Oct. 6, 2025 - Regular Meeting
Middletown
Minutes · October 6, 2025
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, October 6, 2025 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 Barbara A. VonVillas
Absent:
Councillor Dennis B. Turano
POSTED – OCTOBER 1, 2025
REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 6, 2025
TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF MIDDLETOWN, RHODE ISLAND
The following items of business, having been filed with the Town Clerk under the Rules of the Council, will come before the Council at a regular meeting to be held on Monday, October 6, 2025, 5:00 P.M. 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: 873 1353 8841 or on the web at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87313538841; **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 (NEAM Teacher Assistants), (5) Land Acquisition (West Main Road) and (1) Personnel (Town Administrator) discussion and/or potential action and/or vote in executive session and/or open session.
Vice President Welch announced that Town Administrator Shawn Brown was notified in writing Pursuant to RIGL 42-46-5 (a) (1).
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 6:20 p.m.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to ratify the NEAM Teacher Assistants Union contract extension one year extension.
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.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed the streetlight replacement project. Mr. Brown also noted Miantonomi Avenue drainage plans are currently being reviewed.
Shared Facilities Director Ed Collins noted hydroseeding would be taking place at the Hoogendoorn property and he will confirm that construction at the new middle high school does not start prior to 7 am. Mr. Collins also noted that the Library project schematic design is underway, final numbers will be developed, and the project is on a tight timeline.
3. Communication one (1) of Justin Bernard, Senior Project Manager, Project Management Services, Colliers Project Leaders, re: New Middletown Middle-High School.
a. Recommendation to Award (RTA-32A) – Site Improvements & Landscaping Package.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said communication.
Colin McCarthy, Assistant Project Manager, Project Management Services, Colliers Project Leaders, reviewed the communication above.
Discussion centered around why the higher bidder was chosen, the lower bidder did not submit a final bid, and Mr. McCarthy reviewed the following:
4. Resolution of the Council, re: Approving the recommendation for Gilbane Building Company to award the subcontracts for Site Improvements & Landscaping Package and all expenses recorded in the School Department’s Capital Projects Fund and the Town Administrator is authorized to notify Gilbane Building Company to award the subcontracts.
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 act on items #34 and #35 at this time.
5. 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.
Samuel Martino, Bristol, RI, addressed the Council explaining he is a video game developer that created a simulator of car racing at Second Beach in the early 1900’s. Mr. Martino noted he had done a lot of research through the Middletown Historical Society and discovered that the car races at Second Beach were the earliest races in the United States. Mr. Martino inquired about the process for placing plaque to recognize this event at the beach.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown noted that he will meet with Mr. Martino to discuss this further.
Wendy Riel, Middletown, read the following into the record:
Alicia Reyes, Middletown, addressed the Council regarding the proposed West Main Road Middletown Center development. Ms. Reyes noted concern with the loss of open space in the area for ingress and egress to the property.
Christopher Rowe, Middletown, read the following into the record:
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to act as a Board of License Commission.
6. Applications received from the following named persons, firms or corporations for RENEWAL of Alcoholic Beverage Licenses for the 2025-2026 licensing year. (Council Action – Advertise for public hearing to be held on November 3, 2025) (See attached list)
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said applications and advertise for a public hearing to be held on Monday, November 3, 2025.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to reconvene as a Town Council.
Councillor Roberts requested that Item #7 be heard under the regular portion of the agenda.
7. Approval of Minutes, re: Regular Meeting, September 15, 2025.
Councillor Roberts requested the minutes from the September 15, 2025, Council meeting be continued to the October 20, 2025, meeting, due to a resident’s concern that the minutes did not reflect the proper comments pertaining to the library project.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to continue this item to the October 20, 2025, Regular Meeting of the Council.
8. Approval of Minutes, re: Special Meeting, September 16, 2025.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to approve said minutes.
9. Memorandum of Finance Director, thru Town Administrator, re: Fire Department surplus Vehicles – 2003 Ford F-350.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to withdraw this item at the request of the Administration.
10. Resolution of the Council, re: Fire Department surplus Vehicles – 2003 Ford F-350.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to withdraw this item at the request of the Administration.
11. Memorandum of Finance Director, thru Town Administrator, re: Fire Department Surplus Fire Hoses.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
12. Resolution of the Council, re: Fire Department Surplus Fire Hoses.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
13. Communication Colliers, re: New Middletown Middle-High School REVISED Recommendation to Award (RTA-99A) – Dumpsters; Approved by Town Administrator and Superintendent of Schools.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said communication.
14. Communication of Tax Assessor dated September 22, 2025, re: Cancellation of Taxes for certain Middletown residents.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said communication.
15. Resolution of the 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.
16. Communication of Tax Assessor and Finance Director dated September 22, 2025, re: Cancellation of Taxes for certain Middletown residents.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said communication.
17. Resolution of the 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.
18. Communication of Tax Assessor dated September 29, 2025, re: Cancellation of Taxes for certain Middletown residents.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said communication.
19. Resolution of the 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.
20. Applications received from the following named persons, firms or corporations for RENEWAL of Victualling House Licenses, Additional Hours of Operation, for the 2025-2026 licensing year. (Requires Advertising for a public hearing to be held on November 3, 2025)
· AQ, Inc./Aquidneck Restaurant & Pizzeria – 27 Aquidneck Avenue
· Aquidneck Donuts, Inc./Dunkin’ Donuts – 811 West Main Road
· Aquidneck Donuts, Inc./Dunkin’ Donuts – 536 East Main Road
· 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 #4086- 641 West Main Road
· Joe’s Kwik Mart, LLC/Joe’s Kwik Mart – 876 West Main Road
· Kasbac, LLC/McDonald’s Restaurant- 300 East Main Road
· Kasbac, LLC/McDonald’s Restaurant- 1425 West Main Road
· Leite Donuts, Inc./Ma’s Donuts & More – 78 West Main Road
· Shaw’s Supermarkets, Inc. - 71 East Main Road
· Starbucks Corporation/Starbucks Coffee #7599- 99 East Main Road
· Tecs Donuts, Inc./ Dunkin’ Donuts- 159 East Main Road
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said applications and advertise for a public hearing to be held on Monday, November 3, 2025.
21. Application of Alyson Sunshine, Warren for RENEWAL of a Tattoo license to be used at Secret Beach Tattoo, LLC dba Secret Beach Tattoo, 147 Aquidneck Avenue, for the 2025-2026 licensing year.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said license renewal.
22. License of Burial, re: Melanie Pacheco, Section 56 Graves 48 and 49.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said license of burial.
23. Application for Special Event Permit from the Aquidneck Community Table for From SEED TO SOUL: Celebrating Food, Culture and Community to be held at Sweet Berry Farm, 915 Mitchell’s Lane on Sunday, October 26, 2025 from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said Special Event Permit.
24. Application for Special Event Permit from Aquidneck Community Table for the Aquidneck Community Table Saturday Farmer’s Market to be held at the Newport County YMCA, 792 Valley Road, adding additional November 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd, 2025, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, includes a request to waive permit fee.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said Special Event Permit and waive said permit fee.
25. Public Hearing (Advertised)
An Ordinance of the Town of Middletown (First Reading)
An Ordinance in Amendment to the Town Code of the Town of Middletown, Title XV Land Usage, Chapter 152, Zoning Code, Section 602 regarding Multifamily dwelling structure (3-6 dwelling units per lot) and Multifamily dwelling project including condominiums.
Public Hearing was declared open.
Paul Croce, Planning Board Chair, reviewed the Planning Board recommendation memorandum entered here:
Discussion centered around whether multifamily homes could be built in R10 and R20 zones and how the change in the ordinance could affect the look of the Town.
Alicia Reyes, Middletown, noted that the proposed ordinance change does not solve the affordability of housing in Town for families. Ms. Reyes noted that zoning districts are designed for specific housing reasons.
Matthew Skrizenski, Middletown, noted concern with the cost of housing in the area. Mr. Skrizenski noted support for the increase in density of housing.
Terri Flynn, Middletown, noted that the ordinance is about what do you want your Town to look like. Ms. Flynn explained there are already parking issues in Town neighborhoods, and this would add to the issue. Ms. Flynn noted this is a low benefit change in ordinance, for a high negative impact.
Discussion centered around the areas of Town the amendment to the ordinance would affect and the Town Planner will provide a map to show the areas affected.
There being no other person 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.
26. Public Hearing (Advertised)
An Ordinance of the Town of Middletown (First Reading)
An Ordinance in Amendment to the Town Code of the Town of Middletown, Title XV Land Usage, Chapter 152, Zoning Code, Section 603 regarding dimensional requirements for two-family dwelling, multi-family dwelling structure, and multifamily dwelling project, and Section 1504 regarding allowable density for multifamily dwelling structure and multifamily dwelling project.
Public Hearing was declared open.
Paul Croce, Planning Board Chair, reviewed the Planning Board recommendation memorandum entered here:
Town Planner Ronald Wolanski
Alicia Reyes, Middletown, noted concern that developers could still request relief for hardship and the amendment would benefit developers looking for financial gains.
There being no other person 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.
27. Communication of Councilor Roberts, re: October 6, 2025, Town Council Meeting Docket Request – Kick for Keydell Event, Fee reimbursement and donation request.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to receive said communication and authorize a $1,000 donation from the Council President’s Discretionary Fund.
Councillor Roberts reviewed the communication above.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said communication and authorize a $1,000 donation from the Council President’s Discretionary Fund.
28. Memorandum of Town Administrator, re: Resolution Opposing Proposed Moratorium on New Natural Gas Connections.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
29. Resolution of the Council, re: Opposing A Natural Gas Moratorium on Aquidneck Island.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to pass said resolution.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed the memorandum in item #28.
Discussion centered around the Town needs support from the Town’s State legislators, the natural gas system is in need of infrastructure upgrades and a moratorium on natural gas on Aquidneck Island is unfair.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
Matthew Skrizenski, Middletown, noted the need to utilize other types of heating systems rather than natural gas on the island. Mr. Skrizenski explained there should be assistance for residents to convert from natural gas to heat pumps.
Terri Flynn, Middletown, noted concern with the location of the LNG plant on Mill Lane, explaining it is a danger to the area and Town. Ms. Flynn explained the location is in a residential area and the location is why the Town hired an attorney to oppose the site.
30. Memorandum of Town Administrator, re: Ordinance on Animal Waste – Recommendation of Beach Commission.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed the memorandum above.
Discussion centered around that the Town Solicitor will prepare the ordinance for the next meeting, once the beach season is over there is dog waste on the beaches, and the Animal Control Officer will enforce the issue of animal waste.
Council President Rodrigues recused himself from acting on the following items #31 and #32 of business, due to a possible conflict of interest.
Vice President Welch Presiding.
31. Memorandum of Finance Director, thru Town Administrator, re: Design and Installation of Senior Center Pergola.
On motion of Councillor VonVillas, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed the memorandum above.
32. Resolution of the Council, re: Award of contract for Design and Installation of Senior Center Pergola.
On motion of Councillor Logan, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
Council President Rodrigues Presiding.
33. Memorandum of Town Administrator, re: Community Learning Center-Project Director 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 and noted the Finance Director will prepare a resolution for the next Council meeting.
34. Memorandum of Finance Director, re: Construction Manager At-Risk- Library Renovation at 110 Enterprise Center.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
35. Resolution of the Council, re: Approving recommendation of Ahlborg Construction Corporation as construction manager at risk for the Library Renovation at 110 Enterprise Center, funding from the Bond Proceeds and all expenses will be recorded in the Town’s Capital Projects Fund and the Town Administrator is authorized to execute the agreements on behalf of the Town.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to pass said resolution.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed the memorandum in item #34.
John Edwards, representing Down Construction OPM, reviewed the process for selecting the Construction Manager At-Risk, noting Ahlborg Construction Corporation has experience in Rhode Island with the construction of schools and public buildings.
Discussion centered around that 3 firms were chosen to interview for construction manager, the reimbursement from the state for the library will not include the space being utilized for Town offices and the Town Office space will use approximately 10% of the building space.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
After item #35 the Town Council returned to the Public Forum section of the docket.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to adjourn said meeting at 8:08 p.m.
Wendy J.W. Marshall, MMC
Council Clerk