Middletown 250 committee approves logo, forms subcommittees and engages vendor for Main Street banners

The Middletown 250 Committee approved a round logo and commemorative-coin design as a starting point for marketing, agreed to set up four event subcommittees and voted to engage vendor CGI to begin a Main Street banner program.

At a meeting called to order by the committee chair, members discussed logistics for banners and flagging on Main Street, reviewed logo and coin mock-ups, and debated whether to hire CGI as a turnkey vendor or use local printers and volunteers. The chair said the goal is to get at least a portion of the program moving quickly while pursuing other community-driven elements in parallel.

Why it matters: the banners, installations and related fundraising are core pieces of Middletown’s 250th-anniversary events; timing and installation requirements (an April installation goal was discussed) require quick coordination among the vendor, local printers and public works.

During debate, Ken (a member introduced earlier in the meeting) said local production could be less costly and could be run as a fundraiser, estimating local production at roughly $150–$200 per double-sided vinyl banner and installation costs that could reach $450–$500 per banner if local labor is hired. Ken also argued for using local businesses where feasible, saying, “I prefer to use local businesses over out of town businesses.”

Several members raised practical concerns about time and staffing for outreach and installation. A committee member who identified himself on the record as Bill Boyington said he supported engaging an experienced vendor: “I fully support the concept,” he said, noting CGI’s ability to include installation and maintenance in its price.

Members also identified a technical difference to resolve: CGI’s proposal described banners sized roughly 2 by 6 feet, while public works recommended a smaller, grommeted banner specification (about 20 inches by 3 feet). Committee members asked staff to reconcile standards with CGI and local vendors before final installation.

On a motion to engage CGI to ‘get us off the ground and running’ for the banner project, the committee voted to proceed; the chair recorded the motion as passing with one member opposed.

Separately, the committee voted to accept the proposed logo as the starting design for marketing and approved formation of four subcommittees (beautification, marketing, fundraising and parade). Volunteers stepped forward for chairs and membership; the chair said she would consolidate assignments and circulate them by email.

Other items discussed included incorporating an existing tunnel art installation into the 250th gateway, a proposed municipal flag-raising for January, and the possibility of unveiling a time capsule during Memorial Day. The committee also heard that several pathway lights in South Green have been vandalized; staff said the fixtures are old and that infrastructure funds are available to replace or redesign lighting in that area.

Next steps: staff will coordinate banner specifications among CGI, local vendors and public works, finalize committee chairs and circulate assignments by email, and move forward with press materials and fundraising outreach.