Middletown Common Council Regular Meeting - September 8, 2026

The Middletown Common Council held a regular hybrid meeting on September 8, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chamber and via WebEx. The meeting included a presentation honoring the 10U Softball All-Stars, multiple public hearings, discussion of a proposed one-way street pilot on Court Street, infrastructure project updates, and approval of several resolutions, ordinances, and appointments.

Presentation: Honoring Middletown 10U Softball Little League All-Stars Team

• The council recognized the 2026 Middletown 10U Little League Softball All-Stars, who won the District 9 championship for the third consecutive year. The team ended the all-star season with a 7-3 record. Council presented a plaque and celebrated the players and coaches.

Public Hearings & Testimony

• Boston Road Open Space Naming (First Hearing): The council held the first of two required public hearings to name the Boston Road Open Space as “Robert D. Cyranowicz Open Space.” No public comments were made; the hearing was opened and closed.
• Proposed Lease Agreements at Keating Park: Public hearings were held for two proposed leases: a 5-year lease with an option for an additional 5-year term for Middletown CF LLC (CrossFit) for 3,800 sq. ft., and a similar lease with IS Marketing, Inc. for 900 sq. ft. No one spoke for or against, and the hearings were closed.
• Public Hearing on All Other Agenda Items:
  • Margaret Tihan (48 Boston Road): Requested and received permission to speak for 5 minutes on the newly approved Seven Brew lot. She described herself as a disabled resident in remission from mantle cell lymphoma and stated that the project’s drive-through operation would dump 80+ cars per hour onto Boston Road, creating a toxic pollution envelope of benzene and metallic dust. She argued this poses an immediate life threat to her and others, violates the ADA, and creates a fire safety blockade for Heritage Commons Senior Living. She demanded an administrative stay and revocation of the project’s approval. The council did not respond but stated they would follow up.
  • Support for Ordinance 02-26 (Middletown Youth Soccer Tax Exemption): Several residents spoke in support: Steve Crouch, Kevin Benzi, Joanne Musameci, Gordon Bosik, Frank Marcese, Larry French, and Rose Marie Sarshaw. All expressed full support for the ordinance, noting the organization’s nonprofit status, record participation, and community benefit.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes: Approved minutes for the Common Council Special Meeting (August 3, 2026) and Regular Meeting (August 3, 2026). Two special meeting minutes (August 5 and August 20) were pending and not voted on.
• Department Reports and Grant Approvals (Items 8A-8L): The council approved the following items without individual discussion:
  • 8A: City Clerk’s Certificate
  • 8B & 8C: Finance Department Transfer Reports for FY 2025-2026 and FY 2026-2027
  • 8D & 8E: Appropriation Reports for FY 2025-2026 and FY 2026-2027
  • 8F: LoCIP Report (no report submitted)
  • 8G: Human Resources Vacancy Report
  • 8H: Registrar of Voters – State grant for early voting equipment ($29,187.64)
  • 8I: Health – Federal National Opioid Settlement grant ($65,361.03)
  • 8J: Health – State Preventative Health Block grant ($41,766)
  • 8K: Police – Local grant from automated traffic enforcement safety devices ($2,000,000)
  • 8L: Public Works – State Urban and Community Forestry Planning grant ($12,500) (Items 8M through 8P were listed on the agenda but not read or voted on in the transcript.)
• Payment of City Bills (Item 10): Approved.

Discussion Items

• Old Business – Scrivener’s Errors:
  • Resolution 81-26 corrected a scrivener’s error in a revaluation contract, changing “four hundred” to “two hundred” to reflect $200,000 in FY 2026-2027 and $160,000 in FY 2027-2028.
  • Resolution 72-26 corrected a property address in a Westfield Fire District LoCIP grant from “653 East Main Street” to “653 East Street.”
• Appropriations:
  • 7A: $796,016.38 from the General Fund to cover negative balances in salary reserve, gasoline, and electricity for FY 2025-2026. Approved.
  • 7B: $935.92 from the Fire Fund to cover a negative balance for diesel fuel. Approved.
• Infrastructure and Public Works Update:
  • Court Street One-Way Pilot: Police Chief Costa presented a feasibility study and proposed a 30-day pilot to make Court Street one-way from DeCoven Drive to Main Street, starting October 1, 2026. The study counted 368 vehicles during the AM peak (8-9 AM) and 407 during the PM peak (4-5 PM), with 24,000 total daily vehicles. Chief Costa stated the change would improve pedestrian safety and traffic flow, and he supported the pilot as the safest option. Councilmember Blackwell questioned the limited peak-hour data (only 6% of daily traffic) and lack of comparison to other streets. Councilmember Salafia expressed skepticism about the need for 19 parking spaces. Councilmember Spatola asked about emergency vehicle access; Chief Costa confirmed fire trucks could navigate the street. The pilot will evaluate traffic volume, pedestrian conflicts, signal timing, and business impacts. Results will be reported back to the council.
  • Melilli Plaza: Director Marks reported that an RFP for design has been issued, with a mandatory site visit completed. Proposals are due October 16. The project aims to add nearly 100 parking spots. The council will vote on the contract later.
  • City Hall, Green Street, City Yard: Deputy Director Gartner provided updates:
    • City Hall: New chiller online, building management system being installed, ADA improvements planned (ramp, bathrooms, parking).
    • Green Street: VRF HVAC retrofit awarded to AirTamp Mechanical; submittals expected by end of September. Also roof, brick repointing, elevator repairs.
    • City Yard: Roofing started on salt shed, moving to parks office; all 10 buildings will be done.
    • The council member Sweeney noted these are part of a previously approved bond referendum.
  • Public Works Director Position: The position was reposted after the preferred candidate declined. HR has done outreach; one application received so far.
• 142 South Main Street: Fire marshal’s reinspection was rescheduled for September 10. The outstanding issue involves an emergency light in a hallway. The mayor noted that by statute the building is not required to have an elevator, but residents were offered first-floor moves. The matter is also before the Fair Rent Commission.
• America 250 Project: A parade on September 7 included six communities (Middletown, Durham, Portland, East Hampton, Cheshire, Cromwell). More events are planned.
• Route 9: A public forum is scheduled for November 18 at 6 PM at Middletown High School regarding state plans.

Key Outcomes

• Resolutions on Scrivener’s Errors: Both approved unanimously.
• Appropriations: Both approved.
• Ordinance 02-26 – Youth Soccer Tax Exemption: Approved (moved by Councilman Ford, seconded).
• Lease Agreements: Both leases (IS Marketing and Middletown CrossFit) approved.
• LoCIP Grant for Fire Training Building: Resolution 11E approved, authorizing application for $70,000 and amending CIP to $120,000.
• Fire Department CNR Plan (11F): Initially approved a $150,000 plan, but Councilwoman Fulton noted it was last year’s document. The council voted to reconsider, then approved the corrected $125,000 Capital Non-Recurring request for FY 2026-2027 (including battery fan, mobile radios, lighting, station alerting, hose, training building props).
• Tax Abatement Ordinance for 116 Washington Street: Approved.
• Personnel Rules Review (11H): Approved establishing a subcommittee (Council President, President Pro Tempore, Minority Leader, Deputy Minority Leader) to review and propose amendments within 90 days. Councilwoman Blackwell noted that the last review was in 2016 and that the charter authorizes the council to initiate review if the mayor does not.
• Mayor’s Appointments:
  • Fair Rent Commission: Darrell Fennell (reappointment, 4-year term to 2030), Salvatore Calvo (reappointment, 4-year term to 2030), Stacey Barca (reappointment from alternate to regular seat, 4-year term to 2030), Juliana David (appointment to balance partial term to 2027). Approved.
  • LGBTQIA+ Commission: Derek Cartenega (reappointment, 3-year term to 2029), Catherine Moretti (reappointment, 3-year term to 2029). Approved.
• Court Street Pilot: The 30-day pilot will begin October 1, 2026, with results reported back to the council before a permanent decision.