Middletown council renews sister‑city ties with Malili, Italy, and exchanges ceremonial gifts

The Middletown Common Council voted May 19, 2025 to renew its sister‑city relationship with Malili (province of Siracusa, Sicily), adopting a resolution that reaffirms cultural, educational and civic exchanges between the two communities.

The resolution — read aloud by the presiding official — recounts a history of migration and prior exchanges including a 1979 delegation and a 2008 trip led by then‑Mayor Sebastian Giuliano. Councilman Dean Nocera moved approval of the resolution, which was seconded and adopted by voice vote.

Delegation leaders spoke at the meeting. Giuseppe Carna, identified in the text as the mayor of Melili and a member of the Sicilian Parliament, described the renewal as "a part between two communities" and highlighted plans to promote cultural and youth exchanges and to invite Middletown representatives to Melili in 2026 (Giuseppe Carna). Cinda Cogarda (introduced by the presiding official) read passages of the resolution in Italian at the council’s request.

Local participants and guests presented and accepted ceremonial gifts: the council presented a decorative plate made by a local artist and copies of the adopted resolution; the Malili delegation presented a symbolic key and an artisan object tied to Saint Sebastian traditions. The mayor and council announced a reception at the Sons of Italy later the same evening and extended an invitation for a formal event in Melili in 2026.

The resolution frames the renewal as a commitment "aimed at promoting a process of international integration, intercultural dialogue, the exchange of experiences, knowledge, and values." The council’s action reestablishes the formal twinning and directs staff to provide ceremonial copies of the adopted resolution to the visiting delegation.