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, January 5, 2026 at 6:31 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
Councilor Charles R. Roberts
Councilor Dennis B. Turano
Councilor Barbara A. VonVillas
POSTED – DECEMBER 31, 2025
REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 5, 2026
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, January 5, 2026 at 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 8880 0569 or on the web at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89688800569 ; 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. The Town Administrator will provide an update on:
b. School Building Project
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.
The Town Projects In Motion are on the Town Website and updated often.
Shared Facilities Director Ed Collins addressed the Council reviewing progress on the Library Building Project, explaining the design development budgets have been reconciled. Mr. Collins explained we are in a good spot; waiting for state approval for reimbursement and working through the furniture and fixtures for the facility.
Shared Facilities Director Ed Collins addressed the Council reviewing the following for the Middle High School project, entered here:
Mr. Collins noted that the Elementary School project permitting process has begun for phase II.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed the Bacon Pump Station Project, private pump stations in town, the street light project and the FY27 Budget is underway.
2. Communication of Justin Bernard, Senior Project Manager, Colliers Project Leaders, re: Request for Noice Ordinance Variance – Middletown Middle High School Project.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said communication, advertise for public hearing and notify abutters for a future public hearing.
Shared Facilities Director Ed Collins was present to answer Council inquires.
Discussion centered around that the variance is needed for the pouring of the concrete for the facility and review of the project timeline.
3. 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.
No one spoke during this session.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to act as a Board of License Commission.
4. Application of Middletown Tenant, LLC., d/b/a The Helmway, 425 East Main Road TRANSFER Class BT Liquor License to GRJ, Middletown, LLC dba The Pell for the 2025-2026 Licensing year, for use at the same premises. (Requires Advertising for Public Hearing to be held on January 20, 2026)
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said application and advertise for a public hearing to be held on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to reconvene as a Town Council.
Councilor Turano requested that items #13 through #23 be heard under the regular portion of the agenda.
5. Approval of Minutes, re: Regular Meeting, October 20, 2025.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to approve said minutes.
6. Approval of Minutes, re: Special Meeting, October 27, 2025.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to approve said minutes.
7. Approval of Minutes, re: Regular Meeting, November 3, 2025.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to approve said minutes.
8. Approval of Minutes, re: Regular Meeting, November 17, 2025.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to approve said minutes.
9. Approval of Minutes, re: Regular Meeting, December 1, 2025.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to approve said minutes.
10. Approval of Minutes, re: Special Meeting, December 8, 2025.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to approve said minutes.
11. Approval of Minutes, re: Regular Meeting, December 15, 2025.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to approve said minutes.
12. Approval of Minutes, re: Special Meeting, December 23, 2025.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to approve said minutes.
13. 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.
14. Resolution of the Council, re: Cancellation of Taxes for certain Middletown residents.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to pass said resolution.
Councilor Turano inquired if there could be a better key for tax abatement descriptions.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
15. Memorandum of Finance Director, re: Ambulance billing rate increase.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
Councilor Turano requested that all financial matters not be placed on the consent calendar.
Finance Director Marc Tanguay reviewed the memorandum above.
16. Communication of Finance Director and Town Administrator, re: Requesting an extension for filing an audit report with the Office of Auditor General.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said communication.
Finance Director Marc Tanguay reviewed the above communication.
17. Memorandum of Town Administrator, re: FY2027-FY2031 Capital Improvement Program (CIP).
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed the memorandum above.
18. Receipt of the Proposed Consolidated Municipal Budget Capital Improvement Program FY2027-2031.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said Proposed Consolidated Municipal Budget Capital Improvement Program FY2027-2031.
19. Resolution of the Council, re: Requesting Legislative Relief Regarding Public Library Construction Reimbursement Regulations.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to pass said resolution.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed the resolution above.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
20. Resolution of the Council, re: Requesting the Town’s State Legislative Delegation Draft, Submit, and Advocate for Amendments to the State Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) Statue to include certain Department of Defense Properties.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to pass said resolution.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed the resolution above.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
21. Resolution of the Council, re: Requesting the Town’s State Legislative Delegation to Update and Reintroduced Legislation Supporting Funding for a Regional Emergency Shelter.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to pass said resolution.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed the resolution above.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
22. Resolution of the Council, re: In support of School Committee Legislative Priorities Related to Special Education Funding and Student Transportation.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to pass said resolution.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed the resolution above.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
23. Resolution of the Council, re: Requesting the Middletown State Legislative Delegation to Draft, Introduce, and Support Legislation Extending the Veterans’ Property Tax Exemption Regardless of Dates of Service.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to pass said resolution.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed the resolution above.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
24. Transfer of Burial Lot, from Melanie Warren to April Rios, re: Section 57, Grave 25.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to approve said transfer of Burial Lot.
25. Email communication of Matt Sullivan, re: Resignation from the Tax Exploration Committee.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said email communication and resignation with regret.
26. Application for Special Event Permit from the Middletown Outreach Department for the Middletown Annual Egg Hunt, Easter Egg Hunt hosted by the Middletown Outreach to be held on Saturday, March 28, 2026 (Rain date Saturday, April 4, 2026) at 10:00 am at the Wyatt Road Soccer Fields. (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.
27. Memorandum of Budget Analyst, 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.
28. An Ordinance of the Town of Middletown (Second 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, it was voted unanimously to adopt said ordinance on its second reading.
Council President Rodrigues recused himself from acting on the following item #29 of business, due to a possible conflict of interest.
Vice President Welch presiding.
29. Communication of Police Chief, re: Prospect Avenue – Traffic Study.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said communication.
Police Chief Jason Ryan reviewed the communication above.
Council President Rodrigues presiding.
30. Communication of Police Chief, re: Flock Cameras.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said communication.
Police Chief Jason Ryan reviewed the following:
The Rhode Island State Police received a grant to install 39 Flock Camera around the state. Middletown was selected to receive one camera, and it requires the approval of the town before it can be installed. The Rhode Island State Police camera will be installed on West Main Road by the town line. While this location is strategic and beneficial, I am asking that the town also approves the department to contract with Flock Camera to install additional cameras within the town. Currently, Flock requires a minimum of six cameras per contract. The first year of the contract includes an installation price and service agreement totaling $21, 900.00. Each year after that the contract is $3,000.00 per camera or $18,000.00.
We intend to work with Flock to determine the locations of the cameras within the town, but we would like to place cameras in the following areas.
1. West Main Road/Coddington Highway
2. Two Mile Corner
3. Between One Mile Corner and Two Mile corner
4. Valley Road and Aquidneck Avenue
5. Paradise Avenue and or Access
6. East Main Road Portsmouth Town Line
We will also coordinate with the Flock cameras that Newport has to make sure we are not duplicating any efforts.
For the past two years, we have been utilizing Flock Technology by way of a MOU. We have been able to access other departments cameras and have solved numerous cases with this technology. Unfortunately, that MOU is expiring and Flock is not allowing us to renew it or enter a new agreement without the purchase of the technology.
Regarding Flock Safety cameras, the department and the Rhode Island State Police are committed to enhancing public safety, eliminating crime, and strengthening highway security across multiple jurisdictions throughout the state. Flock Cameras consist of a network of cameras that can be shared by law enforcement.
Automatic license-plate-recognition cameras have and will continue to help enable the ability to support modern policing through data-driven, resource-optimized solutions. Flock Safety cameras provide automated vehicle recognition, real-time alerts, and advanced analytics. Flock Safety cameras capitalize on the ability to collaborate across jurisdictions and respond swiftly to emerging threats and aid law enforcement in responding to active threats such as Mass and/or School Shootings, investigating crimes, and maintaining situational awareness.
Flock cameras help maximize investigative efficiency and provide real-time alerts, such as Amber alerts for missing and endangered children, Silver Alerts for those missing and endangered in the elderly population, and Purple Alerts for missing and endangered adults with intellectual disabilities through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), and other Customized Hot Lists. It can also help locate individuals that may be suffering from a mental health crisis and looking to do harm to themselves.
These cameras offer a vital enhancement to our public safety infrastructure, improving situational awareness and investigative outcomes. Their deployment aligns with both technological advancement and operational efficiency, while respecting civil liberties through robust privacy protocols.
Currently, in the State of Rhode Island, Flock technology is utilized by at least fourteen (14) municipalities, five (5) commercial properties, two (2) Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) communities, one (1) neighborhood association, one (1) town school district, and one (1) college campus (Rhode Island College).
Flock cameras do not provide any personal information and only capture information that is of public knowledge. Ethically, there is no facial recognition, no speed tracking, and no undiscerning evidence gathered. Flock Safety cameras have no public IP, and therefore, are not able to be remotely accessed. All data collection points are equipped with secure communication protocols to protect data in transit from interception and tampering. All data is encrypted using industry-standard algorithms before being transmitted to the servers. There is also a 30-day retention period of information gathered that is permanently deleted after that timeframe.
In addition to being certified by the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS), they are compliant with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the Higher Education Community Vendor Assessment Tool (HECVAT), HIPAA, and Family Educational Rights (FERPA). They are also aligned with the security protocols established by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity as well as the Cloud Security Alliance’s (CAIQ) framework. Flock was also endorsed by the NAACP in Oakland California, citing that Flock technology “offers a powerful tool to reduce bias in policing by focusing solely on vehicles associated with a crime — not people”
Flock cameras also aid in exonerating suspects. Through the use of Flock cameras, the goal of law enforcement is to not jump to immediate conclusions; however, these cameras provide a great investigative lead that can fill many gaps within an investigation.
There are an inordinate number of testimonials to the positive impact these cameras have had both nationwide and right here in Rhode Island. To name a few…
· Most recently, regarding the Brown University Shooting, without the use of Flock cameras, a suspect may not yet have been identified.
· On the East Bay alone:
Ø Middletown PD used Flock Hits to obtain a vehicle that was shown to the juvenile victim of a sexual assault and positively identified.
-The vehicle was seen on Flock leaving North Providence prior to the assault.
-Was not seen on Flock camera in Middletown because we do not have any.
-Suspect was convicted and received 7 years to serve.
Ø Newport PD had a stolen vehicle and Flock cameras located the vehicle in New York and later recovered it in New Jersey.
-Based on Flock locations, a suspect was obtained and presently has a warrant.
Ø Newport PD solved $100,000 shoplifting operation with the use of Flock.
· Providence PD handled a fatal hit and run motor vehicle accident in October 2023.
Ø With a description of the vehicle involved, they entered it into the Flock search and identified a vehicle, interviewed the owner, and ultimately charged with the offense.
· Woonsocket PD: In one year
Ø 40 arrests
Ø 24 recovered stolen vehicles
· Chamblee Georgia
Ø Stranger on stranger child abduction August 2020
Ø Within 1 ½ hours, the vehicle was located through Flock and within 4 ½ hours, the vehicle was stopped and the arrest was made.
Regarding the use of Flock cameras, the department will be operating on a stringent policy, as well as a memorandum of understanding with other agencies that will be utilizing data. This will include not providing any information related to civil immigration issues. Users will undoubtedly be held accountable for their use of the Flock camera system as there is a documented search history.
Just to reiterate, these Flock cameras are being deployed in an attempt to make the State of Rhode Island and the town of Middletown a safer place and provide its investigators with the necessary tools to successfully do their jobs. As an investigative tool, a Flock camera is not very different than utilizing a closed-circuit television camera at businesses and other security cameras, such as doorbell and residential cameras. However, the time spent analyzing these tools can be burdensome and extremely time consuming. The use of Flock allows the investigators to move on to other aspects of the investigation while Flock performs its job.
Remember this, as law enforcement tactics and technology advance, so do the criminals and their techniques.
I am sensitive to the cost associated with this newer technology. However, when we look at the amount of time an investigator spends going through surveillance cameras from businesses and residential type cameras, this technology significantly reduces time spent on cases. Tens of thousands of vehicle traverse our town on daily basis. Trying to watch video and locate a single vehicle can take hours. Often times at businesses, the clerk does not have access to the surveillance system and we have to wait until a manager can come to the location to view video footage. Like many other tools we have implemented to help us solve crimes, this is another tool that has already proven to be effective. Flock estimates that 70% of crimes involve a vehicle.
To dispel some false claims:
· ALPR’s do not track vehicles in the entirety of their movements; rather, they take a point-in-time image of the rear of vehicles on PUBLIC roadways.
· License plates are not private information.
· Customers control all data sharing.
· Flock’s private customers can never access law enforcement data.
· Federal agencies do not have “back-door” access, collaboration with federal agencies falls on the customer’s choice.
· Flock has never been hacked.
· Not facial recognition
· Not tied to personally identifiable information
· Not used for traffic enforcement
· Do not solve crimes on their own, it is an investigative tool and police officers still need to investigate to solve crimes, the system does not run plates through the DMV/Carfax
· Data not stored beyond 30 days unless for an investigation
Discussion centered around other municipalities that have Flock cameras, there is no legislation that regulates Flock cameras, not all the Council is in favor of Flock cameras, the Council is requesting more information including a policy for use of Flock cameras and the annual cost of a Flock camera.
On motion of Councilor Connerton, duly seconded, it was voted to approve the state camera; Vice President Welch and Councilor Turano voted NO to said motion.
31. Memorandum of Town Administrator, re: Flock Safety License Plate Recognition Camera Network.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
32. Resolution of the Council, re: Award to Flock Safety for installation of six cameras and a one-year annual subscription for the total amount not to exceed twenty-one thousand nine hundred dollars and zero cents ($21,900.00), funding from the Rescue Wagon Special Revenue Fund and authorize the Finance Director to execute an agreement on behalf of the Town.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to pass said resolution.
Lawrence Frank reviewed the following:
Entered here
On motion of Councilor Roberts, duly seconded, it was voted to table this item; Councilor Connerton voted NO to said motion.
.
33. Memorandum of Finance Director thru Town Administrator, re: MIDD-026-008 Full Revaluation of Taxable and Exempt Real Property Effective December 31, 2026.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
Tax Assessor George Durgin reviewed the memorandum above.
Discussion centered around most households do not allow access to the home for a full evaluation, difference between a basic inspection and an enhanced inspection and getting permission from the state to do a statistical revaluation instead of a full revaluation.
34. Resolution of the Council, re: Award to Vision Government Solutions, Inc., for the basic inspection will include one hundred forty-nine thousand seven hundred eighty-two dollars and zero cents ($149,782.00) from the Revaluation Special Revenue Fund and one hundred eighty-three thousand two hundred-eighteen dollars and zero cents ($183,218.00) from the General Fund Unassigned Fund Balance and authorize the Finance Director to execute agreements on behalf of the Town.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted to pass said resolution; Councilor Turano voted NO to said motion.
35. Resolution of the Council, re: Award to Vision Government Solutions, Inc., for the enhanced inspection will include one hundred forty-nine thousand seven hundred eighty-two dollars and zero cents ($149,782.00) from the Revaluation Special Revenue Fund and three hundred forty-nine thousand two hundred eighteen dollars and zero cents ($349,218.00) from the General Fund Unassigned Fund Balance and authorize the Finance Director to execute agreements on behalf of the Town.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted to pass said resolution; Council President Rodrigues, Vice President Welch, Councilor Connerton, Councilor Logan, Councilor Roberts, Councilor Turano and Councilor VonVillas voted NO to said motion; MOTION FAILED TO PASS.
36. Memorandum of Finance Director thru Town Administrator, re: Sewer Repair and Fiber Optic Cable Installation and Furnishment.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed the memorandum above.
Director of Public Works Robert Hanley reviewed the following memorandum:
Councilor Turano inquired if this project could be deferred.
Director of Public Works Robert Hanley noted the project cannot be deferred.
37. Resolution of the Council, re: Award to Third Millennium Communications, Inc., for fiber optic cable installation and furnishing from Town Hall to 110 Enterprise Center for the total amount not to exceed fourteen thousand five hundred three dollars and fifty cents ($14,503.50), funding from the Public Private Venture (PPV) Special Revenue Fund and authorizing the Finance Director to execute an agreement on behalf of the Town.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
38. Resolution of the Council, re: Award of Paving and Utility Repair work to East Coast Landscaping and Construction, approving a change order for the total sum not to exceed two hundred twenty-one thousand four hundred twelve dollars and zero cents ($221,412.00) to be allocated out as follows -Sewer Fund – Fund Balance - $114,667.00
Public Private Venture (PPV) Fund - $106,745.00 and authorizing the Town Administrator to execute the change order on behalf of the Town.
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 9:00 p.m.
Wendy J.W. Marshall, MMC
Town Clerk
supporting documentation is available at http://clerkshq.com/default.ashx?clientsite=Middletown-ri