Middletown General Council Commission Meeting – March 16, 2026
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
Middletown General Council Commission Meeting – March 16, 2026
The Middletown General Council Commission met on the recorded date of March 16, 2026 (the transcript says Thursday, March 12th – a discrepancy). The meeting covered an ordinance on fees for private police work, business recruitment efforts, a vacancy report, and an update on the Baker Tilly engagement. The council voted to advance the ordinance to the full Common Council.
Minutes Approval
- The council approved the minutes of the February 12, 2026 regular meeting by voice vote. Councilman Pelino's vote was initially uncertain but he later confirmed his approval.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public offered comment. The council waived the rules to allow Chief Costa to speak later on an agenda item.
Discussion Items
- Ordinance – Fees for Special Police Work (Ordinance 311): Chief Costa explained that the newly ratified police contract increased the hourly rate paid to officers for private duty work from $60 to $70, reducing the general fund's share by $10 per hour. The current vendor rate of $98 is below the new contract rate; the proposed vendor rate is $125. The Public Safety Commission approved the increase but moved the rate-setting authority to the council. Attorney Wisneski clarified that Ordinance 311 currently delegates this authority to the police chief and Public Safety Commission, and the amendment would require them to recommend fees to the council instead. Councilwoman Sweeney argued the rate change should have come to the council because of its fiscal impact, and noted that the council has full authority to modify the ordinance (it is not in the charter). A related resolution on the vendor rate will be referred to Finance & Government.
- Business Recruitment Efforts: Director Richardson reported on a truck driver recruitment campaign, including a statewide flyer and an open house on April 14th at the Recreation Center. There are two current vacancies, with more anticipated. The eligibility list lasts one year and may be extended by the mayor for one additional year.
- Vacancy Report: The manager of recreation position was filled by Bonnie Daly. Interviews for director of public works will occur soon, with a panel including the mayor and council members. A program budget analyst candidate is awaiting mayoral approval. Police captain, lieutenant, and sergeant eligibility lists were finalized. Other positions are in various stages of recruitment.
- Baker Tilly Update: Councilwoman Salafia's questions were sent to Baker Tilly; a response is expected by the end of next week. The council discussed a possible small internal meeting with the mayor to discuss operationalizing the decision, avoiding a quorum.
Key Outcomes
- The council approved the ordinance amendment (motion by Councilwoman Bolton, seconded by Councilwoman Salafia) by voice vote, forwarding it to the April Common Council meeting.
- A resolution setting the new vendor rate will be drafted and sent to the Finance & Government Committee.
- The council will caucus to select representatives for an internal meeting with the mayor regarding Baker Tilly.
- The meeting adjourned.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone. We're at the regular general council commission meeting. And it is Thursday, March 12th. We have in person, Councilwoman Bolton and Councilwoman Silapia online. We have Councilwoman Sweeney and Councilman Bellino. And we have Chief Costa, of course, here with us to talk about an item on the agenda for city staff. We have attorney Wisneski and Director Richardson and Burson. I am now calling the meeting to order. The first item on the agenda is public comment. I don't believe other than the chief, we have anyone here for public comment. We can waive the rules to allow the chief to speak when we get to the item. Sure, probably best. So I'd like the motion to waive the rules. So it's been moved and seconded. Any discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor of waiving the rules to allow Chief Costa to speak to an item that's on the agenda. Please signify by stating I. I the motion carries. So no one else is on. So I'll move from public comment to approval of minutes. Is there a motion to approve the minutes of February 12th? It's a regular meeting 2026. Their motion. So it's been moved and seconded. Any discussion regarding the February 12th meeting minutes. Hearing none. All those in favor, please signify by stating aye. Motion carries. So note that Councilman Fellino. He unmuted. I can't see him here. It's bizarre. So is these probably Councilman Pellino? Can you hear us? You want to give me a thumbs up? Okay, so we don't want to record his vote because I didn't hear it. I said it was you. We probably shouldn't do that. Okay. Um new business ordinance. Fees or special police work. Uh so Chief Costa. So attorney, would you do it? Would you like the Chief Costa to go first and then you'll weigh in? Smith. I'm looking at you though. Yes, yes. I was looking, I was like, is he here? Yeah, no, I said because I do need to talk to him. Um that's who wants to go first, Chief Costa or Attorney.
openpublica.com