The Middletown Town Council voted 5-1 to approve new, stricter rules for short-term rentals at their meeting on Monday night. The vote marks the council’s second to last meeting before the November 5th elections.
The new ordinances require short-term rental operators to live on the rental property, not just in the same building. Before enacting the new ordinances, the council approved an amendment requiring short-term rental operators to live on the rental property, not the rental building. Councilor Dennis Turano was the only member to vote against the new ordinances.
The council also approved $4,000 from their discretionary fund to purchase new uniforms for the Middletown High School cheerleading squad. The existing uniforms are approximately 10 years old, according to town officials.
In other news, the council postponed a presentation on the school district’s Career & Technical Education program from Superintendent Billy Niemeyer until after the November 5th elections.
The council considered a request from the Open Space & Fields Committee to reopen a right of way between Brown’s Lane and Burma Road for walking and biking. Committee Chairperson Nicholas Coogan stated that the reopening would create a new way for people to get around town. Town Administrator Shawn J. Brown will investigate the matter and report back to the council.
The next Town Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 4th at 6:30 p.m. in Town Hall.
Recap From The Town of Middletown
The #MiddletownRI Town Council approves new stricter rules overseeing short-term rentals and other action Monday night, the group’s second to last meeting before the Nov. 5 elections.
MIDDLETOWN MEETING MINUTES
MIDDLETOWN TOWN COUNCIL
When: Monday night
Where: Middletown Town Hall, 350 East Main Road
Absent: Emily Tessier
Of note:
- Held another public hearing about proposed changes to the town’s short-term rental ordinances, which were approved by a 5-1 vote, with President Paul Rodrigues, Vice President Thomas Welch and Councilors Peter Connerton, Chris Logan and Barbara VonVillas in favor, with Councilor Dennis Turano against. Before approving the new ordinances, the council okayed an amendment that specified that short-term rental operators needed to live on the rental property, not in the rental building. To view the new rules, visit https://www.middletownri.gov/DocumentCenter/View/16679/241021_13 online.
- Postponed a presentation about the school district’s Career & Technical Education program from Superintendent Billy Niemeyer until the next council is seated following the Nov. 5 elections.
- Designated $4,000 from the council’s discretionary fund for new uniforms for the cheerleading squad at Middletown High. Town officials said the existing uniforms were about 10 years old and in need of replacement, something the council was happy to oblige.
- Heard a request from the town’s Open Space & Fields Committee to reopen a right of way between Brown’s Lane and Burma Road for foot and bicycle traffic. “It’s a way to connect so people can get around,” committee Chairperson Nicholas Coogan said. In response, town officials said because of the location, the US Navy, Wanumetonomy Golf & Country Club and Catholic diocese would likely have to get involved. Town Administrator Shawn J. Brown was asked to look into the matter and report back when there was additional information.
Next Meeting: Monday, Nov. 4 at 6:30 pm in Town Hall.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) assisted a What’sUpNewp journalist with the reporting included in this story.