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Town updates: affordable housing, school and library projects, sidewalks and town software
Summary
Town administration and project leads updated the council on affordable housing proposals, the Middletown school building project and library contract negotiations, sidewalk and paving schedules, and planned software upgrades for town and public‑safety records
Town staff provided a multi‑topic update covering affordable housing initiatives, the Middletown school building project, the library project, several infrastructure items and software implementations.
Affordable housing: The town is advancing proposals at the Berkeley, Peckham and Olyphant school sites. The town is working with Penrose to revise designs to increase density and improve competitiveness for tax‑credit financing this December. A consultant presented three homeownership design options for the East Main Road property; the Affordable Housing Committee will vote on a recommendation on May 1 and the Penrose design review is scheduled for April 28.
School building project: Project staff reported the school building and renovation work remain on time and on budget. Initial bid packages (site, concrete, steel, elevator) were issued March 17 with bids due April 11; mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire‑protection packages went out March 27 and are due April 18; the building‑envelope packages are scheduled to go out April 14. The middle‑high school project was described as a large, complex project with ongoing bid activity. The construction manager separated procurement for the security system from Gilbane’s contract so the town will procure the security platform directly through the state master price agreement to better control integration and long‑term maintenance.
Renovation of the old high school: Design development documents have been submitted; the 60% construction documents are ready pending coordination with Rhode Island Energy to pursue utility‑incentive opportunities and lighting and controls upgrades. The FAA aeronautical study for the new middle‑high school reportedly required no marking or lighting additions.
Library project: The Library Building Committee recommended negotiating with a selected contractor (Downs/ Dom Construction referenced) and the solicitor was finalizing contract details; an open house on March 20 was well attended.
Infrastructure and parks: The Purgatory Road sidewalk project is expected to start in spring once permitting is cleared; Oxbow sidewalk and identified road paving (Antonomi Boulevard, Rosedale, Taylor's Terrace) are delayed by winter conditions and expected to resume after seasonal shutdowns end. Designs for Dunlap Wheeler Park continue and a public workshop is planned. Playground replacements at Holland Park and Linden Park are underway and expected to complete in weeks.
Software: The town’s financial accounting system implementation is on schedule for a July 1 go‑live and will unify town and school accounting systems. A records management system for police and fire will replace a legacy system dating to the 1990s and align the departments with a statewide platform.
Councilors asked questions on scheduling and logistics, including potential beach‑season impacts for sidewalk work and the timing of Penrose and Affordable Housing Committee meetings. Staff provided clarifications on bid schedules and interactions with Rhode Island Energy and DEM for permitting.
