Public Meetings - Middletown, Connecticut

The Common Council held a special workshop on August 5, 2026, to discuss the scope of two proposed bond referenda: (1) a Board of Education Capital Improvement Plan totaling $30.4 million (with a local share of approximately $10 million after 67.14% state reimbursement) and (2) a new parking arcade behind the police station for $38 million. No votes were taken; the council will deliberate and vote on the amounts and scope at a special meeting on August 20, 2026. The bond questions must be finalized by September 4, 2026, to appear on the November ballot. Discussion Items - Process Overview: Mayor clarified that tonight is a workshop to decide the scope of the two bond questions. The council will send the full proposed amounts to bond counsel for drafting, and on August 20th they can reduce the amounts and modify the list of projects but cannot add money or new projects. The deadline for legal advertising is August 14th. - Board of Education Capital Improvement Plan: Superintendent Dr. McCarry and Marco Gaylord presented a $30.4 million plan covering roof replacements, air conditioning/RTU upgrades, building management systems, oil tanks/boilers, and student safety/security enhancements across all schools except McDonough (already under separate project). The plan is based on a 2023 assessment and would be executed over 4–5 years, prioritizing the two most critical roofs. The state reimbursement rate of 67.14% is locked in once the bond is authorized, regardless of when projects are completed. - Debt Management Discussion: Finance Director Carl Urlacher explained that the city’s debt service is currently $27 million in FY2027, dropping to $25.5 million in FY2028. He noted that if the council authorizes the full amounts, strategic phasing of spending is critical to avoid a mill rate spike. He recommended using general fund cash and bonding only when necessary, and warned against authorizing too many projects simultaneously. Council members requested visual aids (e.g., timelines, charts) to help the public understand the debt impact. - Parking Arcade Proposal: Economic Development Director Christine Marks presented a $38 million bond for a 165-space parking garage behind the police station, plus renovation of the deteriorating Riverview Plaza. The garage would provide public parking, some spaces for the police department, and a plaza connection for a future pedestrian bridge to the riverfront. The project is expected to be built in phases, with major expenditures during construction. The city will use the bond as seed money to apply for state Community Investment Fund (CIF) grants to potentially expand the garage. - Other Updates: Public Works Director Brian Gardner reported on current projects including 10 miles of road repairs, $400,000 in City Hall upgrades, and $900,000 in roof repairs at City Yard. Christine Marks also noted ongoing riverfront brownfield redevelopment, a planned 90-space parking deck at the North Millily lot (funded from the existing 2020 infrastructure bond), and 245 new public parking spaces at the former Tate’s site once the Route 9 interchange is complete. Key Outcomes - The council will forward the full proposed amounts to bond counsel: $30.4 million for the BOE plan and $38 million for the parking arcade. The scope language will be drafted broadly to allow flexibility, but the council will have the option to reduce amounts and remove specific projects on August 20th. - The council will receive updated quotes for BOE projects and a data report on parking permit waitlists from Director Marks. - Finance Director Urlacher agreed to work on producing visual aids (e.g., color-coded debt service timelines) to improve public understanding. - The next step is the August 20th special meeting, where the council will vote on the final bond ordinances and resolutions to send to the November ballot.

The Middletown Common Council met remotely via WebEx on Monday, August 3, 2026. The meeting was held fully online because early voting had begun at City Hall; the mayor explained this after several speakers criticized the virtual format. The agenda listed the meeting at 7:45 p.m., but the clerk’s notice and the mayor’s call to order referenced 7:00 p.m., with the mayor calling the meeting to order at approximately 7:02 p.m. The council approved routine minutes, appropriations, grant reports, contracts, leases, appointments, and a 19-acre open-space purchase, and heard lengthy public testimony on the proposed FLOCK drone pilot and proposed Court Street changes. Consent Calendar - Agenda accepted as presented. - Minutes approved for the Common Council special meeting (Questions to Directors, July 6, 2026), regular meeting (July 6, 2026), and community meeting (July 9, 2026). - Payment of all city bills, when properly approved, was approved. - The omnibus Item 7 list of department/committee/commission reports and grant confirmations was approved, including transfer reports, appropriation reports, LoCIP and vacancy reports, and multiple grants and grant reductions for Fire, Health, Board of Education, and Recreation. Councilwoman Sweeney noted that the purchasing report listed as the annual report is actually the quarterly report for April 1–June 30, 2026, and that it would be read again next month. Public Comments & Testimony - No public speakers appeared at the public hearing on the two proposed Keating Park leases; the hearing was opened and closed, and the leases were approved later in the meeting. - Rogers Pilant (80 Round Hill Road) argued the state underfunds PILOT payments. He described Middletown’s budget as a $100 dinner bill, with the state supposed to pay $45 and local property owners $55, but Middletown receiving about $19.2 million instead of the statutory $44.1 million because tier 2 municipalities are capped at 43% of the formula, leaving a $25–26 million structural deficit for local taxpayers. - More than 20 residents spoke against the FLOCK drone-as-first-responder program. Speakers included Ethan Gotterman, Meredith Pollack, Jennifer Jasenski, Brienne Schroth, Justine Kihada, Mads Reed, James Calabrasi, Rainier Tyson, Megan Cahill, Ruby Clark, Luis Morero Silis, Erica Morgan, Anson Mellick, Amy Hernandez, Michaela Morris, Alisa Reed, Brendan Barry, Warren Lucas, Georgia Sorensen, Ed McKeon, and Kara McDonald. Their concerns included Flock’s contract enforcement record, data ownership and sharing, ALPR expansion potential, ICE and federal data sharing, racial profiling, officer misuse and stalking incidents, costs, and the absence of resident consent. Several speakers also said the meeting should have been in person or more clearly publicized. - Jen Alexander, Diane Gervais (Amato’s Toy and Hobby), Tina Loomis, Diana Martinez, and Ed McKeon opposed making Court Street one-way, with several arguing it would hurt businesses and that proposed parking/kiosk and parking-deck changes were moving in the wrong direction. Tina Loomis said the bus depot’s planned rerouting through the alley behind Court Street had not been publicly discussed. - Members of the Connecticut Tenants Union and tenants of 142 South Main Street described unsafe conditions at the Alpha Capital-owned building, including a decommissioned elevator, water leaks, power issues, and mold. They asked the city to increase code-violation fines. The mayor and council leaders said the matter would be placed on the September 9, 2026 Public Works meeting agenda. - Merrick Kazakowski, the city’s Land Use director, and property owner Robert Saranowitz spoke in support of Item 10L, the purchase of about 19 acres on Boston Road as open space; Saranowitz said his family had farmed the land for generations. Discussion Items - FLOCK drone pilot (Item 8C): The mayor reported that the contract has not been signed and said the current contract contains no license-plate reading, no facial recognition, and no general surveillance, but acknowledged that many residents do not trust Flock. Councilwoman Blackwell said the Democratic caucus had already opposed signing and asked the mayor to commit not to sign; the mayor agreed, saying he also had doubts. The item will come back for discussion, with the administration exploring other options. - Court Street two-way to one-way proposal: Director Marks said the change was based on observation and would add 20 parking spaces; no traffic study had been done. Chief Costa agreed to perform a comprehensive traffic count and study. Mayor Nocera and Chief Costa indicated the previously scheduled August 17, 2026 implementation would be postponed while the study is done. - Mayor’s reports: Guida Property concerns addressed; America 250 work focused on a historical Labor Day parade; Route 9 public session scheduled for November 18, 2026, 6–8 p.m. at Middletown High School; railroad bridge reconstruction informational meeting scheduled for August 4, 2026; National Night Out also scheduled for August 4, 2026, 4–8 p.m. at the South Green. - Riverfront Master Plan and Arcade: Director Marks gave updates on the Jackson Corrugated site (surveys completed, demolition planned, pending criminal case with a September 29, 2026 court date), Peterson site geotechnical work, and wastewater treatment plant redevelopment planning. - Bond reports were noted but required no council action. - On Item 10D, the tax assessor explained that the motor vehicle depreciation ordinance update was required by state statute and would reduce taxable grand list values by about $4 million; the council approved it. - On Item 10K, a deputy director said Cardinal Engineering’s Amendment 9 covers a scaled-down Saybrook Road design, and optional construction-management services listed in the amendment would require a future council vote if exercised. Councilwoman Salafia voiced opposition, saying she considered the project a waste of money. Key Outcomes - Resolution 72-26 (LoCIP), as substituted, was approved: the mayor is authorized to apply for $30,000 in state LoCIP funds for the Westfield Fire District fire alarm detection system upgrade, replacing the earlier $55,000 request. - All five appropriation items were approved: Fire $121,096.25; Water $80,000 for replacement water meters; Public Works $235,000 for a bulky waste truck; Central Communications $48,444.18 for overtime shortfall; Police $1,033,686.11 for the Private Duty line shortfall. - Two Keating Park leases were approved: a 5-year lease with a 5-year option for The Smith & Bishel Co. (80 sq. ft.) and a 5-year lease with a 5-year option for First Chance, Inc. dba The Bridge (900 sq. ft.). - Item 10C approved the revaluation services contract with Municipal Valuation Services. - Item 10D approved the amendment to Section 272.24 of the City Code, modifying the motor vehicle depreciation schedule. - Item 10E added Industrial Drive, Warner Street, Thomas Street, and Flower Street to Schedule A of the 21st Century Infrastructure Development Bond Program, authorizing about $120,000 for repair, paving, and construction. - Item 10F allocated the $40,000 FY26/27 Recreation youth grant: Ahern Whalen $5,000; Middletown Youth Lacrosse $10,000; Middletown Youth Football and Cheer $15,000; Middletown Youth Baseball and Softball $10,000. - Item 10G approved the Cross Street AME Zion Church Back 2 School Community Day for August 22, 2026, 12:00–3:00 p.m., waiving Showmobile and personnel fees, with city spending capped at $1,000. - Item 10H approved the Memorandum of Agreement with the Connecticut Municipal Development Authority. - Item 10I approved creation of the 169 Cross Street Firehouse Renovation Building Committee. - Item 10J approved the multi-year contract with O&G Industries as construction manager for the Macdonough Elementary School renovation and extension, with the title corrected from project manager to construction manager. - Item 10K, the Cardinal Engineering Amendment 9 for the Saybrook Road Improvement Project, was approved 8–3–1: ayes Blackwell, Ford, Fulton, Hart, Lafredo, Manjifico, Spitola, Sweeney; nays Gennaro, Polino, Salafia; one absent, Faulkner. - Item 10L approved the purchase of three Boston Road parcels totaling approximately 19 acres as open space; Mayor Nocera was authorized to sign the purchase agreement, and naming hearings are planned for September and October. - The mayor’s appointments to city boards and commissions were approved. - The council voted to amend the agenda to allow testimony about 142 South Main Street. The building-code fine discussion will be on the September 9, 2026 Public Works meeting agenda. - FLOCK drone: the mayor agreed not to sign the contract and to return with alternatives; no council vote was taken on the drone contract itself. - Court Street: the August 17, 2026 one-way conversion is postponed pending a traffic study.

The City Council convened the fire department portion of the meeting on August 3, 2026, at approximately 6:45 PM. The meeting began with roll call, approval of previous meeting minutes, and a public hearing. Fire Chief Albert delivered a detailed report covering monthly statistics, major incidents, training, apparatus and facility updates, and a resolution approval. Consent Calendar - Approval of Minutes (June 15, 2026) – Motion made, seconded, and passed unanimously (4-0) without discussion. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public spoke on fire department agenda items. The public hearing was opened and closed with no participants. Discussion Items - Fire Chief’s Monthly Report (July) – Chief Albert reported 335 fire calls for the month, with an exceptionally busy period from July 4th through mid-July. Key incidents included a river rescue, mutual aid fires in Portland, Westfield, Southington, Meriden, and a third-alarm fire in Meriden. The department also handled a Level 1 heat staffing activation. Chief Albert praised crews for handling multiple emergencies in one night. - Training Activities – Completed trench and rope training, marina dive training, monthly drone training, and training on a new extractor washer/dryer (obtained via CDBG funds). Middlesex Hospital provided three weeks of EMS training. - Overtime & Staffing – Overtime is heavy due to two light-duty assignments, one military deployment, three to four FMLA leaves, and two workers’ compensation cases. The department remains lean but fully staffed with no vacancies. - Apparatus Maintenance – Chief Albert reported that external repair costs are unsustainable: the department paid over $200,000 in apparatus repairs last year. The vendor’s hourly rate increased from $190 to $265, later negotiated to $230–240/hour. The administration is exploring hiring a department mechanic to keep 85–90% of repairs in-house and save money. An emergency meeting with chief of staff, HR, and public works was held. - Station Upgrades – New washer/dryers installed at both stations via CDBG funds. Remaining CDBG money will be used to reseal floors at HQ and Cross Street to address water intrusion. A formal bid committee is being formed for Cross Street renovations; the bid process is expected to begin in mid-August. - Training Building – A modular training building made of engineered shipping containers (7–8 units stacked) has been ordered. It will allow live fire training and rope rescue drills. Chief Albert plans to seek zoning approval and hold a ribbon-cutting when completed. He will share design specs with council members. - Resolution Approval – Chief Albert requested council sponsorship of a resolution to itemize CNR (capital non-recurring) funding for the current fiscal year, to be forwarded to the Finance and Government Committee. Councilmember Linda Salafia sponsored the motion. Key Outcomes - The resolution to itemize CNR and send it to Finance and Government was approved unanimously by voice vote. - The fire department meeting was adjourned at approximately 6:45 PM, to be followed by the police department portion of the city council meeting.

The Middletown Public Safety Commission met on August 3, 2026, at 6:46 PM and adjourned at 8:22 PM. The meeting covered approval of previous minutes, public testimony on the proposed Flock drone system, a presentation and discussion of a revised Flock drone agreement, a one-way traffic proposal for Court Street, a crime statistics report, and other routine matters. The commission voted 4-1 (one abstention) to recommend the revised Flock drone master agreement to the Common Council. Consent Calendar - Approval of Minutes from June 15, 2026: Moved by Tony, seconded by Kelly. Approved unanimously. Public Comments & Testimony - James Calabrese (32 Grand Street): Opposed the Flock drone system, citing a nationwide error rate of 1% (200 million errors out of 20 billion monthly license plate reads). Gave examples of false police encounters in Minnesota and Nebraska due to Flock misreadings. Urged the commission not to proceed. - Anson Muelick (530 High Street): An automation engineer, opposed the Flock drone due to lack of transparency in the code and inability to guarantee it would follow local programming. Raised concerns about plausible deniability for police. - Meredith Pollock (182 Carriage Crossing): Opposed the cameras as sophisticated tracking devices with minimal oversight. Cited instances of stalking, harassment, and hacking vulnerabilities. Stated that she and neighbors did not consent to data storage. - Unnamed resident (first heard of meeting 30 minutes prior): Questioned public notice, asked about neighboring town rejections and funding source. - Alex Jones (online chat): Expressed support for the Flock drone program as a town resident. - Mads Reed (21 In Town Terrace) and Alisa Reed: Expressed strong concerns about surveillance, data being sold to tech firms, and lack of opt-out. Requested the trial not be extended and existing devices be removed. Noted that other Connecticut towns have reversed ALPR contracts. - Frank (Wesleyan student, 35 Foss Hill Drive): Voiced concern about mass surveillance and lack of accountability, especially in a national context. - Brendan Berry (Wesleyan student, 36 McConaughey Avenue): Raised concerns about data sharing with DHS and other agencies, citing violations in other cities (Wisconsin, LAPD, Cambridge). Questioned protections for immigrants given the local intelligence fusion center. - Mads Reed (second appearance): Stated he was not comforted by the city attorney's response, calling it a sales pitch. Emphasized the irreversible nature of data collection. - Meredith Pollock (second appearance): Submitted two questions: (1) clarification on time savings compared to existing drones, (2) how the drone system would prevent bridge suicides. - James Calabrese (second appearance): Questioned the $50,000 cost, suggesting in-house training and equipment might be more cost-effective. - Anson Muelick (second appearance): Argued that the agreement is unenforceable because Flock can change terms via hyperlinks and has refused third-party code audits to verify compliance. Discussion Items - Correspondence and Reports (Chief Costa): - Animal Control: ACOs working with Paper Olsen to neuter/spay cats in the south end (donations received). - Promotion: Detective James Ramati promoted to acting sergeant to fill a long-term workers’ compensation vacancy. - Homelessness/Panhandling: Complaints about Main Street; overtime position added Thursday–Saturday evenings for outreach and support, including partnership with St. Vincent DePaul. - Overtime Budget: FY25-26 within budget; $46,000 returned to general fund. - Community Programs: PAL summer program active; new VIF system (online registration for individuals with mental health/dementia/autism) launched—Middletown is second city in CT to adopt it. - Calls for Service: 5,495 in June, steady with prior periods. - Accountability Training: Contract with Dagle Law Group for monthly training on pursuits, use of force, and employment issues. - One-Way Traffic on Court Street (Chief Costa and Christine Marks): - Proposed change: Court Street from DeKoven Drive west to Main Street to become one-way (eastbound) to align with Upper Court Street. - Benefits: 21 new metered parking spaces (total 19 full-time spots), improved sightlines at DeKoven Drive intersection (poor due to courthouse transport vans), safer turning onto Cross Street, added ADA ramps and crosswalks at Millilliy Drive, and a loading/unloading zone at Main Street. - Fire Marshal and Public Works reviewed; plan vetted with judicial facilities (no concerns). Changeover planned for August 16, 2026. Commission received notice; no vote required. - Crime Statistics (Chief Costa): - Citywide crime rate decreased 14.02% in fiscal year 2025-26 (third consecutive annual decrease). Attributed to officer work, technology, community partnerships, and social worker integration. - Notable: Two homicides in past two years solved within hours. - Flock Drone Agreement (Attorney Briggs Smith, Chief Costa, Chief Albert): - Background: Common Council passed a resolution in January 2026 authorizing a $50,000/year contract for a drone-as-first-responder (DFR) program. After public concerns raised by Councilman Ford, the city negotiated a more robust Master Services Agreement (MSA) with Flock Safety. - Key changes: The MSA explicitly states customer data belongs to the city, not Flock; Flock cannot sell the data; and the system will not be used as a license plate reader (LPR). Terms and conditions cannot be unilaterally updated without city consent. - Operational purpose: DFR for emergencies (bridge suicides, large fights, structure fires) to provide immediate aerial intelligence. Deployed from dispatch; front desk staff trained on every shift. - Funding: Year one via asset forfeiture (seized funds); subsequent years from non-taxpayer sources (grants, stakeholders). - Duration: 90-day trial, after which city can evaluate. - Concerns raised by commission members: Councilwoman Salafia questioned the notification process and lack of council input; Councilman Sweeney asked about training and conditions for termination. Chiefs responded that the trial would reveal if the technology is effective, and policies will be developed if the program continues. Key Outcomes - Court Street One-Way: No vote needed; change to take effect August 16, 2026. Signs and social media notification to be increased. - Flock Drone Agreement: Motion made (Councilman Gennaro) and seconded to recommend the revised MSA to the Common Council. Vote: 4 in favor, 1 abstention (Councilwoman Salafia). The agreement will be presented at the next council meeting. - Adjournment: Motion to adjourn passed at 8:22 PM.

The Common Council held a special meeting on August 3, 2026, at 6:00 PM remotely via WebEx to conduct a Questions to Directors workshop. The primary focus was a discussion regarding the proposed Flock drone contract for police and fire first responder use. Council members asked detailed questions about the drone's capabilities, privacy protections, data handling, and contract terms. No votes were taken, and the council expressed that more time is needed before the mayor signs the contract. Discussion Items - Flock Drone Contract: Police Chief Eric Costa and Fire Chief Martin Albert presented the rationale for the Flock drone system. They emphasized it is a first responder drone (DFR) deployed only for emergency incidents, not for surveillance or license plate reading. It does not use facial recognition or collect data for immigration enforcement. The drone is US-made and selected for compatibility with the city's CAD system. Funding would come from asset forfeiture and grants. - Contract Amendments: General Counsel Greg Smith detailed changes made to the original boilerplate contract, expanding it from 6-7 pages to 29 pages. Key amendments include: (1) incorporating privacy policies as exhibits that cannot be changed unilaterally, (2) specifying that the city controls all data sharing, and (3) codifying that the drone is used only in DFR capacity, not LPR. The contract states Flock cannot sell or share customer data without city direction, except under lawful subpoena. - Privacy Concerns: Council members Spatola, Hart, Blackwell, and others raised concerns about community mistrust and data security. Chief Costa and Attorney Smith assured that the drone does not collect license plate or facial data, and that the contract prohibits data sharing with federal agencies for immigration enforcement. Councilwoman Blackwell highlighted that the Democratic Caucus is not ready to authorize the contract. - Other Technology: Councilwoman Salafia clarified the difference between the Flock drone (not yet signed), automated speed enforcement cameras (different vendor, already operational), and license plate readers (existing city system since 2008-2009). She noted that the public confusion may stem from conflating these technologies. - Deployment Protocol: The drone is deployed automatically by dispatch for critical incidents or optionally by incident commanders. It is not used for random patrol. Councilman Lefredo and Councilwoman Fulton confirmed that the drone is incident-driven only. - Tracking: Councilwoman Sweeney suggested adding drone usage to incident reports for public transparency. Chief Costa agreed to implement tracking. Key Outcomes - No formal vote was taken on the Flock drone contract. The contract remains unsigned. - The Democratic Caucus, led by Council President Blackwell, stated they are not prepared for the mayor to sign the contract and requested additional research and time. - Councilman Lefredo advised against any official action until the council is fully apprised and has weighed in on the proposed agreement. - Councilwoman Sweeney urged the mayor not to sign the contract at this time. - The meeting concluded with the intention to continue discussion at the regular council meeting, with directors asked to remain available.

Note: The meeting transcript indicates a date of June 17, 2026, but the provided instruction specifies the meeting occurred on July 29, 2026. This summary uses the instructed date and notes the discrepancy. The meeting was called to order at 12:00 PM (UTC) by Chairperson Brianna Blims Cavera. Commissioners present included Derek Cartagena, Dolly Haddad, Lisa Loomis Davern, Katie Merritt, Angela Crow, Beth Shapiro, and Commissioner Timmins (joined late). Councilwoman China Fulton also attended. Consent Calendar - Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the May 20, 2026 regular meeting were approved unanimously by voice vote (motion by Beth, second by Angela). Discussion Items - Game Night – Monthly Event at Back Again Board Games: Commissioner Katie Merritt presented the proposal for monthly game nights starting July 20, 2026, on the third Monday of each month, 6–9 PM. The cost is up to $1,650 per event depending on attendance (typical attendance 30–40 people, costing $900–$1,200). Chairperson Cavera noted the commission's total approved spending for the fiscal year is $21,500 and cautioned about overall budget discipline, especially with the loss of a $10,000 grant. Despite concerns, the event was approved unanimously. - Pride Fest 2026 Recap: Attendance was estimated at mid-to-low 20,000 (down from 35,000) due partly to Boston Pride shifting to the same weekend. Other factors included MHS prom and high school graduations. Vendor feedback indicated poor communication about application dates. Parade check-in issues were noted – chamber volunteers arrived late. The rally structure was debated: some attendees wanted more entertainment interspersed, while others argued the rally should remain a focused protest. Chairperson Cavera emphasized Pride as a protest. A commissioner shared feedback from an intersex teen who felt underrepresented; the teen was invited to game night. Discussion also covered protestors at the event – police advised they could only intervene if laws were broken. Action items: gather more details from the chamber about parade logistics and review rally format for 2027. - Financial Overview: Deferred to next month due to ongoing payments and receipts from Pride Fest. - Violations of Performer Contracts: Commissioner Derek Cartagena reported that several performers signed contracts for the showcase concert but failed to submit materials and no-showed without communication. This caused last-minute scrambling. Proposals ranged from a one-year suspension to permanent banning. Chairperson Cavera advocated for permanent bans, noting the contracts were legally binding and that the commission could pursue breach of contract. It was agreed to identify the specific performers and review contract language at the next meeting. No vote was taken. - Pride Fest 2027 Roles and Responsibilities: Chairperson Cavera announced she will not serve as organizer next year and will document all tasks (grants, contracts, etc.). Members discussed the need to redistribute duties, possibly pairing up for specific Pride Fest tasks, but Cavera stressed that some responsibilities (e.g., grant applications) require single accountability. The commission debated the scale of Pride Fest given volunteer capacity; it was noted that the city provides significant in-kind support (police, public works, etc.). A deeper discussion on roles and event scaling is planned for next month. - Yearly Events: No events are scheduled for Non-Binary People's Day (July 14) or other upcoming occasions. Commissioners were reminded that events only happen if individuals step up to organize. - Fundraising During Events: A suggestion was made to add donation QR codes at commission events to support year-round programming at no cost to attendees. Chairperson Cavera recommended first determining how donations are currently accepted via the Chamber of Commerce, then potentially making signage a standard part of event protocols. - Old Business – Game Night Payment Issues: The owner of the game night venue has not been paid for recent events by the Chamber of Commerce. Commissioner Merritt asked for a direct contact; it was noted the chamber should be contacted directly as they hold the contract. - Other Event Recaps: Pride Pop-Up kickoff event (appreciation for free space at Clock Tower Shops) and a Voz event at the senior center (approximately 40 attendees, shadow performance) were highlighted as successful. - Grant Programs: Q+ grant program is on summer break; Pure Pride grant program continues. Middletown Pride Scholarship and Taking Pride on Main Street updates were minimal. Key Outcomes - Game night monthly event was approved unanimously. - Financial overview will be presented at the next meeting. - Performer contract breaches will be discussed further next month, with potential bans. Specific performers and contract language will be provided in advance. - Chairperson Cavera will compile a list of commission roles and responsibilities for next meeting to facilitate redistribution. - The commission will explore adding donation QR codes to event signage after confirming donation mechanisms with the chamber. - Next meeting (August) will include election of Chair and Vice Chair. - No public comments were received.

The commission convened a regular hybrid meeting on July 29, 2026, with commissioners participating both online and in person. The agenda included routine approvals, event proposals for Pride Month, financial reports, a scholarship award, and an endorsement of a letter to a school superintendent. Consent Calendar - Approved the minutes from the March 18, 2026 regular meeting, April 22, 2026 special meeting, and April 28, 2026 special subcommittee meeting of the Middletown Pride Scholarship Subcommittee. Motion by Dolly, second by Katie; passed unanimously. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments were made. Daly Stafford from the Chamber attended but declined to speak on the record. Discussion Items - Agenda amendment: Dolly moved to add a June game night to the agenda due to an oversight; motion seconded by Kai; passed unanimously. - Drag Story Hour: Approved for June 6, 2026, 11 a.m.–12 p.m. at RJ Julia Booksellers, with a cost of $300 for performers. The event includes ASL interpreters and has historically been well attended. Motion by Dolly, second by Katie; passed unanimously. - Crosswalk dedication and flag raising: Approved for June 4, 2026, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. on Main Street, at no cost; ASL and photography will be provided under existing Pride Fest contracts. Motion by Dolly, second by Angela; passed unanimously. - Pride pop-up kickoff event: Approved for June 4, 2026, 4–7 p.m. at Clock Tower Shops, with a cost of $250 for refreshments. Motion by Dolly, second by Dolly; passed unanimously. - Monthly game night: Scheduled for June 15, 2026 (third Monday), extending the established monthly series. Dolly explained the oversight in not submitting a separate event form. Attendance has ranged from 30–40 people, with 37 at the most recent event. Motion by Dolly, second by Angela; passed unanimously. - Pride Fest rally list: Commissioner Fulton presented a rally list featuring diverse speakers, including State Treasurer Russell, with a focus on people of color and individuals with disabilities. Concerns were raised about ensuring Russell does not use the event to platform his re-election campaign, and about the MC’s timing. The list was approved unanimously. - Pride Fest showcase list: Derek presented the tentative performer lineup. An amendment to allow minor adjustments was moved by Laura and seconded by Chine; after the amendment passed, the main motion was approved unanimously. - Financial overview: The commission reviewed the Pride budget, noting that the city contributes only to the Chamber contract and all other expenses are self-funded via sponsors and grants. Last year posted a net loss of $4,000 on a budget of over $250,000. Angela moved to add a financial review as a standing agenda item; seconded by Beth; passed unanimously. - Privacy policy discussion: Laura raised concerns about public disclosure of personal emails and suggested developing a privacy policy. The chair recommended consulting with legal and avoiding including email addresses in future submissions. No formal motion was made. - Scholarship recommendation: The scholarship subcommittee received only one application this year, compared to four and three in previous years. The commission approved a $1,500 scholarship to Aisha Betach. Motion by Beth, second by Chine; passed unanimously. Discussion included outreach challenges, such as limited distribution to schools. - Endorsement of letter to superintendent: The commission endorsed a letter concerning an incident at Beaman School involving gender identity discrimination. An amendment to recommend CC’ing the Board of Education was proposed by Angela, seconded by Chine. The amendment and the endorsement both passed unanimously. - Pride Fest and event updates: Updates were provided on the rally, showcase, and march order. Game night continues to attract a consistent crowd. The Transgender Day of Visibility 5K fundraiser had about 40 participants and raised $500 in cash/checks, with digital donation totals pending. A recap of the TDoV visibility event noted roughly 20 attendees and a positive panel discussion. Grant program reports: Q Plus and Pure Pride terminate at end of June; a facilitator program is defunct; the “Taking Pride on Main Street” initiative could not be implemented due to IT limitations. - Good of the order: Laura advised situational awareness given federal administration directives targeting “pro-transgender agenda” groups, clarifying that no individual investigations are directed. A donation of Pride-themed stickers from a former business owner will be coordinated with the Chamber. Commission members were reminded to march together at the front of the parade and to support each other’s efforts. Key Outcomes - All motions listed above passed unanimously, including the agenda amendment, four event approvals, rally and showcase list approvals, the standing financial review item, the scholarship award, and the letter endorsement with amendment. - The commission adjourned at 8:02 p.m. unanimously.

The Public Safety 911 Center Building Committee held a community meeting on July 24, 2026, at the Middletown Police Department community room and via WebEx. The meeting was called to order at 7:01 PM and adjourned at 8:02 PM. Residents provided comments and questions, followed by a presentation from the architect Tecton and an open Q&A session. Key topics included the design, traffic, lighting, water drainage, construction impacts, and community safety. Public Comments & Testimony - Adams Rubicke (70 Tallias Trail) expressed support for the dispatch center, noting safety issues with radio dead zones. He raised concerns about traffic impact, environmental and health effects of additional towers, and the possibility of a fire station on the site. He asked about solar panels and geothermal options. - John LaRosa (448 Mile Lane) asked about the proximity of the building to the railroad tracks, traffic (noting his mother was killed crossing Mile Lane), property maintenance (describing the current site as unkempt), and whether the property would be used for anything beyond a dispatch center. He also inquired about a fire station in the area. Discussion Items - Tecton Update (Matt Salad): Provided a project schedule: design drawings to be complete by September 4, 2026; bidding late September through early October; bid award before Thanksgiving; construction start in December 2026 or January 2027; 14-month construction, wrapping around Christmas 2027. The site plan focuses on the former barracks building, maintaining access from Mile Lane, preserving and enhancing the tree line, and adding a landscaped berm to screen nearby properties. Parking: 18 public spaces (used for training/service) and staff parking. A secure decorative aluminum fence will protect the facility. The building (6,800 sq ft) includes a 16-seat training room, dispatch floor with eight consoles (currently staffed by 4-5 dispatchers minimum), fitness room, break room, bunk rooms, and a mother's room. Exterior: red brick with brownstone accents. The existing city-owned radio tower will be used; no new tower is needed. The generator will be diesel with weekly tests. - Director Giuliano: Responded to public comments, stating shift staffing is 4-5 dispatchers per 8-hour shift, resulting in about 10 people on site at most. Traffic will be minimal. The property will be maintained by the communications department. The fire station on Newfield Street is a separate project not currently active. The building will be solar-ready. Generator testing will be scheduled (e.g., weekday afternoons). He noted the building is dedicated as the Chief George P. Dunn Communication Center. - Resident Q&A: - Lighting: The architect showed a photometric plan indicating dark-sky-compliant, shielded fixtures that will not spill onto neighboring properties. Residents expressed concerns about existing bright lights from the training facility; the architect said those are not part of the project but noted the new lights will be warm (2700K) and fully shielded. - Water drainage: Residents reported standing water and runoff from the hillside. The architect stated they are improving stormwater management with a swale and drainage basin to capture and infiltrate water on-site, aiming to reduce runoff onto neighboring properties. - Construction hours: Expected to follow zoning bylaws (typically 7 AM to 3 PM, weekdays). Potential Saturday work may occur late in the project. Dust control will be required. - Noise: Minimal noise from the building; generator tests will be short and scheduled at low-impact times. No outdoor PA system. - Snow removal: Public Works will coordinate with the dispatch schedule; shifts change at midnight, 8 AM, and 4 PM, so removal will align. - Councilman Genaro: Commented on noise from the firing range at the reservoir, noting studies show complaints do not match actual firing times. He suggested residents contact Public Works for water issues and noted the Planning & Zoning hearing on August 12, 2026. Key Outcomes - No formal votes were taken on the project; the meeting was informational. - The next public hearing will be before the Planning & Zoning Commission on August 12, 2026. - The committee designated Bobby Rower as the point of contact for residents during construction. - Concerns about water drainage and site maintenance will be referred to Public Works for review. - The meeting adjourned unanimously at 8:02 PM.

The Public Safety 911 Center Building Committee met on July 24, 2026 at 6:07 PM in the Middletown Police Department Community Room and via WebEx. The meeting was called to order and adjourned at 6:55 PM. Key updates included the project schedule, design development, budget, and approvals for payment and dispatch console procurement. Director's Report - Director Bobby reported sending letters to Mile Lane neighbors and nearby streets about project progress. A community meeting was scheduled after this meeting. - Met with purchasing department to prepare for bid release, targeting September. - The project is on the agenda for Planning and Zoning Commission on April 12, 2026 (noted as a future date from the meeting perspective). - A zoning text change may be needed for public safety facilities on the property; Land Use Department is handling it. - The address for the 911 center portion will be changed to 489 Mile Lane to avoid delivery issues. - Construction documents target completion by September 4, 2026. A special committee meeting will be needed to approve documents before going to bid. Discussion Items - Schedule and Bid Process: The committee discussed the timeline for finalizing bid documents. Tecton will deliver documents by September 4. The committee tentatively agreed to receive them on September 10 and vote on September 17 to authorize going out to bid, allowing two weeks for review. A special meeting will be scheduled. - Design Review: Tecton presented a 3D model tour of the interior design, including lobby, training room (seating 16), locker rooms, bunk rooms, fitness room, dispatch center with one-way glass for privacy, break room, mother’s room/decompression space, and offices. Changes included removing a redundant masonry sign in favor of landscaping, adding mailboxes, and reallocating a spare IT room for clean agent fire suppression tanks. - Budget Update: The estimated construction cost increased from $5.43 million (schematic design) to $7.7 million (design development). Total project cost (including soft costs) rose from $9.6 million to $9.99 million, still within the $10 million authorization. Soft costs were reduced by over $100,000 through refinements (e.g., removing energy modeling, reducing fitness equipment budget, obtaining better quotes for dispatch consoles). The committee discussed potential alternates for cost contingencies. - Energy Performance Discussion: Kat, representing the Clean Energy Task Force, requested historical energy data from the current building to benchmark the new facility. The director noted that current usage is bundled with the fire department and cannot be separated. Tecton explained that energy use intensity (EUI) metrics for dispatch centers are not well-established due to high data/IT load, but they can compare with similar facilities in other states. The committee agreed to gather available data. Key Outcomes - Approval of Payment to Tekton: Motion passed unanimously to pay $68,662.50 to Tekton for work through May 31, 2026. - Approval to Select Dispatch Consoles: Motion passed unanimously to select dispatch consoles via the HGAC cooperative purchase agreement, which offers a 50% discount. The purchase requires only mayoral signature per the city’s purchasing ordinance. - Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 6:55 PM.