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Middletown council approves leases, appropriations, grants and school funding in unanimous voice votes
Summary
At its Aug. 4 meeting the Middletown Common Council approved two five-year leases at RM Keating, multiple appropriations (including LOSIP and police funding), CDBG appropriations and school building actions for Kegman Middle School; most motions passed by voice vote with no objections recorded.
The Middletown Common Council on Aug. 4 carried a series of resolutions and appropriation items by voice vote, approving two five-year leases at RM Keating Historical Enterprise Park, multiple departmental appropriations, and school-related grant actions.
Key votes at a glance
- Leases at RM Keating: The council approved a five-year lease with Star Lizzie Studios LLC for 3,000 square feet and a five-year lease with Big Sky LLC for 6,600 square feet at the RM Keating Historical Enterprise Park (180 Johnson Street). Both motions were moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.
- Mayor signature authority (substitute resolution 140-2025): The council approved a substitute resolution clarifying that Eugene P. Nocera, interim mayor, is authorized to sign contracts, deeds and certain documents on behalf of the city as stipulated in the charter (chapter 4, section 2). Council debated precise charter language before approving the substitute.
- LOSIP and CIP correction: Council approved an amendment authorizing application for $150,000 in LOSIP (Local Capital Project Improvement Program) funds toward purchase of a modular fire training building and creating a new CIP line item for that amount.
- Appropriations: The council approved several appropriation requests read into the record, including Health ($30,000 for a shelter grant), Central Communications ($105,110.69 for replacement overtime), Finance ($79,585 for salary reserves), and two police-related items (one for $160,559.53 and another listed in the notice as $904,653.33 to cover negative balances in specified lines). The clerk also read certification of available general-fund resources of $1,279,890.55 to meet the requests.
- CDBG and community development: Council approved consolidation and modification of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) plan, allowing access to $502,177 in entitlement funding and reprogramming prior unspent dollars to reflect project priorities.
- Opioid settlement funds: The council allocated $30,000 in opioid settlement funds across local organizations (Art Farm, Middletown PAL, Odd Fellows Playhouse after-school program, Senior Resources, Stat Pro Healthcare, Saint Vincent de Paul, Mark Community Resources, Northern Middlesex YMCA Schwartz men's residence) with matching-fund requirements for awards of $2,000 or more.
- Kegman Middle School: Council approved a substitute resolution authorizing the Board of Education to apply for a state alteration grant for the Kegman Middle School alteration project, confirmed a building committee and noted a state reimbursement rate of 82.14% (city responsibility ~17.86%). The council also appropriated $310,249 from projected summer-surplus balances to fund a new playground at Kegman.
Votes and outcomes: Most items were approved by voice vote with "Aye" and no abstentions or objections recorded in the transcript. Where a formal tally was not read aloud, the record shows motions were moved, seconded and carried by voice.
What happens next: Several items will require ministerial follow-up by staff (execution of lease documents subject to general-counsel review, grant submissions for CDBG and Kegman project, and LOSIP application). The council indicated staff will return with required documentation where appropriate.
