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, September 21, 2026 at 5:00 P.M.
Vice President Welch requested the Town Clerk to call the role.
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 – September 16, 2026
REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 21, 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, September 21, 2026 at 5:00 P.M. Executive Session; Town Updates 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: 839 6947 9892 or on the web at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83969479892; 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), (5) Land Acquisition (351 East Main Road), (2) Collective Bargaining (NEARI – Town Hall), (2) Collective Bargaining (NEARI Teachers Aids), (1) Personnel (Town Administrator).
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to recess open session and reconvene in executive session at 5:02 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: 03 p.m.
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 seal the executive session minutes pursuant to Section 42-46-7. RIGL
IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE SESSION
2. Memorandum of Town Administrator, re: Authorization to Proceed with Full Renovation of Forest Avenue Elementary School.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed the memorandum above.
Justin Bernard, Associate Director, Project Management Services, Colliers Project Leaders, reviewed the slide below.
Discussion centered around bond interest rather than the CIP Program is being used to fund the Forest Avenue Renovation Project, how bonds are sold, restrooms for the preschoolers (tiny toilets), Councilor Roberts noted he has an issue with the process of the funding of the project, being fiscally responsible, project timeline, Bright Star Certification for Schools, projected enrollment and reimbursement from RIDE for the project.
3. Resolution of the Council, re: Authorizing a total project budget of seven million four hundred sixty-nine thousand dollars and zero cents ($7,469,000.00) for the renovation of Forest Avenue Elementary School, the funding for
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to pass said resolution; Councilor Roberts and Councilor Turano voted NO to said MOTION.
4. Resolution of the Council, re: Approving change order number fourteen in the amount of sixty-nine thousand eight hundred sixty-seven dollars and zero cents ($69,867.00) for additional supplemental services for Forest Avenue Elementary School, funding for
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
5. Communication of Shared-Facilities Director, re: Recommendation for Award – Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) System.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said communication.
Ed Collins, Shared-Facilities Director, reviewed the communication above.
6. Resolution of the Council, re: Approving the recommendation to approve the back-up battery for the library buildings technology in the amount not to exceed sixteen thousand three hundred eighty-three dollars and forty-eight cents ($16,383.48),
funding for
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
Council President Rodrigues requested a moment of silence for Paul Jordan who had a health issue while working on the new Middle High School.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to act as a Board of License Commission.
7. (Advertised; Abutters Notified)
Application of Newport Pickleball, LLC dba Newport Pickleball, 866 West Main Road (105 Chases Lane) for an EXPANSION of a Class BV Liquor License to include the outside patio for the 2025-2026 Licensing year for use at the same premise.
Public Hearing was declared open.
John Theberge, applicant, addressed the Council noting that the request is to expand liquor service to the outdoor Pickleball Courts, which are enclosed and on the east side of the building.
There being no persons present desiring to be heard in person, zoom link not working, public hearing was declared closed.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said license expansion.
8. Applications received from the following named persons, firms or corporations for RENEWAL of Alcoholic Beverage Licenses for the 2026-2027 licensing year. (Council Action – Advertise for public hearing to be held on October 19, 2026) (See attached list)
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said applications and advertise for a future public hearing, to be held on October 19, 2026.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to reconvene as a Town Council.
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.
No one spoke during this session.
10. Petition of Anne R. Ficke and Middletown Residents, re: Traffic Calming Measures – 3rd Beach Road. (Middletown Police Department, Department of Public Works review and recommendation, email communication of Anne R. Ficke thanking the Town on file. – Council action to receive and file – Item resolved.)
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive and file said Petition.
11. Applications received from the following named persons, firms or corporations for RENEWAL of Victualling House Licenses, Additional Hours of Operation, for the 2026-2027 licensing year. (Requires Advertising for a public hearing to be held on October 19, 2026)
· AQ, INC/Aquidneck Restaurant & Pizzeria – 27 Aquidneck Avenue
· Beebe & Family, Inc./7-Eleven Food Stores – 726 Aquidneck Avenue
· Cardinal Restaurant Corp./IHOP Restaurants – 159 West Main Road
· Colbea Enterprises, LLC/Seasons Corner Market- 207 East Main Road
· Colbea Enterprises, LLC/West Main Shell- 1149 West Main Road
· Cumberland Farms Store #1264 –94 Aquidneck Avenue
· DDO-New England, LLC/ Taco Bell- 641 West Main Road
· Destiny Donuts, LLC/ Dunkin’ Donuts- 159 East Main Road
· East Main Donuts, LLC/Dunkin’ Donuts – 536 East Main Road
· Joe’s Kwik Marts, LLC/Joe’s Kwik Mart – 876 West Main Road
· Kasbac, LLC/McDonald’s Restaurant- 1425 West Main Road
· Kasbac, LLC/McDonald’s Restaurant- 300 East Main Road
· Leite Donuts, Inc./Ma’s Donuts & More – 78 West Main Road
· Middletown Donuts, LLC/Dunkin’ Donuts – 811 West Main Road
· Shaw’s Supermarkets, Inc. - 71 East Main Road
· Starbucks Corporation/Starbucks Coffee #7599- 99 East Main Road
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said applications and advertise for a future public hearing to be held on October 19, 2026.
Councilor Connerton recused himself from acting on the following item of business, due to a possible conflict of interest.
12. Application of the Peter D. Connerton, Jr., Memorial Fund for a BINGO License to be used at the Knights of Columbus, 7 Valley Road, Middletown on Tuesday, January 19, 2027 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said license.
13. Application for Special Event Permit from Rhode Races & Events, Inc., for the Newport Rhode Races, Marathon Road Race to be held on Saturday, April 17, 2027 – Set up Friday, April 16, 2027 – Start time 7:00 am to 2:00 pm – Event on various roads in Middletown and Second Beach Parking lot.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said Special Event Permit.
14. An Ordinance of the Town of Middletown (First Reading)
An Ordinance in Amendment to the Town Code of the Town of Middletown, Title IV, Chapter 39, Entitled “Streets Sidewalks and Public Places”, New Section 94.08 Green and Complete Streets Policy Statements. (Planning Board and Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee recommendations on file.)
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to receive said ordinance on its first reading.
Town Planner Ronald Wolanski addressed the Council noting the ordinance was drafted by the Town Solicitor’s Office.
Town Solicitor Peter B. Regan reviewed the history of the ordinance, which was brought forward by the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee and reviewed by the Planning Board.
Councill Roberts inquired if the Roads and Utilities Advisory Committee had reviewed the ordinance. Mr. Roberts would like the Roads and Utilities Advisory Committee to be included in reviewing the ordinance.
Discussion centered around that the Roads and Utilities Advisory Committee had not reviewed the ordinance.
Mike Flynn, Middletown, addressed the Council noting he supports the safety factor of the ordinance, but cautioned the Council of unintentional consequences.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said ordinance on its first reading.
15. Email communication of Gregory Huet, Chairman, Middletown Memorial Committee, re: Approval of Feasibility Application for the Middletown Revolutionary War Memorial, submitted by the Middletown 250th Committee.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said email communication and approve the recommendation of the Middletown Memorial Committee.
16. Communication of Councilor Connerton (Middletown 250th Commission Memorial Plaque Recommendation) and Memorandum of George Krol, Chairman of the Middletown 250th Committee, re: Request for support for the Middletown Revolutionary War Memorial.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said Communication and memorandum and authorize $909.00 to be appropriated from the Council President’s Discretionary Fund.
17. Memorandum of Planning Board Chair Paul A. Croce, re: Proposed creation of incentive program to promote preservation of historic buildings and resources. (Council action to order advertised for a future public hearing)
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to receive said memorandum and advertise for a future public hearing.
Planning Board Chair Paul A. Croce reviewed the memorandum above.
Discussion centered around this would be a voluntary program, Middletown does not have a Historic District, and if there would be an impact on someone’s appraisal if they signed up for the program.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum and advertise for a future public hearing.
18. Memorandum of Planning Board Chair Paul A. Croce, re: Planning Board Recommendation – Request of the Town Council for recommendation on proposed amendment to the zoning ordinance, Town Code Chapter 152, Section 2714- Sewage and Waste. (Council action to order advertised for a future public hearing)
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to receive said memorandum and advertise for a future public hearing.
Town Solicitor Peter B. Regan addressed the Council noting that this is simply an update to the ordinance to match the City of Newport’s ordinance update.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum and advertise for a future public hearing.
19. Memorandum of Planning Board Chair Paul A. Croce, re: Planning Board Recommendation – Proposed amendment to Section 510 Middletown Rules and Regulations Regarding the Subdivision and Development of Land regarding sidewalks. (Council action to approve amendment)
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to receive said memorandum and approve said amendment to the Middletown Rules and Regulations Regarding the Subdivision and Development of Land.
Planning Board Chair Paul A. Croce reviewed the memorandum above.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum and approve said amendment to the Middletown Rules and Regulations Regarding the Subdivision and Development of Land.
20. Memorandum of Council President Rodrigues, re: Crosswalk Request – West Main Road from Planet Fitness to Elmwood Avenue. (Council action referred to the Town Administrator)
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to receive said memorandum and forward said request to the Town Administrator for review and recommendation.
Council President Rodrigues reviewed the memorandum above.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown noted that he would need Council authority to send the request to the State Traffic Commission.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum and forward said request to the Town Administrator for review and recommendation.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to authorize the Town Administrator to submit the crosswalk request to the State Traffic Commission.
21. At the request of Council President Rodrigues, re: Resolution of the Council – Proclaiming Monday, October 19, 2026 as Mental Health Day in the Town.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to pass said resolution.
Council President Rodrigues read the above resolution into the record.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
22. Communication of Councilor Roberts, re: Enabling Legislation for a Surviving-Spouse Property Tax Exemption.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said communication.
Councilor Roberts reviewed the above communication.
The Town Solicitor will draft legislation and an ordinance to reflect what is outlined in the communication.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to request the Middletown’s legislative delegation to introduce and support legislation that would allow the Town to provide property tax relief to the surviving spouse of a police officer, firefighter, or other eligible public safety employee whose death has been official determined to be a line-of-duty death. The legislation should recognize that a line-of-duty death may result from duty-related psychological trauma as well as a physical injury.
23. Memorandum of Councilor Logan, re: Short-Term Rentals in Buildings Converted Through Adaptive Reuse.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
Councilor Logan reviewed the above memorandum.
Discussion centered around the current ordinance regulations/limitation, there is not prohibition in the Town ordinance or state Adaptive Reuse Statue restricting short term rentals, amending the town ordinance and requesting the State Legislators to amend the state law to for Adaptive Resue to restrict Short Term Rentals.
Lawrence Frank, Chair of the Middletown Affordable Housing Committee, addressed the Council reviewing the draft minutes attached to the above memorandum.
24. Memorandum of Finance Director, thru Town Administrator, re: Impact Fees Balance and Historical Information.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
Finance Director Marc Tanguay reviewed the above memorandum.
Discussion centered around the history of Impact Fees, the approximate per average cost for an impact fee for a single-family home, eliminating impact fees, not eliminating the sewer impact fee, Town Planner reviewed what other Cities and Towns are collecting for impact fees and the Town Solicitor and Town Administrator will prepare an ordinance sunsetting all impact fees with the exception of the sewer impact fees and including Accessory Dwelling Units.
25. (Referred from August 3, 2026, Regular Meeting)
Memorandum of Town Administrator, re: Town Boards and Committees.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to receive said memorandum and approve the recommendation of the Town Administrator for no changes to the Board of Canvassers, Juvenile Hearing Board, Library Board of Trustees, Library Building Committee, Middletown Prevention Coalition, Personnel Board, Personnel Review Board, Planning Board, School Building Committee, School Committee, Senior Citizens Board of Directors, Tax Assessment Board of Review and Zoning Board of Review.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed the above memorandum.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum and approve the recommendation of the Town Administrator for no changes to the Board of Canvassers, Juvenile Hearing Board, Library Board of Trustees, Library Building Committee, Middletown Prevention Coalition, Personnel Board, Personnel Review Board, Planning Board, School Building Committee, School Committee, Senior Citizens Board of Directors, Tax Assessment Board of Review and Zoning Board of Review.
26. (Referred from August 3, 2026, Regular Meeting)
Memorandum of Town Administrator, re: Academic Integration Advisory Committee.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed the above memorandum.
Discussion centered around communication between Newport and Middletown Schools continuing, it is a function of the School Committee to collaborate with other school systems and not going forward with regionalization at this time.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to sunset the Academic Integration Advisory Committee.
27. (Referred from August 3, 2026, Regular Meeting)
Memorandum of Town Administrator, re: Affordable Housing Committee.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed the above memorandum.
Lawrence Frank, Chair of the Affordable Housing Committee, reviewed recommendations from the Affordable Housing Committee regarding the charge of the committee.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to rename the Affordable Housing Committee to Middletown Housing Committee, expand the charge of the committee to address the Town’s overall housing needs and approve the proposed charge as outlined in the memorandum from the Town Administrator and reflect the recommendation from the Affordable Housing Committee .
28. (Referred from August 3, 2026, Regular Meeting)
Memorandum of Town Administrator, re: Audit Committee.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to remove the Finance Office from the role as Secretary to the Audit Committee and the Audit Committee annually designate one of its members to serve as Secretary of the committee.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed the above memorandum.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to remove the Finance Office from the role as Secretary to the Audit Committee and the Audit Committee annually designate one of its members to serve as Secretary of the committee.
29. (Referred from August 3, 2026, Regular Meeting)
Memorandum of Town Administrator, re: Proposed Transition from Beach Commission to Beach Advisory Committee.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to replace the Beach Commission with the Middletown Beach Advisory Committee, approve the proposed purpose and charge as recommended by the Town Administrator in the above memorandum.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed the above memorandum.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to replace the Beach Commission with the Middletown Beach Advisory Committee, approve the proposed purpose and charge as recommended by the Town Administrator in the above memorandum.
30. (Referred from August 3, 2026, Regular Meeting)
Memorandum of Town Administrator, re: Expanding the Charge of the Citizen Memorial Committee.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to expand the committee’s charge as outlined in the above memorandum and rename the committee to the Middletown Citizens Recognition Committee.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed the above memorandum.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to expand the committee’s charge as outlined in the above memorandum and rename the committee to the Middletown Citizens Recognition Committee.
31. (Referred from August 3, 2026, Regular Meeting)
Memorandum of Town Administrator, re: Comprehensive Community Plan Update Committee.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to sunset the Comprehensive Community Plan Update Committee.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed the above memorandum.
A vote was taken
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to sunset the Comprehensive Community Plan Update Committee.
32. (Referred from August 3, 2026, Regular Meeting)
Memorandum of Town Administrator, re: Conservation Commission- Planning Board Representative.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to have the Planning Board representative serving of the Conservation Commission be designated as a non-voting liaison member, appointed annually by the Planning Board and request the Town Solicitor to amend Town ordinance section 32.15 to reflect the change
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed the above memorandum.
A vote was taken
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to have the Planning Board representative serving of the Conservation Commission be designated as a non-voting liaison member, appointed annually by the Planning Board and request the Town Solicitor to amend Town ordinance section 32.15 to reflect the change.
33. (Referred from August 3, 2026, Regular Meeting)
Memorandum of Town Administrator, re: Proposed Updates to the Middletown Economic Development Advisory Committee.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to amend the charge and composition of the Middletown Economic Committee as outlined in the memorandum above.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed the above memorandum.
Valerie Gelb, Chair of the Middletown Economic Advisory Committee, addressed the Council noting support for the changes to the charge and composition of the Middletown Economic Committee.
A vote was taken
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to amend the charge and composition of the Middletown Economic Committee as outlined in the memorandum above.
34. (Referred from August 3, 2026, Regular Meeting)
Memorandum of Town Administrator, re: Recommendations to Sunset the Middletown Tax Exploration Committee.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, that the Tax Exploration Committee has completed the work assigned, sunset and dissolve the committee, request the Town Clerk to send letters thanking the committee members for their service and contributions, direct the Administration and Town Clerk to update the Town’s committee listings, appointment records, website and related documents, and preserve the committee reports, recommendations, minutes and supporting materials as part of the Town’s Official records.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed the above memorandum.
Don Morin, Chair, Tax Exploration Committee, read the following into the record:
Thank you, Mr. Town Council President and members of the Town Council for allowing me to speak tonight.
· First, I agree with the Town Administrator that we completed what we were asked to do in 2025 regarding the 2023 statistical reassessment when our final report was issued in November 2025. In that report we did offer to repeat the analysis on the 2026 full revaluation if the Town Council should want us to do so.
· I personally don’t anticipate any new findings if we were to do that as we outlined in our final report that the current process is doing exactly what it is designed to do regarding property tax revaluations in accordance with RI General Law.
· I’d like to remind you that a couple of months after we completed that work the Council did ask the committee to investigate your concern regarding the unintended consequences where a resident, someone living in Middletown at least six months per year, was paying the non-resident tax rate because of their grandfathered Short-Term Rental registration. We made a recommendation to modify the Tax Ordinance to remove the resident tax rate restriction on the owner occupied STR registration holders, which you did.
· I have polled the other members, and we are willing to remain an active Committee if you’d like us to analyze the 2026 full revaluation effort or if you ever wish to send another tax related issue to us for evaluation.
· However, if you prefer to sunset the Committee, we completely understand and respect that decision as well.
Thank you.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to withdraw the above motion.
35. (Referred from August 3, 2026, Regular Meeting)
Memorandum of Town Administrator, re: Dissolution of Mooring Advisory Committee.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to dissolve the Mooring Advisory Committee and direct the Town Solicitor to amend the Town Code Chapter 93 accordingly.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed the above memorandum.
A vote was taken
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to dissolve the Mooring Advisory Committee and direct the Town Solicitor to amend the Town Code Chapter 93 accordingly.
36. (Referred from August 3, 2026, Regular Meeting)
Memorandum of Town Administrator, re: Proposed Updates to the Open Space and Fields Committee.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to approve proposed changes for the Open Space and Fields Committee recommended by the Town Administrator in the memorandum above.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed the above memorandum.
A vote was taken
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to approve proposed changes for the Open Space and Fields Committee recommended by the Town Administrator in the memorandum above.
37. (Referred from August 3, 2026, Regular Meeting)
Memorandum of Town Administrator, re: Proposed Updates to the Outreach Committee.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to approve proposed changes for the Outreach Committee recommended by the Town Administrator in the memorandum above.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed the above memorandum.
Carmela Geer, Health Services Coordinator, addressed the Council thanking them for hiring her and noted she looks forward to working with the Outreach Committee.
Charles Beltz, Chair Outreach Committee, addressed the Council in support of the proposed changes to the Outreach Committee.
A vote was taken
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to approve proposed changes for the Outreach Committee recommended by the Town Administrator in the memorandum above.
38. (Referred from August 3, 2026, Regular Meeting)
Memorandum of Town Administrator, re: Proposed Changes to the Pension Trust Fund Investment Committee.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to approve proposed changes for the Pension Trust Fund Investment Committee recommended by the Town Administrator in the memorandum above.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed the above memorandum.
On motion of Council President Rodrigues, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to amend the motion to include 401A and 457B contribution plans.
A vote was taken
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to approve proposed changes for the Pension Trust Fund Investment Committee recommended by the Town Administrator in the memorandum above, as amended to include the 401A and 457B contribution plans.
39. (Referred from August 3, 2026, Regular Meeting)
Memorandum of Town Administrator, re: Proposed Updates to the Roads and Utilities Advisory Committee.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to approve proposed changes for the Roads and Utilities Advisory Committee recommended by the Town Administrator in the memorandum above.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed the above memorandum.
A vote was taken
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to approve proposed changes for the Roads and Utilities Advisory Committee recommended by the Town Administrator in the memorandum above.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to adjourn said meeting at 9:32 p.m.
Wendy J.W. Marshall, MMC
Town Clerk
Supporting documentation is available at http://clerkshq.com/default.ashx?clientsite=Middletown-ri