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Ava Hart sworn in to Middletown Common Council amid criticism over appointment process
Summary
The council appointed and swore in Ava Hart to fill a vacancy through Nov. 9, 2027. Public commenters and some Democratic Town Committee members said the party’s recommendation was ignored; council leaders defended their caucus-based process. The appointment passed with six ayes and four abstentions.
The Middletown Common Council voted to appoint and promptly swear in Ava Hart on Dec. 18, 2025, to fill the remainder of the term through Nov. 9, 2027.
The council approved Resolution 3b by roll call after public comment focused on process and transparency. The clerk announced the result as six ayes and four abstentions, and the presiding officer declared that the resolution passed. After the vote the presiding officer administered the oath and Hart addressed the chamber.
Public commenters—including members of the Democratic Town Committee (DTC)—urged the council to respect the DTC’s recommendation and to provide clearer communication about the appointment process. "Process matters, transparency matters," said Davana Dionne, who told the council she contacted party leaders ahead of the vacancies and found many of her questions unanswered. Carissa Williams, who identified herself as a DTC member and local business owner, said it was "highly unusual for two common council seats to become vacant back to back" and that the DTC had convened a special meeting that produced a clear recommendation she said was disregarded.
Mike Fallon, who said he serves as chair of Middletown Democrats, described his candidacy for the seat and told the council he believed the DTC vote (he reported 45 members attended and 37 expressed support for one candidate) reflected a strong endorsement that the council did not follow.
Several council members—speaking during the discussion—defended the council’s approach, noting caucuses and caucus deliberations are not public meetings and describing a timeline that required action at a special meeting. One council member reviewed the outreach, written applications and interviews that preceded the appointment and said the council followed its customary process; Councilwoman Blackwell and others urged greater consistency going forward.
After being sworn in, Ava Hart described her local ties and community work: "I was born here in Middletown... I have worked in this community for over 20 years, providing clinical therapy," she said, and added she would work with colleagues to address constituents’ concerns.
The council also approved a slate of committee appointments tied to the vacancies (Resolution 3c) on the same night. That resolution passed on roll call with nine ayes, one abstention and one absence.
