Town of Middletown Council recesses to executive session to discuss collective bargaining, leases and land acquisition

The Town of Middletown council recessed its public meeting and moved into an executive session after the chair read statutory authority that permits closed deliberations.

An unidentified meeting leader read Rhode Island General Laws cited in the meeting as sections 42 46 2, 42 46 4 and 42 46 5(a) and said the closed session would cover collective bargaining and several lease and property matters, including an item identified as "Hughendorn," a lease involving Newport Vineyards, and a potential land acquisition on West Main Road.

Council president Paul Emerodrick, Vice President Thomas B. Welch III, Councilor Peter D. Connorton Sr., Councilor Christopher M. Logan, Councilor Charles R. Roberts, Councilor Dennis B. Toronto and Councilor Barbara Avon Villas were recorded present during the roll call. After the reading, an unidentified speaker moved to "recess open session, reconvene in executive session," and another unidentified speaker seconded. The moderator called for a voice vote and an "Aye" was recorded; the meeting recessed by voice vote (counts were not specified).

The public portion of the meeting ended with the council moving into executive session; no formal public votes on ordinances, budgets or appointments were taken in the open meeting. The meeting record indicates the council planned to discuss collective bargaining and the listed lease and land matters in closed session. The transcript does not provide additional details on the specific terms, parties, or timelines for those items.