Joseph M. Polisena (born June 27, 1954) is an American politician from Rhode Island. He served in the Rhode Island Senate from 1993 to 1999 and again from 2001 to 2007.[1] He served as mayor of the Town of Johnston from 2007 until he was succeeded by his son in 2023.[2] He is a Democrat.
Early life and education
Polisena was born to Julia Marie and Joseph Anthony Polisena on June 27, 1954. He graduated from Johnston High School in Johnston, Rhode Island in 1972. In 1985, Polisena graduated from the Community College of Rhode Island with an associate degree in nursing.[3][4] In 1988, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in health services from Roger Williams University in Bristol.[5]
He was employed by the Community College of Rhode Island as a registered nurse and assistant professor. He also worked as a nurse at the Our Lady of Fatima Hospital.[7] He worked as a firefighter for the Johnston Fire Department.
Rhode Island Senate
Polisena served a total of twelve years in the Rhode Island Senate, from 1993 to 1999 and from 2001 to 2007. He served as Deputy Majority Leader.[8] He served on a state commission studying improvements to the state fire code following a fatal 2003 fire,[9] and he sponsored a 2005 bill to clarify and strengthen the state's fire code.[10]
Mayor of Johnston
Polisena served on a panel that studied Rhode Island's municipal pension system as one of the three required municipal officials, along with then-Mayor Angel Taveras of Providence and twelve other individuals.[11] He has been an outspoken proponent of pension reform throughout the state.[12] He has proposed a plan to freeze cost of living adjustments (COLAs) in retirees' pensions.[13] Polisena was a strong supporter of Governor Lincoln Chafee's Municipal Relief Package for the cities and towns of Rhode Island.[14] Polisena did not seek reelection in 2022, and he endorsed his son, Town Council Vice President Joseph Polisena Jr., who went on to win the general election. Polisena Jr. served as Polisena's 2012 campaign manager.[15]
