[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6456194,"mediaKeyId","5692726-575c06994f5cff476bed375a1d538f80","parentId",5692726,"title","Mayor, organizers tout downtown revitalization as grants, events fund sidewalks, lighting and park projects","audioSeconds",356,"startMs",392000,"endMs",748000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5692726-575c06994f5cff476bed375a1d538f80&start=392&end=748","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5692726-575c06994f5cff476bed375a1d538f80/thumbnail_392000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6456194/Middletown/Orange-County/New-York/Mayor-organizers-tout-downtown-revitalization-as-grants-events-fund-sidewalks-lighting-and-park-projects","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6456194-3c34923cb22464710ecb92a46f1326e5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189130&Signature=jAtWlvFeA98eqegqKTXvAVxm3UWS0ZMyVzp95KhcGm0E-ZAaIfb2iuXZFQWJ3dLGQXKryDAQKLXjn4AxDYYrc87QwRjhTWCdmlOc0eCjqcH6JjyZ4JLc9QwPL21vOhScfEyyrcAfbjEVe3xeVOTdRNxl1d5PkwdeuM2Md4i4Fmk1lgBBw-uBVH5S6L9zHEaAg21bGhoS1rAJW2kwFWlk5mYLRXKMhrT4SeOy2bhH42KEMD3relwK9kKB8ul1NNsDeJXL7hRqLd9j4Hi92HCv41LYkkxUCyQ0o3eu7Kxi0Z-XVX3KoHDxS73XsOIvrg26X5dZQPr8h9L0iHKmxs6RhQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Middletown, NY","date","2025-08-27T18:11:06Z","article","Mayor DeStefano used the meeting to highlight recent downtown investment and to thank organizers and volunteers for events that have helped the city raise funds for improvements.

The mayor said the city received $10,000,000 through the state's Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) and that those funds have leveraged additional public and private investment. He told the council the city has completed or is maintaining multiple downtown projects—streetscape work, trees and landscaping, sidewalks and parking-lot improvements—and said the investments are drawing new businesses downtown.

DeStefano said the city has applied for a $20,000,000 grant to fund new sidewalks that would extend beyond the downtown core and that total infrastructure spending tied to downtown efforts reached \"just the 1 program was $31,000,000, most of it grant funded.\" He credited past and present state officials for support and urged continued partnership.

Run for Downtown director Dave Madden reported record participation in this year's event, saying the weekend drew an estimated 3,500 people downtown and that race proceeds will fund projects including uplighting statues at Wickham and Grove, an additional sidewalk, and electric service for lighting. \"We had record numbers of participants...we had record numbers of people downtown for the post race party,\" Madden said.

Economic development staff reported receiving two County of Orange grants of $4,999 each—one from county tourism to support the race's promotions and mailings and a municipal grant to purchase decorative benches and a litter can for Thrall Park—and a $10,000 legislative grant from State Senator James Skoufis for the Middletown Barbecue and Resource Fair on Sept. 20.

Recreation and parks staff and community partners were recognized for collaborative programs. Recreation Superintendent Raelynn Berthof and departmental staff were thanked for partnering with local business owner Netta Macri (Strawberry Fields) to provide pop-up story times, ice cream donations, and a bathing-suit drive that offered free pool admission to donors—programming the mayor and council described as strengthening community ties.

Why this matters: the combination of state DRI funds, county and legislative grants, and volunteer-driven fundraising is financing visible downtown upgrades and smaller park and event programs. Council members said these investments support economic activity and encourage residents and former residents to return to downtown Middletown.

Ending: City leaders said they will continue to pursue grants and maintain downtown projects, and they encouraged small-business participation in community programming.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","The August 19th 2025 Common Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Mayor DeStefano told the council that state DRI funds, local fundraising and recent county and legislative grants are supporting downtown revitalization projects, sidewalks and Thrall Park upgrades.","taxTitle","Middletown, Orange County, New York","taxId",54257,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6456199,"Middletown council approves slate of appointments, grants and budget transfers; all resolutions pass",514,3256000,3770000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5692726-575c06994f5cff476bed375a1d538f80&start=3256&end=3770","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5692726-575c06994f5cff476bed375a1d538f80/thumbnail_3256000.jpg","/articles/6456199/Middletown/Orange-County/New-York/Middletown-council-approves-slate-of-appointments-grants-and-budget-transfers-all-resolutions-pass","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6456199-f8935e261387b2d3948f6bd3afdf6ab6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189130&Signature=VIwsfVWu1th~jAggRxMRTPwnIAfyA~VXnWdY6Qsh6FkjA46rEgElGI~2nttY7ltVbAWBTn6198TeJWpSb3WpKf0S7J0s2wWrp3Bn7qUd3f0Q7ZmEJ~ucFRe25bVnw5HqdtYJ4w70KJyWT6fCbNy8m6iHBaYreFbyzlhjkG17rLzvowBZ7XzsGRlhffdUtTqrFUT-Zr~d2mbdu-djRZj1kcgjnVR1MTw9vkF9ber1w2M7JFjzf08OGo1cJP9FIbmCanOTrpwEVqtGMD52ejBrnWFOzXW1f7bNfYqlPLbYUq8kK3ptyQCQNeE~uOQ62suWC4GIr4cS6C4eBut8zIwLKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Middletown Common Council on Monday unanimously approved a broad slate of resolutions covering personnel appointments, grant acceptances, donations, capital and departmental budget transfers, contract awards and other routine city business.

Why this matters: the approved measures move several small capital and operational items forward (roof replacements, water-department and DPW transfers), accept grant funding for community events and park improvements, recognize donations to the reservoir trails, and add volunteer firefighting personnel. Many items were described as routine and passed without debate.

Key outcomes (all measures carried by roll call; all recorded votes were 'Aye'):

- Accepted the resignation of Thomas Murtaugh as chairman of the Board of Electrical and Electrical Engineer Examiners (sponsored by Alderman Massey).

- Confirmed the mayor's appointment of Sixto Martinez to the electrical licensing board (sponsored by Alderman Witt).

- Authorized cooperation between the City of Middletown and the Orange-Ulster BOCES for a literacy class (sponsored by Alderman Green).

- Accepted two handcrafted bike stands donated for reservoir-trail parking lots (sponsored by Alderman Witt).

- Authorized the naming of a new Middletown Reservoir mountain-bike trail (sponsored by Alderman Witt).

- Declared surplus equipment and authorized transfers or sales for multiple departments (sponsored by Alderman Massey; Alderman John Francois sponsored a separate surplus-auction authorization).

- Approved multiple small budget transfers, including an $800 transfer within the 2025 civil service budget (sponsored by Alderman Johnson), a $12,200 transfer within the Department of Public Works (sponsored by Alderman Johnson), and other intra-departmental adjustments to close capital projects (sponsored by Alderman Massey).

- Authorized a wholesale waiver agreement with the New York State Workers' Compensation program (sponsored by Alderman Ray).

- Authorized a contract with Stratagem Security for panic-button alarm monitoring services (sponsored by Alderman Tobin).

- Authorized a budget transfer for camp scholarships (sponsored by Alderman Witt).

- Authorized a budget transfer within the water department and a transfer of funds for a water-supply safety-yield study and engineering services (sponsored by Alderman Massey and Alderman Kleiner, respectively).

- Authorized reimbursement to the Business Improvement District for maintenance and beautification (sponsored by Alderman Kleiner).

- Accepted county tourism and municipal grants (two grants, each $4,999, referenced by the department of economic development) and accepted a $10,000 grant award from State Senator James Skoufis for a community barbecue and resource fair (sponsored by Alderman Massey and Alderman Green respectively; these items appeared on the agenda and were approved by roll call).

- Awarded contracts for roof replacements at the water building and street building (sponsored by Alderman John Francois) and other vendor authorizations noted on the agenda.

- Appointed 14 volunteer firefighters (sponsored by Alderman Tobin); the council named the volunteers during the meeting and approved the appointments by roll call.

Votes and procedure: Most resolutions were moved and seconded by named aldermen as recorded on the agenda. Each roll call recorded members answering \"Aye,\" and the president recorded the measures as carried. No recorded dissenting votes, abstentions, or tabling were recorded in the public proceedings.

Ending: Council members and the mayor used the approvals to clear routine business from the agenda and to authorize small capital and program expenditures that city departments will implement in coming weeks and months. Several council members later thanked volunteers and sponsors associated with community events that were supported by the approved grants.","The Middletown Common Council unanimously approved a series of routine and programmatic resolutions including appointments, acceptance of grants, donation acknowledgments, multiple budget transfers, contract awards and the appointment of 14 volunteer firefighters.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6456204,"Mayor: Quinn's Pins liquor sales suspended after illegal liquor-license sublease, blocked exit found",584,965000,1549000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5692726-575c06994f5cff476bed375a1d538f80&start=965&end=1549","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5692726-575c06994f5cff476bed375a1d538f80/thumbnail_965000.jpg","/articles/6456204/Middletown/Orange-County/New-York/Mayor-Quinns-Pins-liquor-sales-suspended-after-illegal-liquor-license-sublease-blocked-exit-found","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6456204-63a059a403371ad78676be94205aa6a9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189130&Signature=o4R5lB1TXRtihVXbqRsEskmEmSkJiizu1Nskb7kJTlMWLgoRBtlAX8jh5umffl9SFBD2St5cAOOnmc1LUpOXU6J29tUt9Iglmj3ak9K~7GfhVpkua5piy8blLMh1MGokBfbW2Cjd-hJpx5PaHSsmNxcSbObfOKC63t2Rgug7ayoYESMFfalZW2r4S4v8wlkED5AoCnOsCnm4-PQrluhBmW0FWTHNXibduw7H5V~KtW6OAur8~jiVEvxJ2QPXJch0w0BRzVvdedB9Wr6U7-bHufL8Nd3nKtReck9ISlXtRoo~4mC9U-jZbdO-Oe06YdU22iknc2Nh-KiGCk9xx7Iqog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor DeStefano told the Middletown Common Council Monday that liquor sales at Quinn's Pins bowling alley remain suspended while the city and the New York State Liquor Authority review documents and body-camera evidence related to a large fight and apparent license irregularities.

The mayor said the police response and body-camera footage corroborate the incident report and that lease documents provided to the city show Quinn's Pins had sublet its liquor license to operators identified by the mayor as \"the district.\" DeStefano said that practice is unlawful under state liquor law and that the New York State Liquor Authority (SLA) will determine penalties or revocation.

Why this matters: the city's review identified an immediate public-safety hazard. Fire inspectors found the second required means of egress from the bar area barricaded, which the mayor said reduced the legal capacity for the bar area to 49 persons while an estimated 150 people were present the night of the incident.

DeStefano described steps the city expects Quinn's Pins to take before its local business permit will be reconsidered: cancel the unlawful lease, provide proof of cancellation to the city attorney, and otherwise demonstrate compliance with state law. He said the decision to revoke or otherwise sanction the liquor license lies with the SLA.

\"It is absolutely illegal to sublet or to lease your liquor license,\" DeStefano said. He added that the city forwarded body-camera footage and lease documents to the New York State Liquor Authority for its review.

DeStefano said the police did not go to the bowling alley looking for licensing violations; officers responded to a large fight and discovered other problems during that response. He described the blocked exit as a serious fire-safety breach that could have created an overcrowding and evacuation hazard.

The mayor also said the city has placed the business permit on hold while the operator demonstrates who is legally responsible for the establishment and its compliance with zoning and permitting requirements. \"The local issues can be rectified ... by voiding of this illegal lease, by having a clear ownership person who can be held accountable and responsible,\" he said.

DeStefano praised the city police and fire departments for their response. He said the next steps are procedural: the operator must show the unlawful lease has been canceled and demonstrate compliance; the SLA will determine any licensing penalties; and the city will reconsider the business permit once local issues are resolved.

The mayor did not announce any formal city enforcement action or a council vote at the meeting. The Police Chief and the Fire Chief were present earlier in the agenda with related public-safety updates but did not announce additional formal actions on the liquor-license matter at the meeting.

Ending: The mayor said he supports Quinn's Pins reopening at full capacity if the operator corrects the legal and safety problems. The SLA will make any licensing determination; the city said it will require proof of corrected compliance before issuing a local business permit.","Mayor DeStefano told the Middletown Common Council that liquor sales at Quinn's Pins are suspended while the city and the New York State Liquor Authority review an alleged unlawful sublease of the liquor license and fire-safety violations, including a barricaded second means of egress.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Mayor, organizers tout downtown revitalization as grants, events fund sidewalks, lighting and park projects

Middletown council approves slate of appointments, grants and budget transfers; all resolutions pass

Mayor: Quinn's Pins liquor sales suspended after illegal liquor-license sublease, blocked exit found