May. 22, 2024 - Special Meeting

Middletown

Minutes · May 22, 2024

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.

Council President Paul M. Rodrigues, Presiding

Vice President Thomas P. Welch, III

Councillor Peter D. Connerton, Sr.

Councillor Christopher M. Logan

Councillor Emily M. Tessier

Councillor Barbara A. VonVillas, Members Present

Councillor Dennis B. Turano, Absent

SPECIAL MEETING – May 22, 2024

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 special meeting to be held on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at 6:00 P.M. 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: 849 1522 0167 or on the web at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84915220167

Wendy J.W. Marshall, Town Clerk

Town of Middletown

Town Hall – 350 East Main Road

Middletown, Rhode Island 02842

Dear Ms. Marshall:

Pursuant to the provisions of Article II, Section 203 of the Town Charter and in accordance with Sections 42-46-2., 42-46-4., 42-46-5., and 42-46-6., RIGL, I hereby call a Special Meeting of the Town Council to formally consider, discuss and act upon the following items of business. All items on this agenda, may be considered, discussed and voted upon.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

An Ordinance of the Town of Middletown (First Reading)

An Ordinance in amendment to the ordinances of the Town of Middletown General Fund, Parks and Recreation Fund, Sewer Fund, Refuse and Recycling Fund, Appropriating revenues for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.

2. An Ordinance of the Town of Middletown (First 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 Fees.

3. An Ordinance of the Town of Middletown (First Reading)

An Ordinance in Amendment to the Town Code of the Town of Middletown, Title III, Chapter 36, Entitled “Fee Schedule”, Section (H) Refuse and Recycling Department, (2) User Fee.

Said meeting will be held at the Middletown Town Hall, 350 East Main Road, Middletown, Rhode Island 02842 on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at 6:00 P.M.

________

Paul M. Rodrigues, President

Middletown Town Council

cc : Town Council Public Library Finance Director

Town Administrator Town Solicitor School Committee

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 May 15, 2024 at Middletown Town Hall, Middletown Public Library, Middletown Web Site and Secretary of State Web Site.

Present representing the School Department were School Superintendent Rosemarie Kraeger, Principal Gaudet Middle School/Newly Appointed Superintendent of Schools, as of July 1, 2024, William Niemeyer, Assistant Superintendent Michele Fonseca, Interim Business Manager Lori Miller, School Committee Chair Theresa Spengler, Vice Chair Tami Holden, members Wendy Heaney and William O’Connell.

Council President Rodrigues requested a moment of silence for retired Deputy Police Chief Gus Pine.

Council President Rodrigues requested a moment of silence for retired Middletown Police Sergent Byron J. Haskins.

1. Public Hearing (Advertised)

An Ordinance of the Town of Middletown (First Reading)

Public Hearing was declared open.

Town Administrator Shawn Brown addressed the Council reviewing the FY2025 Budget First Public Hearing power point presentation, which is on file in the Office of the Town Clerk.

Kevin Burke, owner of 1 Shore Drive, addressed the Council noting concern that the split tax rate will increase his taxes by 30%. Mr. Burke explained that the split tax rate is unfair to non-residents.

Sarah Mullen, Middletown, read the following into the record:

My name is Sarah Mullen. I've been a Middletown resident for half a decade, and have served on the library's board of trustees since 2021, currently as chair of the board.

I am here today to voice my support for the additional budgetary request from the library that would enable the hiring of one new full-time staff member. This request for $86,000 is critical for staff morale and retention, and would help ensure that the library can continue to effectively and safely serve Middletown's residents.

Everywhere I have lived, my local library has served as a fairly accurate barometer for the presence of community and support for residents, and has contributed to my family's decisions about whether we want to make a town our home long term. When I moved to Middletown, one of the first things I did was walk over to the library from my house to get my new library card, and immediately felt welcomed by MPL's wonderful staff team.

While the library has saved patrons $1.6 million this year alone through the lending of physical and digital materials, the library does far more for this community than simply providing books. Libraries anchor our communities and provide support and safe spaces in ways that reduce unemployment and crime. Dedicated staff are available nearly every day of the year to support residents young and old in learning new technologies, accessing resources for employment, and even making appointments at the local DMV. Our incredible new library director, who joined us last summer, has received unsolicited positive feedback from community members about the library's programming efforts since she arrived, as well as its snazzy new logo.

At the same time, our library faces many challenges with staffing, and has had a high staff turnover rate for at least the last five years -- in part due to the low payscale for skilled work, as well as the effect on morale and feelings of staff safety related to being understaffed. When the pandemic hit, the library lost a full-time benefits package and 35 hours of staff time (equivalent to one full-time position). Today, the library's programming has returned to and now exceeds pre-pandemic levels, but staffing levels have not returned to where they were before Covid. In terms of simple coverage and bandwidth for the programming the Middletown community deserves, while this wouldn't solve all of the coverage issues, one additional full-time position would make a huge difference, particularly in terms of ensuring safe levels of staffing so that all areas of the library can remain open.

All this to say, I am simply advocating for a return to pre-pandemic staffing levels for the library, knowing that in the current moment, library patrons need and deserve more support and community than ever before, and it's critical that the library be there for them. I am committed to the success of the library -- for me and my family, and for every other family in Middletown. I hope you will consider this relatively small request.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Tara Donaldson, Middletown, addressed the Council noting the need for support staff in all Middletown Schools (Guidance, Social Workers etc.).

Michael Goodreau, Middletown, addressed the Council explaining that counselors are needed at the schools and is advocating for the positions to continue.

William K. Bowling, North Kingstown, addressed the Council respectfully requesting the Town Council to reinstate the monies to the Middletown Prevention Coalition. Mr. Bowling noted that he has been involved with the MPC over the last year and a half, explaining the services from the MPC need to continue and reductions will impact the community.

Victoria Stabile, Middletown, addressed the Council requesting them to support the Middletown Prevention Coalition, explaining she joined the Islanders Committed three years ago and is now on the MPC committee. Ms. Stabile noted membership is growing for Islanders Committed.

Rebecca Elwell, Little Compton, Newport County Prevention Director, addressed the Council explaining that consistent support by the Town is a priority, grant funding will not be enough for the needs of the community. Ms. Elwell noted that the MPC is viewed favorably throughout the state.

Maria Fombellida, Middletown, addressed the Council noting concern that her assessment has increased and approximately 2,000 properties are seeing a reduction in their assessment.

Sonam Ngamdung, Middletown, addressed the Council explaining that she is on the Islanders Committed Leadership Team and losing funding would be a loss in activities for Islanders Committed and the community. Ms. Ngamdung noted that the MPC improves the community.

MPC Director Lori Verderosa reviewed the following handout, entered here:

Ms. Verderosa explained that now is not the time to cut mental health services. Ms. Verderosa noted at this time, there is a youth mental health crisis.

Council President Rodrigues noted that the Town is not doing away with the Middletown Prevention Coalition Program, the funding is being restructured.

Susan Whitney, Middletown, addressed the Council expressing deep concern with the budget cuts for the Middletown Prevention Coalition. Ms. Whitney explained that the Coalition is an invaluable group for the health and well-being of the community.

School Committee Chair Theresa Silveira Spengler addressed the Council noting concern with the tax split between the residential and commercial tax rate. Ms. Spengler explained the split may hurt small businesses in Town.

Council President Rodrigues announced that the second public hearing will be held on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 at 6:00 pm, Middletown Town Hall.

There being no other persons present or on zoom desiring to be heard public hearing will remain open.

On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said ordinance on its first reading.

2. An Ordinance of the Town of Middletown (First 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 Fees.

On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said ordinance on its first reading.

3. An Ordinance of the Town of Middletown (First Reading)

An Ordinance in Amendment to the Town Code of the Town of Middletown, Title III, Chapter 36, Entitled “Fee Schedule”, Section (H) Refuse and Recycling Department, (2) User Fee.

On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said ordinance on its first reading.

On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to adjourn said meeting at 7:52 p.m.

Wendy J.W. Marshall, MMC

Council Clerk

supporting documentation is available at http://clerkshq.com/default.ashx?clientsite=Middletown-ri