THIS MEETING CAN BE HEARD IN ITS ENTIRETY ON THE TOWN OF MIDDLETOWN WEBSITE WWW.MIDDLETOWNRI.GOV, OR THE DVD IS AVAILABLE AT THE MIDDLETOWN LIBRARY AND MINUTES AND SUPPORTING INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND ON CLERKBASE THROUGH THE TOWN WEBSITE OR BY USING THE FOLLOWING LINK https://clerkshq.com/Middletown-ri
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, July 6, 2026 at 5:00 P.M.
Members Present:
Council President Paul M. Rodrigues, Presiding
Vice President Thomas P. Welch, III
Councilor Peter D. Connerton, Sr.
Councilor Christopher M. Logan
Councilor Charles R. Roberts
Councilor Dennis B. Turano
Councilor Barbara A. VonVillas
POSTED – July 1, 2026
REGULAR MEETING JULY 6, 2026
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 6, 2026 at 5:00 P.M. Executive Session; Town Updates and Presentations 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. 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: 874 7732 4268 or on the web at; https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87477324268 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) Potential Litigation / Legal Strategy - review of statutory obligations, risks, and potential disputes arising from regionalization and legal advice regarding these issues, (5) Land Acquisition (West Main Road) and (2) Collective Bargaining (TEAMSTERS).
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to recess open session and reconvene in executive session at 5:01 p.m.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to recess executive session and reconvene in open session at 6:11 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
2. The Town Administrator will provide an update on:
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to begin the Town Projects, School Building Project and Library Building Project updates.
Shared Facilities Director Ed Collins addressed the Council reviewing progress on the Library Building Project, Elementary School project and Middle High School project:
· Library construction has started.
· The library final GMP will be before the Town Council tonight.
· The library has received donations and grants, it is in a great position, within budget but not on time.
· The new library may open in December or January.
· Library has received state clearance for funding.
· The Middle High School Project – Site work, eastside drainage and sewer work, masonry work, roofing, furniture selection and project on time and on budget.
· Elementary School Project– Phase II, demolition done, furniture, playgrounds, elevator installation and on time and on budget.
Councilor Turano requested that the Projects in motion include budget information.
3. Memorandum of Francis J. Spinella, FJS Associates, Ltd., re: 351 East Main Road.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
4. Resolution of the Council, re: Approving additional services from FJS Associates, Ltd, funding from the Predevelopment Program Grant and authorize the Town Administrator to execute the change order on behalf of the Town.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to pass said resolution.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown addressed the Council reviewing the Memorandum in item #3 and resolution above.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
5. Communication of Jay Edwards, Project Manager, Downes Construction Company, re: Proposed GMP #2 and RTA’s for the renovations to the Middletown Town Library at 110 Enterprise Center.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said communication.
Jay Edwards, Project Manager, Downes Construction Company, addressed the Council reviewing the communication above.
6. Resolution of the Council, re: Approving the recommendation from Ahlborg Construction the recommendation for Ahlborg Construction Corporation to award the subcontracts of roof top unit replacement, security and tele data, painting and wall covering, audio visual, furnishings- window treatment, bathroom accessories, book drop, fire extinguisher cabinets allowance, interior and code required signage allowance, canopy and window film allowance, racks shelving with red powder coat allowances, and Construction Manager at Risk related expenses associated with these packages for the renovation of the new location of the Middletown Library, funding for
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to pass said resolution.
Councilor Roberts noted that he is not going to support any of the library project because he does not think the project is good for the Town.
Council President Rodriges noted that he thinks it’s a fantastic move for the Town.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted to pass said resolution; Councilor Roberts voted NO to said motion.
7. Email communication of Elizabeth Canfil, Public Affairs Specialist, Field Operations Center East, Office of Field Operations and Disaster Recovery, Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience, U.S. Small Business Administration, re: Brief overview of the disaster loan program for small businesses and non-profits with economic losses from the February Blizzard.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to begin said presentation.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to continue said presentation.
8. Communication of Emily Sullivan, Middletown BPAC Chair on behalf of the BPAC, re: Valley Road Demonstration Project – Presentation to the Town Council.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said communication and begin presentation.
Emily Sullivan, Middletown BPAC Chair, addressed the Council reviewing the communication above and a powerpoint presentation Valley Road Demonstration Project, which is on file in the Office of the Town Clerk.
Bari Freedman, representing Bike Newport, was also present to answer Council inquiries.
Discussion centered around whether the location of the bike lane would be safe, layout is the next step for the project, funding for the project is not for the full length of Valley Road, RIDOT will have to approve the plans and request assistance and support from the Town for the project.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to accept the BPAC recommendation for the grant project.
9. 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.
Thomas Welch, Middletown, addressed the Council and read the following into the record:
Council requested that item #10, Vice President Welch requested that item #12 and Councilor Turano requested that item #15 be heard under the regular portion of the agenda.
10. Approval of Minutes, re: Special Meeting, June 3, 2026.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to approve said minutes.
Terri Flynn, Middletown, addressed the Council and read the following into the record:
Audrey MacLeod-Pfeiffer, Middletown, addressed the Council and read the following into the record:
Discussion centered around that the Town Clerk follows state law as required for the minutes, recording residents’ emotions in the minutes, using AI for the minutes and video recordings are not official minutes.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to approve said minutes.
11. Approval of Minutes, re: Regular Meeting, June 15, 2026.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to approve said minutes.
12. Communication of Ali Firlings, Teacher, Twice as Nice Pre-School, Newport County YMCA, re: Resignation from the Middletown Prevention Coalition.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to received said resignation with regret.
Vice President Welch recognized and thanked Ali Firlings for her time served on the Middletown Prevention Coalition.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to received said resignation with regret.
13. Memorandum 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 memorandum.
14. Resolution of 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.
15. Notices of Public Hearings (3) three from the Town of Middletown, re: Proposed Amendment to the Comprehensive Community Plan, Proposed Amendment to the Zoning Map, Proposed Amendment to Zoning Ordinance to be held at the Gaudet Middle School, Cafeteria, 227 Turner Road, Middletown, RI – West Main Road. (Town Council action is to receive – The Council is receiving the notices because the Town is an abutter)
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to receive said notices of public hearings.
Council Clerk Wendy J.W. Marshall explained that the Town Council is receiving these notices of public hearing because the Town is an abutter to the proposed project.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said notices of public hearings.
16. Application of Crossroads Enterprise Group, Inc. dba Crossroads Café, 1364A West Main Road, for a Victualling House License for the 2025-2026 licensing year. (NEW)
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to grant said license subject to Building Official, Fire Marshal and Board of Health approvals.
Darley Stephen, applicant, addressed the Council noting that the café will offer pastries, coffee, smoothies and other café items.
A vote was taken.
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.
17. Application of Brittany Rosenberg Costa dba Sweet B’s Donuts, Bristol, RI for a Mobile Food Establishment License (Cart) for the 2026-2027 licensing year. (NEW)
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said license.
18. Application for Special Event Permit from Newport Historical Society for The Newport Show, benefitting the Newport Historical Society and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Newport County to be held at St. George’s School, 372 Purgatory Road on Friday, July 24, 2026 (6:00 pm to 9:00 pm), Saturday, July 25, 2026 (10:00 am to 5:00 pm) and Sunday, July 26, 2026 (10:00 am to 5:00 pm).
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said Special Event permit.
19. Submission from Gregory Huet, Citizens Memorial Committee, re: Town of Middletown Memorial and Recognition of Distinguished Veterans and Citizens Policy. (Council action to approve proposed policy.)
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to withdraw the item at the request of the Citizens Memorial Committee Chair.
20. An Ordinance of the Town of Middletown (Second Reading)
An Ordinance in Amendment to the Town Code of the Town of Middletown, Title III, Chapter 36, Entitled “Fee Schedule”, Section (D) Parks and Recreation (1) Beach Parking Fees.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to adopt said ordinance on its second reading.
Discussion centered around the current version of the proposed ordinance is less confusing, Councilor Turano inquired if there was any progress with the Federal Government regarding beach fees and the Town Administration is working with the BRAC Attorney regarding the beach fees.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to adopt said ordinance on its second reading.
21. Communication of Councilor Logan and Council President Rodrigues, re: School Zone Camera Fine Revenue and Time Restrictions.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said communication.
Councilor Logan reviewed the communication above and noted that this topic was discussed at a prior meeting.
Council President Rodrigues left the dais.
Vice President Welch presiding,
22. Memorandum of Town Administrator, re: School Zone Speed Camera Revenue Allocation.
On motion of Councilor Logan, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
23. Memorandum of Town Administrator, re: School Zone Speed Camera Enforcement Hours.
On motion of Councilor Logan, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed the memorandums above in items #22 and #23.
Council President Rodrigues returned to the dais.
Discussion centered around speed zone ticket data to date, the school zone cameras are turned off when school is not in session, the school day continues into the evening, the number of tickets issued in the school zones and waiting a year to have complete data from the school zones.
On motion of Councilor Logan, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to direct the Town Administrator to prepare a resolution to restrict funds from the School Zone Speed Cameras for Safety purposes.
24. Memorandum of Town Administrator, re: Approval of School Zone Flashing Light and Pedestrian Warning Sign Quotes.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed the memorandum.
DPW Director Robert Hanley addressed the Council noting that both the School Zone Flashing Light and Pedestrian Warning Signage will be ready prior to the start of school.
25. Resolution of the Council, re: The purchase of school zone flashing light equipment, pedestrian crosswalk warning equipment, related Smart Hub upgrades, and software licenses for the total amount not to exceed sixty-five thousand six hundred sixty dollars and zero cents ($65,660.00) is hereby awarded to TAPCO of Wisconsin, funding will be from General Fund unassigned fund balance and the Finance Director is authorized hereby to execute said purchase on behalf of the Town.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
26. Memorandum of Town Engineer, thru Town Administrator, re: FLAP Grant Design and Construction Funding.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed the memorandum above.
DPW Director Robert Hanley addressed the Council reviewing the area of the project.
Council President Rodrigues inquired who owns the property for the area where the project is taking place.
27. Resolution of the Council, re: The Town Council accepts the grant awarded from the Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) for the amount up to two hundred fifty thousand dollars and zero cents ($250,000.00) for the raising of the road on Third Beach Road bordering the Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge, the Town allocates up to seventy thousand five-hundred dollars and zero cents ($70,500.00) from the Parks and Recreation Fund -Beach Capital Replenishment as part of the match requirement for the FLAP grant and authorizes the Town Administrator to execute said grant agreement on behalf of the Town once said agreement becomes available.
On motion of Council President Rodrigues, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to continue this item to the next regular meeting of the Council, August 3, 2026.
28. Memorandum of Finance Director, thru Town Administrator, re: Contract Extension: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Administrative Services – Fiscal Year 2027 and 2028.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
29. Resolution of the Council, re: Approving the contract extension for the additional two-year term with CHURCH COMMUNITY HOUSING CORPORATION in accordance with the existing contract, funding from the Community Development Block Grant, and the Finance Director is authorized to execute the contract extension on behalf of the Town.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to pass said resolution.
Town Planner Ronald Wolanski reviewed the memorandum above in item #28.
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: Contract Award: Financial Audit Services FY2026 through FY2028 an option of FY2029 and FY2030.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
31. Resolution of the Council, re: Awarding the contract for
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to pass said resolution.
Finance Director Marc Tanguay reviewed the memorandum above in item #30.
Discussion centered around the Town audit and how long the same company should be performing the audit.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
32. Memorandum of Finance Director, thru Town Administrator, re: Replacement Vehicle and Equipment Purchase: Department of Public Works.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed the memorandum above.
Department of Public Works Director Robert Hanley was present to answer Council inquiries.
Discussion centered around how much equipment is at the Department of Public Works, the number of employees at the Department of Public Works, and the vehicles will be a lease purchase agreement.
33. Resolution of the Council, re: Replacement Vehicle and Equipment Purchase: Department of Public Works, funding is from a five-year lease purchased and the debt service payments from the Public Private Venture Special Revenue Fund and the Finance Director is authorized to execute said purchase on behalf of the Town.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to adjourn said meeting at 8:29 p.m.
Wendy J.W. Marshall, MMC
Town Clerk