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, March 16, 2026 at 5:01 P.M.
Members Present:
Council President Paul M. Rodrigues, Presiding
Vice President Thomas P. Welch, III
Councillor Christopher M. Logan
Councillor Charles R. Roberts
Councillor Dennis B. Turano, Arrives at 5:09 p.m.
Councillor Barbara A. VonVillas
Absent:
Councillor Peter D. Connerton, Sr.
POSTED – MARCH 11, 2026
REGULAR MEETING MARCH 16, 2026
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, March 16, 2026; 5:00 P.M. Executive Session; Joint Meeting with the Planning Board and Presentation for Dunlap-Wheeler Park Immediately following Executive Session; 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: 870 7065 6044 or on the web at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87070656044 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 (IAFF), (5) Land Acquisition and (5) Land Acquisition (West Main Road).
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to recess open session and reconvene in executive session at 5:03 p.m.
Vice President Welch recused himself from action on Collective Bargaining (IAFF) and left the session at 5:04 p.m.
Vice President Welch returned to executive session at 5:17 p.m.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to recess executive session and reconvene in open session at 5:30 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
IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE SESSION
2. Communication of Planning Board Chair, re: Discussion of priorities of the Town Council.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to continue this discussion to a joint meeting Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.
3. Memorandum of Planning Board Chair, re: Proposed amendments to the Middletown Rules and Regulations Regarding the Subdivision and Development of Land by adding Appendix D: Traffic Impact Study Requirements to implement requirements and guidelines for the preparation of traffic impact studies submitted for proposed subdivisions and development projects. (Council action to receive said memorandum and adopt said amendments to the Middletown Rules and Regulations Regarding the Subdivision and Development of Land)
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to receive said memorandum and adopt said amendments to the Middletown Rules and Regulations Regarding the Subdivision of Land by adding Appendix D: Traffic Impact Study Requirements to implement requirements and guidelines for the preparation of traffic impact studies submitted for proposed subdivisions and development projects.
Town Planner Ronald Wolanski reviewed the memorandum above.
Planning Board Chair Paul Croce addressed the Council reading the following into the record:
Enter information here
Discussion centered around the project applicant would pay for a traffic study, following best practices and the Planning Board receiving a conclusive statement from the company performing the traffic study regarding the analysis.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum and adopt said amendments to the Middletown Rules and Regulations Regarding the Subdivision of Land by adding Appendix D: Traffic Impact Study Requirements to implement requirements and guidelines for the preparation of traffic impact studies submitted for proposed subdivisions and development projects.
4. Communication of Town Planner, thru Town Administrator, re: Dunlap-Wheeler Park improvements concept plan presentation.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said communication and begin said presentation.
Town Planner Ronald Wolanski reviewed the communication above.
Nathan Socha, Landscape Architect Representing BETA, presented a power point presentation of Dunlap Wheeler Park Conceptual Design, which is on file in the Office of the Town Clerk.
Discussion centered around identifying funding for the project, requesting funding from the state delegation for the project, if a small bridge can be built on the property to span the water way, if there are any conservation easements on the Dunlap Wheeler Park property and there is no resilience plan.
5. Resolution of the Council, re: Town Council hereby expresses its support for the concept plan as presented for the Dunlap-Wheeler Park, subject to any requested modifications, and authorizes the administration to proceed with work toward completing final design and permitting, subject to funding availability.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
On motion of Council President Rodrigues, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to recess this meeting at 6:24 p.m.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to reconvene this meeting at 6:30 p.m.
6. Communication of Tax Exploration Chair, re: Unintended Consequences in the Current Tax Ordinance.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said communication and begin said presentation.
Don Morin, Chair of the Tax Exploration Committee, presented a power point presentation Short Term Rental Ownership and Impact on Resident Tax Rate, which is on file in the Office of the Town Clerk.
Discussion centered around how to tell if someone is an active STR, using the state database for STR’s and there is a percentage of residents registered as an STR, but are not currently renting.
Leon Amarant, Middletown, addressed the Council noting that he supports that residents of Middletown should pay the resident rate for their taxes. Mr. Amarant explained that there are multiple revenue streams to the Town from Short Term Rentals.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to draft an ordinance amendment.
7. Memorandum of Councillor Turano, re: Middletown Town Council Term Limits.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum and begin said presentation.
Councillor Turano reviewed the memorandum and attachments above.
Discussion centered around letting the voters decide if they want term limits for the Town Council and the next Charter Commission in 2028, when the entire Chater will be reviewed, can submit a proposal to the Council for term limits.
Michael Flynn, Middletown, addressed the Council noting in 2018 the Charter Commission suggested term limits for the Council and the question did not make it on the ballot. Mr. Flynn suggests why wait for the next Charter Commission when there is a proposal for a Charter change currently.
Council President Rodrigues noted that there are term limits every two years the voters decide if they wish to vote for the candidate or not. Mr. Rodrigues also noted the price of running a campaign, criticisms on social media and how hard it is to get people to run for office.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to continue this discussion.
Councillor Turano explained that he would like to continue this discussion to get fresh ideas, get all the facts and it is the people’s decision.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted to continue this discussion; Council President Rodrigues, Vice President Welch and Councillor VonVillas voted NO to said motion; Councillor Logan, Councillor Roberts and Councillor Turano voted YES to said motion; MOTION FAILED TO PASS.
8. 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.
Gregory Huet read the following into the record:
Public Comments presented to Middletown Town Council by Gregory Huet on 16 March 2026 for the Record
On Wednesday 04 March 2026 during the Joint Town Council and School Committee Meeting, I was in the middle of making a statement for the record. The Council President did not allow me to finish my statement. I discussed the issue with the Council President after the meeting, and he agreed with my point that stopping me from completing my statement was inappropriate.
Per the Town Clerk, the only way to get my statement on the record is to present it during the Public Forum and then provide a copy to the Clerk upon finishing.
Because of the time lapse, I think it best to put my comments into context. These comments are about transparency, honesty, trust, and integrity of our public officials. It has nothing to do with personalities nor is it a personal attack on anyone – again, it is about open honest government, accountability and transparency of our public servants.
My comments are all fact based and the issue is something that every voter in Middletown deserves to be aware of given the enormous impact it may have on the education of our children in the future.
My initial statement on the 4th of March during the Joint Town Council and School Committee meeting referred to the circumstances surrounding Councilman Roberts response regarding his prior status with the School Building Committee. Please take the time to view the meeting video to clearly understand the context of my comments and the exact response of Councilman Roberts. I stand by my comments.
I will now read the second part of my statement from the Joint Council and School Committee meeting for the record.
Councilman Roberts also failed to divulge the fact that his brother-in-law is the Chair of the Newport School Committee, a public official who receives renumeration from the City of Newport for his Chair responsibilities.
Don’t you think the voters of Middletown deserved to know that he has a family member who holds a prominent position in the Newport School District, especially when that very same organization is aggressively pursuing a merger with our School District?
Do you recall School Committee Member Bill Nash recusing himself from voting on the City of Newport Regionalization Resolution because he had a family member employed by the Newport School District?
A situation eerily like Councilman Roberts scenario with these exceptions:
Mr. Nash divulged his family relationship and immediately recused himself from voting.
Councilman Roberts not only failed to divulge his family relationship, but he also voted on a Regionalization related issue.
Committee Member Nash did the right thing because he is a person of integrity and he is an ethical public servant.
As a resident of this town, and I likely speak for every resident of Middletown, we expect our elected officials to be honest and transparent when making decisions on our behalf.
Based on the few examples I noted, and through Councilman Roberts responses and actions, he has exhibited the inability to be transparent with the public and therefore his actions place him in a position where one may question his honesty and wonder if his decisions are truly made in an unbiased manner.
When the public can’t trust our elected officials to do the little things in a transparent and honest manner how can they trust them on the bigger more impactful things.
Councilman Roberts actions have demonstrated that he can’t be trusted to do the little things in an honest and transparent manner.
I request that Councilman Roberts recuse himself from all future votes involving Regionalization for transparency’s sake,
to avoid the poor image that his actions have reflected upon this Council,
and to restore the voters’ confidence that the Regionalization issue is decided in an unbiased manner.
I also request that the Councilman Roberts take the appropriate action to ensure this matter is reviewed by Rhode Island Ethics Commission.
Even if the Rhode Island Ethics Commission offered a favorable decision on this issue,
the fact is that Councilman Roberts was not forthcoming with the people he took an oath to represent by withholding important information and offering false information while sitting in the very seat that he is currently sitting.
I will submit my comments for the record to the Clerk. Thank you.
Michael Flynn, Middletown, addressed the Council referring to a resolution passed by the Town of Portsmouth 2026-01-27-C, Requesting the General Assembly to consider amending Legislation Relating to Accessory Dwelling Units. Mr. Flynn encouraged the Town Council to consider joining in with the resolution.
Charles Roberts, Middletown, addressed the Council reading the following into the record:
Enter here
Lawrence Frank, Middletown, addressed the Council reading the following into the record:
Enter here
Alicia Reyes, Middletown, addressed the Council regarding state law zoning changes noting some are not fair. Ms. Reyes noted that the Town of Portsmouth adopted a resolution to consider not adopting these ordinance changes and requests the Town Council to join in on Portsmouth’s resolution.
9. Approval of Minutes, re: Regular Meeting, February 17, 2026.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to approve said minutes.
10. Approval of Minutes, re: Regular Meeting, March 2, 2026.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to approve said minutes.
11. Approval of Minutes, re: Special Meeting, March 4, 2026.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to approve said minutes.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. License of Burial, re: Aliki Cooper, Eleni Cooper and Pauline Cooper, Section 46E, Graves 41 & 42.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said License of Burial.
15. Memorandum of Finance Director, thru Town Administrator, re: School Department Surplus- Kitchen equipment.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
16. Resolution of the Council, re: School Department Surplus-Kitchen equipment - Surplus to be salvaged by the Finance Director.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
17. Memorandum of Planning Board Chair, re: Proposed amendments to the Town Code Chapter 152, Section 728 necessary to address amendments to state law adopted in the 2025 General Assembly Bill H5794. (Council action to advertise for a future public hearing)
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum and advertise for a future public hearing.
18. Memorandum of Planning Board Chair, re: Proposed amendments to the Town Code Chapter 152, Zoning Ordinance, Section 802 regarding rebuilding nonconforming structures. (Council action to advertise for a future public hearing)
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum and advertise for a future public hearing.
19. Application for Special Event Permit from the Newport County YMCA for the Newport County YMCA for Aquatics Camp and Outdoor Adventure Camp to be held June 29, 2026 to August 28, 2026, Weekdays – Aquatics Camp - 9 am – 2 pm; Occasional Fridays 9-2 pm for Outdoor Adventure Camp at Second Beach and Third Beach.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said Special Event Permit.
20. Application for Special Event Permit from the Newport County YMCA- Race 4 Chase Triathlon training for kids to be held at Second Beach and Third Beach, beginning Monday, July 6, 2026 to Friday, August 7, 2026, Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said Special Event Permit.
21. Application for Special Event Permit from Small Wave Sauna, LLC for Small Wave Sauna, Mobil sauna business parked next to shower at Surfer’s End, for Off Season Weekends (September 2026 to May 2027) and occasional weekday popups (ex. Friday sunset).
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said Special Event Permit.
22. Application for Special Event Permit from Newport Sauna/Elena Soini for Sauna at the beach, Mobil sauna business at Third Beach for Winter Swimmers/Paddlers/Plungers, 1-3 days per week. (October 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027)
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said Special Event Permit.
23. Application for Special Event Permit from Love Defeats Fear Yoga, Third Beach Yoga, all levels public yoga class held on Third Beach on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays beginning June 1st, 2026, to September 30th, 2026, from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said Special Event Permit.
24. Application for Special Event Permit from Pulse Gym & Studios for Pulse Beach Boot Camps at Second Beach (Tuesdays and Thursdays) from Tuesday, May 12, 2026 to Thursday, August 27, 2026, from 5:30 am to 7:30 am.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said Special Event Permit.
25. Application for Special Event Permit from Audrain Concours Foundation, LLC., Newport, for Tour d ’Elegance to be held on Saturday, October 3, 2026 from 5:30 am to 8:30 am, Second Beach parking lot.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said Special Event Permit.
26. Memorandum of Councillor Turano, re: Middletown CIP for 2022-2026 Budget – 3-16-26.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
Councillor Turano noted that this is a follow up from a prior request.
Discussion centered around that Councillor Turano will receive this information sometime in April.
27. Memorandum of Councillor Turano, re: Middletown 5 Year Forecast Review.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
Councillor Turano reviewed the memorandum above.
Discussion centered around Councillor Turano received the information for the second time today, if all Councillors are asking the Town Administrator for different items it is an issue and that requests for the Town Administrator should be a priority of the entire Town Council.
28. Memorandum of Finance Director, thru Town Administrator, re: MIDD-026-011 Food, Beverage, and Concessions at Middletown Second Beach.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
29. Resolution of Council, re: Award of Contract- MIDD-026-011 Food, Beverage, and Concessions at Middletown Second Beach to Fire & Water Concession, Inc. and authorizing the Finance Director to execute the contract on behalf of the Town.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to pass said resolution.
Finance Director Marc Tanguay reviewed the memorandum in item #28.
Discussion centered around that the bid amount is the same as the prior contract and no other bids were received for the contract.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
30. Memorandum of Finance Director, thru Town Administrator, re: MIDD-026-006 Beach Parking Management System.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
31. Resolution of the Council, re: MIDD-026-006 Beach Parking Management System – Approve entering into an agreement with Passport Labs, Inc to assist in implementing a parking management system at Second and Third Beach, the fees required and funds received from the parking management system be charge to and recorded in the Parks and Recreation Fund and authorizing the Finance Director to execute agreements on behalf of the Town pending final review from the Town Solicitor.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to pass said resolution.
Armin Rebihic, Account Executive II, representing Passport Labs was present to answer Council inquiries and reviewed the proposed system. Mr. Reihic explained the system does not change Town polices the goal is to reduce the bottleneck of traffic at the beach entrance and allow people to pay ahead of time or once they park at the beach.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed the memorandum in item #30.
Finance Director Marc Tanguay reviewed the fiscal impact statement, entered here:
Enter Statement
Discussion centered around that the beach does not currently take credit card payments, the issue at the beach is long lines because of collecting money at the entrance/gate of the beach, cash will still be allowed, implementation of the system will eliminate jobs, the state is charging 7% sales tax on daily parking, the Town has requested legislation to remove the 7% sales tax on beach daily parking, other beaches in Rhode Island have this system and opting for a one year contract to try the system.
Leon Amarant, Middletown, addressed the Council noting that implementing this system is an extreme overuse of technology. Mr. Amarant supports keeping the beach stickers and the Town should dig into the system before signing.
Chris Rowe, Middletown, addressed the Council, presenting a list of questions, entered here:
Enter questions
Lawrence Frank, Middletown, addressed the Council inquiring if the Town is currently using credit cards at the beach.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted to pass said resolution: Council President Rodrigues, Vice President Welch, Councillor Logan, Councillor Roberts, Councillor Turano and Councillor VonVillas voted NO to said motion; MOTION FAILED TO PASS.
32. Memorandum of Finance Director, thru Town Administrator, re: Recommendation for Installation of an Energy Management System at the Fire and Public Works Complex.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
33. Resolution of the Council, re: Award of contract to Vision Energy Solutions, funding for this purchase and installation from Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant : $87,981, Energy Incentive and Rhode Island On-Bill Financing: $160,419 and the Finance Director is authorized hereby to execute said purchase on behalf of the Town.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to pass said resolution.
Facilities Director Ed Collins reviewed the memorandum in item #32.
Discussion centered around the financing, monthly audit trail and there is no cash out of pocket.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
34. Memorandum of Finance Director, thru Town Administrator, re: FY2026 Budget Adjustments as of December 31, 2025.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
35. Resolution of the Council, re: Approval of FY2026 Budget Adjustments as of December 31, 2025 – General Fund.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to pass said resolution.
Deputy Finance Director Patrick Guthlein reviewed the FY 2026 Budget Adjustments.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
36. Appointment of one (1) member to the Conservation Commission to complete a term expiring July 2027.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to appoint Michael Fenton to the Conservation Commission to complete a term expiring July 2027.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to adjourn said meeting at 9:10 p.m.
Wendy J.W. Marshall, MMC
Town Clerk