Nominations Made To Senior Center Board

Mayor Joseph M. Polisena and the Town Council have nominated seven local residents to the newly-formed Senior Center Advisory Board, which the council created earlier this month to help the town avoid potential legal issues.

"These seven applicants will enhance the day-to-day operations of the senior center by working with (Director) Tony Zompa," said Polisena during a recent interview. "This is also a way to elevate the position of the senior center."

A nonprofit organization, Johnston Senior Center Inc., is charged with raising funds for the center under its IRS designation as a 501(c)3 organization. Town Solicitor William Conley requested the creation of the new board in late November, saying the town needed a separate entity that could assist Zompa and also legally handle state funds.

Polisena said the establishment of the advisory board "makes everything nice and neat. They can even help the 501(c)3 raise money."

Each town councilor provided one candidate to the board, Polisena two, for a total of seven members. Of the new board, Polisena said: "These are all active and great people who will do a phenomenal job for our seniors."

The candidates include:

District 1 (two-year term) — Marsha Cotter, of Miller Circle.

District 2 (three-year term) — Peter Lombardi, of Central Pike.

District 3 (two-year term) — Gilbert Botelho, of King Street.

District 4 (three-year term) — Joseph Quartino, of Camille Drive.

District 5 (two-year term) — Gena Bianco, of Hartford Avenue.

The mayor's appointments include Rhonda Sasa, of Hopkins Avenue, and Peter Susi, of Borden Avenue.