[{"_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",6478073,"mediaKeyId","5710810-6fa3a14ba0a6ea3953c8d67fe7aa349f","parentId",5710810,"title","Votes at a glance: Middletown council approves transfers, grants, equipment purchases and street closures","audioSeconds",363,"startMs",2217000,"endMs",2580000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5710810-6fa3a14ba0a6ea3953c8d67fe7aa349f&start=2217&end=2580","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5710810-6fa3a14ba0a6ea3953c8d67fe7aa349f/thumbnail_2217000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6478073/Middletown/Orange-County/New-York/Votes-at-a-glance-Middletown-council-approves-transfers-grants-equipment-purchases-and-street-closures","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478073-09d3aed2c7c4c400932a5c6741b70477/orig.mp4?Expires=1773689982&Signature=hJpRTGamEPw5cLxg-ks81C5D-fDWTxGTnLBsWUDMNx18nQbotDtNiIWUON9mHk46Aw6osAwFWwa2PFtWUUfWknbYBY1k2AOJALTwbykyPVtS2oIjUhJ36U6qE286gFrFv2fizXGtDniuNPPqs-sc75QyFxOxhRV2Yp1916Cl02aTldQ0z8Zb32x-ggiSuVqYVwgC-ulbG27ApTuxfkaKuPmRvSTcVHPAhZuyjPypDa7yi58fw-CipyuIhn6Hubh3Z8VIk8b1J6MHy6MUs4-cHnGxpDCRkuhxvOJ1f2oc9EduSLzYd5Ul9Gv4EdEIgaZ46jeTXko1a7JMzsp2JLV08w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Middletown, NY","date","2025-09-03T23:41:38Z","article","The Middletown City Council recorded unanimous or majority aye votes on a series of resolutions ranging from accepting grants to authorizing budget transfers and street closures. Below are the items approved by the council during the meeting.

• Acceptance of additional DWI high‑visibility enforcement funding for 2025 (sponsored by Alderman Tobin). Motion passed on roll call; recorded ayes and carries.

• Transfer within the Police Department 2025 budget (sponsored by Alderman Massey). Motion passed on roll call; recorded ayes and carries.

• Transfer within the 2025 waterfront budget (sponsored by Alderman Jean Francois). Motion passed on roll call; recorded ayes and carries.

• Authorization to return federal emergency management funds (sponsored by Alderman Johnson). Motion passed on roll call; recorded ayes and carries.

• Transfer within the Senior Center budget lines (sponsored by Alderman Witt). Motion passed on roll call; recorded ayes and carries.

• Revised agreement with Fusco Engineering for O & W design and construction management (sponsored by Alderman Green, seconded by Alderman Ray). Motion passed on roll call; recorded ayes and carries.

• Transfer within Public Works for a paint‑striping machine (sponsored by Alderman Ray). Motion passed on roll call; recorded ayes and carries.

• Transfer within Public Works for additional signage and painting (sponsored by Alderman Kleiner). Motion passed on roll call; recorded ayes and carries; Alderman Kleiner noted tariff‑driven aluminum price increases from vendor communications as the cause.

• Acceptance of a National Fitness Campaign grant (sponsored by Alderman Witt). Motion passed on roll call; recorded ayes and carries.

• Partial street closure of Union Street for the Center of Schoofers’ annual community resource fair and barbecue (sponsored by Alderman Tobin). Motion passed on roll call; recorded ayes and carries.

• Street closures at the community campus for the 2025 Arts and Cultural Festival (sponsored by Alderman Johnson). Motion passed on roll call; recorded ayes and carries.

• Waiver of the 30‑day notification requirement for a full liquor license application for the Taco Factory (sponsored by Alderman Green, seconded by Alderman Kleiner). Motion passed on roll call; recorded ayes and carries.

• Audit motion ordering accounts, adjusting claims and authorizing the city treasurer to issue warrants (sponsored by Alderman Massey). Motion passed on roll call; recorded ayes and carries.

All listed resolutions were carried by roll call as recorded in the meeting minutes; none of the recorded motions were tabled or failed during this session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","The September 2nd 2025 Common Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","At its meeting the council approved a slate of resolutions including budget transfers, grant acceptances, equipment purchases and multiple street‑closure permits. All recorded resolutions carried on roll call votes.","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},6478078,"Middletown updates: parking garage progress, court relocation, water projects and O&W engineering contract modification",1970,375000,2345000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5710810-6fa3a14ba0a6ea3953c8d67fe7aa349f&start=375&end=2345","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5710810-6fa3a14ba0a6ea3953c8d67fe7aa349f/thumbnail_375000.jpg","/articles/6478078/Middletown/Orange-County/New-York/Middletown-updates-parking-garage-progress-court-relocation-water-projects-and-OW-engineering-contract-modification","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478078-0578751c583cc57d8f3a8e2cf6e0b5cd/orig.mp4?Expires=1773689982&Signature=HLc87XJ3-lY9yIXM~4BNBCiWjpOAhctmaid5-KgO35dZsRhCQDUYkn5~W2xyeOA7f-i-~dQsQHijYHM0UWeToV3prxIpMDcUE3YsxkZbmSaAQHbdSt11tML7ZlhVndY8c4uz5RRTpiuQKTp~gllFj8qLazwLFQYRQmCAzRyXUqXhn34dz-czbNE2vST4CIjniZ9~SRIloTpNTyjKBJrtIU1Jdbub~aDhFEFAAwTS7cf3ujx094pKJRMT28N~fV2XCXp4pnmBgfJI0uNcCGy5UHmsjSKZejA~xaHwfkAeT0y1A~4joi43bw7tOLRzYUklz7IinMCeOZ3DFAE-CkmOUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City officials reported progress on multiple infrastructure and capital projects and the City Council approved a revised contract for engineering on the O & W project.

President Rodriguez updated the council on the downtown parking garage phase 1, saying work near Washington Street is visible and the project should add about 80 parking spaces when complete. He said some parking rows were temporarily lost during construction and advised motorists to note new layouts.

Rodriguez said the city court expansion is on schedule for completion in December. He said the project is funded in part through a prior acquisition grant and noted Senator Scoofus secured $3,000,000 toward the roughly $6,000,000 construction cost; both city courts will move from the police station basement to space on the first floor once the work is complete.

Leonora (DPW/finance staff) and the DPW commissioner reported work on water infrastructure: the city submitted an application for approximately $8.5 million in funding from the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) for raw water-line phase 1, with an estimated $4.5 million in grant funding, roughly $3 million in revolving‑fund financing the city must pay back, and about $1 million in funding from Congressman Pat Ryan via EPA sources. Design work has begun but was described as slowed pending finalization of grant awards.

Officials also reported design progress on a 24‑inch low‑pressure water line replacement, with approximately $3.5 million available for that work through congressional assistance.

Separately, the council approved a resolution authorizing a revised agreement with Fusco Engineering for design, construction management and incidental services for the O & W project. Alderman Green sponsored that resolution and Alderman Ray seconded; roll call recorded unanimous ayes and the measure carried.

Council members also approved transfers within the Department of Public Works budget for a paint‑striping machine and for additional signage and painting, both explained by Alderman Kleiner as necessary due to tariff-driven aluminum price increases reported by a vendor.

The council accepted a National Fitness Campaign grant to install fitness equipment in Maple Hill Park, an award described by Rodriguez and staff as aided by a $250,000 contribution from Senator Scoofus and a $40,000 grant from MVP (an insurance company partner). The fitness equipment grant resolution was approved unanimously.

Council approvals were recorded by roll call on each resolution; no agenda item related to these projects was tabled or failed during the meeting.

Next steps: staff said they will continue design work as grants are finalized and will coordinate utility work with Orange and Rockland to allow the parking garage contractor to proceed.","City officials reported progress on several capital projects including phase 1 of the downtown parking garage, a December completion date for the city court expansion, and grant-funded water-line projects. The council approved a revised agreement with Fusco Engineering for the O & W project and several budget transfers for public works equipment.",{"_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},6478083,"Middletown council waives 30-day notice for Taco Factory liquor application after mayor outlines consent criteria",2491,66000,2557000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5710810-6fa3a14ba0a6ea3953c8d67fe7aa349f&start=66&end=2557","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5710810-6fa3a14ba0a6ea3953c8d67fe7aa349f/thumbnail_66000.jpg","/articles/6478083/Middletown/Orange-County/New-York/Middletown-council-waives-30-day-notice-for-Taco-Factory-liquor-application-after-mayor-outlines-consent-criteria","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478083-b786d2bdef1a6c596e56282f333e5393/orig.mp4?Expires=1773689982&Signature=CyJ~BWhHyrik7rCLqfjAZRmxFx3umOpzZzcUojZbxOnLcahVNLkWwTGBpuFwSWI3nayGoBBoiJpz8xzOZ1V9f7ki4G9PX1famWWU0BMpP1mD0B8L1no96XtKZecwkVyh8sAhhtcXbFGWDHmkQKxeWuIvC0ShVuNoWHAoOtk06bC3pOItTV7YCqB12u35SKbGIy66IYYH-~LILCj9oBXDVdTz2Er4ZfUTegpYAuHtNm3RQ33WZza3ubfLHSt-lrjXUbHmuoZY6fafqT4DdYnDq0G1XJFOpm3ZxZgGy45KpUtFguW4HZEqmY2D8c1YycJkWsJ3nWmiJTCi3iGGysy4OQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Middletown City Council voted to waive the 30-day notification requirement for a full liquor-license application for the Taco Factory, approving the waiver by roll call vote.

Mayor (President) Rodriguez told the council the waiver option arose after state changes allowing municipalities to petition on behalf of longtime downtown businesses when impacted churches or schools agree in writing. He said the state path is special legislation that must pass the Assembly and Senate and be signed by the governor, not the regular New York State Liquor Authority application process.

Rodriguez said city staff developed a set of criteria to guide municipal requests and anticipated sharing the criteria with the council for consideration as a formal policy. He said the draft criteria include that applicants be longstanding businesses (the mayor referenced about a five‑year track record), that 80 percent of sales be food rather than alcohol and that operating hours and other limits be part of the evaluation. He emphasized that the churches directly affected must submit written consent for the city to proceed with a request on an individual business’s behalf.

Alderman Green sponsored the resolution to waive the 30‑day notification requirement for the Taco Factory; Alderman Kleiner seconded. The roll call recorded votes of aye from Aldermen Tobin, Jean Francois, Johnson, Ray, Kleiner, Green, Witt, Massey and President Rodriguez; the measure carried.

Rodriguez identified three downtown businesses that could benefit from the state option—Piccolo’s, Taco Factory and Hook and Read—and thanked state lawmakers who assisted, naming Senator Scoofus, Assemblywoman Kaye and Governor Hochul. He said the special‑legislation route is brought by a state legislator on behalf of the individual business owner and that the city’s written contact and the churches’ written consent are required parts of that process.

The council action on Wednesday was limited to waiving the local 30‑day notice; the council did not adopt a formal municipal policy during the meeting. The mayor indicated staff would circulate the proposed criteria and recommended the council consider adopting them going forward.

If the city files a request under the special legislation route, the mayor said the state legislator “carries the bill” and the matter moves through Albany rather than through a standard New York State Liquor Authority application.

Votes and next steps: the waiver passed on a unanimous roll call. The mayor and staff said they will finalize and distribute the draft municipal criteria to the council; no specific council vote to adopt those criteria was taken at the meeting.","The City Council voted to waive the 30-day municipal-notice requirement for a full liquor-license application for the Taco Factory. Mayor and staff described criteria for such municipal requests, including written consent from affected churches and guidelines on food-to-alcohol sales, but formal policy adoption by the council was not completed.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Middletown council approves transfers, grants, equipment purchases and street closures

Middletown updates: parking garage progress, court relocation, water projects and O&W engineering contract modification

Middletown council waives 30-day notice for Taco Factory liquor application after mayor outlines consent criteria