THIS MEETING CAN BE HEARD IN ITS ENTIRETY ON THE TOWN OF MIDDLETOWN WEBSITE WWW.MIDDLETOWNRI.COM OR THE DVD IS AVAILABLE AT THE MIDDLETOWN LIBRARY.
At a Regular Meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Middletown, RI at the Middletown Town Hall, 350 East Main Road, Middletown, RI in person on Monday, December 15, 2025 at 5:00 P.M.
Members Present:
Council President Paul M. Rodrigues, Presiding
Vice President Thomas P. Welch, III
Councilor Peter D. Connerton, Sr.
Councilor Christopher M. Logan, arrives at 5:02 pm
Councilor Charles R. Roberts
Councilor Dennis B. Turano
Councilor Barbara A. VonVillas
POSTED – DECEMBER 10, 2025
REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 15, 2025
TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF MIDDLETOWN, RHODE ISLAND
The following items of business, having been filed with the Town Clerk under the Rules of the Council, will come before the Council at a regular meeting to be held on Monday, December 15, 2025, 5:00 P.M. Executive Session, Immediately following Executive Session - Joint Meeting with the Economic Development Advisory Committee and 6:30 P.M. Regular Meeting at the Middletown Town Hall, 350 East Main Road, Middletown, Rhode Island. Said meeting will be conducted in person. Virtual access will also be provided by telephone conference call/ webinar and members of the public may access and listen to the meeting in real-time by calling 1-877-853-5257 (Toll Free) or 1-888-475-4499 (Toll Free) and entering Meeting ID: 896 6360 3273 or on the web at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89663603273; however, virtual access is being provided only as a convenience and is not an official "location" where access to the meeting is guaranteed. Being physically present at the meeting is the only way to guarantee complete access to the meeting, as the meeting will not be paused or rescheduled if the virtual access fails.
If you choose to join the meeting by zoom or telephone, Council Rules allow for the Public to speak only during the Public Forum and Public Hearings. If calling in by telephone, pressing *9 raises your hand and pressing *6 will unmute.
The items listed on the Consent portion of the agenda are to be considered routine by the Town Council and will ordinarily be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a member of the Council, or a member of the public so requests and the Town Council President permits, in which event the item will be removed from Consent Agenda consideration and considered in its normal sequence on the agenda. All items on this agenda, with the exception of the Public Forum Session, may be considered, discussed, and voted upon in executive session and/or open session.
Pursuant to RIGL §42-46-6(b). Notice – “Nothing contained herein shall prevent a public body, other than a school committee, from adding additional items to the agenda by majority vote of the members. Such additional items shall be for informational purposes only and may not be voted on except where necessary to address an unexpected occurrence that requires immediate action to protect the public or to refer the matter to an appropriate committee or to another body or official.”
Any person not a member of the Council, desiring to address the Council concerning a matter on the docket of the Council, not the subject of a Public Hearing, shall submit a written request to the Town Clerk stating the matter upon which he desires to speak. Persons are permitted to address the Council for a period not to exceed five (5) minutes.
The Middletown Town Council follows the codification of present-day general parliamentary law as articulated in Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised 10th edition (2000), together with whatever rules of order the Council has adopted for its own governance. The motion to reconsider is one of the motions that can bring a question again before an assembly, and is designed to bring back for further consideration a motion which has already been voted on:
If, in the same session that a motion has been voted on, but no later than the same day or the next day on which a business meeting is held, new information or a changed situation makes it appear that a different result might reflect the true will of the assembly, a member who voted with the prevailing side can, by moving to Reconsider [RONR (10th ed.), p. 304-321] the vote,
propose that the question shall come before the assembly again as if it had not previously been considered. (From Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised In Brief, Robert, Evans et al., De Capo Press, 2004)
There were no reconsiderations.
1. Executive Session - Pursuant to provisions of RIGL, Sections 42-46-2, 42-46-4 and 42-46-5 (a), (2) Collective Bargaining (Council 94 – Custodian Contract) and (2) Collective Bargaining (NEARI – Library).
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to recess open session and reconvene in executive session at 5:01 p.m.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to recess executive session and reconvene in open session at 5:56 p.m.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive the Council 94 Custodian Union fiscal impact statement.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive the NEARI/Library Union fiscal impact statement.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to seal the executive session minutes pursuant to Section 42-46-7. RIGL
IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE SESSION
2. Communication of Vice President Welch, Councilor Connerton and Council President Rodrigues, re: Street Fair in the Atlantic Beach District.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said communication and begin joint meeting with the Economic Development Advisory Committee.
3. Memorandum of Town Administrator, re: Fiscal Impact of Aquidneck Avenue Street Fair.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
Present representing the Economic Development Advisory Committee were Valerie Gleb, Robert Silva, Henry “Rick” Lombardi.
Town Planner Ronald Wolanski was also present.
Valarie Gelb, Middletown Economic Development Advisory Committee Chair, addressed the Council, noting support for the concept and of the businesses in the area. Ms. Gelb explained the need to get input from the businesses and residents in the Atlantic Beach District area. Ms. Gelb read a communication from a resident Bill Doire that is not in favor of the event, due to traffic issues.
Discussion centered around road closures and parking, possible dates for the event, and starting small with the event and then expanding.
Stathi Kryidides, Portsmouth, addressed the council noting support for the idea, explaining it is good to start small and get the business involved.
Mike Flynn, Middletown, addressed the Council noting the need to obtain more information to bring back to the Easton’s Point Association Board for consideration.
Beth Leys, business owner from Aquidneck Avenue, noted support for the event. Ms. Leys also expressed the need for beautification of the lower Aquidneck Avenue area.
Town Planner Ronald Wolanski noted the Atlantic Beach District streetscapes plan is in project design at this time.
Jenn Braun, Middletown, noted support for the event and suggested utilizing second beach parking lot for parking with a shuttle service.
Robert Silva, MEDAC Committee member, addressed the Council, noting the idea of the Atlantic Beach District is not new. Mr. Silva suggested using the TIF as a way to fund the event.
Rick Lombardi, MEDAC Committee member, noted from experience in Newport there is a lot of planning that goes into this type of event. Mr. Lombardi explained there is an impact on public safety and town services that needs to be considered.
Discussion centered around the event would be for the entire town, taking a survey of the businesses in the area, the fiscal impact of the event, the Newport Street Fair is not organized by the city, but by a separate group, funding for the event and holding a planning workshop in January 2026.
4. Robert C. Schultz, Jr., Director, City of Newport, Department of Utilities, re: City of Newport Department of Utilities Regional Utility Now And For The Future.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to begin said presentation.
Robert C. Schultz, Jr. Director, City of Newport Department of Utilities, presented a PowerPoint presentation City of Newport Department of Utilities Regional Utility Now and For the Future, which is on file in the Office of the Town Clerk.
Discussion centered around the need to check utilities lines underneath roads before they are repaved, funding and grants for future improvements to water utilities, and upcoming projects for the water department.
Santa stopped by for a visit at 7:10 P.M.
5. Pursuant to Rule 25 of the Rules of the Council, Citizens may address the town on one (1) subject only, said subject of substantive Town business, neither discussed during the regular meeting nor related to personnel or job performance. Citizens may speak for no longer than five (5) minutes and must submit a public participation form to the Council Clerk prior to the start of the meeting. All items discussed during this session will not be voted upon.
Thomas Welch, Middletown, addressed the Council explaining the process the Department of Public Works follows for road treatment and snow removal in the Town. Mr. Welch noted the Department of Public Works does a great job.
Art Weber, Middletown, addressed the Council, noting concern with proceeding with regionalization without support of the School Committee. Mr. Weber explained the current school department has a professional superintendent and revitalized school committee. Mr. Weber feels regionalization benefits Newport more than Middletown.
John Garagliano, Middletown, addressed the Council, reading the following into the record:
Jo-Ann Thornton, Middletown, addressed the Council, reading the following into the record:
Heather Hole Strout, Executive Director of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Community Center, addressed the Council, reading the following into the record:
Lawrence Frank, Middletown, addressed the Council, reading the following into the record:
Christopher Rowe, Middletown, addressed the Council, reading the following into the record:
Wendy Reil, Middletown, addressed the Council, requesting them to withdraw from the current West Main Road Development agreement.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to act as a Board of License Commission.
6. (Public Hearing Advertised)
Application of WAMM, Inc. d/b/a Anthony’s Seafood Market & Restaurant, holder of a Retailer's Class BL Alcoholic Beverage License for premises located at 963 Aquidneck Avenue, Middletown, Rhode Island, to TRANSFER said license to 963 Aquidneck Opco, LLC d/b/a Anthony’s Seafood Market & Restaurant, for use at the same premises including outdoor patio service.
Public Hearing was declared open.
Attorney Matt Lyons, Newport, representing the purchaser, addressed the Council noting nothing will be changing accept the ownership and is present to answer Council inquiries.
There being no persons present or on zoom desiring to be heard, public hearing was declared closed.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said license transfer.
7. (Public Hearing Advertised)
Application of 963 Aquidneck Opco, LLC d/b/a Anthony’s Seafood Market & Restaurant, 963 Aquidneck Avenue to upgrade said license from BL Alcoholic Beverage License to BV Alcoholic Beverage License for use at the same premises including outdoor patio service.
Public Hearing was declared open.
Council President Rodrigues inquired if there is currently outdoor service.
Attorney Matt Lyons responded yes to Council President.
Christopher Rowe, Middletown, inquired about the difference between a BL license and a BV license.
Town Clerk Wendy J.W. Marshall, responding to Christopher Rowe, explained a BL is a limited license (Beer and Wine) and a BV is a full liquor license.
Councilor Roberts noted that he cannot support the upgrade.
There being no persons present or on zoom desiring to be heard, public hearing was declared closed.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted to grant said license upgrade; Councilor Roberts voted NO.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to reconvene as a Town Council.
Council President Rodrigues requested that item #8 be heard under the regular portion of the agenda.
8. Memorandum of Finance Director, re: School Department Surplus - District Technology Equipment.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
Council President Rodrigues noted that the computer equipment has been replaced, this is to salvage the old computer equipment.
9. Resolution of the Council, re: Approving that the surplus property (District Technology Equipment) be salvaged by the Finance Director in accordance with Town Ordinance §33A.130 disposal of surplus or obsolete property.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
10. License of Burial , re: Garnet Gianetis, Section 54, Graves 45 & 46.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said license of burial.
11. License of Burial, re: Peter Cordelessa, Section 54, Grave 74.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said license of burial.
12. Application of Destine Donuts, LLC dba Dunkin Donuts, 159 East Main Road for Additional Hours of Operation for the 2025-2026 licensing year. (NEW; Requires Advertising for Public Hearing)
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said application and advertise for a future public hearing.
13. Application of East Main Donuts, LLC dba Dunkin Donuts, 536 East Main Road for Additional Hours of Operation for the 2025-2026 licensing year. (NEW; Requires Advertising for Public Hearing)
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said application and advertise for a future public hearing.
14. Application of Middletown Donuts, LLC dba Dunkin Donuts, 811 West Main Road for Additional Hours of Operation for the 2025-2026 licensing year. (NEW; Requires Advertising for Public Hearing)
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said application and advertise for a future public hearing.
15. Memorandum of Town Clerk, re: Appointment of Tree Warden – 2026.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to reappoint Alan Kirby as the Tree Warden for 2026.
16. Application of 963 Aquidneck Opco, LLC d/b/a Anthony’s Seafood Market & Restaurant, 963 Aquidneck Avenue for a Victualling House License for use at the same premises including outdoor patio service. (NEW)
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said license subject to Building Official, Fire Marshal and Board of Health approvals.
17. Applications for Special Event Permits, seven (7) events, from Audrain Auto Museum for the Cars and Coffee (Community gathering for local car enthusiasts) at Second Beach parking lot on the following dates listed below:
· Sunday, April 12th, 2026 – 8:00 am to 10:00 am
· Sunday, April 26th, 2026 – 8:00 am to 10:00 am
· Sunday, May 10th, 2026 – 8:00 am to 10:00 am
· Sunday, October 11th , 2026 – 8:00 am to 10:00 am
· Sunday, October 18th , 2026 – 8:00 am to 10:00 am
· Sunday, October 25th, 2026 – 8:00 am to 10:00 am
· Sunday, November 8, 2026 – 8:00 am to 10:00 am
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said Special Event Permits.
18. Application for Special Event Permit from RI Army National Guard for the Rhode Island National Guard Best Warrior Competition – Ruck March to be held on Thursday, June 11, 2026, 4:30 am to 9:00 am at Sachuest Point Road, Sachuest Beach, Paradise Avenue, Tuckerman Avenue and Esplanade. (Applicant respectfully requests all fees be waived)
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said Special Event Permit and waive all fees.
19. Application for Special Event Permit from the Town of Middletown for the 2nd Beach Monday Night Music Series - Live Music, Fire Pits and Food Trucks at 2nd Beach on Monday, August 3, 2026, Monday, August 10, 2026, Monday, August 17, 2026, Monday, August 24, 2026 and Monday, August 31st, 2026 with fireworks from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. (Town event- Request to waive all fees)
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said Special Event Permit and waive all fees.
Rick Lombardi, Middletown, inquired why there are these events only in August and the Town should consider expanding the music nights at the beach into July.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown, responding to Mr. Lombardi, explained that in July there is music at Paradise Park.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said Special Event Permit and waive all fees.
20. Memorandum of Finance Director, thru Town Administrator, re: Proposed Amendment to Chapter 35 Capital Improvements.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed the memorandum above.
Discussion centered around items/projects that cost $25,000 or less do not go into the Capital Improvement Plan.
21. An Ordinance of the Town of Middletown (First Reading)
An ordinance in amendment to the Town Code of the Town of Middletown Title III, Administration, Chapter 35 Capital Improvements, 35.01 What Constitutes A Capital Improvements Project and 35.06 Six-Year Program.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to receive said ordinance on its first reading.
Council President Rodrigues noted this was what was discussed in item #20 and requests information regarding what other city and towns have for their Capital Improvement Projects policies.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown noted that the change is a generally accepted accounting practice and will provide the information at the next meeting.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said ordinance on its first reading.
22. Email communication of Kyle Donovan, re: Requesting the Town of recognize Windmere Terrace as a public road. (Requires review and recommendation from the Town Administration, Town Solicitor and Roads and Utilities Advisory Committee)
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to receive said email communication and forward said request to the Town Administration, Town Solicitor and Roads and Utilities Advisory Committee for review and recommendation.
Kyle Donovan, Middletown, addressed the Council reviewing the email communication above.
Town Solicitor Peter B. Regan explained that he has researched Windmere Terrace and it is a private road. Mr. Regan explained the Department of Public Works treats the road as private, only people that use the road are the ones that live on it, it is not a public road.
23. (Continued from December 1, 2025, Regular Meeting)
Email communication of Amara Walsh, re: Short-Term Rental Ordinance and its owner-occupancy requirement as applied to active-duty military families under temporary orders. (Includes an additional email requesting a permanent exception)
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said email communication.
Amanda Walsh, Middletown, addressed the Council reviewing the emails above. Ms. Walsh is requesting exemption from the requirement in the ordinance that an owner must be present on the property while operating as a short-term rental.
Discussion centered around the Town Council has no ability to grant an exemption, the Council cannot keep creating exemptions for each situation that arises, and the Town Council will be addressing Short Term rentals further in the next agenda item.
24. Communication of Town Council, re: Discussion of the STR ordinances.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said communication.
Discussion centered around there have been unintended consequences in the current short-term rental ordinance, what is considered to be grandfathered under the short-term rental ordinance, what is considered to be an abandonment of a short-term rental, the short-term rental and the tax ordinances should be separate, and the owner occupancy requirement for a short-term rental.
On motion of Councilor Turano, duly seconded, to take out the verbiage of resident and non-resident in the short-term rental ordinance for tax classification.
Town Solicitor Peter Regan noted to qualify as resident, you must live here for more than 6 months.
Discussion centered around referring the ordinance to the Tax Exploration Committee for review and recommendation.
Councilor Turano withdrew the motion above.
On motion of Councilor Roberts, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to send this issue of the 34 residents to the tax exploration committee for an opinion.
25. Memorandum of Town Administrator, re: Recommendation for Approval of Change Orders: Miantonomi Hill & Boulevard Paving Project.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
26. Resolution of the Council, re: Approving change orders for Miantonomi Hill and Boulevard Paving project -Emergency Winter Patching - $133,979.00-Roadway Subdrains - $251,363.00 - Reclaim Roadways and Install Binder Course - $168,809.00; for the total sum not to exceed five hundred fifty-four thousand one hundred fifty-one dollars and zero cents ($554,151.00) and that the funding for said change orders be funded from the Capital Improvement -Special Revenue Fund and authorizing the Town Administrator to execute this change order on behalf of the Town of Middletown.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to pass said resolution.
Public Works Director Robert Hanley reviewed the memorandum in item #25.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
27. Memorandum of Finance Director, thru Town Administrator, re: Lease Purchase of Two Fire Pumper Vehicles.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
28. Resolution of the Council, re: Authorizing the purchase of Two Pumper Trucks for use by the Fire Department and the Financing thereof through an Equipment Lease Purchase Agreement and Authorizing the Execution and Delivery of a Lease Purchase Agreement and Related Instruments and Determining other Matters in connection therewith.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to pass said resolution.
Finance Director Marc Tanguay reviewed the memorandum in item #27.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to adjourn said meeting at 9:26 p.m.
Wendy J.W. Marshall, MMC
Council Clerk