Town of Middletown council recesses into executive session on collective bargaining, land acquisition

Council President Paul M. Roderick announced that the Town of Middletown Council recessed its open meeting and would convene in executive session to discuss collective bargaining and a possible land acquisition, according to the meeting transcript. The motion to recess passed on a voice vote: "All in favor? Aye," the transcript records.

The council president read the executive-session notice into the record, citing "Rhode Island general law, 42 46 2, '40 '2 '40 '6 '4, and 42 46 5 a. 2" as spoken in the meeting. The items listed for closed discussion were collective bargaining (referred to in the transcript as "NEARIE / town hall") and "land acquisition review, discussion, and or potential action, and or vote in open session."

Roll call taken before the pledge of allegiance shows the following members present: Council President Paul M. Roderick; Vice President Thomas P. Welch III; Councilor Peter D. Connorton Sr.; Councilor Christopher M. Logan; Councilor Charles R. Roberts; Councilor Dennis B. Toronto; and Councilor Barbara A. von Villas. A staff member called the roll and other staff confirmed meeting logistics, including scheduled public presentations to follow the executive session at 6:00 p.m., according to the transcript.

The transcript does not record who made or seconded the motion to recess; it records only the motion text, the voice vote in favor, and that a quorum had been established. The council indicated the executive session could include discussion that might lead to action or a vote in open session on the land-acquisition item.

Minutes or subsequent public records would be required to determine any decisions or votes taken after the executive session. The meeting agenda item as read into the record tied the closed-session authority to the Rhode Island General Laws citations spoken on the record.