At a Special Meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Middletown, RI at the Middletown Library, 110 Enterprise Center, Middletown, RI in person on Monday, October 27, 2025 at 11:19 A.M.
Library Board Chair Joan M. DeFinis, called the meeting to order, the following members were present: (11:18 A.M.)
Joan M. DeFinis
Anna Antone
Anthony Ciulla
Ruth Donahue
Ronald G. Heroux
Mary Johnson
Barbara VonVillas
Absent:
William Haffner-Jones
Also present was Librarian Kimberly Usselman.
Library Building Committee Chair Don Morin, called the meeting to order, the following members were present: (11:18 A.M.)
Don Morin, Chair, Community Member
Holly Johnson, Vice Chair, Library Trustee
Kim Usselman Secretary, Library Director
Sue Connor, Assistant Library Director / Technology Coordinator
Ed Collins, Shared Facilities Director
Paul Rodrigues, Town Council President
Anthony Ciulla, Library Trustee
Carolyn Magnus, Community Member
Shawn Brown, Town Administrator
Peter Connerton, Alternate Town Council Member (appointed 9/2/2025)
Absent:
Thomas P. Welch, III, Town Council Vice President
Rick Lombardi, Community Member
Marc Tanguary, Town Finance Director, Alternate to Town Administrator.
Town Council Present called the meeting to order and requested the Town Clerk to call the roll.
Members Present:
Council President Paul M. Rodrigues, Presiding
Councilor Peter D. Connerton, Sr.
Councilor Dennis B. Turano
Councilor Barbara A. VonVillas
Absent:
Vice President Thomas P. Welch, III
Councilor Christopher M. Logan
Councilor Charles R. Roberts
Also present were Congressman Gabe Amo, State Senator Louis DiPalma, Representative Terri-Denise Cortvriend and Representative Alex Finkelman.
POSTED – OCTOBER 20, 2025
SPECIAL MEETING – OCTOBER 27, 2025
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 special meeting to be held on Monday, October 27, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. at the new Middletown Library, 110 Enterprise Center, Middletown, Rhode Island. Said meeting will be conducted in person.
Wendy J.W. Marshall, MMC
Town Clerk
Town of Middletown
Town Hall – 350 East Main Road
Middletown, Rhode Island 02842
Dear Ms. Marshall:
Pursuant to the provisions of Article II, Section 203 of the Town Charter and in accordance with Sections 42-46-2., 42-46-4., 42-46-5., and 42-46-6., RIGL, I hereby call a Special Meeting of the Town Council to formally consider, discuss and act upon the following items of business. All items on this agenda, may be considered, discussed and voted upon.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
Also present were Town Administrator Shawn Brown and Town Solicitor Peter B. Regan.
Demolition Ceremony for the New Middletown Library.
Said meeting will be held at the new Middletown Library, 110 Enterprise Center, Middletown, Rhode Island 02842 on Monday, October 27, 2025 at 11:00 A.M.
____________________________________
Paul M. Rodrigues, President
Middletown Town Council
cc : Town Council Public Library Finance Director
Town Administrator Town Solicitor School Committee
This meeting location is accessible to the handicapped. Individuals requiring interpreter services for the hearing-impaired should notify the Town Clerk’s Office at 847-0009 not less than 48 hours before this meeting.
Posted on October 20, 2025 at Middletown Town Hall, Middletown Public Library and Secretary of State Web Site.
Demolition Ceremony for the New Middletown Library.
On motion of Councilor Turano, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to begin said Demolition Ceremony for the New Middletown Library.
Kim Usselman Library Director welcomed all that attended and read the following into the record:
I have the privilege to serve as the Library Director here in Middletown, and it’s truly an honor to welcome you all to the Wall-Breaking Celebration.
Today marks the next chapter in a project that’s been years in the making-one that will give our community the modern, welcoming library it deserves.
Before we get started, I want to thank all of you for being here – our town officials, our elected representatives, our library trustees, our building committee, our staff, our Friends, the project team, Karen Mellor, Office of Library and information services, Dr. Maria McCawley, American Library Association President Elect and the residents who continue to support and believe in the power of public libraries. Thank you ALL for being here today.
We’re fortunate to have an exceptional team helping us make this vision a reality.
Downes Construction is service as our Owner’s Project Manager, guiding the process and keeping us on track.
Oudens Ello Architecture is leading the design, creating a space that will be open, flexible, and full of light.
And Ahlborg Construction is our Construction Manager; they will turn those plans into a beautiful library building that will soon be an amazing community space.
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Town Administrator Shawn Brown read the following into the record:
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Congressman Gabe Amo thanked all for the community effort for the Library Project. Mr. Amo noted the library space will be a safe space to learn and a place for the Town to gather. Congressman Amo explained that he will fight for every dollar that the project may seek from the Federal Government.
Representative Alex Finkleman thanked all for attending and for inviting him to the ceremony. Mr. Finkleman explained leadership matters, the Town looks out for its residents, and the project is beyond what was originally planned.
Karen Mellor, from the Office of Library Services, congratulated all for their library vision. Ms. Andrews noted that the library will be a true resource to provide guidance for all.
Council President Rodrigues thanked all for coming to the ceremony and for all they have done to get to this point. Mr. Rodrigues noted the need for libraries; the target is to be open in June or July of 2026 and be on time and on budget.
Joan DeFinis and Holly Johnson noted the following:
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The Library Building Committee adjourned their meeting.
The Library Board of Trustees adjourned their meeting.
On motion of Councilor Turano, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to adjourn said meeting at 11:51 a.m.
Wendy J.W. Marshall, MMC
Council Clerk