Middletown adopts local law enacting "good cause" eviction protections

MIDDLETOWN — The Middletown Common Council unanimously adopted Local Law No. 2 of 2025 on Tuesday, adopting the “good cause” eviction provisions of Article 6‑A of the New York Real Property Law for the city.

Supporters and public commenters urged the council to approve the strongest version of the measure before the roll call. Vanessa Sid of For The Many said she was “looking forward to tonight’s vote for a good cause eviction on the strongest version.” Jairo Perez, also with For The Many, urged the council to close ownership loopholes, saying, “I’m hopeful that today’s vote will side in favor of good cause.” Bravin Ranga told the council the law would “have a real impact on real tenants and real community members” and asked council members to pass it.

Why it matters: Council members and the mayor framed the vote as a tenant-protection measure intended to reduce arbitrary or economically driven evictions while preserving landlords’ ability to evict for nonpayment, damage or disruptive behavior. Mayor DeStefano said the city backed the resolution after months of committee meetings, discussions with landlords and judges, and revisions that the mayor said protect owner‑occupied housing and do not block evictions for tenant misconduct or unpaid rent.

What the law does: The ordinance implements the good-cause eviction provisions from Article 6‑A of the New York Real Property Law in Middletown. During public comment and committee discussions, advocates pressed for a 1‑unit portfolio threshold and language intended to limit exploitation of limited‑liability‑company ownership structures; the final local law as adopted was presented to the council as the local enactment of the state statute’s Article 6‑A.

Council action and votes: The measure was moved by Alderman Johnson (sponsor) and recorded as carrying on a unanimous roll call (Tobin, Johnson, Ray, Kleiner, Green, Witt, Massey and President Rodriguez all recorded “Aye”). The official meeting record shows the motion carried.

Votes at a glance (other actions taken at the meeting): - Reappointment: Mary Anne Feeley confirmed as commissioner of assessment (Resolution sponsored by Alderman Massey; seconded by Alderman Kleiner). Roll call recorded all members present voting Aye. - Alliance Club Camp scholarship: Council authorized acceptance of a scholarship donation (sponsored by Alderman Tobin; seconded by Alderman Johnson). Carried unanimously. - Parks & Recreation pay-rate change: Authorized a change to a part‑time permanent employee’s rate of pay in Parks & Recreation (sponsored by Alderman Witt; seconded by Alderman Green). Carried unanimously. - State & Municipal Facilities program funding: Authorized mayor to execute documents and approved temporary borrowing for a pedestrian walkway and parking lot (sponsored by Alderman Green; seconded by Alderman Johnson). Carried unanimously. - Recreation fee schedule: Authorized an amendment to the Recreation and Parks fee schedule (sponsored by Alderman Kleiner; seconded by Alderman Tobin). Carried unanimously. - Municipal credit card services: Authorized transfer of municipal credit card services to Orange Bank & Trust and authorizing execution of related agreements (sponsored by Alderman Ray; seconded by Alderman Johnson). Carried unanimously. - Zelle payments: Authorized acceptance of Zelle payments for municipal pool admissions (sponsored by Alderman Johnson; seconded by Alderman Green). Carried unanimously. - Fire department budget adjustment: Authorized a budget adjustment to reflect a grant/award (sponsored by Alderman Tobin; seconded by Alderman Massey). Carried unanimously. - SRO contract: Approved the 2025–2026 SRO contract agreement (sponsored by Alderman Massey; seconded by Alderman Green). Carried unanimously. - Routine business: Claims audit motion and motion to adjourn were carried as recorded.

Context and next steps: Mayor DeStefano and council members noted the local law is one step among many in addressing housing affordability; the mayor cited ongoing efforts to increase housing inventory — including a Middletown Housing Authority proposal described at the meeting as adding roughly 100 units and renovation of a 199‑unit property — and said county and state partnerships remain necessary. City staff, judges and some landlords participated in committee discussions earlier in the process, the mayor said, which he described as contributing to the final text the council adopted.

Public comment and council remarks: Public commenters focused on tenant protections, urging the council to adopt a version that covers small landlords while blocking corporate loopholes. Supporters and several council members said the law preserves due process for landlords to remove tenants for nonpayment, property damage or disruptive conduct; the mayor reported conversations with local judges about court scheduling to reduce delays in eviction dockets where appropriate.

Ending: With the local law adopted and multiple resolutions carried unanimously, the council closed the meeting and moved to routine municipal business. Several council members and the mayor urged continued attention to increasing affordable housing supply alongside tenant protections.