Middletown Council approves $115K for library staffing and civic appropriations

The Middletown Town Council held its second public hearing on the budget for the upcoming fiscal year on May 29, 2025. The meeting focused on several key agenda items, including library funding, civic appropriations, and adjustments to the school department's budget.

The first significant discussion centered on the library's staffing needs. Councilors Logan and Connerton highlighted the importance of addressing the library's current and future requirements. A proposal was presented to hire one full-time librarian and two part-time circulation assistants, resulting in a net cost of $115,610. This expense will be covered by reallocating funds from a contingency line in the budget. The council expressed enthusiasm for the library's upcoming move to a new building, which is expected to occur within the next year.

Next, the council addressed civic appropriations. A motion was made to fully fund civic programs, which had been budgeted at a lower amount than recommended by the committee. The outreach committee, led by Laurie Turner, conducted a thorough review of applications, ensuring that funds are allocated to programs that meet community needs and align with the council's priorities. The total additional funding requested was $9,377, with $5,105 coming from the general fund and $4,272 from the parks and recreation fund.

The final major topic discussed was the school department's budget adjustments. The department faced an unexpected increase in transportation costs, amounting to $300,000 more than budgeted. To address this, the council proposed a total budget increase of $700,000 for the school department, which includes $100,000 from the capital improvement plan and $500,000 from the fund balance. The council emphasized the need for the school department to manage high-cost special education placements effectively.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, Steve Johnson, chair of the Aquidneck Island Planning Commission, addressed the council regarding civic appropriations. He advocated for restoring funding for his organization, emphasizing its active role in community projects and its commitment to providing value to the town.

Overall, the meeting underscored the council's commitment to addressing community needs through thoughtful budget allocations while preparing for future developments, particularly in library services and education. The council plans to continue discussions and finalize the budget in the coming weeks.