Since 2022, Middletown residents have opposed the development proposals for the West Main/Coddington public land. The elected leaders and appointed Boards are not listening to the residents and are rushing to grant use of public property without consideration of the Public’s clear preferences. This is moving residents closer and closer to losing Middletown forever. The Town Council has not been upfront with the residents, omitting details in town documents and making decisions without public input; and has not been upfront with RI DEM and the National Parks Service, ignoring the process of immediate notification despite indicating intent since 2010 in town documents and including the land known as “Pottsy Field” into the Hoogendoorn Purchase and Sale Contract of 2023.
Town Council agreement with the developer added a 4 to 5 story hotel, added a bank, will zone most or all 15.27 acres as commercial, and the library/community center was eliminated. Few know that “Pottsy Field” is a rare gem: protected forever by the Federal Government to be used for open space and recreation. Town Council is trying to reduce, relocate, and/or rearrange “Pottsy Field” into many pieces and in multiple places. This is stealing land from the side of Middletown that needs it most; and this is desecrating a veterans’ memorial, dedicated in the memory of a local, fallen Iraq war hero who played baseball on that very land. Without public approval, substantial tax dollars are paying the legal fees to do something the Public does not want.
This is Not what Town Council has presented to the Public since 2020, but what was negotiated by Town Council in the Development Agreement, signed October 4, 2024. Town Council may want this, but the Public does not! Nowis the time to hold decision makers accountable and ask them to Honor Community, Land Deeds, and Veterans.
All Island residents are requested to attend a Public Hearing on Tuesday, September 16th, at Middletown High School 6pm.
Middletown Concerned Neighbors
Terri Flynn, Middletown
