POSTED JULY 2, 2025
REGULAR MEETING JULY 7, 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, July 7, 2025, 5:00 P.M. Executive Session; 6:00 P.M. Zoning Board Interviews 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: 865 5716 4332 or on the web at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86557164332
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), (2) Collective Bargaining (NEA/Teachers), (2) Collective Bargaining (FOP), (5) Land Acquisition and (2) Litigation (Opioid Litigation), discussion and/or potential action and/or vote in executive session and/or open session.
2. Zoning Board Interviews:
a. Georgina Macdonald
b. Alicia Reyes
c. Rebecca Rogers
d. Christopher Rowe
· Why do you want to be on the Zoning Board?
· What experience do you have that would qualify you to be a member of the Zoning Board?
· What useful knowledge or perspective from your own personal experience would you bring to the position?
· What do you think is the most important responsibility of a Zoning Board member?
· What would you like Middletown to look like 5 years from now?
· What do you believe is Middletown’s most important land use issue and how should it be addressed?
· What ideas or suggestions do you have regarding economic development in Middletown?
· Regular Zoning Board meetings typically take place the 4th Tuesday of each month, starting at 6 P.M., and Special meetings are called on an as needed basis. Are you available to attend them?
3. Appointment of six (6) members to the Zoning Board of Review 1 vacancy, regular member, term expiring April 2030, 1 vacancy, regular member, to complete a term expiring April 2026, 1 vacancy, regular member, to complete a term expiring April 2028, 1 vacancy, first alternate, term expiring April 2026, 1 vacancy, second alternate, term expiring April 2026, and 1 vacancy, third alternate, term expiring April 2026.
4. The Town Administrator will provide an update on:
5. Communications five (5) of Justin Bernard, Senior Project Manager, Project Management Services, Colliers Project Leaders, re: New Middletown Middle-High School.
a. Recommendation to Award (RTA-01A2) – Trailers.
b. Recommendation to Award (RTA-07B) – Roofing.
c. Recommendation to Award (RTA-08C) – Interior Glazing.
d. Recommendation to Award (RTA-011B) – Gym Equipment & Bleachers.
e. Recommendation to Award (ATP-003) – Electrical, Exterior Storefront & Curtainwall, Concrete and Sitework.
6. Resolution of the Council, re: Approving the recommendation for Gilbane Building Company to award the subcontracts for Trailers, Roofing, Interior Glazing, Gym Equipment & Bleachers and Electrical Exterior Storefront & Curtainwall, Concrete and Sitework 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.
7. Communications two (2) 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-019) – Acoustical Ceilings.
b. Recommendation to Award (RTA-021) – Low Voltage.
8. Resolution of the Council, re: Approving the recommendation for Bentley Companies to award the subcontract for Acoustical Ceilings and Low Voltage, and the Town Administrator is authorized to notify Bentley Companies LLC to award the subcontracts.
9. Memorandum of Town Administrator, re: Request to Modify Change Order Approval Authority for the School Construction Project.
10. 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.
11. (Advertised for Public Hearing; abutters notified)
Application of Foodlove Market Middletown, LLC dba Foodlove Market, 1037 Aquidneck Avenue to TRANSFER Class BV Liquor License to JT Commons, Inc. dba JT Commons (2024-2025 Licensing year) for use at the same premises, including outdoor patio service.
12. Approval of Minutes, re: Special Meeting, May 28, 2025.
13. Approval of Minutes, re: Regular Meeting, June 2, 2025.
14. Approval of Minutes, re: Special Meeting, June 9, 2025.
15. Approval of Minutes, re: Regular Meeting, June 16, 2025.
16. Memorandum of Finance Director, thru Town Administrator, re: Police Department Surplus Vehicles – 2011 Ford Crown Victoria.
17. Resolution of the Council, re: Police Department Surplus Vehicles – 2011 Ford Crown Victoria.
18. Transfer of Burial Lots from Brian L. Bulk and Kevin R. Bulk, Co-Executors of the Estate of Ronald W. Bulk to Brian L. Bulk, re: Section 16, Graves 383, 384, 385, 386, 407, 408, 409 and 410.
19. Application of JT Commons, Inc. dba JT Commons, 1037 Aquidneck Avenue, for a Victualling House License for the 2024-2025 licensing year. (NEW)
20. Application of Frosty Freez 1956, Inc. dba Frosty Freez, 496 East Main Road, for a Victualling House License for the 2024-2025 licensing year. (NEW)
21. Applications four (4) for Special Event Permits, including mobile catering bar outside from Sweet Berry Farm, 915 Mitchell’s Lane for use at the same premises:
a. Tuesday, July 15, 2025, for Live Music with mobile catering bar outside 6:00 pm.
b. Tuesday, July 29, 2025, for Live Music with mobile catering bar outside 6:00 pm.
c. Tuesday, August 12, 2025, for Live Music with mobile catering bar outside 6:00 pm.
d. Tuesday, August 26, 2025, for Live Music with mobile catering bar outside 6:00 pm.
22. Application for Special Event Permit from Rhode Races & Events, Inc., Warren, Rhode Island for Newport Rhode Races, Marathon Road Race, Various roads in Middletown, Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 5:00 am to 2:00 pm beginning at the Second Beach parking lot.
23. Application for Special Event Permit from the Town of Middletown for the 2nd Beach Monday Night Music Series, Live Music, Fire Pits and Food Trucks at 2nd Beach on Monday, August 4, 2025, Monday, August 11, 2025, Monday, August 18, 2025, Monday, August 25, 2025 with fireworks from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. (Town event- Request to waive all fees)
24. Application for Special Event Permit from Middletown Outreach Department for Popsicles in the Park, Crafts, Snacks and activities for kids and families on Thursdays 10:00 am to 11:00 am Starting on July 17, 2025 through August 14, 2025 at Howland Park. (Town event- Request to waive all fees)
25. Communication of Cheryl G. Robinson, President of Turning Around Ministries, Inc., re: Request for support by placing an ad in the Souvenir Book or making a contribution to TAM.
26. Memorandum of George P. van Duinwyk, Middletown, re: Excessive traffic use of the road known as Boulevard, running between Green End Avenue and Miantonomi Avenue, Middletown, RI.
27. Public Hearing Advertised.
An Ordinance of the Town of Middletown (Second Reading)
Public Hearing Remains Open
An Ordinance in Amendment to the Town Code Title XV, Chapter 152, Entitled “Zoning Code”, Article 12, Section 1202 entitle “Definitions and Section 1209 entitled “Exempt Signs, Window signs – non-illuminated”. (Planning Board recommendation is on file)
28. Public Hearing Advertised.
Public Hearing Remains Open
An Ordinance of the Town of Middletown (Second Reading)
An Ordinance in Amendment to the Town Code Title XV, Chapter 152, Entitled “Zoning Code”, Article 7 Supplemental Regulations, Section 729 Temporary Storage Units. (Planning Board recommendation is on file)
29. Memorandum of Council President, re: Little Creek Lane.
30. Memorandum of Town Administrator, re: Recommendation to Award Contracts to Crossman Engineering – Sanitary Sewer System Evaluation Survey, Wastewater Facilities Plan Update, and Operations & Maintenance Manual Update.
31. Resolution of the Council, re: Award of Contract to Crossman Engineering for the Sanitary Sewer System Evaluation Survey, funding from the Sewer Fund and authorizing the Finance Director to execute the contract on behalf of the Town.
32. Resolution of the Council, re: Award of Contract to Crossman Engineering for the Wastewater Facilities Plan Update, funding from the Sewer Fund and authorizing the Finance Director to execute the contract on behalf of the Town.
33. Resolution of the Council, re: Award of Contract to Crossman Engineering for the Operations & Maintenance Manual, funding from the Sewer Fund and authorizing the Finance Director to execute the contract on behalf of the Town.
34. Memorandum of Town Administrator, re: Proposal for Engineering Services for Pickleball Facility.
35. Resolution of the Council, re: Award of Contract to Crossman Engineering for Engineering Services for 4-Pickleball Courts, funding from the General Fund and authorizing the Finance Director to execute the contract.
36. Memorandum of Finance Director, re: Architectural Service Library Renovation at 110 Enterprise Center.
37. Resolution of the Council, re: To approve recommendation for Oudens Ello Architecture, funding from the Bond Proceeds and all expenses will be recorded in the Town’s Capital Projects Fund, the Town’s General Fund’s fund balance will fund all invoices prior to bond issuance and Town Administrator is authorized to execute agreements on behalf of the Town.
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 2, 2025 at Middletown Town Hall, Middletown Public Library and Secretary of State Web Site.