Public Meetings - Middletown, Connecticut

The Mayor's Code Enforcement Committee met on March 12, 2026, at 9:02 AM. The meeting covered approval of minutes, updates on code enforcement cases, and decisions on several properties. Consent Calendar - Approval of minutes from December 11, 2025: Moved by James, seconded by Scott, passed unanimously at 9:02 AM with no discussion. - Public session: No members of the public were present; session closed. Discussion Items - Forbidden Llama (New Business): Police Department reported a new owner, Miguel Palacios, and new permittee, Alandra Barbosa. A meeting with police, fire marshals, and city officials on February 24 set ground rules to address issues with the previous owner, including an open liquor referral investigation following recent fights. The new operators have been put on notice; enforcement action will be taken going forward. Committee member Chris queried whether restrictions on DJs could be imposed on a new liquor permit to deter nightclub operation, which is not permitted under zoning. He will seek guidance from the liquor commission through contact provided by staff. - Stone Gate Apartments (Old Business): No new issues reported. Fire Department confirmed compliance with required inspections; health and zoning departments reported no violations. The committee voted to remove the property from the agenda, with the understanding it can be added back if problems arise. - 52 North Main Street (Old Business): No recent reports since a December Christmas party. An open foundation issue was previously addressed with fencing to prevent access. The occupied building has had questionable events, but notices have been sent when reported. No current violation of orders. The property was removed from the agenda, with an update to be provided if events occur. - 455 and 465 Middlefield Street (OGC - Ongoing Litigation): This is an ongoing litigation matter. The briefing schedule is set: plaintiff (Mr. Sweet) files brief by mid-April, city responds by mid-May, oral argument scheduled for summer 2026. No new violations or complaints from neighbors. Zoning official Tom reported difficulty contacting State’s Attorney Donna Parker for inspection of an adjacent building. The committee discussed having the mayor’s office follow up via contact information provided. - 212 Cisco and 20 White (OGC - Citation): A citation hearing was held before the city’s citation hearing officer. A fine of approximately $6,300 was levied for blight violations at 20 White Street, and a blight lien with super priority has been filed. The property owner is working to remediate issues and is cooperating with Tom’s department. The property remains on the agenda pending further compliance. Key Outcomes - Minutes approved unanimously. - Forbidden Llama: Continued monitoring; enforcement action expected; DJ restrictions to be explored with liquor commission. - Stone Gate Apartments: Removed from agenda due to compliance. - 52 North Main Street: Removed from agenda; staff to update if issues arise. - 455 and 465 Middlefield Street: Litigation continues; mayor’s office to attempt contact with State’s Attorney. - 212 Cisco and 20 White: Fine and lien imposed; property owner cooperating; remains on agenda for monitoring. - Meeting adjourned at 9:13 AM.

The Middletown Planning and Zoning Commission held its regular meeting on March 11, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers and via WebEx. The meeting covered several agenda items, including approvals of a commercial lease, a subdivision bond release, and staff reports. Two items were postponed by the applicants to the March 25, 2026 meeting. Items Removed from Agenda - 8.1 (Freeman Road Subdivision) and 8.2 (AMI Sports Addition) were postponed by the applicants to the March 25, 2026 meeting to address staff comments and obtain health department approval. Public Comments on Non-Hearing Items - No members of the public were present in chambers; one attendee was online but did not speak. The commission noted Judith Lambson Rockwell would speak on items 8.3 and 8.4. New Business - 8.3 – GS 8-24 Report for Wild Rose Studio, LLC Lease: The commission approved an affirmative GS 8-24 report for a new commercial lease at the R.M. Keating Historical Enterprise Park (180 Johnson Street). The lease rate was noted as starting at $4 per square foot. The motion passed without opposition. - 8.4 – Partial Release and Allocation of Mercy View Subdivision Bond (S2016-1): Staff presented a detailed request to release portions of the $250,000 bond for the Mercy View subdivision (final approval 2019). The developer failed to complete the roadway (Jack English Drive). The city negotiated a purchase and sale agreement to take title and complete the road. The proposed allocation was: $145,000 to the Department of Public Works for road completion (grading, curbing, catch basin adjustments, top coat); $60,000 plus accrued interest returned to the developer; $45,000 retained ($10,000 from PZC bond, $35,000 from Water & Sewer bond) until driveways are paved (in lieu of sidewalks). Commissioners discussed enforcement mechanisms and the city's lack of legal access to the private road, referencing past issues. Staff noted lessons learned and plans to codify temporary construction easements in subdivision regulations. The motion passed unanimously. Public Comment on Topics Not Subject to Hearing - No public comment was offered; one person was online but did not speak. Minutes, Staff Reports, and Commission Affairs - Minutes: The minutes of the February 11, 2026 regular meeting were approved unanimously. - RiverCOG Report: The February 2026 RiverCOG meeting was cancelled. - Staff Report: Staff announced a public hearing on proposed zoning text amendments related to tobacco and cannabis retail businesses (smoke shops) at the March 25, 2026 meeting. The moratorium on such businesses expires at the end of March. Commissioners were encouraged to review the draft amendments. Key Outcomes - Approved: GS 8-24 report for Wild Rose Studio, LLC lease. - Approved: Partial release and allocation of Mercy View Subdivision bond with specific allocations and retainage. - Approved: Minutes of February 11, 2026 regular meeting. - Scheduled: Public hearing on zoning text amendments for March 25, 2026. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 7:31 PM.

The Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency held its regular meeting on March 4, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers. The agency considered three main applications: a multi-use trail, a temporary construction access driveway, and a single-family home. Public comments were heard, and votes were taken on two permits. Discrepancies in impact acreages and trail length were noted between presentations and the official motion. Public Comments & Testimony - David Winkle (418 Mile Lane) questioned the longevity of the helical piles proposed for boardwalk crossings (hot dip galvanized steel) and expressed appreciation for the outdoor classroom component at Lawrence School. - Scott Lana (80 Hemlock Place) raised concerns about inadequate public notice (sign posted only a week prior), future maintenance costs and tax burden, and the long-term plan for the trail network—specifically whether the southern connection would go through the field near Kegwin and the high school. Discussion Items - Multi-Use Trail from Kaplan Drive to Tuttle Road (W2026-1): Michael Doherty (SLR Consulting) presented the Newfield Trail Phase 1, a 0.7-mile (as stated in presentation; motion later said 0.9 miles) paved 10-foot-wide bituminous concrete trail connecting to existing infrastructure. The trail includes two boardwalk crossings on helical piles (pressure-treated timber with concrete abutments) and one section of at-grade fill in wetland 3, resulting in 4,900 square feet of direct wetland impact (presentation figure; motion stated 4,090 square feet). Total regulated activities were 1.72 acres (1.61 acres upland review area, 0.11 acres direct wetland impact). The project includes an outdoor classroom, raised crosswalk, and erosion control measures. City engineer recommended a 3-inch pavement thickness (1.5-inch base course and 1.5-inch top course). No vernal pools were affected, and a box turtle exclusion fence will be installed. The trail is part of a larger regional network connecting the Airline Trail to the Farmington Canal and East Coast Greenway. The public hearing was closed, and the permit was granted with conditions. - Temporary Wetland Crossing for Springside Phase II (W2026-2): Ronald Baumingen (Fuss & O'Neill) presented a 20-foot-wide gravel construction access driveway crossing 0.08 acres of wetland to reach Phase II of the Springside development. The area was previously disturbed by power line maintenance and clay mining and contains mostly invasive species (phragmites, multiflora rose). The restoration plan calls for removal of aggregate and geotextile fabric after 12 months of use, followed by grading and planting. During discussion, the commission requested that wetland soils removed during construction be stockpiled and replaced (to avoid replacing with topsoil). A condition was added for a truck pad at the entrance and daily cleaning of Newfield Street. The permit was granted with conditions. - Single-Family Home on Arbutus Street (W2026-3): Anthony Garofalo presented a proposal for a home on Lot 1, Arbutus Street (Map-Lot 38-0183), within the upland review area. The wetland area was described as created by a prior driveway drainage and is not significant. The commission debated whether to accept the application for a regular agenda item or a public hearing, given that a public hearing was held for the original subdivision. The decision was to accept it as a regular item for the next meeting (April 1, 2026), without a public hearing unless a petition is submitted. The applicant agreed. - Wetlands Regulation Amendments: The agency discussed the second draft of the Middletown Wetlands Regulations, which updates local regulations to align with state and federal changes, including new signage requirements (two-sided, perpendicular to road, 40x40 inches, posted 7 days prior). The agency agreed to schedule a commission review at the April meeting and a public hearing in May. Key Outcomes - Permit W2026-01 (Multi-Use Trail) was granted with conditions: completion by March 4, 2031; adherence to erosion control plans; pavement thickness per city engineer; and flagging of clearing limits. Vote: unanimous (all in favor). - Permit W2026-02 (Temporary Wetland Crossing) was granted with additional conditions: stockpiling and replacing wetland soils, installation of a truck pad, and daily cleaning of Newfield Street. Vote: unanimous. - Application W2026-03 (Single-Family Home) was accepted for the regular agenda of the April meeting; will not automatically require a public hearing. - Minutes of the February 11, 2026 special meeting were approved (Jennifer Greenberg abstained). - 350 Randolph Road Notice of Violation was tabled with no new information. - Wetlands Regulation Amendments referred to the April meeting for commission discussion, with a public hearing planned for May. Note on Discrepancies: The applicant's presentation cited 4,900 square feet of direct wetland impact and a 0.7-mile trail length, while the motion read 4,090 square feet and 0.9 miles. These inconsistencies were not addressed during the meeting.

Note: The user instruction specifies the meeting date as March 3, 2026, but the transcript states "Monday, March 2nd, 2026". This summary uses the instructed date and notes the discrepancy. The special meeting of the LGBTQI Plus Commission was called to order at 7:02 PM and adjourned at 7:17 PM. All six attending commissioners participated via virtual roll call votes. The meeting addressed two agenda items: selection of Grand Marshals for the upcoming Pride events and the proposed Trans Lifeline 5K fundraiser. Public Comments & Testimony - Haley Stafford (representing the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce, fiscal agent for Middletown Pride) stated that the Chamber cannot fundraise for another organization due to auditing and back-end complications. She encouraged fundraising for Middletown Pride itself, noting that sponsorships have declined compared to the prior year. She also explained that the Chamber can accept cash, card donations via a card reader, Venmo, and checks for Middletown Pride. Discussion Items - Grand Marshal Selection (Item 3A): The commission reviewed compiled scores for nominees. The top vote-getters were John Pepe and Jennifer Billingsley. A motion was made to approve them as Grand Marshals, with the understanding that if either declines, the next highest-scoring nominee would be offered the position. The motion passed unanimously via roll call. - Trans Lifeline 5K Fundraiser (Item 3B): Commissioner Lisa Loomis-Davard reported that she had left two messages for the contact provided but received no response. She proposed converting the event into a walk to show support for the trans community, providing information about donation options (including an organization supporting trans people in Kansas) rather than a formal fundraiser. Commissioner Annika Dane noted that a Wesleyan organization is excited to cover Wesleyan-related costs and that community members (e.g., from the Anti-Racism Task Force) are supportive. After discussion, the commission decided to hold the event as a Trans Day of Visibility fundraiser for Middletown Pride, with commissioners taking donations, selling merchandise, and allowing other trans-focused organizations to table or distribute materials. This motion passed unanimously via roll call. Key Outcomes - Grand Marshals: John Pepe and Jennifer Billingsley were approved unanimously. If either declines, the next highest-ranked nominee will be offered the position. - Trans Day of Visibility Event: The commission voted unanimously to hold a walk/visibility event on March 31, 2026 (Trans Day of Visibility) as a fundraiser for Middletown Pride. Commissioners will accept donations (cash, Venmo, checks) and sell merchandise. Other trans organizations may table or provide information. The chair (Brianna Bloom Scavera) will place a placeholder in the newsletter with an image and mention of this event and the previously approved Wesleyan TDOV event, with a follow-up email when graphics are ready. - Meeting adjourned at 7:17 PM.