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Middletown Board of Estimate approves murals, transfers, salary schedule, bonds and other measures
Summary
The Middletown Board of Estimate approved a package of routine finance, contract and staffing items, and authorized $6 million in bonds for courthouse renovations at its meeting.
The Middletown Board of Estimate approved a bundle of routine and finance items at its meeting, including donations to Parks and Recreation, a contract to paint murals on the Maple Hill Splash Pad, budget transfers to cover HVAC and facade work, a revised 2025 part-time employee salary schedule, an agreement with the local SPCA, and a $6 million bond resolution for courthouse renovations.
Key votes at the meeting (motions carried unless noted):
- Donations to Parks & Rec boxing program: The board authorized acceptance of donations from Salinas Rodriguez, Dimola Akanyami and Mitchell Williams. Motion recorded and passed by voice vote.
- Agreement with Alex Mills for three murals at Maple Hill Splash Pad: The board authorized entering an agreement with Alex Mills to paint three train-themed murals on the interior walls of the Maple Hill Splash Pad at a contract cost of $5,000. Staff said the contractor will submit mural content to the city for review. The sponsor noted the city will not sign the contract until funding for the overall splash-pad project is secured; staff said the cost would come from the city’s park improvements account unless it is eligible to be covered by a grant. Motion passed.
- Transfer to cover HVAC repair shortages: The board authorized a transfer of $7,500.79 (from account 480 to 162470) to cover outstandings for HVAC repairs performed in 2024 by Val Bruni; staff said the original purchase orders had expired, which required the transfer to pay the vendor. Staff also advised that future non-emergency HVAC, electrical and plumbing work be routed through the Department of Public Works. Motion passed.
- 2025 part-time employee salary schedule: Staff presented a revamped schedule organized by job title and years of service/education; presenters said the change did not increase the overall budget. The schedule was approved.
- Agreement with the county SPCA: The board authorized the mayor to sign an agreement with the (recorded in the minutes as) “settlement county SPCA” for animal services. Motion passed.
- Economic development budget transfer for facade improvements and warming station: The board authorized a transfer of $7,854.50 within the economic development budget to move funds from personal services to contractual to cover items including environmental work for facade improvement ($2,490 to Quality Environmental) and payments to the Greater Middletown Interfaith Council for extended warming-station hours ($2,328.50), plus a small overage ($223). Motion passed.
- Bond issuance for new city courthouse renovation: The board authorized the issuance of $6,000,000 in bonds to pay renovation costs for the new city courthouse currently underway; a bond resolution dated Feb. 13 was presented and the motion passed.
- Water and sewer adjustment for 102 Academy Avenue: Staff presented an inspection photo and the case was discussed, but no motion was made; the record indicates the item died for lack of motion.
- Payment of an outstanding bill to Mr. Tewil/Tuyell: After discussion, a motion to pay the outstanding bill for work performed was made and approved by voice vote.
Why it matters: These actions move several small capital and operational items to completion — covering repair payments, committing a small, city-funded public art contract, reallocating modest economic development funds, and authorizing large-scale bond financing for a courthouse renovation.
What was not decided: The water and sewer adjustment for 102 Academy Avenue received discussion and photographic evidence but no motion; that item was not approved at the meeting.
