During a recent meeting of the Middletown Common Council, significant discussions centered around the approval of an ordinance aimed at enhancing traffic safety through the implementation of automatic traffic safety devices. The ordinance, numbered 12-24, was presented for approval after passing through the Public Safety Committee twice. Councilman Ford expressed confidence in the initiative, highlighting the thorough research conducted and the positive responses from Chief Costa regarding safety concerns. However, Councilwoman Slafia raised the need for further discussion, citing additional questions that had arisen since the committee meetings. Despite some reservations, the ordinance ultimately passed with a vote of 8 in favor and 4 against.

The council also addressed several appropriation requests, primarily concerning the police department. A total of $1,138,845.18 was certified as available for various police-related expenses, including overtime and private duty costs for the fiscal year 2023-2024. Each request was met with unanimous approval, indicating strong support for the funding necessary to cover negative balances in these areas.

Additionally, a request for $45,429.20 for job reclassification within the Human Resources Division was proposed. This request sparked debate among council members regarding the funding source, with some expressing concerns about the implications of transferring funds from the general fund to salary reserves. Ultimately, this appropriation was not adopted, receiving 5 votes in favor and 7 against.

The meeting concluded with a review of various department reports and grant confirmations, including a $125,000 cannabis tax credit grant and several federal and state grants aimed at supporting local youth services and opioid settlement initiatives. The council's discussions reflect ongoing efforts to address community safety and resource allocation effectively.