Recap: Middletown Town Council meeting on April 15

The Middletown Town Council covered a lot of ground during its meeting on Monday, April 15.

The Town of Middletown provided the below notes on some of the actions;

When: Monday night.

Where: Middletown Town Hall, 350 East Main Road.

Absent: None. 

Of note:

• After a lengthy discussion, a council majority voted to ask the Rhode Island Department of Transportation to move forward with repaving upper East Main Road, but not a “road diet” to that area. The council took close to two dozen comments and said they appreciated all the pro and con feedback. Due to a deadline Friday from the RIDOT, council members said they had to make a decision now although the issue demanded more analysis and work together with neighboring Newport and Portsmouth.
• Voted to place proposed Town Charter amendments on the Nov. 5 ballot to restore partisan elections to Town Council and School Committee races. The idea from Democratic Town Committee Chair Vanessa Ellerman drew a mixed response from speakers. Ultimately, a council majority said Election Day voters should have their say about whether to move forward with the item.
• Agreed to hold a public hearing on a proposed change to the Town Charter to implement term limits for Town Council and School Committee positions. A request of Republican Town Committee Chairman Antone Viveiros, a date for the hearing was not set Monday night, but would be well publicized once one was determined.
• Adopted amendments to the town’s zoning ordinances to clarify rules governing lot lines for certain properties with two fronts. Town Solicitor Peter B. Regan said the amendments were  intended to make a sometimes confusing subject clearer.
• Approved a resolution supporting the installation of suicide prevention barriers on bridges over Narragansett Bay.

Next regular meeting: Monday, May 6, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. in Town Hall.