Middletown accepts $107,500 in library donations and expands change‑order authority for renovation

The Town of Middletown council voted to accept $107,500 in private donations for the library renovation and authorized broader change‑order authority to keep the project on schedule. The council designated $75,200 for the children’s learning and play area, $25,000 for community gathering and program spaces, and $7,300 for general project purposes; the finance director was authorized to allocate and expend the funds in accordance with town purchasing policies.

Don Morin, chair of the library building committee, said the project has also drawn larger gifts and grant support: “Last week, we received $500,000 from Champlin Foundation,” and he reported a pending meeting with the Van Buren Charitable Foundation and roughly $2.7 million in grant applications in progress. The council passed the donation acceptance resolution on a voice vote.

On a separate but related resolution, the council amended language so that change orders on the library project between $25,001 and $100,000 would be jointly approved by the town administrator and the chair of the library board of trustees, with the administrator required to notify the council within 48 hours. Council discussion noted the need for timely approvals to avoid work stoppages and potential additional costs; a town official explained the amendment mirrored authority the town administrator has on school projects and added a second signatory for internal control.

The council also heard that donations may be given either directly to the town or through the Friends of the Library (a 501(c)(3)); donors can receive tax deductions either way, and staff said they will follow any restrictions attached to foundation grants. The council passed both the donation acceptance and the amended change‑order resolution by voice votes. The library building committee will continue fundraising and grant application efforts as the renovation proceeds.