Middletown Common Council Regular Meeting – April 6, 2026

The Common Council met in hybrid session at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, April 6, 2026, in the Council Chamber and remotely via Webex. The Council adopted an amended agenda, approved routine minutes and reports, and acted on leases, road matters, police fees, an engineering contract, and Middletown PrideFEST. The Mayor opened the meeting with a moment of silence for Kim O'Rook and Greg Harris. There were no appropriation requests (Item 5).

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from the December 1, 2025 special meeting (Questions to Directors), December 1, 2025 regular meeting, and March 2, 2026 regular meeting were approved.
• The Council approved the Finance Department transfer report and appropriation report.
• Grants and reports under items 6A–6M were approved. A friendly amendment changed the Police Department overtime grant account number in item 6M to 3496-1830-59220-0180-0180-X2026. Approved grant amounts included: Technology Services $130,000 for community Wi-Fi expansion; Public Works $5,000 from Eversource; Board of Education miscellaneous grants $2,108,553.46 and food services grant $278,937.12; Health $500 for Kids Health & Safety Day; Fire $3,000 for smoke detectors from Liberty Bank; and Police $19,854.81 from CT DOT. Public Works also received approval of a $78,100 emergency purchase order for West Lake Dam engineering. The oral recitation appears to skip some agenda items, but the motion covered the full 6A–6M package.
• Payment of all city bills was approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• The public hearing on the proposed lease agreements was opened and closed with no speakers.
• The public hearing on all other agenda items was opened and closed with no speakers.

Discussion Items

• Land Use Director Kalzikowski's written update was posted to Granicus; going forward, land use updates will be handled during Questions to Directors.
• A Baker Tilly compensation study workshop is scheduled for April 20.
• The America 250 Committee is planning a parade, picnic, and other events; the Amistad is expected in October.
• Route 9 planning is underway; the Mayor wants a multi-town meeting in Newington.
• The Russell Library/City Hall Feasibility Study Committee is developing referendum questions; boardwalk and municipal parking plans are being developed.
• The Mayor reported that a $100-space parking deck at Melilli Plaza may be funded from the 2020 bond, and the ATD building will be demolished in the fall to expand parking.
• The Mayor will present the proposed budget at the April 13 budget workshop.

Key Outcomes

• The agenda was amended to add an ordinance concerning Common Council approval of police private-duty fees; the amended agenda was approved.
• Resolution 01-26, involving The Refuge, was amended to approve a 5-year lease with an option for one additional 5-year term for 1,000 sq. ft. at Keating Park. The agenda lists a minimum financial impact of $20,356.43, while the oral reading stated $16,963; no correction was noted.
• The Council accepted the dedication of Jack English Drive as a public highway. The City will retain $145,000 of the $250,000 cash bond; $60,000 plus interest will be returned; and $10,000 (P&Z) and $35,000 (Water & Sewer) bonds will be released once proof is provided of agreements with 11 private homeowners.
• The Council approved discontinuing the right-of-way at Russell Street and Farm Hill Road.
• A 5-year license to access City property at Long Hill Road for Middletown United Fathers, Inc.'s community garden was approved; Councilwoman Hart abstained.
• A 5-year lease with an option for one additional 5-year term with Wild Rose Studios LLC for 540 sq. ft. at Keating Park was approved.
• The Police Department private-duty fee schedule was increased. Non-profit rates rise from $76.50/hr (no cruiser) and $89.50/hr (with cruiser) to $112.50/hr; private contractor/city agency rates rise from $93.00/hr (with cruiser) to $125.00/hr. A friendly amendment excluded public works and water/sewer departments from being billed.
• A contract with AI Engineers for $182,990 for the Mill Street and Russell Street pipe bridge repair/replacement was approved, waiving future Council approval for in-scope amendments with available Water & Sewer funds.
• The City accepted the role of host community for Middletown PrideFEST, requesting departmental support and waiving costs/fees including the Showmobile. Councilwoman Sweeney supported the measure and suggested adding an organized motorcycle contingent.
• The Mayor's three appointments were approved: Andrea Bis Skaglia (Inland Wetlands and Watercourse Agency; term to April 22, 2028), Sarah McDonald (Human Relations Commission; term to October 31, 2026), and Christy Billings (Human Relations Commission; term to January 31, 2027). Councilwoman Salafia voted no, objecting that the appointments were received at 3 p.m. that afternoon.