Johnston adds $1.2 million fire truck to fleet

PHOTOS: The Johnston Fire Department has a new ladder truck, but officials say it turned out to be a bit pricier than anticipated. The purchase order for the $1.2 million truck was approved two years ago by the mayor and town council, but Fire Chief Dave Iannuccilli told 12 News it ended up costing an additional $10,000. The new truck was put into service a month ago, according to Iannuccilli. He said it was a necessary upgrade, since their previous ladder was often out of service due to mechanical issues. The new Spartan Smeal ladder truck was provided by New England Fire Equipment and Apparatus. The 2015 truck it replaced will now be used as a reserve, according to Iannuccilli. Earlier this week, the department donated a different truck that’s no longer in service to a nonprofit in Guatemala.
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Newport is among the first five municipalities selected for Urban Forests for Rhode Island Technical Assistance Program

The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) Division of Agriculture and Forest Environment (DAFE) and the Green Infrastructure Center (GIC) on Friday announced that the first five municipalities have been selected for the Urban Forests for Rhode Island Technical Assistance Program. Many Rhode Island communities have limited resources and technical expertise to establish or expand their urban and community forestry programs, according to DEM. The program seeks to address these limitations through a comprehensive approach that includes services such as tree canopy mapping, planning, management, planting, code and ordinance review and development, policy development, and community engagement and education.
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