Middletown City Meeting – October 20, 2026: Rental Stipulated Order, Schedule Adoption, and Executive Session

The meeting convened at 7:03 PM. The commission approved the minutes of the September 9, 2026 regular meeting, addressed correspondence, held a hearing on a stipulated rental order, continued two matters, adopted the meeting schedule for next year, entered executive session to discuss legal strategy, and discussed setting a special meeting in November or December.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes (September 9, 2026): The minutes were approved unanimously with no abstentions. (Note: The chair initially failed to call for a vote but later confirmed the vote took place.)
• Correspondence: None reported.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made at the start of the meeting. During the stipulated order hearing, Wallace Collins, a tenant, provided testimony under oath. He confirmed the terms of the order and that the landlord had applied the agreed-upon credit.

Discussion Items

• Stipulated Order (Rental Dispute): Wallace Collins (tenant) and the landlord (via attorney, not present) agreed to a stipulated order. Terms: Monthly rent of $1,425 from September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2027; a $125 credit applied to the tenant's rent ledger for September 2026 rent already paid. The order includes a prevailing party clause and waiver of appeal rights. The commission voted unanimously to approve the order.
• Continued Matters: Two matters previously continued were continued again without further discussion.
• Adoption of 2027 Meeting Schedule: The commission added discussion of the next year’s schedule as a new agenda item. The schedule was presented, noting that the annual car show date is unknown but may cause a June meeting change. The schedule was adopted unanimously.
• Executive Session: At 7:11 PM, the commission moved into executive session to discuss legal strategy for litigation. The session lasted until 7:58 PM. Mr. Collins, a town resident, briefly returned but was asked to step out during the session.
• Special Meeting Discussion: After executive session, a motion was made to add a discussion about setting a special meeting. The commission directed staff to find a date in November, or if not possible, in December. A motion to adjourn was made and seconded.

Key Outcomes

• Approved minutes of September 9, 2026 regular meeting (unanimous).
• Approved the stipulated order for the rental dispute (unanimous).
• Continued two pending matters.
• Adopted the 2027 meeting schedule (unanimous).
• Entered executive session for legal strategy (unanimous, lasted ~47 minutes).
• Directed staff to schedule a special meeting in November or December.
• Meeting adjourned at 7:59 PM.