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.
Council President Paul M. Rodrigues, Presiding
Vice President Thomas P. Welch, III
Councillor Peter D. Connerton, Sr.,
Councillor Christopher M. Logan
Councillor Emily M. Tessier
Councillor Dennis B. Turano
Councillor Barbara A. VonVillas, Members Present
POSTED JULY 12, 2023
REGULAR MEETING JULY 17, 2023
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, July 17, 2023 at 5:00 P.M. Executive Session; Presentation Immediately Following Executive Session 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, 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: 856 5311 9425 or on the web at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85653119425
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.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
RECONSIDERATION
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.
5:00 P.M. - EXECUTIVE SESSION
1. Executive Session - Pursuant to provisions of RIGL, Sections 42-46-2, 42-46-4 and 42-46-5 (a), (5) Land Acquisition, (5) Land Acquisition, (5) Land Acquisition and (2) Litigation (WC-2023-0282) - review, discussion and/or potential action and/or vote in executive session and/or open session.
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.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to recess executive session and reconvene in open session at 5:56 p.m.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive litigation information WC-2023-0282- Paul Complaint and refer to the RI Interlocal Trust.
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.
PRESENTATION- Immediately Following Executive Session
2. Vision Appraisal – 2023 Statistical Update Process.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to begin said presentation.
Councillor Turano thanked all for coming and noted that the appraisal process is done every three years with a full property evaluation every ten years. Councillor Turano explained Vision Appraisal has been contracted by the Town to perform the 2023 statistical update.
Stephan Bourque, Project Supervisor, Vision Appraisal addressed the Council, reviewing the following presentation in the link above.
Discussion centered around the Town’s real estate market determines values of properties, the analysis by neighborhood is driven by property sales, and Town field cards in the Tax Assessor’s Office are updated with the sales and if there are any building permits that were taken out by the property owners.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to recess this meeting at 6:30 pm.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to reconvene this meeting at 6:38 pm.
Council President Rodrigues requested a moment of silence for the loss of longtime resident and Town Committee member Julian “Jay” F. Peckham, III.
6:30 P.M. – REGULAR MEETING
TOWN BUSINESS UPDATE
3. The Town Administrator will provide an update on Town Projects.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to continue this item to the next Regular Meeting of the Council.
On motion of Council President Rodrigues, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to address the Public Forum at this time.
4. The Town Administrator will provide an update on the School Building Project
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to begin said update on the School Building Project.
Derek Osterman, Colliers Project Leader and the Town’s OPM, addressed the Council, reviewing the following:
Demographics Update:
(see HMFH presentation on file in the Office of the Town Clerk)
The demographer is finalizing projected student enrollments based on end of year numbers. Expected response is 7/21/2023
Schematic Design:
(see HMFH presentation on file in the Office of the Town Clerk)
Conceptual design concepts are ongoing and will reflect project design goals reviewed at the 7/12/2023 SBC meeting with input from the SBC
Enabling Work:
(see Attachments- On file in the Office of the Town Clerk)
· Phase I Environmental Site Assessment is complete
· Aerial mapping survey is complete
· Wetland delineation is complete
· Curb cut sketch for Aquidneck Ave entry provided 7/12/2023
Sustainability:
(see HMFH Sustainability Slides on file in the Office of the Town Clerk)
The first sustainability workshop occurred on June 21st at the School Administration Building. The next sustainability workshop to be scheduled in the fall.
Budget and Schedule:
The project remains on time and on budget. Colliers is developing reporting documents that will be issued monthly to track finances and progress against the overall schedule.
Communication Plan:
(See Colliers amendment and Main St Media proposal on file in the Office of the Town Clerk)
The SBC approved the proposed Colliers amendment to hire Main St. Media to provide community outreach supporting Matt Shelley’s efforts.
RIDE update:
(See RIDE handouts from the 7/12/2023 SBC Meeting on file in the Office of the Town Clerk)
Bill Trimble and Keelia Kentor toured the existing MHS and Gaudet MS prior to the SBC meeting and presented at the SBC meeting on the RIDE necessity of school construction and funding for school construction.
Mr. Osterman reviewed the bonus point reimbursement program from the state for the bond. Mr. Osterman explained there are seven categories within the program and the maximum amount the Town can qualify for is four (4) categories in order for the Town to receive 20% reimbursement from the state.
Discussion centered around knowing the percentage reimbursement from the state for building the new schools before the November election, the importance of educating the voters regarding the school bond question and being transparent and factual regarding the school buildings.
Item #6 as addressed at this time.
PUBLIC FORUM
5. 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.
Carol Cummings, Middletown, addressed the Council expressing concern about the access to Pebbly Beach. Ms. Cummings explained that the signs that are posted to swim at your own risk are not enough in the area to protect the Town from liability.
Michael Cunningham, Middletown, addressed the Council to inform them that he is working for Rhode Island Energy as Municipal Representative and has taken over the cities, towns and state agencies working on energy efficiency projects. Mr. Cunningham will be the resident storm duty individual working with fire and rescue during storms.
Item #4 was addressed at this time.
CONSENT
6. Approval of Minutes, re: Regular Meeting, June 20, 2023.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to approve said minutes.
7. Approval of Minutes, re: Special Meeting, June 26, 2023.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to approve said minutes.
8. Approval of Minutes, re: Special Meeting, June 28, 2023.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to approve said minutes.
9. Memorandum of Paul A. Croce, Chair Planning Board, re: Recommendation to the Town Council on proposed amendments to the Middletown Zoning Ordinance, Town Code Chapter 152, section 727 – Marijuana Related Used. (Council action to advertise for 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.
10. Application of Stephen Charles Schwarz, Middletown, for RENEWAL of a Private Detective License for the 2023-2024 licensing year.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said license renewal.
LICENSES AND PERMITS
11. Application of Coastal Cones, Inc. dba Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, 40 Valley Road for a Victaulling House License for the 2022-2023 licensing year. (NEW)
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said license subject to Building Official, Fire Marshal and Board of Health approvals.
12. Application of the Town of Middletown for Special Event Permit for the Monday Night Music Series - Live Music, Firepits, Food Trucks to be held on Mondays, August 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th, 2023 beginning at 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Sachuest Beach; August 28, 2023 includes Fireworks. (Town Event all fees to be waived)
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said Special Event permit and waive all fees.
13. Application for Special Event Permit from Rhode Races & Events, Inc. for Newport Rhode Races (Marathon Road Race) to be held on Town roadways and Second Beach Parking Lot on Saturday, April 13, 2024 from 7:30 am to 1:30 pm.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said Special Event permit.
OTHER COMMUNICATIONS
14. Memorandum of Robert M. Silva, Chairman, Middletown Economic Development Advisory Committee, re: Atlantic Beach Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District.
Tom Kowalcyzk, Middletown, representing the Middletown Economic Development Advisory Committee, reviewed the memorandum above.
Discussion centered around that the Town is unable to fund the TIF this year and the need to reinstate the TIF in future budgets.
Michael Cunningham, Middletown, addressed the Council noting support to reinstate the TIF next year. Mr. Cunningham explained that the Atlantic Beach District area is a unique area in the Town.
Discussion centered around burying the utility lines in the Atlantic Beach District area and the cost of the project.
15. Email communication of Allan W. Fung, Esquire, re: Consideration of an Amendment to Ordinance Section 705 dealing with fences, walls, and hedges.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said email communication.
Allan W. Fung, Esquire, representing his client in the Tuckerman Avenue area, addressed the Council requesting them to consider amending zoning code section 705 dealing with fences, walls and hedges. Mr. Fung submitted photos of hedges in the Tuckerman Avenue area, which he believes is a safety and liability issue to the Town, explaining the hedges are higher than six feet. Attorney Fung requested the Council to refer the matter to the Town Solicitor and Town Administrator.
Discussion centered around there is a RI General Law relating to hedges over 6 feet (34-10-1), any hedge over 6 feet is considered a spike fence, if the hedge height obstructs the view from the neighbor’s home, if a tree buffer is considered the same as hedges and the Council did not take any further action on the request.
16. Communication of Mary Ann Jencks, re: Crosswalk/Surfer’s End, Second Beach.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said communication.
MaryAnn Jencks, Newport, addressed the Council reviewing the communication above.
Discussion centered around the matter has been referred to the DPW Director, Police Department and RI Department of Transportation, it was determined that the crosswalk falls within the Town boundaries and Interim Town Engineer is reviewing the matter.
TOWN COUNCIL
17. Resolution of the Council, re: Authorizing Submission of the proposed School Bond question to the Secretary of State for inclusion on the November 7, 2023, Special Election Ballot.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to pass said resolution.
Edward Sisk, Middletown emailed the following on Monday, July 17, 2023 at 11:00 AM:
Please submit the comments of this email to the Town Council as Additional Information for Agenda Item #17 for the July 17, 2023 meeting. Please also include them as part of the permanent public record.
Respectfully,
Ed Sisk
In the April 2023 edition of Middletown Today, under the article titled “Savings On the Way For Proposed Schools” was a slanted, shop-worn marketing pitch phrase that suggested this project will only cost the median taxpayers an amount equivalent to a cup of coffee a day. I find that sort of marketing to be slanted, misleading, and inequitable, especially at times when all the facts and figures have not been fully gathered or vetted.
This is probably the largest Middletown project in over 50 years and one that has the potential of becoming an overwhelming financial disaster for all of us, if not fully understood and managed well.
Given the evolution of this project over the last 6 months and its proposed timeline and the fact that the design will not be complete until Spring of 2024 (after the proposed November vote) and a business minded person, I am sure Middletown will not have the enormous amount of detail needed to secure confidence in the future of this project within the next 4 months. Furthermore, our town stakeholders need more time to engage in serious and productive exchanges on this matter.
Therefore, as a voter, taxpayer, and constituent, I expect you will vote to reject this resolution, until the taxpayers are fully aware of the size, cost, realignment of assets and at the very least a Demographic Report illustrating the need and demand of such a sizable project and its Return on Investment.
Respectfully,
Ed Sisk
Mr. Sisk addressed the Council reviewing the email above.
Michael Flynn, Middletown, addressed the Council, regarding the following:
Can you please please submit this email as part of the public record for this evening’s Town Council Meeting for Item number 17 on the docket. If possible, I would like to show this PowerPoint when I speak on that item.
**************************************************
Paul Mankofsky, Middletown, addressed the Council reading the following into the record:
Thomas Walter Kowalczyk, Middletown, addressed the Council requesting that any renovations to the existing High School should meet the same requirements as a newly constructed school building.
Antone Viveiros, Middletown read the following into the record:
Mr. President. When we were discussing regionalization with Newport, the taxpayer’s responsibility of the $225 Million dollar bond was between $47 and $49 Million dollars depending on bond terms, 25 or 30 years.
Approximately two weeks before the election, it was stated at a meeting, this did not include $20,000,000 for transportation, making the taxpayer’s responsibility between $67 and $69 million. Fast forward to today.
According to the Hilltop Securities January 25th report, the $190 Million dollar bond that is proposed will not cost the taxpayer $47 to $67 Million dollars, but three times that: over $175 Million dollars, because the reimbursement rate is not 80%, but only 50 or 55%.
When the School Buildings Deficiencies List came out, I suggested to the building committee that we could rent classroom trailers, gut all existing buildings and replace everything inside. I was told that wouldn’t qualify for state reimbursement because the state requires that the remaining life of the buildings be over 60% and our buildings didn’t have that much remaining life. It is my understanding that the new plan is to refurbish the high school to house the School Administration and the fourth and fifth grades. First the school didn’t have enough remaining life for RIDE to invest in the school, and now RIDE wants the taxpayer to invest $20 Million dollars into that very school. The goal post has constantly been changing. As a matter of record of RIDE's inconsistency on this issue, the March 20, 2023 council meeting minutes state, I quote, "Charlie Roberts, Middletown, Co-Chair of the School Building Committee, addressed the Council explaining that the School Building Committee is made up of 19 people. Mr. Roberts noted that RIDE would not approve repairing the current facilities, RIDE's 2023 index states that the schools should be replaced."
During the whole regionalization campaign, all the public was told were the positives and what the people pushing it wanted the public to hear. What RIDE told the Building Committee at their meeting last Wednesday July 12, 2023, was that RIDE will only guarantee 35% reimbursement and that the project has to earn additional reimbursements RIDE reported the likely maximum reimbursement would be 55%, but at that very meeting the Building Committee was struggling with RIDE’s “Newer and Fewer” category, which drops the likely reimbursement to 50%.
This is not private industry. This is government, as I was told when on the Council. Government makes mistakes, and when they do, they have the taxpayers to pay for it. Following the 2027 revaluation, the increase tax rate will force people who are retired and on a fixed income to lose their homes and move. Those people make up the majority of the Middletown population. This bond would be a big mistake and be the legacy of this Town Council. Your job is to protect the citizens of this town and I expect you to vote to reject this resolution.
Thank you for allowing me to speak.
Judith Rosenthal, Middletown, addressed the Council reading the following into the record:
7.17.23 NOTHING HAS CHANGED
A look back at the March 6th and March 20th council meeting minutes on this issue will reveal that not much has changed in four months.
The withdrawal of this very item on March 6th was for the Rhode Island Department of Education to determine this project’s reimbursement rate. The minutes actually state, and I quote, “Mr. Brown noted there is legislation submitted by the legislators for 65% reimbursement.”
The reimbursement rate announced last month was 55%. That is a likely potential of 55%, and only 35% of the 55% is guaranteed.
More concerning, is that Middletown has 4 schools with students in them now, and will have 4 schools with students in them by the end of this project. Therefore, Middletown will not qualify for 5% reimbursement from the Department of Education’s “Newer and Fewer” schools, making the total potential reimbursement only 50%. That’s less than the reimbursement rate used for the January tax impact projections.
Not much has changed. The March 6th council meeting minutes show that issues brought up to council by 12 members of the public, in both email and in person, haven’t changed or have actually worsened in the last 4 months:
I’d to reiterate those points:
· The Town Budget alone will raise taxes 5.89%.
· Taxes, interest rates, labor and materials costs are all high and make the numbers of this project unsustainable for the current residents and businesses of Middletown, and even worse, unfavorable for new residents or businesses.
· The project continues to be riddled with unknowns, which makes it an unviable project and more a speculation than prudent business decision; a continued investment that’s a waste of taxpayer dollars.
· Unknowns of the school project in Newport decimated that project’s budget; With the steady unknowns of this project, Middletown could get caught up in the same fate.
· The reimbursement rate, which was unknown in March, now seems likely to shrink.
· The student population has steadily declined in Middletown since the 1990’s.
· The project vetting has not included a Cost/Benefit analysis, has not included a School Department efficiency review, and has not included alternative options to address school deficiencies.
· A new building is no guarantee of either long-term educational improvements or reduction of Middletown’s per pupil cost to taxpayers.
· No facts have been provided that show a new building will have a long-term impact on education results. Focus should be on educating students, not design and construction of a new school building.
· After a project of this financial magnitude, taxpayers will have no appetite, or ability, to fund needed education tools, or to fund the elementary school buildings in a planned subsequent phase.
· $20 million of the proposed project is for the elementary schools; Aquidneck School is in the worst condition of all the schools and likely to be torn down in a subsequent phase.
· Investing in more teachers will make a bigger difference than brand new school construction.
· Middletown taxpayers already invested $10 Million dollars in the schools in just the last 7 years; almost half of that on Gaudet which is proposed to be torn down. Better to let that $10 Million dollar investment see its full useful life , and develop a controlled budget that the taxpayers can afford, in order to fix the schools.
· Middletown’s debt will quadruple with one project, straining the debt capacity of the town should another need arise that necessitates the town borrowing.
This project is not voter-ready. In 2018, the Town Council at that time held back 2 Middletown Charter Amendment Resolutions presented by the Middletown Charter Review Committee. At least 3 of the current councilors sitting on the dais tonight will recall that.
When the possible outcome of a ballot vote could be devastating to the safety or financial well-being of the town, it is council’s responsibility to protect the town and be sure that option is never presented. This is one of those times. Just like in 2018, this is a time to reject a committee’s ballot resolution in order to protect Middletown.
Terri Flynn, Middletown, addressed the Council reading the following into the record:
PRESENTATION
Town Council
July 17, 2023
SCHOOL BOND: PATHWAYS, ALTERNATIVE CONSIDERATIONS
Good evening. Thanks for having me tonight.
There are many data points that show this proposed school building project has flaws.
The plan keeps morphing; we just heard it again tonight. Closing Aquidneck now may earn another 5%, but it also adds costs. There is no money to improve more of the high school for those classrooms. Just like sustainability issues: it’s great to be green, but it adds costs for really just a [financial] wash. Recall Middletown started with 80% and then in March hoping for 65% and now it is 50%. “Getting as much as possible:” that’s not secure enough, as the reimbursement rate has tumbled.
One of the issues is the expansion of the high school Career Pathways. Although expansion is good in concept, the Building Committee has struggled with identifying a fourth Pathways since the idea was conceived.
I would like first to address the notion that another Pathways would generate income to help offset the enormous expense of this proposed project. It is noteworthy that any tuition income Middletown receives for out-of-district students coming to Middletown, is offset by any tuition Middletown must pay for Middletown students that go out-of-district for similar opportunities. In addition, there is the administration, or education cost, Middletown incurs for each Pathways Middletown offers. Certainly, a Business Plan is required to continue to laud any financial outcomes from an additional Pathways.
Secondly, it is also mindful to note with the Pathways:
§ Number 1: there is no clear demand by Middletown students for another specific Pathways.
§ Number 2: There is no clear Pathways that would qualify, as non-competitive in the region, in order to get RIDE approval.
§ Number 3: I have recently heard and learned that although Pathways classes may be close to full in the freshman and sophomore years, when those participants approach graduation, the Pathways classes in their schedule are often sacrificed to make room for classes they must take to meet graduation requirements. As a result, there are actually only four or five students in a graduating class that complete a Pathways and earn a Pathways Certificate.
The November election is in 4 months and a Pathways has been pondered for the last 6 to 12 months with no plan or direction. And, it is still being talked about. It seems as if no one is reading the writing on the wall.
In addition to the two Pathways points, I would like to highlight a “News You Can Use” article dated January 25, 2023 on the Middletown website. The title is Middletown Moving Forward With School Plans – Without Regionalization. That was the decision: move forward with the same exact building plans from regionalization. No other options were considered when the price tag to Middletown taxpayers went up because the reimbursement went down. Councilor VonVillas touched on this: comparisons and options.
--Re-assessing the elementary schools was not considered and brought up by Councilor Rodrigues at one of the meetings, knowing that Aquidneck School is in the worst condition of all four schools. The elementary schools still have not been rescored for full assessment and big picture.
--Reviewing the deficiencies list was not done, to price out the most egregious deficiencies or reveal those that would add value or an attractive return on investment.
--RIDE wants Middletown taxpayers to reinvest in their schools now, and have approved putting $20 Million into the high school. Maybe Middletown could do just that and stop there for right now. A $20 Million dollar price tag is actually financially much better than one that’s $190 Million dollars with reimbursements: run the numbers.
As a voter and taxpayer, I would expect the elected officials to look at these Pathways facts along with the lack of alternative option review and vote to reject this resolution.
Thank you for the opportunity to address the council this evening.
Charlie Roberts, Middletown addressed the Council noting he is on the Building Committee, supports this initiative and placing the question on the ballot. Mr. Roberts explained the Building Committee has been completely transparent to inform the voters of the school building initiative.
Discussion centered around it would be a huge disservice not to place the school bond question on the ballot, it is a long process to get answers to all questions, a greener building will be more costly initially, the Council’s job is to lay out the information for the voters, public private partnerships for education, RIDE reimbursement bonuses will be discontinued in the future and the Town is looking for revenue sources to assist with paying for the school bond.
Rick Medeiros, Middletown, emailed the following on Monday, July 17, 2023 at 9:48 AM:
Please submit the comments of this email to the Town Council as Additional Information for Agenda Item #17 of the July 17, 2023 meeting and include them as part of the permanent public record.
I strongly oppose placing the $190 Million Dollar Middletown School Bond on the November 7th Special Election ballot. Reason being the entire town will suffer too much of a financial burden that would only jeopardize keeping, never mind obtaining, working families to even justify such a proposal.
Thank you!
--
Rick Medeiros
Josie Rock, Middletown emailed the following on Monday, July 17, 2023 @ 9:58 AM:
Please submit the comments of this email to the Town Council as Additional Information for Agenda Item #17 of the July 17, 2023 meeting and include them as part of the permanent public record.
Taxes are already estimated to go up 5.89% due to the approved budget.
Add a $190M bond for school building & the tax increase will be double-digits.
This would be devastating to Middletown residents & businesses if approved.
I do not support this bond and ask all of the Middletown Town Council Members to reject this resolution - reject the $190,000,000 school bond.
Thank you,
Josie Rock
Peter Horvath and Jennifer Perrenot, Middletown submitted the following email on Monday, July 17, 2023 at 12:20 PM:
Please submit the comments of this email to the Town Council as Additional Information for Agenda Item #17 of the July 17, 2023 meeting and include them as part of the permanent public record.
Middletown is contemplating a $190 Million school bond proposal – which would require a 14.5% across the board tax increase. Apparently all fiscal restraint has left the building.
Significantly increasing the town’s debt for one asset that will be utilized by a declining demographic is not sound fiscal policy. Undertaking a significant construction project during a period of high inflationary pressures and rising interest rates could be seen by some as reckless.
There are many unknowns presently that have not been fully vetted by Middletown Town Council. As an example, the Newport school project is now significantly over budget and subject to significant delays because of the increase electrical demand the facility will create. This is just one example. What budgetary demands will a new school facility place on already overburdened taxpayers? New staff – salaries – health benefits - pension? Increase in insurance premiums? Increase in energy costs, etc., etc.
In recent days Middletown has proposed a 5.9% increase in the tax rate. We are also going into a property tax re-evaluation process. How much property tax increase are taxpayers expected to shoulder? Middletown Town Council spends a lot of effort discussing taxing seniors out of their homes and affordable housing. A double digit tax increase will have out sized negative impacts on both of these issues.
At a time when lack of fiscal discipline seems to have permeated both federal and state governments I doubt that it is prudent to join this parade to insolvency. An increase of Middletown debt from the present $25 Million by $190 Million of additional new debt will negatively impact the Town’s balance sheet and ability to borrow for decades.
Two questions for the Town Council members:
1) Did you get a double digit increase in your salary last year?
2) Are you now looking to purchase a new bigger home, or re-finance an existing home, or perhaps run up your credit card debt in today’s rising interest rate environment?
If you didn’t get a double digit percentage salary increase or if you would not consider these actions for yourself, why are you seeking to impose it on Middletown’s taxpayers?
It is time to re-think this effort, learn to live and operate within a budget, and focus on continued fiscal responsibility that will enable our community to prosper without crippling our finances or burdening residents with significantly higher tax bills.
Peter Horvath
Jennifer Perrenot
Nancy Manning, Middletown submitted the following email on Monday, July 17, 2023 at 2:34 PM:
Please submit this email to the town council as additional information on agenda item # 17 of the July 17, 2023 meeting and include them in the public record. I am absolutely against the building of a new high school. and expect the town Council to reject the resolution.
Sincerely, Nancy Manning, 9 Warren Ave., Middletown
John Joven, Middletown submitted the following email on Monday, July 17, 2023 at 6:55 PM:
Received at 6:55 PM
Please submit the comments of this email to the Town Council as Additional Information for Agenda Item #17 of the July 17, 2023 meeting and include them as part of the permanent public record."
I’m having great difficulty understanding how we can afford such an expense with shrinking student populations and the primary focus appears to be about buildings and not curriculum. We need to know more about the number of students we serve and how new buildings will affect good curriculum development.
John Joven
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR
18. Memorandum of Finance Director, thru Town Administrator, re: Contract Award: Financial Audit Services FY2023 through FY2025.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
19. Resolution of the Council, re: Contract Award to Hague, Sahady & Company, PC for Financial Audit Services FY2023 through FY2025.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to pass said resolution.
Council President Rodrigues inquired how long the auditors have held the contract with the Town?
Town Administrator Shawn Brown, responding to Council President Rodrigues, explained that he will provide that information at a later date and that the Audit Firm rotates partners who perform the Town audit.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
20. Memorandum of Town Planner, thru Town Administrator, re: PY2022 CDBG Application – Affordable Housing – CCHC West House 2.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
21. Resolution of the Council, re: Approval of Filing - PY2022 CDBG Application – Affordable Housing – CCHC West House 2 and authorizing the Town Administrator to execute documents associated.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to pass said resolution.
Robert Plain, representing Church Community Housing, was present to answer Council inquiries.
Discussion centered around that Church Community Housing assists the Town with applications for funding, there are two pots of money-a competitive round for non-profits and rolling funds set aside for Affordable Housing, the Town can apply for the monies for housing and the Town can apply for funding for the East Main Road property once the Master Plan has been approved by the Planning Board.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
22. Memorandum of Town Administrator, re: Appointment of Assistant Town Solicitor/Conflict Counsel.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to continue this item of the next regular meeting of the Council.
23. Appointment of two (2) members to the Aquidneck Island Planning Commission for terms expiring July 2026.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to reappoint Terri Flynn and Jeffrey L. Staats to the Aquidneck Island Planning Commission for terms expiring July 2026.
24. Appointment of three (3) members to the Comprehensive Community Plan Update Committee, general public members, terms to be determined.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to appoint Lawrence Frank, Antone Viveiros and James Williams to the Comprehensive Community Plan Update Committee as general public members.
25. Appointment of two (2) members to the Conservation Commission for terms expiring July 2026.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to reappoint Philip Roberson and Melissa Welch to the Conservation Commission for terms expiring July 2026.
26. Appointment of one (1) member to the Personnel Review Board, Bi-Partisan Board, Democrat or Republican representative, for a term expiring June 2026.
On motion of Councillor Logan, duly seconded, it was voted to appoint Vanessa Ellermann to the Personnel Review Board for a term expiring June 2026; Councillor Connerton voted NO to said motion.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to adjourn said meeting at 9:06 p.m.
Wendy J.W. Marshall, CMC
Council Clerk