Middletown committee sets March 27 flag-raising, weighs banners, sponsorships and merchandise purchases

Keisha, chair of the Middletown America 250 committee, opened the March 16 meeting by confirming a March 27 kickoff flag-raising at 1 p.m. on South Green and asking members to review coordination materials from a neighboring committee. "We're moving toward the kickoff of the flag raising on Friday, March 27 at 1PM at the South Green," she said.

Why it matters: The committee is finalizing community-facing elements of the city's America 250 observances — public ceremonies, downtown banners, business sponsorships and a post-parade picnic — and is ironing out logistics and funding responsibilities ahead of July 4th events.

Committee members discussed protocol for placing a commemorative 250th flag below existing flags, and Fire Chief Dave Albert said he would inspect the South Green site with his honor guard commander and report back by email. "I'll go down to the green tomorrow," Chief Albert said, offering to confirm procedures and lines for raising the flag.

Mayor Nocera told the group she plans to meet with the Department of Transportation about affixing two large American flags to the bridge and said DOT approval will determine duration and placement. The mayor also described a recent meeting with Eversource and said she asked the utility to consider subsidizing commemorative banners for Main Street business owners to reduce costs to merchants. "They are in charge of anything like that. You have to say yes or no," the mayor said of DOT.

Deb Shapiro of the historical society outlined a public photo-scanning project cosponsored by Russell Library: online appointment scheduling goes live April 13 and the event is set for Saturday, June 13. "The scans themselves will be owned by the historical society in the library," she said, adding that the library will email scanned copies to participants.

On fundraising and merchandise, Chair Keisha reported $4,845.59 in test purchases for event materials, including 750 commemorative coins (about 300 remain) priced at $4.95 each, lapel pins, pens and bunting. "To date, I've spent $4,845.59," she said, and added that future purchases will focus on lower-cost items such as T-shirts and hats.

The committee also discussed a proposed community picnic on South Green following the July 4 parade. Sandra, on behalf of the beautification committee, said she will meet with local vendor Taino Smokehouse & Steakhouse to get pricing and suggested a volunteer roster of town staff — "10 volunteers from fire, 10 volunteers from PD" — to assist serving if the vendor is engaged. Chief Albert said his union is aware of the idea and that department staff are willing to help.

Members reviewed examples from neighboring Portland — a commemorative plaque quoted at $5,325 and a stainless-steel time capsule at roughly $2,500 (Portland chose PVC after weighing costs) — and discussed a proposed bridge rededication and ribbon-cutting as part of the citywide celebrations.

No substantive policy votes were taken; the meeting approved procedural items (agenda and minutes) and adjourned after routine business. Committee members identified next steps including: vendor pricing from Taino (an upcoming Wednesday meeting), confirmation of flag protocol and honor guard procedures, further outreach to potential corporate sponsors and scheduling of follow-up planning meetings.

The committee is scheduled to continue logistical planning ahead of the March 27 flag-raising and July 4 events; members asked the chair to circulate attachments and confirmed they would share updates by email.