To the Editor,

On Tuesday, January 28, 2025, a special meeting was held by the Johnston Town Council with a plan to take a parcel of land by eminent domain for a safety complex to be constructed on George Waterman Road. 

The meeting was scheduled for 5:30 p.m.  By 5:15 the meeting was closed due to maximum capacity.  A large group of residents stood outside waiting for an opportunity to be admitted or hoping that the powers that be decided that the same might be continued and taken to a larger venue because the public was invited to attend. 

The public stood outside in the cold waiting for an opportunity that never happened.  The notice for said meeting was published on Friday, January 24. The attending members of the Town Council voted to unanimously accept the proposal.  While there is no doubt that there were needs that should have been addressed, why this particular parcel of land, and why so very late? 

If the public safety buildings had been adequately maintained by the previous administration, or addressed by the current administration, perhaps they would not be in such a state of disrepair.  The Police and Fire Departments and their members should be treated, at all times, with courtesy and respect as they are the people keeping the town safe.  I have the utmost respect for the members of both departments and cannot for the life of me understand why they had to endure such conditions, as they put their lives on the line every single day.

As for the Town Hall, anyone who has ever gone to pay their taxes in person can see that not much has been done, if anything, to maintain the same in the last twenty years. 

While we stood in the cold there was one very bright spot.  The amount of residents who were willing to stand there shivering were steadfast in their desire to know what was going on.  While there were a few of us who have attended many town meetings, there were so many young people that it was the one thing that gave me hope.  New, younger taxpayers wanting information.  They are the future of Johnston. There was no protest. 

As for myself, I just wanted to hear the pitch, to find out how constructing a safety complex so far from the center of town was a good idea. I do believe location is very important, and having such a complex near to where the old ones stand is a better fit for the town.

This project will not come without a significant price.  That will ultimately be the taxpayers burden.

Sincerely, 

Karen Cappelli Chadwick
Johnston