Middletown officials outline $39.5 million bond referendum, highlight $15 million package to repair City Yard and Parks buildings

MIDDLETOWN — City officials on Monday presented a proposed $39.5 million bond referendum to the Common Council, laying out a component plan that includes a $15 million package aimed at repairing and renovating the City Yard and Parks maintenance buildings.

The mayor opened the workshop by describing a pared-down, three-year proposal the administration says is the “thinnest, necessary” package to present to voters. Acting Director of Public Works (acting director) said the city’s facilities have deteriorated after years of constrained budgets and recent heavy rains exposed widespread deficiencies, including mold and failing roofs that prompted closure of parts of the Parks Building. “Our our facilities are failing,” the acting director said, describing long-running complaints from employees and a list of needed health-and-safety repairs.

Landmark Architects president Paul Pizzo presented a field survey and feasibility estimate for seven city-yard buildings and the Parks Division structures, saying the design-level budget for the City Yard and Parks work totals about $15,000,000: roughly $9.3 million for multiple City Yard buildings, $1.3 million for the Parks warehouse, $1.9 million for the Parks office renovation, plus about $1.25 million in soft costs and a roughly $1.25 million contingency. “So the bottom line is $15,000,000,” Pizzo said.

Pizzo described repeated roof failures, failing siding and windows, bathrooms and showers that do not function, and inadequate locker and sanitary facilities for employees. He said the Parks Building’s front office was closed after repeated mold tests, and recommended roof and exterior repairs, interior renovation where necessary, upgraded heating systems (including infrared heaters for garage bays) and electrical upgrades in the Tradesman Building.

Council members pressed for details and documentation. Councilwoman Portola emphasized health risks and wiring concerns in the Tradesman Building, saying, “Health issues are really important. We certainly don't want anybody getting sick.” The acting director and Pizzo said they did not observe imminent electrical danger but acknowledged the Tradesman Building had a limited power service and would need upgrades as part of a rehab.

Officials outlined how the full referendum would be broken down: $22.0 million for facilities and infrastructure maintenance and improvements (including the $15 million City Yard/Parks package), $6.25 million for road paving and resurfacing, $1.15 million for stormwater management and compliance (linked to a Save the Sound requirement), $275,000 for pedestrian and crosswalk improvements, and approximately $9.5 million for water and sewer projects, summing to $39.5 million.

Director Erlacher briefed the council on debt service and timing, noting the city’s current debt-service budget is roughly $26 million and that the city expects to access the bond market when conditions are appropriate to replenish cash used on recent capital work. He said first bond payments would appear in the May 2027 budget if issuance follows the current timing assumptions.

Council members asked for written debt-service figures and a clear list of approved-but-unbonded projects before voter authorization; the mayor and staff committed to providing a full physical-plant inventory, detailed line-item budgets and a facilities tour (proposed for mid-August) followed by a possible special meeting in late August. If approved by voters in November, authorization would give the city the ability to issue bonds later to fund the projects; staff cautioned the council to authorize sufficient amounts to avoid returning to voters later.

No formal votes on bond language were taken at the workshop. The session concluded after planned questions; a motion to adjourn carried on a voice vote.

What’s next: staff will provide the council with the full condition reports and a proposed spending outline at a scheduled facilities tour, and the administration anticipates finalizing ballot language and any special meetings ahead of the November referendum.