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 Special 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 23, 2023 at 5:13 P.M.
Council President Paul M. Rodrigues, Presiding, Arrives at 5:15 pm
Vice President Thomas P. Welch, III
Councillor Peter D. Connerton, Sr.
Councillor Christopher M. Logan
Councillor M. Theresa Santos
Councillor Emily M. Tessier
Councillor Dennis B. Turano, Members Present
POSTED – JANUARY 18, 2023
SPECIAL MEETING – JANUARY 23, 2023
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, January 23, 2023 at 5:00 P.M. at the Middletown Town Hall, 350 East Main Road, Middletown, Rhode Island. Said meeting will be conducted in person, by telephone conference call/ webinar, 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: 840 0595 1343 or on the web at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84005951343
Wendy J.W. Marshall, 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
____________________________________
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 January 18, 2023 at Middletown Town Hall, Middletown Public Library, Middletown Web Site and Secretary of State Web Site.
Vice President Welch presiding.
1. Town Council Strategic Planning Meeting and matters related thereto facilitated by Vince Petronio, Professor Emeritus, University of Rhode Island.
On motion of Councillor Santos, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to begin the Town Council Strategic Planning Meeting and matters related thereto facilitated by Vince Petronio, Professor Emeritus, University of Rhode Island.
Also present were Town Administrator Shawn Brown and Assistant Solicitor Michael Monti.
Vince Petronio, Communication Studies, University of Rhode Island, facilitated a group discussion and exercise directed at determining a prioritized list of realistically attainable goals for the Town of Middletown.
Discussion centered around possibilities, probabilities and a prioritized list for the town, infrastructure of the Town, new school buildings, zoning, affordable housing, Town finances, financial oversite for education, moving sports fields, revenues, making the beach more profitable, alternate transportation, community balance, slowing things down, environmental resiliency, traffic, “The Blue Wave” (enrollment/graduation rate, trade school), West Main Road development, updating infrastructure, bike and pedestrian safety, retaining younger residents & young families, Atlantic Beach District, Litter control, storm water, drinking water, wastewater, business environment/development, economic development plan (broadband), business infrastructure, green initiatives and website efficiency.
On motion of Council President Rodrigues, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to recess this meeting at 6:05 pm.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to reconvene this meeting at 6:13 pm.
Discussion centered around building new schools, educational improvements, regionalization, maintaining school buildings, affordable housing, zoning, updating the Town’s Comprehensive Community plan, potential revenues for the town, housing rental market and a shortage of housing stock, due to short term rentals.
Working together, the Town Council identified the following goals for the Town as:
1. Quality of Life (green initiatives should be part of every discussion)
2. Schools/Education
3. Zoning/Housing – Tax/Revenue
4. Water – All forms
5. West Main Road Development
Mr. Petronio will compile all the information and present a report to the administrator.
On motion of Councillor Logan, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to adjourn said meeting at 8:22 p.m.
Wendy J.W. Marshall, CMC
Council Clerk