Middletown Common Council Regular Meeting - June 1, 2026

The Middletown Common Council met on June 1, 2026 at 7:00 PM to address a full agenda including a bond ordinance for Fire Station No. 2, tax abatements, Route 9 traffic changes, Board of Education funding, and other resolutions. The meeting included three public hearings and extensive discussion on the Route 9 project, the Guida conservation area, and school budget gaps.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of two special meetings on May 4, 2026 (with item 3C deleted by amendment).
• Appropriations (all passed without dissent):
  • Health: $2,800 for sanitarians and housing code enforcement stipends.
  • General Counsel: $9,590 for UPSEU arbitration legal services.
  • Water & Sewer: $80,000 for replacement water meters.
• Department reports and grant confirmations (items 7A through 7P) approved en bloc, including grants for RM Keating Historical Park ($1,000,000), Connecticut River dock replacement ($1,472,736), opioid settlement ($73,171.06), speed safety camera program ($1,000,000), digital health inspection ($15,000), kids health & safety event ($5,000), waste reduction ($35,094.40), historic document preservation ($35,000), Board of Education miscellaneous grants ($735,526.62) and food services ($253,285.84), recreation activity space renovation ($50,000).
• Payment of all city bills approved.
• Resolutions 10C through 10H, 10J, 10M, 10N approved as routine (see Key Outcomes for specifics).
• Mayor's appointments approved after a friendly amendment adding "to complete" for Clean Energy Task Force reappointments.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Vinny Raffino (AFSCME Local 466 president) criticized the Baker Tilly compensation study as inaccurate and outdated, stating the union was excluded from proper input. He urged the council to restart the study and noted that unfilled city positions contradict the need for a compensation review.
• Keisha McWilliams (Arts and Culture Coordinator) and Debbie Shapiro (Vice Chair of America 250 Committee) updated on 250th anniversary activities, including banners on Main Street and an all-county parade on July 4, 2026. They requested support for the parade resolution.
• Dorothy Van Ryn opposed the retail flower farm at the Guida conservation area, citing blocked public access, chains as safety hazards, and disruption of fields. She argued the land was intended for passive recreation and asked the city to stop the retail operation.
• Mark Durbach read a letter from five PTAs urging the council to prevent $180,000 in additional cuts to school staff and programs, warning of negative impacts on students.
• Matthew Banis (parent and teacher) expressed concern that even with the $505,000 gap closure, teacher cuts would still occur. He urged continued creative funding solutions.
• Brooke Carta (representing multiple education unions) called for more city funding, noting the $505,000 agreement leaves a $385,000 gap and threatens actual job losses, not just vacancies.
• Ed McKillone supported increased education funding and strongly urged passage of the Route 9 resolution, criticizing CT DOT for excluding the council from discussions.
• Jennifer Alexander shared firsthand details of changing traffic projections (from 2-3,000 cars to 6-7,000) and engineering concerns about the railroad bridge, advocating for public accountability.
• Brian Stevens and Diane Gervais (Amato's Toy and Hobby) supported the Route 9 resolution, with Gervais warning of harm to downtown businesses.
• Ron Furman (school social worker) warned against closing Spencer Elementary School due to budget gaps, stating voters would remember the council's decisions in November.
• Barry Chernoff supported the Route 9 resolution, citing threats to the city's water supply sand lens and the need for transparency.
• Daniel Long noted that Middletown students have fallen two grade levels below the state average over the last decade, urging more education funding.
• Sigrid Atherton (teacher and parent) expressed disappointment that no council members attended the March 17 BOE workshop, calling for more engagement.
• Sally Tomiko supported the Route 9 resolution, stating the DOT prioritizes highway speed over community concerns.
• Rogers Pilot asked for full transparency on the Guida property, including the license terms and long-term plan, noting personal observations of water storage and hydrant meter installation.

Discussion Items

• Board of Education Funding: Mayor Nocera announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to close a $505,000 gap using $255,000 from the 2020/2025 infrastructure bonds (for eligible capital repairs such as gym floor $60,000, acoustic shells $45,000, roof/window/fire panel repairs $150,000) and $250,000 from the city's Capital Non-Recurring (CNR) fund. The city is also exploring electricity savings of up to $200,000 for the BOE. Councilmembers requested documentation of all BOE cuts and the MOU text.
• Guida Property: The mayor stated a nine-month license for the flower farm, with the city seeking alternative sites (Zoars Pond, River Road). The property will be restored to original condition. Chains blocking public access were supposed to be removed but a speaker reported they were still present.
• Route 9: The mayor met with the DOT commissioner, who promised a public session on final designs (expected late fall). Councilmembers voiced frustration over lack of transparency and the need for a town-hall hearing. The council passed a resolution (see Key Outcomes).
• Riverfront Master Plan: Environmental testing continues; a significant hazard notice at Jackson Corrugated is being filed; soil borings at Peterson and sewage treatment plant begin June 8.
• Anti-Racism Task Force: Councilman Ford reported on cultural events (lunch and learns), scholarships (nine Q Williams scholarships awarded), and upcoming diversity/equity training for department heads.
• Bond Reports: Mayor outlined a future referendum for $12 million in school roofs and $35 million for a parking arcade at the police station site, potentially including housing development.

Key Outcomes

• Bond Ordinance for Fire Station No. 2 (10A): Passed (9-0-1 roll call, 2 absent) – $750,000 for demolition, remediation, and renovations.
• Route 9 Resolution (10B): Passed – requests CT DOT to schedule a town-hall hearing within 90 days; requires council approval before mayor signs off on changes; mandates DOT report directly to council; seeks state legislative delegation assistance.
• St. Vincent's Commons Tax Abatement (10C): Passed.
• Aaron Pease House Historic Tax Abatement (10D): Passed.
• Easement Acquisition (10E): Approved for storm drainage/sanitary sewer at 700 Ridgewood Road.
• Job Description Revisions (10F, 10G): Approved for Assistant Chief Building Official and Master Fire Mechanic positions.
• America 250 Parade (10H): Approved – city to host all-county parade on July 4, 2026, with expenditure cap of $33,200; date corrected from July 5 to July 4.
• Cigna Health/Dental Contract (10I): Approved as amended – three-year contract from Oct 1, 2026 to June 30, 2029; two one-year extension options removed; medical claims projected at $17.33M (partial FY27), $24.704M (FY28), $26.656M (FY29); dental claims $2.35M (partial), $3.239M (FY28), $3.368M (FY29).
• Bulky Waste Fund Budget (10J): Approved for FY 2026-2027.
• Noise Ordinance Amendment (10K): Sent to Economic Development Commission for review.
• Nonprofit Tax Exemption Amendment (10L): Sent to Economic Development Commission for review.
• Port Authority Grant (10M): Approved – $1,472,736 for Connecticut River dock replacement.
• HUD Grant (10N): Approved – $1,000,000 for RM Keating Historical Enterprise Park improvements.
• Appointments: Approved with friendly amendment; Russell Library Board of Trustees and Clean Energy Task Force reappointments confirmed.
• Board of Education MOU: MOU to be finalized and shared with council; council requested documentation of all BOE budget cuts.