continued public hearing for 80 Morgan Avenue retirement community to January 7, 2025
• Approved 1,000 sq. ft. Dunkin' drive-thru at 1296 Atwood Avenue
• Accepted donation of 101 Irons Avenue parcel to the Town

Cancelled Zoning Board Meeting

The November 21, 2024, meeting of the Johnston Zoning Board has been cancelled. No other items were listed on the agenda.

Town Council Meeting

The Johnston Town Council will consider borrowing up to $300,000 for stormwater facility planning and review business operating licenses for local medical and auto repair businesses. The meeting will also address the transfer of funds to the Capital Projects Fund and the renewal of liquor and entertainment licenses.

• Borrowing up to $300,000 for stormwater facility planning
• Transfer of $118,100 from General Fund to Capital Projects Fund
• Business Operating License for Mighty Auto Parts of Rhode Island
• Business Operating License for All Smiles Teeth Whitening
• Annual renewal of liquor and entertainment licenses

*CANCELLED* Regular Planning Board Meeting

The November 12, 2024, meeting of the Johnston Planning Board was cancelled due to a lack of quorum. All scheduled items will be heard at the December 3, 2024, meeting.

Regular Zoning Board Meeting

The Johnston Zoning Board of Review met to consider two property petitions. The board voted to grant a special use permit for a home-based business and a dimensional variance for a new garage.

• Approved special use permit for Derek and Shelby Sousa at 448 George Waterman Rd for a hair salon and 1 bedroom apartment
• Approved dimensional variance for Joseph and Colleen Serydynski at 27 Reservoir Avenue to construct a metal garage

Town Council Meeting

The Johnston Town Council will consider a series of business operating and liquor licenses, several resolutions authorizing purchases of trucks and other heavy equipment for the Department of Development and Public Services, and a grant agreement for a stormwater detention area. A presentation on community‑choice electricity aggregation will also be discussed, along with petitions for a speed bump and a zoning map change. The meeting includes routine items such as award ceremonies, public hearing status, and constituent requests.

• 2024-CP-139: Business Operating License for OPD Development Corp (14 Priscilla Lane) – land development and new construction
• 2024-L-1: Full Liquor License transfer for Murphy Holdings d/b/a Reali’s Fine Italian Cuisine (79 Putnam Pike)
• Resolution 2024-50: Authorize purchase of two 42FR‑Mack dump trucks for the Department of Development and Public Services
• Resolution 2024-49: Authorize agreement with Northern RI Conservation District and use matching grant funds for a stormwater detention area on Belfield Drive
• 2024-CP-156: Presentation by Freedom Energy Logistics on purchasing electricity via Community Choice Aggregation

*CANCELLED* Regular Planning Board Meeting

The October 1, 2024 meeting of the Johnston Planning Board has been cancelled. All scheduled items will be heard at the November 12, 2024 meeting.

Cancelled Zoning Board Meeting

The scheduled Zoning Board meeting for September 26, 2024 at the Johnston Senior Center was cancelled. No agenda items were considered or decided. No further action was taken by the board.

Town Council Meeting

The Johnston Town Council will consider approving the transfer of $1,563,000 in surplus funds for road maintenance and authorize the installation of a video surveillance system at the War Memorial Park. The meeting also includes the approval of business operating licenses and the ratification of an agreement to enroll a property into a state development program.

• Transfer of $1,563,000 to Capital Projects Fund for road maintenance
• Authorization for video surveillance system at War Memorial Park
• Agreement to enroll 1307 Hartford Avenue into RI Ready Program
• Approval of business operating licenses for 7 local businesses
• Public hearing for ordinance amending dog barking regulations

Regular Planning Board Meeting

The September 3rd, 2024 meeting of the Johnston Planning Board has been cancelled. The meeting was scheduled to take place at the Johnston Senior Center.

• Meeting cancelled
• Meeting location: Johnston Senior Center
• Meeting date: September 3rd, 2024

Amended Zoning Board Meeting

The Johnston Zoning Board of Review met to consider a petition for a use variance at 2674 Hartford Ave. The board approved the request with specific requirements for safety barriers.

• Approved use variance for 2674 Hartford Ave (Ap 46 Lot 32) for an indoor children's play area with second-floor offices, contingent on the use of jersey barriers and bollards

Regular Planning Board Meeting

The Planning Board approved a comprehensive permit for a mixed-income housing project and granted variances for two minor subdivisions. The board also voted to cancel its September 3rd meeting.

• Approved PB 24-06: 32 housing units (16 low-to-moderate income, 16 market rate) at 198 Shun Pike
• Approved PB 24-22: Minor subdivision to create 3 undersized lots at 29 Pleasant Street
• Approved PB 24-26: Minor subdivision to create 2 lots at 1114 Central Avenue
• Conditioned 198 Shun Pike approval on an expanded roadway and permeable walking path

Town Council Meeting

The Johnston Town Council will consider borrowing up to $300,000 for stormwater and sewer planning, selling a town property on Dyerville Avenue, and approving various business licenses and reappointments.

• Ordinance 2024-11: Borrowing up to $300,000 for stormwater and sewer facility improvements
• Resolution 2024-41: Sale of Assessor's Plat 13, Lot 142 on Dyerville Avenue
• Resolution 2024-42: Awarding bid for Electrical Hot Box installation on Atwood Avenue
• Resolution 2024-43: Awarding bid for Street Paving Services
• Ordinance 2024-10: Amending zoning for animal shelters, kennels, and grooming services

Zoning Board Meeting

The Johnston Zoning Board of Review will vote on a variance and related stipulations for a plumbing business at 1225 Atwood Avenue, including curb cuts, buffer strips, fence replacement, and parking limits. The board will also consider a special‑use permit for a doggie day‑care center at 1665 Hartford Avenue, limiting the operation to ten dogs, controlling noise, and requiring waste‑removal services. Both items will be decided by voice vote at the July 25 meeting.

• Variance and conditions for 1225 Atwood Ave (Zone B1) – curb cut closure, 5‑ft buffer strip, shade trees, fence replacement, parking restrictions for light trucks
• Special‑use permit for 1665 Hartford Ave (Zone B2) – doggie day‑care center, max 10 dogs, noise control, waste‑removal schedule, subject to town approval

Special Town Council Meeting

The Johnston Town Council will consider a resolution to transfer $2,350,000 of surplus funds to the Capital Projects Fund for road improvement and maintenance projects for fiscal year 2024‑2025. The council will also place six charter amendment questions on the November 5, 2024 general‑election ballot, covering school‑committee representation, four‑year council terms, code‑of‑ethics compliance, creation of an auxiliary judge of probate, budget introduction and enactment, and audit standards. The meeting includes roll call and follows Rhode Island’s open‑meetings law.

• Resolution 2024-33: Transfer $2,350,000 surplus to Capital Projects Fund for road improvement and maintenance
• Resolution 2024-34: Ballot question to amend charter on Town representation on the School Committee
• Resolution 2024-35: Ballot question to amend charter to establish a four‑year term for Town Council members
• Resolution 2024-36: Ballot question to amend charter to require adherence to the Code of Ethics
• Resolution 2024-37: Ballot question to amend charter to create the position of Auxiliary Judge of Probate