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 Tuesday, September 2, 2025 at 6:01 P.M.
Members Present:
Council President Paul M. Rodrigues, Presiding
Vice President Thomas P. Welch, III
Councillor Peter D. Connerton, Sr.
Councillor Christopher M. Logan
Councillor Charles R. Roberts
Councillor Dennis B. Turano
Councillor Barbara A. VonVillas
Assistant Town Solicitor Michael Monti was present.
POSTED AUGUST 27, 2025
REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 2, 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 Tuesday, September 2, 2025, 6:00 P.M. Executive Session, Immediately following Executive Session – Town Business Updates and School Construction 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: 879 5751 6847 or on the web at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87957516847 ; 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), (1) Personnel (Town Administrator) and (2) Collective Bargaining (TEAMSTERS) discussion and/or potential action and/or vote in executive session and/or open session.
Vice President Welch announced that Town Administrator Shawn Brown was notified in writing Pursuant to RIGL 42-46-5 (a) (1).
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to recess open session and reconvene in executive session at 6:02 p.m.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to recess executive session and reconvene in open session at 6:36 p.m.
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
2. The Town Administrator will provide an update on:
a. Town Projects
c. Library Building Project
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to begin the Town Projects, School Building Project and Library Building Project updates.
Town Projects – The updates are on the Town website.
Library Building Project:
Shared Facilities Director Ed Collins noted the following: the architects are currently working on schematic designs, and once schematic design is complete there will be preliminary budget numbers for the project.
School Project:
Shared Facilities Director Ed Collins noted the following: Elementary project phase one is complete- removing of oil tanks, cleaning of the tunnels is complete along with mechanical piping repairs, lighting fixtures have been replaced in the hallways and classrooms. Middle High School project final bid packages will be complete, footings have been installed, the water main is being installed, both projects are trending positive with the budget.
Discussion centered around the monies used for the lighting at the high school was remaining funds from a prior bond, remediation of the dirt from the middle high school project is going to Hoogendoorns or off site, the dirt piles at Hoogendoorns are being hydroseeded and trees will be planted to shield the neighbors in the area.
3. Communications four (4) of Justin Bernard, Senior Project Manager, Project Management Services, Colliers Project Leaders, re: New Middletown Middle-High School.
a. Recommendation to Award (RTA-06B) - Millwork.
b. Recommendation to Award (RTA- 09I) – Painting.
c. Recommendation to Award (RTA-11C) – Theatre and Stage Equipment.
d. Recommendation to Award (RTA-12A) – Window Treatments.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said communications.
Justin Bernard, Senior Project Manager, Project Management Services, Colliers Project Leaders, reviewed the communications above.
4. Resolution of the Council, re: Approving the recommendation for Gilbane Building Company to award the subcontracts for Millwork, Painting, Theatre and Stage Equipment, Window Treatments and all expenses recorded in the School Department’s Capital Projects Fund and the Town Administrator is authorized to notify Gilbane Building Company to award the subcontracts.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
5. Communications two (2) of Justin Bernard, Senior Project Manager, Project Management Services, Colliers Project Leaders, re: Renovations of the Existing Middletown High School (ES Complex).
a. Recommendation to Award (RTA-10) – Painting.
b. Recommendation to Award (RTA-11) – Electrical.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said communications.
Justin Bernard, Senior Project Manager, Project Management Services, Colliers Project Leaders, reviewed the communications above.
6. Resolution of the Council, re: Approving the recommendation for Bentley Companies to award the subcontract for Painting and Electrical and the Town Administrator is authorized to notify Bentley Companies LLC to award the subcontracts.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
PUBLIC FORUM
7. 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.
Arthur Weber, Middletown, addressed the Council inquiring if Coast Guard and NOA staff members and families were still planning to be stationed on the island. Mr. Weber noted the challenge of housing, traffic and the schools, explaining it is important to be prepared.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown, responding to Mr. Weber, explained there has been no change to the plan and they will be still stationed in the area. Mr. Brown noted there are upcoming meetings with communities in the state that will be impacted by this.
Christoper Rowe, Middletown, inquired if the residents would have a chance to give public input when the Town meets with RIDEM and the National Park Service regarding Potsy Field. Mr. Rowe also inquired if the zoning overlay for the West Main Road area was being tabled.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown, responding to Mr. Rowe, explained that there is no plan to have a public hearing with RIDEM and the National Park Service.
Council President Rodrigues explained that the proposed zoning overlay for West Main Road is part of the public hearings to be held at Middletown High School Cafeteria on Tuesday, September 16th and Tuesday, September 30th.
ITEMS# 9 - #14 WERE CONTINUED FROM THE AUGUST 4, 2025 REGULAR MEETING
8. Memorandum of Town Administrator, re: All Traffic Solutions- Speed Summaries for Middletown Streets.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed the memorandum and data reports above.
Christopher Rowe, Middletown, noted the excessive speed of cars traveling on Chases Lane.
Councillor Roberts noted the high rates of speed on Oliphant Lane and other areas of Town, explaining that he hopes police patrol will be increased in these areas.
9. (Continued from August 4, 2025, Regular Meeting)
Memorandum of Public Works Director, re: Boulevard and High Street Traffic Safety Evaluations.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed the memorandum above.
10. (Continued from August 4, 2025, Regular Meeting)
Resolution of the Council, re: Purchase of Speed Feedback Signs from All Traffic Solutions, Inc. and authorizing the Finance Director to execute said purchase on behalf of the Town.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
11. (Continued from August 4, 2025, Regular Meeting)
Email of Sonam Ngamdung, re: Resignation from the Middletown Prevention Coalition (Youth Sector Seat).
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said email and resignation with regret.
12. (Continued from August 4, 2025, Regular Meeting)
Appointment of one (1) member to the Middletown Board of Canvassers, regular member, to complete a term expiring March 2029.
On motion of Councillor Connerton, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to appoint Barbara Barrow to the Middletown Board of Canvassers, regular member, to complete a term expiring March 2029.
13. (Continued from August 4, 2025)
Appointment of two (2) members to the Discover Newport Board – Middletown Representatives (Hospitality Industry) for terms expiring June 2028.
Kajsa Kempenaar was nominated by Councillor Connerton, duly seconded; Kevin O’Leary was nominated by Vice President Welch, duly seconded; A vote taken on both nominations; Councillor Roberts voted NO to said motion.
Councillor Roberts inquired how a person that is not a Middletown resident can be appointed to the Discover Newport Board by the Town Council.
Council President Rodrigues, responding to Councillor Roberts, explained that a person who is in the Hospitality Industry in the Town can be appointed to the board.
14. (Continued from August 4, 2025, Regular Meeting)
Appointment of one (1) member to the Middletown Local 250th Commission, term expiring 2026.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to appoint Linda Finn to the Middletown Local 250th Commission, term expiring 2026.
15. Approval of Minutes, re: Regular Meeting, August 4, 2025.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to approve said minutes.
16. Application of RPC Inc. dba Rumford Pet Center, 99 East Main Road, for RENEWAL of a Holiday Sales License for the 2025-2026 licensing year.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said application.
17. Memorandum of Town Administrator, re: Appointment of Peter Connerton as Alternate to the Library Building Committee.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum and appoint Councillor Connerton as Alternate to the Library Building Committee.
18. Memorandum of Finance Director, re: Police Department Surplus Vehicles – 2010 Ford F-150.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
19. Resolution of the Council, re: Authorizing disposal of Police Department Surplus Vehicles – 2010 Ford F-150.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
20. Communication of Tax Assessor, re: Cancellation of Taxes for certain Middletown residents.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said communication.
21. Resolution of the Council, re: Cancellation of Taxes for certain Middletown residents.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
22. Communication of Tax Assessor and Finance Director, re: Cancellation of Taxes for certain Middletown residents.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said communication.
23. Resolution of the Council, re: Cancellation of Taxes for certain Middletown residents.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
24. Memorandum of Town Administrator, re: Middletown Police Receive Fourth Consecutive CALEA Endorsement.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
25. Communication of Veronica Bourget, re: Resignation from the Middletown Outreach Committee.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said communication and resignation with regret.
26. Application for Special Event Permit from Add Impact Network, Inc. for Bike to the Beach New England - 100 Mile charity bike ride from Boston, benefiting Autism service providers, to be held on Saturday, September 13, 2025, beginning at 11:00 am to 3:00 pm – Route through Middletown (Various Town roadways, ending in Newport).
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said Special Event Permit.
27. Application for Special Event Permit from Newport Hospital for Newport Hospital’s Family Festival to be held on Sunday, September 14, 2025 from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm, rain date Sunday, September 21, 2025, at Peabody Beach.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said Special Event Permit.
28. An Ordinance of the Town of Middletown (Second Reading)
An Ordinance in Amendment to the Town Code Title III Administration, Chapter 36 Fee Schedule (B) Building/Zoning by adding (8) Storage Containers.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to adopt said ordinance on its second reading.
29. Memorandum of Town Solicitor, re: Status of Little Creek Lane.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
Assistant Town Solicitor Michael Monte reviewed the memorandum above.
Discussion centered around that the town ordinances still apply to the roadway, the town is not responsible for the maintenance and repairs of the road since it is private, and the town still plows the road to maintain emergency access.
30. Memorandum of Town Administrator on behalf of Council President Rodrigues, re: School Regionalization.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
Council President Rodrigues noted he spoke with the School Committee Chair and would like to see what direction the Council would like to proceed with in regards to regionalization. Council President Rodrigues inquired if the Council met with the School Committee, would the meeting take place in Executive or Open Session.
Assistant Town Solicitor Michael Monti, responding to Council President Rodrigues, explained the meeting would be in Open Session, unless the discussion meets specific open meeting act requirements.
School Committee Chair Greg Huet, Middletown, addressed the Council noted support for the School Committee and the Council meeting to discuss regionalization. Mr. Huet explained that the School Committee voted and were in opposition to regionalization with Newport.
Discussion centered around the School Committee is not in favor of regionalization and the need for the Council and School Committee to meet to discuss regionalization further.
31. Memorandum of Finance Director, re: Atlantic Beach District Streetscapes – VHB Contract Amendment #10: lighting design.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
32. Resolution of the Council, re: Approval of contract amendment from VHB for the Atlantic Beach District Streetscapes and authorizing the Finance Director to execute said contract on behalf of the Town.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to pass said resolution.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed the memorandum in item #31.
Town Planner Ronald Wolanski explained the lighting design was not part of the original contract, regardless of whether or not the power lines are undergrounded.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
33. Memorandum of Middletown Prevention Coalition Director, re: MPS Professional Development Fees.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
Middletown Prevention Coalition Director Lori Verderosa reviewed the memorandum above.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said request for MPS Professional Development Fees in the amount of $7,036.57 to be authorized from Opioid funds.
34. Memorandum of Finance Director, re: Financial Report – Twelve Months Ended June 30, 2025.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum and report.
Finance Director Marc Tanguay reviewed the slides, entered here:
Councilor Turano inquired how the beach budget ended the season.
Finance Director Marc Tanguay, responding to Councillor Turano, explained that the final budget numbers for the beach will be presented to the Council at a future meeting.
35. Communication of Accounting Manager, re: Quarterly Tax Collector’s Report as of 06/30/2025 – Town of Middletown.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum and report.
Finance Director Marc Tanguay reviewed the slide, entered here:
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to adjourn said meeting at 8:07 p.m.
Wendy J.W. Marshall, MMC
Council Clerk