Council approves one-twelfth appropriation to keep Middletown Prevention Coalition operating while grant decision is pending

The Town Council authorized an additional appropriation equal to one-twelfth of the town-funded portion of the Middletown Prevention Coalition budget so the coalition can operate through October while the town awaits a decision on a pending federal grant application.

Town staff said the request was prompted by uncertainty about a potential SAMHSA (federal) grant; the administration recommended using opioid-settlement dollars to fund the one-month extension. Finance Director Mark told the council the nine-month cost to fund the program through the remainder of the fiscal year would be $108,712; the motion asked for one-twelfth of the approved town-funded budget to cover October operations, with administration returning to council at the October 20 meeting with an update on the grant status and any request for continued funding.

Councilor Charlie Roberts and others urged the council to sustain the program if the grant is not funded, citing local demand for mental-health and prevention services. The motion directed the administration to draw the one-twelfth appropriation from opioid settlement funds and to report back in October; the council approved the motion.