Apr. 6, 2026 - Regular Meeting
Middletown
Minutes · April 6, 2026
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.
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, April 6, 2026 at 5:00 P.M.
Members Present:
Council President Paul M. Rodrigues, Presiding
Vice President Thomas P. Welch, III
Councillor Peter D. Connerton, Sr.
Councillor Christopher M. Logan
Councillor Charles R. Roberts
Councillor Dennis B. Turano
Councillor Barbara A. VonVillas
POSTED – APRIL 1, 2026
REGULAR MEETING APRIL 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 April 6, 2026 at 5:00 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: 836 1225 8115 or on the web at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83612258115; **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 10 th 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 (10
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) Collective Bargaining (IAFF) and (5) Land Acquisition (West Main Road).
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.
Vice President Welch recused himself from action on Collective Bargaining (IAFF) and left the session at 5:02 p.m.
Vice President Welch returned to the session at 5:32 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 approve the Amended and Restated Development Agreement with Middletown Commons Town Center, LLC, and to authorize the Town Administrator to sign the agreement, and to request the Town Clerk to schedule two public hearings before the Town Council on the proposed Zoning Code and Comprehensive Community Plan amendments.
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
Town Solicitor Peter B. Regan reviewed the following Press Release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Middletown Announces Revised Development Agreement for West Main Road
The Middletown Town Council has entered into a revised Development Agreement with Middletown Commons Town Center, LLC for the redevelopment of Town-owned property at West Main Road and Coddington Highway. The revised agreement reflects feedback received from residents during recent public hearings and represents a more focused approach to development of the site.
Under the revised agreement, development will be limited to the 3.24-acre parcel at the corner of West Main Road and Coddington Highway, formerly the site of the Navy Lodge, which the Town purchased in 2018. The project will consist of a 144-room hotel and a landscaped public park of at least 3,000 square feet. Previously proposed elements, including a bank and other mixed-use components, are not included in this phase of development.
Importantly, the West Main Road Recreation Complex, including Pottsy Field, will remain in its current location. This decision was made in direct response to strong public support for preserving the existing recreational space.
“This revised agreement reflects a balanced approach to economic development while preserving the West Main Road Recreation Complex, including Pottsy Field in honor of Staff Sgt. Christopher Potts, and positioning the Town to meet future affordable housing needs. We appreciate the community’s engagement and the input provided throughout this process, which helped shape a better outcome for Middletown,” said Town Council President Paul Rodrigues.
The Town anticipates that the hotel development will generate significant new revenue through ground rent, room, meal, and beverage taxes, as well as real estate taxes from a currently vacant property.
With the recreation complex remaining in place, the broader property will now be divided into two separate development areas. The northern portion of the site will be subject to a new planning process to determine its future use, with affordable housing expected to be a component of any redevelopment.
The Town Council will hold two additional public hearings on the amended zoning overlay associated with the revised Development Agreement in the near future.
2. The Town Administrator will provide an update on:
c. Library Building Project
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 been delayed, but the project is on budget.
· The Library final GMP will be before the Town Council in May.
· Elementary School Project– Waiting on approval for watermain, planning for furniture and playgrounds.
· The Middle High School Project – Pouring floors, site work, interior work and planning furniture for the facility.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed the Town Project updates:
· Boulevard paving.
· There is a bid out for Purgatory sidewalks.
· East Main Road Housing Project.
· The Town Projects In Motion are on the Town Website and updated often.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to recess this meeting at 6:26 p.m.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to reconvene this meeting at 6:30 p.m.
3. 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.
Barry McGoff, Middletown, addressed the Council noting concern with fireworks late at night and early in the morning. Mr. McGoff requests the Council to consider changing the ordinance to limit the fireworks to what is legal in the state (no aerial fireworks) and the times at which fireworks can be used.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to act as a Board of License Commission.
4. Notice of Public Hearing from the License Commissioners, re: Application of Newport National Golf Club, Inc. dba Newport National Golf Club, 425 Mitchell’s Lane for a BV Liquor License for the 2025-2026 Licensing year, for use at the same premises. (Town is an abutter to the applicant)
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said Notice of Public Hearing.
5. (Advertised and Abutters notified for Public Hearing)
Application of Newport National Golf Club, Inc. dba Newport National Golf Club, 425 Mitchell’s Lane for a BV Liquor License for the 2025-2026 Licensing year, for use at the same premises.
Public Hearing was declared open.
Robert M. Silva, Esquire, representing the applicant, addressed the Council noting that the request is for liquor to be served on the nine-hole golf course and the new clubhouse.
There being no other person present or on zoom desiring to be heard, public hearing was declared closed.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said license.
6. Application of St. Lucy Church, 909 West Main Road for a Class F Alcoholic Beverage License (Beer and Wine), one day license for Saturday, May 23, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. for use at the same premise.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said license.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to reconvene as a Town Council.
Councillor Logan requested that item #10 be heard under the regular meeting of the Council
7. Approval of Minutes, re: Regular Meeting, March 16, 2026.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to approve said minutes.
8. Approval of Minutes, re: Special Meeting, March 27, 2026.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to approve said minutes.
9. License of Burial, re: Kimberly Harrington, Section 48E, Grave 60.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said license of burial.
10. Communication of Nicholas P. Coogan, re: Resignation from the Open Space & Fields Committee.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to receive said resignation with regret.
Councillor Logan, along with Councillor Turano and Council President Rodrigues, noted the length of time Nicholas Coogan has been on the Open Space & Fields Committee, thanking him for his service to the Community and requesting the Town Clerk to have Mr. Coogen attend a future Council Meeting to be recognized.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said resignation with regret.
11. Application of Newport National Golf Club, Inc. dba Newport National Golf Club, 425 Mitchell’s Lane for a Victualling House License for the 2025-2026 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 for Special Event Permit from the Aquidneck Island Police Parade for the Aquidneck Island Police Parade, beginning on West Main Road in front of Hampton Inn and Suites, 317 West Main Road to Washington Square, Newport to be held on Sunday, May 3, 2026, beginning at 9:00 a.m. (Parade Committee respectfully requests 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 SOSO Radio for Music on the Beach to be held at Second Beach on Saturday, June 13, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to grant said Special Event Permit.
Council President Rodrigues noted that he had questions and inquired if anyone was present to answer Council inquiries.
Nicholas Sarazan, representing SOSO Radio, was present to answer Council inquiries. Mr. Sarazan noted that this event will be a one-time family event, with no alcohol, no food vendors, people attending must purchase tickets prior to the event and the location is not revealed until the day of the event.
Discussion centered around the ticket sales can be limited to a certain number of tickets, the area for set up will be at the end of Path 2 at Second Beach, the Police and Will Cronin Facilities Director have given restrictions for the event and the applicant will work with Will Cronin for a rain date for the event.
Vice President Welch amended the motion, above to:
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said Special Event Permit and the applicant will set a rain date with Facilities Director Will Cronin.
14. Application for Special Event Permit from Newport County YMCA, 792 Valley Road, Middletown for Third Beach Swim Lessons with the Newport County YMCA, Beach Swim Lessons for children ages 4&5 and 6-8 to be held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, August 4, 2026 through August 20, 2026 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., held at Third Beach, just past the boat ramp Lifeguard Stand.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said Special Event Permit.
15. Application for Special Event Permit from The Saltwater Edge – Striper Kickoff- Custom Saltwater Fishing Lure Show in a tent behind the shop, Saturday, April 11, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. to be held at 1376 West Main Road.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said Special Event Permit.
16. At the request of Councillor Logan, re: Resolution of the Council, re: Proclaiming the Month of May 2026 as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Awareness Month.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to continue said item to the May 4, 2026, Regular Meeting of the Council.
17. At the request of Council President Rodrigues, Resolution of the Council, re: Proclamation in Honor of Arbor Day.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to pass said resolution.
Council President Rodrigues read the above Proclamation into the record.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
18. At the request of Council President Rodrigues, re: Resolution of the Council in Support of Municipalities Collaborating in Reviewing, Analyzing, and Responding to the 2025 Affordable Housing Laws.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to pass said resolution.
Council President Rodrigues reviewed the resolution above.
Larry Fitzmorris, Portsmouth, addressed the Council speaking in favor of the resolution, noting the history of the zoning/planning changes in state law, which limits the community’s ability to regulate zoning and planning ordinances in the Town.
Michael Flynn, Middletown, addressed the Council reading the following into the record:
Bill Welch, Middletown, addressed the Council reading the following into the record:
Alicia Reyes, Middletown, addressed the Council in support of the resolution noting one size does not fit all in some laws and the changes in the zoning laws by the state have diminished the ability of local governments to protect their residents.
Lawrence Frank / Docket Item #18 / April 6 2026 read the following into the record:
Reading from the Resolution- “
Resolved 3. d)- Determine a reasonable timeframe to assess the impacts of accelerated and unchecked low/moderate income housing developments on the infrastructure of a municipality including sewer and water capacity, traffic congestion and safety service capacity, and their schools...”
Now from the new Middletown Comprehensive Community Plan Housing element, Page 45. Entitled Housing Development Pipeline.
The Comp Plan identifies 495 Market rate units. (including the apartments planned for the West Main/Coddington Redevelopment). In addition, the planned hotel has 144 rooms. The total infrastructure burden comes out to be 639 apartments, houses, and rooms.
Now the Comp Plan also identifies 168 Affordable apartments and homes.
How is it that with a large number of market-rate housing units planned, under construction, or finished, that the “low/moderate” income housing developments are singled out for scrutiny, even though they represent only one third the number of the market rate units identified in the comp plan housing element.
Recall that the West Main/ Coddington Redevelopment was presented to the community as a done deal, without meeting the legal requirements of any proposed project. There was no RFP. The original RFI called for Workforce and Affordable Housing. The current project has none.
Why this disregard, this hostility, toward low and moderate income families?
Reading again from the Resolution:
“Whereas: A one-size-fits-all approach to housing development risks undermining the statutory role of municipal planning boards and zoning authorities, weakening local democratic decision-making and creating adverse impacts that are inconsistent with sound use planning...”
It almost laughable to read this. Local democratic decision-making. The council has refused to allow a town-wide vote on the West Main project. The town government regularly excludes the citizens from local democratic decision making. The council's complaint about democracy would mean something if this were it's practice. It is not.
David Gleason, Vice President of the Portsmouth Town Council, address the Council in support of the resolution, noting that eight other communities have passed the same resolution. Mr. Gleason reviewed affordable housing statistics from communities that have passed the resolution.
Discussion centered around the financial impact of the resolution (within the resolution talks about taking legal action), the majority of the legislation changes within the resolution Middletown has made already, meeting with the state delegates to discuss making changes to the legislation, not all cities and towns are the same and the Council supports the resolution.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
19. At the request of Council President Rodrigues, re: Resolution of the Council In support of fully funding state aid to Libraries to the full Twenty-Five (25) percent.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to pass said resolution.
Council President Rodrigues reviewed the resolution above.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
20. Memorandum of Town Administrator, re: Resolution to Initiate Statewide Advocacy for FY2026 Education Aid Amendments.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed the memorandum above.
21. At the request of Council President Rodrigues, re: Resolution of the Council In support of Amendments to the FY2027 State Budget to Fully Fund Certain Education Costs.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
22. At the Request of Council President Rodrigues, re: Resolution of the Council Opposing A Statewide NonOwner Occupied Property Tax.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to pass said resolution.
Council President Rodrigues noted that this is the Taylor Swift tax and reviewed the resolution above.
Lawrence Frank / Docket Item #22 April 6, 2026, read the following into the record:
From the Resolution:
“Whereas: Seasonal and vacation owners are valued members of the Middletown community and contribute significantly to the property tax base, and to Middletown and Newport County charitable organizations; and the general economies of Middletown...”
Each one of the qualities listed could be attributed to year-round homeowners, if they owned and lived in these seasonal and vacation homes. They would also pay property taxes; they would contribute to the general economies. Unlike seasonal and vacation owners, they would also pay state income taxes. They would spend money year-round supporting the local businesses, not just for a few short months during the summer.
And let's not forget the crowding out of local residents from homes as the wealthy are unconstrained in their purchases of houses with the commensurate increase in property tax burdens. Let's not forget the declining school census in the face of over a $300 million dollars of debt for schools that will never be fully occupied, without children whose families are no longer here.
From the Resolution:
Whereas:
35% of Middletown's residential properties may be classified as non-owner occupied and more than 15% of Middletown's residential properties are assessed at over $1 million.
Really, is this something to celebrated? Since when do we cheer for the reasons that our local workers, our town workers, cannot afford to live here.
Common sense and decency are fast disappearing from Middletown's government.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
23. At the Request of Council President Rodrigues, re: Resolution of the Council Urging Full Funding of the School Housing Aid Program.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to pass said resolution.
Council President Rodrigues reviewed the resolution above.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
24. Memorandum of Finance Director, thru Town Administrator, re: Library Lease: Friends of the Middletown Public Library, Inc.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to receive said memorandum, approve said Library Lease renewal through June 30, 2027 and authorize the Finance Director to execute the MOU to allow the Middletown Public Library to operate the Friends Bookstore at the Middletown Public Library.
Shawn Brown reviewed the Library Lease.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum, approve said Library Lease renewal through June 30, 2027 and authorize the Finance Director to execute the MOU to allow the Middletown Public Library to operate the Friends Bookstore at the Middletown Public Library.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to adjourn said meeting at 8:07 p.m.
Wendy J.W. Marshall, MMC
Town Clerk