[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6464587,"mediaKeyId","5783524-cf311d87fb5a879f047145bd88b8d2f6","parentId",5783524,"title","Police say education and selective enforcement guide city response to e-scooter safety","audioSeconds",103,"startMs",1012000,"endMs",1115000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5783524-cf311d87fb5a879f047145bd88b8d2f6&start=1012&end=1115","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5783524-cf311d87fb5a879f047145bd88b8d2f6/thumbnail_1012000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6464587/Middletown/Orange-County/New-York/Police-say-education-and-selective-enforcement-guide-city-response-to-e-scooter-safety","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6464587-4b0c167ecd27da87313f3781be38d7a8/orig.mp4?Expires=1775999762&Signature=MTE~pE1YnsnewnZlLFcnXN3T62J~6cAxnvb0jIxkIq0RSEDtckQc25bsc0MZVINJGznO5YKhlW3M2~wIN5qTQcTWMmyzRBLZb2YkKueRKYXaKacd4asX8A~n-vy-O5VnX66S4oPDXhvu5sgfHNX24ngimUJ1047iKcB7Ru5Ee0-Jefn1Dgn72BA5quwp~8fQZH6Dg5yEVtadgx~OooDIQ7dMw5Mmavl3vrLFzkgttwOl-7t8zEW1~PR1REfTmSxZvAdIpDwVDIsKFkrznVV~jm2YRfyjd1o4VkrB1Xn8N93jnLDxXzdBG5Ql9CMVqeL6GzbDQlIP8whM5oTY4MnNIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Middletown, NY","date","2025-09-17T23:01:10Z","article","The Middletown police chief told the council the city has focused on educating riders and downtown businesses about scooter safety while using selective enforcement where appropriate.

The chief said the department has developed a pamphlet for outreach and has prioritized education in the downtown business district, where officers and merchants have reported riders weaving in and out of foot traffic. The chief described different categories of electric vehicles that vary by weight, size and speed; some require registration and insurance depending on their classification.

Nut graf: The department said it uses education first but retains authority to issue summonses and, in certain circumstances, to remove a scooter. The council previously authorized tools that allow officers to issue summonses to people 16 and older for sidewalk riding.

Details from the meeting
The chief said enforcement varies by circumstance: officers may seize scooters when juveniles are operating them dangerously and may turn the device over to parents; adults acting inappropriately may also have devices taken depending on the scooter’s classification and the facts at the scene. The chief said the department has handled ongoing outreach and received inquiries from other jurisdictions seeking Middletown’s approach.

Ending: The police chief requested continued council support for technology and enforcement resources used to investigate serious incidents; the council acknowledged the issue and encouraged continued education and targeted enforcement in downtown areas.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","The September 16th 2025 Common Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Police described an education-first approach to scooter safety, distributed pamphlets and noted the city code allows issuance of summonses for riders 16 and older; confiscation is possible in specific circumstances.","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},6464591,"Resident criticizes boarded properties and homelessness; council and staff point to planned downtown projects",238,177000,415000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5783524-cf311d87fb5a879f047145bd88b8d2f6&start=177&end=415","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5783524-cf311d87fb5a879f047145bd88b8d2f6/thumbnail_177000.jpg","/articles/6464591/Middletown/Orange-County/New-York/Resident-criticizes-boarded-properties-and-homelessness-council-and-staff-point-to-planned-downtown-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6464591-f4d6dfc2289d97a3ff46306e0ce30ea3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775999762&Signature=mn1QSVeS6OhhgStc3KhCLxC54eIoy6Uz2KeuM~IS3-3ZegfEs7vpkkrfnOJnh27pFJtn~QqV~gxtI3ou0bKmYRztQDmkCZ-9STlc4b6BRppDmqT9R3KDVW2qcJi24oIa0CXiWmgdEld7kbGAPGQit9NfBdJUhhsMjVpb97Z5hh-gq7usK4UkBcd8ejT6OZ-AE-8NEXFpIZ66SFy7NWvlaGAEMIx6gPUNttbzGA2c8GLWr4wrT22ety8eWBhKgotklvrVacnBER8sY1kQRij8giHmEXxLrJkCf1bM1u1M~83NQGwe6gfRNLQ6EFctSzcLj~QCFqGFN9i36VyH23TIYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During public comment, Ronald Thomas, identifying himself as a longtime Middletown resident, urged the council to address boarded and abandoned buildings and growing homelessness, saying he has seen “abandoned” properties and that tax dollars are not producing visible improvements.

Thomas told the council he had lived in and around New York City and contrasted Middletown’s current condition with other neighborhoods, saying boarded houses and vacant storefronts were “shameful” and asking why the city could not convert large vacant buildings to apartments.

Nut graf: Thomas’s remarks prompted staff responses from economic development and code-enforcement staff who noted that several properties he referenced are in active planning or redevelopment tracks, including a Fulton Street project before the planning board for 95 apartments.

City response and context
Maria, the city’s economic development director, told the council that the Fulton Street building Thomas referenced is before the planning board as a mixed-use housing development proposing 95 apartments. She also described the downtown marketing campaign “Discover Downtown” and said the city received a $10,000 grant to support a barbecue and community-resource fair this weekend.

A DPW/code-enforcement representative said several large buildings have been before the planning board for years and noted active projects including a Fort Knox building conversion and a proposed Hilton boutique hotel; staff said some vacant properties are in probate or involve owners who have died and that enforcement and title research take time.

Ending: Council members and staff acknowledged the speaker’s concerns and pointed to ongoing planning-board reviews and redevelopment grants as the current mechanisms through which many boarded properties are being addressed. No new enforcement action was announced on the floor during this meeting.","A resident urged action on abandoned, boarded properties and homelessness. City economic-development staff and the DPW said major redevelopment projects and planning-board reviews are underway for some properties cited by the speaker.",{"_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},6464595,"Middletown council approves multiple resolutions on licenses, vehicles, donations and city services",397,1845000,2242000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5783524-cf311d87fb5a879f047145bd88b8d2f6&start=1845&end=2242","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5783524-cf311d87fb5a879f047145bd88b8d2f6/thumbnail_1845000.jpg","/articles/6464595/Middletown/Orange-County/New-York/Middletown-council-approves-multiple-resolutions-on-licenses-vehicles-donations-and-city-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6464595-ba8eedaf7243b1dd707a228e7733ddd8/orig.mp4?Expires=1775999762&Signature=F3qAx-L~4LKoyIdGIYHpA7qOUVJJEjZvQJ57H5tgspeDOT0pkofe0Mwd4~z5hVB2YQpfu6H~1UqHp-YGf-nodTfxdhpomxmfAUFa8Nn91ev5GZF2DQYS8KQqIpSmN-nj~DggnIk98adMV1pFYUldK-EfXcpqsLCOJaHAw7wWFGfUBjHQfhAXY5UUxKqMUB0O5K5jmfK-dBikkQs6LPsArD9PUExtX2LZI7wp8cInz7DEfHJMCxDNl5Ek77wyW94MrmwDobO9J7ofZe1je0NPmRX2~9md-jvNJ6ReeoCtA5911T3QzLo1vNpTh-ZF6BRJ9IzbyaTrhFo5lPiB~yoyIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its meeting the Middletown Common Council passed multiple resolutions by unanimous roll call that covered liquor-license notice waivers, police vehicle replacement funding, capital-line creation for a fitness campaign, equipment donations, and several administrative items.

Key votes at a glance
- Waiver of 30-day notification for a full liquor-license application for Bridal Holdings LLC, 23 West Main Street (sponsored by Alderman Tobin). Passed unanimously.
- Waiver of 30-day notification for Fable Restaurant Group LLC (Oak and Reed). Passed unanimously.
- Waiver of 30-day notification for Piccolo Cucina Ivino, 17 North Street (sponsored by Alderman John Francois). Passed unanimously.
- Use of insurance proceeds and transfer of funds for police vehicle replacement (sponsored by Alderman Ray). Passed unanimously.
- Creation of a capital line for temporary borrowing from the general fund for the National Fitness Campaign (sponsored by Alderman Kleiner). Passed unanimously.
- Acceptance of a donation of lacrosse equipment from the Apt family (sponsored by Alderman Witt). Passed unanimously.
- Resolution authorizing permanent funding for the city’s portion of the South Street parking garage. Passed unanimously (see also downtown-redevelopment article for related actions).
- Approval to accept the external-audit report for fiscal year 2024; auditors issued a clean opinion with no findings. Passed unanimously.
- Confirmation of the mayor’s appointment of Juan Pablo to the Recreation Commission (sponsored by Alderman Witt). Passed unanimously.
- Authorization for full 2025 citywide leaf pickup, scheduled to run from November 3 through December 5. Passed unanimously.

Nut graf: These resolutions were routine in form but cumulatively affect city operations — licensing timelines, equipment and vehicle funding, capital-line borrowing and scheduled public services. Sponsors said the votes enable ongoing operations and allow staff to move forward on procurement and service delivery.

Vote details and sponsors
Roll-call records attached to each resolution show the following regular voting members: Aldermen Tobin, Jean Francois, Johnson, Ray, Kleiner, Green, Witt and President Rodriguez. Each recorded measure passed on unanimous vote of those present.

Ending: The council said staff will follow up on procedural steps — filing grant paperwork where relevant, initiating procurement for vehicles and finalizing logistics for the leaf pickup program.","The council unanimously passed a slate of routine and programmatic resolutions including waivers for liquor-license notices, police-vehicle funding, donations, and the 2025 citywide leaf pickup schedule.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6464600,"Middletown council approves funding, grants and bonds for O&W redevelopment and downtown parking",181,1974000,2155000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5783524-cf311d87fb5a879f047145bd88b8d2f6&start=1974&end=2155","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5783524-cf311d87fb5a879f047145bd88b8d2f6/thumbnail_1974000.jpg","/articles/6464600/Middletown/Orange-County/New-York/Middletown-council-approves-funding-grants-and-bonds-for-OW-redevelopment-and-downtown-parking","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6464600-312ca4ff41fe2a1da432fbc83bf893f7/orig.mp4?Expires=1775999762&Signature=fqi3yQ2N2GvTUIvnvB7g8Z8airiRPlAVi42zVHsiEAm4JdqkSdsjiFKZB5izt9F30eg4lG2iKo5svJQF~z9pQlT8IkMaazzGmX4CR0PmliTVv7LZSm9LkAWYIv8L46XXht9r8HLTLoIPMfCeFyABdtS905PC5IAboUMnd9cHLVzqRUSeCVKYuQgPBoh3-jIGJ5-g7fcW7ANz5wGkboORG98M80MS-NoBRnS32WXKGjhYY7i1-awg6WHOplHct3qazJ7jFzsUjogPaHWHe2XgHMcsTH1tAu2As0BCelc~O6HklB6HTHcwSTdzf~KlykbyqzQ15AzzL6VPgABFoGzNXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Middletown Common Council voted unanimously to approve a package of funding measures aimed at downtown redevelopment, including a transfer for the O & W project, acceptance of state grants and the issuance of bonds to finance railroad-station rehabilitation.

The council approved a $2,660,000 transfer from city funds for the city’s portion of the O & W project; accepted Restore New York/Empire State Development grant funding for the O & W redevelopment; and authorized the issuance of an additional $3,900,000 in bonds to pay costs tied to the O & W Railroad Station Rehabilitation. The measures passed on roll calls with all members voting “Aye.”

Nut graf: The O & W project was discussed as a large downtown redevelopment effort with grant, bond and local-match components. Council members and sponsors framed the measures as steps to secure state funding and to make permanent the city’s share of financing for parking and station improvements.

Council discussion and votes
Alderman Green sponsored the transfer and grant-acceptance resolutions for the O & W project; Alderman John Francois and Alderman Johnson were among council members who spoke during roll calls. The council voted unanimously on the transfer, the Restore New York/Empire State Development grant acceptance and the bond-issuance resolution. The resolution texts and roll-call records list Aldermen Tobin, Jean Francois, Johnson, Ray, Kleiner, Green, Witt and President Rodriguez as voting “Aye.”

The council also approved a resolution authorizing permanent funding for the city’s portion of the South Street parking garage. A separate resolution authorized settlement terms and a city purchase of an off-street lot for downtown parking at $97,500; that resolution also passed unanimously.

Council members described the O & W work as part of the downtown gateway and flagged the project’s roughly $40,000,000 total scope, as discussed during the meeting. The recorded statements in the meeting noted the O & W project and related redevelopment as a major initiative for the downtown but did not specify a final construction schedule.

Ending: The measures carry the city through immediate match and capital needs so state grants can be accepted and local borrowing secured. Council sponsors said additional steps and project phases will follow in later meetings as contracts and detailed budgets are finalized.","The council approved transfers, grant acceptances and a bond issue tied to the O & W redevelopment and downtown parking projects, actions sponsors said will help revitalize the city’s downtown gateway.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Police say education and selective enforcement guide city response to e-scooter safety

Resident criticizes boarded properties and homelessness; council and staff point to planned downtown projects

Middletown council approves multiple resolutions on licenses, vehicles, donations and city services

Middletown council approves funding, grants and bonds for O&W redevelopment and downtown parking