The Town Council approved a facility-use permit for a mobile sauna operator to occupy one parking space at Surfer’s End on weekend days during the off season, subject to insurance and safety conditions.

What the council approved
The applicant proposed a wood-fired, mobile sauna platform that would occupy a single parking space and operate on weekends in the off season with sessions sold by reservation. The council approved a permit for weekends through April 20, contingent on the applicant providing a certificate of insurance naming the Town of Middletown as certificate holder and documentation of CPR or equivalent life-safety certification. The council also asked the operator to work with town staff on appropriate indemnification and to confirm lifeguard or water-safety rules if participants enter the ocean.

Why it matters
The council balanced supporting small, novel local businesses while protecting public safety and maintaining public beach access. Councilors asked staff to confirm standard insurance minimums and to work with the applicant on rules for ocean entry and lifeguard requirements if swimming would be encouraged.

Speakers (from transcript)
Ellery Sparkman — applicant, mobile sauna operator (presented plan).Finance/operations staff and council members contributed to a conditional approval and directed the applicant to secure insurance and appropriate safety personnel.

Clarifying detail: the council required the applicant to provide a certificate of insurance naming the Town of Middletown as certificate holder and to show evidence of CPR/lifesaving training; the permit period runs through April 20 to allow an off‑season trial and town staff said they would revise terms if needed for future seasons.