POSTED JULY 30, 2025
REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 4, 2025
TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF MIDDLETOWN, RHODE ISLAND
The following items of business, having been filed with the Town Clerk under the Rules of the Council, will come before the Council at a regular meeting to be held on Monday, August 4, 2025, 5:00 P.M. 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: 819 8149 2651 or on the web at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81981492651
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)
1. Executive Session - Pursuant to provisions of RIGL, Sections 42-46-2, 42-46-4 and 42-46-5 (a), (5) Land Acquisition, (2) Litigation (SB-2022-02), (2) Litigation (NC-2025-0131), (2) Litigation (NC-2025-0132), (2) Litigation (NC-2025-0133), (2) Collective Bargaining and (2) Collective Bargaining (TEAMSTERS) discussion and/or potential action and/or vote in executive session and/or open session.
2. The Town Administrator will provide an update on:
b. School Building Project
c. Library Building Project
3. Communications ten (10) of Justin Bernard, Senior Project Manager, Project Management Services, Colliers Project Leaders, re: New Middletown Middle-High School.
a. Recommendation to Award (RTA-01D) - Interim Cleaning and General Carpentry.
b. Recommendation to Award (RTA- 08A) – Doors, Frames and Hardware.
c. Recommendation to Award (RTA-09B) – Tile.
d. Recommendation to Award (RTA-09C) – Acoustical Ceiling Systems.
e. Recommendation to Award (RTA-09D) – Wood Flooring.
f. Recommendation to Award (RTA-09E) – Carpet and Resilient Flooring.
g. Recommendation to Award (RTA-09G) – Epoxy Flooring.
h. Recommendation to Award (RTA-10A) – Specialties.
i. Recommendation to Award (RTA-10B) – Toilet Partitions and Accessories.
j. Recommendation to Award (RTA-12B) – Manufactured Casework.
4. Resolution of the Council, re: Approving the recommendation for Gilbane Building Company to award the subcontracts for Interim Cleaning and General Carpentry, Doors, Frames and Hardware, Tile, Acoustical Ceiling Systems, Wood Flooring, Carpet and Resilient Flooring, Epoxy Flooring, Specialties, Toilet Partitions and Accessories and Manufactured Casework and all expenses recorded in the School Department’s Capital Projects Fund and the Town Administrator is authorized to notify Gilbane Building Company to award the subcontracts.
5. Communications four (4) of Justin Bernard, Senior Project Manager, Project Management Services, Colliers Project Leaders, re: Renovations of the Existing Middletown High School (ES Complex).
a. Recommendation to Award (RTA-005) – Miscellaneous Metals.
b. Recommendation to Award (RTA-013) - Concrete.
c. Recommendation to Award (RTA-015) - Millwork.
d. Recommendation to Award (RTA-016) – Glass and Glazing.
6. Resolution of the Council, re: Approving the recommendation for Bentley Companies to award the subcontract for Miscellaneous Metals, Concrete, Millwork and Glass and Glazing and the Town Administrator is authorized to notify Bentley Companies LLC to award the subcontracts.
7. Pursuant to Rule 25 of the Rules of the Council, Citizens may address the town on one (1) subject only, said subject of substantive Town business, neither discussed during the regular meeting nor related to personnel or job performance. Citizens may speak for no longer than five (5) minutes and must submit a public participation form to the Council Clerk prior to the start of the meeting. All items discussed during this session will not be voted upon.
8. Approval of Minutes, re: Regular Meeting, July 7, 2025.
9. Communication of Rhode Island Energy, re: The Narragansett Electric Company dba Rhode Island Energy 2025 Vegetation Management Standards and Practices Division Docket No. D-25-15 Notification to Municipalities.
10. Application of Stephen Charles Schwarz, Middletown, for RENEWAL of a Private Detective License for the 2025-2026 licensing year.
11. Application of Jennifer Beirola, owner, Rocky Shores Tattoo Company, LLC dba Rocky Shores Tattoo Company for RENEWAL of a Tattoo License for the 2025-2026 Licensing year, to be used at 554 West Main Road.
12. Memorandum of Paul A. Croce, Chairman, Middletown Planning Board, re: Recommendation to the Town Council on a petition of Middletown Commons Town Center, LLC requesting amendment to the Future Land Use Map, Map L-4 of the Middletown Comprehensive Community Plan to change the designation of property fronting on West Main Road and Coddington Highway, Plat 102, Lots 3, 4, 5, 7 and a portion of Lot 6 from Institutional to limited & Office Business; provide a recommendation to the Town Council on the request to change the zoning designation of the subject property from Public, traffic sensitive (PA) to Limited Business, traffic sensitive (LBA); and provide a recommendation to the Town Council on a proposal to adopt an overlay zoning district that will cover the subject property.
13. Proposed Ordinance In Revision To The Comprehensive Community Plan of the Town Of Middletown -The Future Land Use Plan, Map L-4, of the Land Use element of the Middletown Comprehensive Community Plan is amended to bring consistency between the Future Land Use Plan and the Town’s Zoning Map for the parcels identified as Lots 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, or portions thereof, on Plat 102 of the Middletown Tax Assessor's Plats currently designated as “Institutional” and shall now be designated as “Limited & Office Business.” (West Main Road- Coddington; Requires advertising and notification to abutters for a public hearing to be held on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, Middletown High School Cafeteria, 130 Valley Road, at 6:00 PM and on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, Middletown High School Cafeteria, 130 Valley Road, at 6:00 PM – Planning Board recommendation above see item #12)
14. Proposed Amendment to the zoning designation of a portion of that certain lot or parcel of land presently identified as Lots 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, or portions thereof, on Middletown Tax Assessor's Plat 102, which is presently designated as “Public” shall be changed to LBA, “Limited Business, traffic sensitive” (West Main Road- Coddington; Requires advertising and notification to abutters for a public hearing to be held on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, Middletown High School Cafeteria, 130 Valley Road, at 6:00 PM and on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, Middletown High School Cafeteria, 130 Valley Road, at 6:00 PM – Planning Board recommendation above see item #12)
15. Proposed Amendment to the Town Code Title XV, Chapter 152, Entitled “Zoning Code” is amended by adding new Article 31 West Main-Coddington Overlay District; adding a new column and other revisions to Section 602 regarding uses allowed in the West Main-Coddington Overlay District; and adding new lines to section 603 regarding dimensional requirements for the West Main-Coddington Overlay District. (West Main Road- Coddington; Requires advertising and notification to abutters for a public hearing to be held on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, Middletown High School Cafeteria, 130 Valley Road, at 6:00 PM and on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, Middletown High School Cafeteria, 130 Valley Road, at 6:00 PM – Planning Board recommendation above see item #12)
16. Communication Colliers, re: New Middletown Middle-High School REVISED Recommendation to Award (RTA-99A) – Surveying; Approved by Town Administrator and Superintendent of Schools.
17. Application of Cumberland Farms, Inc. dba Cumberland Farms, 533 East Main Road, for a Victualling House License for the 2024-2025 licensing year. (NEW)
18. Application of Cumberland Farms, Inc. dba Cumberland Farms, 533 East Main Road, for a Holiday Sales License for the 2025-2026 licensing year. (NEW)
19. Application of Mooseman’s Concessions dba Mooseman’s Kettle Corn, Newport for a Mobile Food Establishment License for the 2025-2026 licensing year. (NEW)
20. An Ordinance of the Town of Middletown (First Reading)
An Ordinance in Amendment to the Town Code Title III Administration, Chapter 36 Fee Schedule (B) Building/Zoning by adding (8) Storage Containers.
21. Resolution of the Council, re: Endorsing the Goals of the 2023 Ride Island Bike Plan.
22. At the request of Council President Rodrigues, Vice President Welch and Councilor Logan, Resolution of the Council, re: Advocating for the Continued Operation of the Noreen Stonor Drexel Birthing Center at Newport Hospital.
23. Communication of Councilor Roberts and Councilor Turano, re: Requesting the Affordable Housing Committee present their recommendation on the Middletown Commons project.
24. Memorandum of Councill Turano, re: Two Tier Tax – Resident – Nonresident Tax Ordinance be reviewed to provide a better understanding of the ordinance.
25. Memorandum of Public Works Director, re: Boulevard and High Street Traffic Safety Evaluations.
26. Resolution of the Council, re: Purchase of Speed Feedback Signs from All Traffic Solutions, Inc. and authorizing the Finance Director to execute said purchase on behalf of the Town.
27. Email of Sonam Ngamdung, re: Resignation from the Middletown Prevention Coalition (Youth Sector Seat).
28. Appointment of one (1) member to the Middletown Board of Canvassers, regular member, to complete a term expiring March 2029.
29. Appointment of two (2) members to the Discover Newport Board – Middletown Representatives (Hospitality Industry) for terms expiring June 2028.
30. Appointment of one (1) member to the Middletown Local 250th Commission, term expiring 2026.
Wendy J.W. Marshall, MMC
Town Clerk
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 July 30, 2025 at Middletown Town Hall, Middletown Public Library and Secretary of State Web Site.