[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6611697,"mediaKeyId","2893092-3de282643205e784dce503ee7865b239","parentId",2893092,"title","Middletown council withdraws proposed airport-overlay zoning ordinance, sends it to planning board","audioSeconds",244,"startMs",174000,"endMs",418000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2893092-3de282643205e784dce503ee7865b239&start=174&end=418","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2893092-3de282643205e784dce503ee7865b239/thumbnail_174000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6611697/Rhode-Island/Middletown-council-withdraws-proposed-airport-overlay-zoning-ordinance-sends-it-to-planning-board","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6611697-55a54d582893017301f084ecf5cd57eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770676914&Signature=X3C8FfikTuJ4at4lncsCe93SNd5b6p3VsRZP2T6Xg7eGgoAN-3ipBVuPLOzZYK0kUcej4DI3lLuAFhxPxOfa1MnRbjIT0zKAC0g-XE~x7~xVnjXf1nQlouTR0kWcWgEYKTGXoynwGdSIRPibaMQ2SrircsjsTCk2tYnKkEjwdt~AG-pmY29aY9syjlQQpqbiXnZAOnL07iXlcfYGRSAGaNHOdB0H-N~LHf7H3cSZoUUEb1NR-1arGLW57nbs6fay97gUPs-oy1DPcEMQzIqDVLIBs2GayDR6FSh8h2uMTRs4fa~aXyefQn3AmoV6hFfM-4-ZMTCzuBc2ujDTAGyEoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Middletown, RI","date","2025-04-08T00:22:48.627Z","article","The Town of Middletown Town Council voted to withdraw a proposed ordinance that would add an \"Airport Area Overlay District\" to the town zoning code and forwarded the proposal to the Planning Board for further review and recommendation.

Council members read the proposed additions to the zoning code aloud, listing sections including authorization and purpose, regulatory limitations, continuance of existing use, abandonment, variances and appeals. A motion was made and seconded to withdraw the ordinance and refer it to the Planning Board.

Council members said the state has mandated that communities with airports adopt an airport overlay zoning district, but several members expressed concern that the draft placed restrictions on runway protection zones that could limit development on privately owned properties near the airport. One council member summarized that, under Federal Aviation Administration guidance, the primary means to protect airport safety in runway protection zones is acquisition of property, easements or development rights by the airport, which then allows zoning to follow. The member said placing restrictions by zoning on privately owned land that the airport has not purchased—or for which no easement has been obtained—could expose the town to claims of taking property without compensation. \"I was uncomfortable with placing those sorts of restrictions on private property essentially without paying for it,\" the council member said.

Council members said they had requested information from the airport corporation documenting what areas around the airport the corporation has purchased or encumbered via easement or development-rights agreements so the Planning Board can tailor any zoning map to the areas already under airport control. \"We have requested from the airport corporation any information that they have to show what areas of the land around the airport they have either purchased or obtained easements or other rights over,\" a council member said.

After brief discussion, the council approved the motion to withdraw the ordinance and refer it to the Planning Board. The council did not adopt new regulatory limits or map changes at the meeting; it returned the draft for further study and requested documentation from the airport corporation before the Planning Board reconsiders the item.

The motion to withdraw and refer passed with the council voice vote recorded as \"All in favor: Aye.\" No roll-call tally was recorded in the public transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","April 7, 2025 Town Council","oneSentenceSummary","The Town of Middletown Town Council voted to withdraw a proposed airport-area overlay zoning ordinance and forwarded the draft to the Planning Board for additional review and recommendation.","taxTitle","Town of Middletown, Newport County, Rhode Island","taxId",58176,"location","Rhode Island","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6611686,"Town updates: affordable housing, school and library projects, sidewalks and town software",637,843000,1480000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2893092-3de282643205e784dce503ee7865b239&start=843&end=1480","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2893092-3de282643205e784dce503ee7865b239/thumbnail_843000.jpg","/articles/6611686/Rhode-Island/Town-updates-affordable-housing-school-and-library-projects-sidewalks-and-town-software","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6611686-df3705293611e60e55b43830e46f4c04/orig.mp4?Expires=1770676914&Signature=jCRvx7EeAaQ3yuard5k1sqz81n2dzLgcXbDz9rUDEFQ8153e0ICNptuZ4snWGbxaHnxgvTLAzwIYySwdN1gx8hW~ZOqGMHXKv9v0mdjEvp~EuGU03a9jMnRYFYJWXG7UZ-vGVpDzB7crjC83c6BLatTHFQZZo4z4qb83HEXhMVj61kYX45hfumW9v~PZ--xVMKdnOcGoCifvVRZGO3CHgt-98wYlke3WyMjTrMxIhQ4rkvHRSuRxKolCnU1obP21eM6EHyi-VlrC8DxOtSdBFtXMIyCyJr4T9asoyaanDCIeR8f81TmN898RgeBgd9qysAFla72ao-0bNB6JhCPxRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town staff provided a multi‑topic update covering affordable housing initiatives, the Middletown school building project, the library project, several infrastructure items and software implementations.

Affordable housing: The town is advancing proposals at the Berkeley, Peckham and Olyphant school sites. The town is working with Penrose to revise designs to increase density and improve competitiveness for tax‑credit financing this December. A consultant presented three homeownership design options for the East Main Road property; the Affordable Housing Committee will vote on a recommendation on May 1 and the Penrose design review is scheduled for April 28.

School building project: Project staff reported the school building and renovation work remain on time and on budget. Initial bid packages (site, concrete, steel, elevator) were issued March 17 with bids due April 11; mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire‑protection packages went out March 27 and are due April 18; the building‑envelope packages are scheduled to go out April 14. The middle‑high school project was described as a large, complex project with ongoing bid activity. The construction manager separated procurement for the security system from Gilbane’s contract so the town will procure the security platform directly through the state master price agreement to better control integration and long‑term maintenance.

Renovation of the old high school: Design development documents have been submitted; the 60% construction documents are ready pending coordination with Rhode Island Energy to pursue utility‑incentive opportunities and lighting and controls upgrades. The FAA aeronautical study for the new middle‑high school reportedly required no marking or lighting additions.

Library project: The Library Building Committee recommended negotiating with a selected contractor (Downs/ Dom Construction referenced) and the solicitor was finalizing contract details; an open house on March 20 was well attended.

Infrastructure and parks: The Purgatory Road sidewalk project is expected to start in spring once permitting is cleared; Oxbow sidewalk and identified road paving (Antonomi Boulevard, Rosedale, Taylor's Terrace) are delayed by winter conditions and expected to resume after seasonal shutdowns end. Designs for Dunlap Wheeler Park continue and a public workshop is planned. Playground replacements at Holland Park and Linden Park are underway and expected to complete in weeks.

Software: The town’s financial accounting system implementation is on schedule for a July 1 go‑live and will unify town and school accounting systems. A records management system for police and fire will replace a legacy system dating to the 1990s and align the departments with a statewide platform.

Councilors asked questions on scheduling and logistics, including potential beach‑season impacts for sidewalk work and the timing of Penrose and Affordable Housing Committee meetings. Staff provided clarifications on bid schedules and interactions with Rhode Island Energy and DEM for permitting.","Town administration and project leads updated the council on affordable housing proposals, the Middletown school building project and library contract negotiations, sidewalk and paving schedules, and planned software upgrades for town and public‑safety records",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6611690,"Atlantic Beach District committee urges council to restart TIF funding for utilities undergrounding",2304,2763000,5067000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2893092-3de282643205e784dce503ee7865b239&start=2763&end=5067","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2893092-3de282643205e784dce503ee7865b239/thumbnail_2763000.jpg","/articles/6611690/Rhode-Island/Atlantic-Beach-District-committee-urges-council-to-restart-TIF-funding-for-utilities-undergrounding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6611690-93be5e177e0b3a08da59cce7c158168b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770676914&Signature=gg2zrb94bV96VHhcB8DwpgChGUTTP5p8gPhcIoW7aYOmdT9827UgXpZX2NEQ-EtImCK2syWoE64-sjTqmMINo4ELt0SUbjndU8-V6Ay9pF1Im1b0aFZ6xSopmottLl4txpF4GOr1PsLMEJB7DXQoiC5DwbHR06-HNWOo8RkMSgaPfc5CFUk2HwB3yckprF0JvlwtaZTkbBhcxmb672ZpYVkaa7PmAinVFX-cdDrOVlcZUAFkInSS~EFd3Z5fE5xFHamiDBON-HwDj7sv6AqZSNQkBuX8ip5L4vk7tkIFG3boJJGB87xbazq6nxPPezhU-yEdCWZqpK1KXfARGwFswQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives from the Middletown Economic Development Advisory Committee (MEDAC), property owners and business owners in the Atlantic Beach District urged the Town Council to commit funding to the Atlantic Beach District tax‑increment financing (TIF) program to support undergrounding of utilities and other infrastructure improvements.

MEDAC chair Valerie Geld and member Robert Silva presented the council with the committee’s plan and asked the council to fund the Atlantic Beach TIF this year and in subsequent years to support undergrounding of utilities, streetscape improvements, a potential boardwalk along Easton's Pond, and reuse of the Aquidneck (Quinneck) school property. Silva described the TIF mechanism adopted in February 2018 and said if the council had implemented it fully at that time the district could have sequestered more tax increment revenue; he said the council previously set aside only $418,315 for the TIF and has since allocated portions of that amount to other projects.

Speakers from the district — residents and business owners — urged commitment from the council to show good faith and to allow time to secure private donations and state and federal grants. A property owner who said he holds parcels in the district testified that residents and businesses overwhelmingly favor undergrounding utilities; business and residents cited improving resiliency to storms and enhancing the gateway between Middletown and Newport as motivations.

Council members discussed the request and several said they support the concept but noted budget constraints. Councilors emphasized the timing: the town starts a tight budget process with education reductions cited by staff, and councilors said they will review the request as part of the upcoming budget deliberations. One councilor asked for an up‑to‑date feasibility and cost estimate; town staff and MEDAC said Rhode Island Energy (and previously National Grid) would need to provide a current feasibility cost estimate and that a meeting with Rhode Island Energy was being scheduled to assess costs and design options.

Council members did not make an immediate appropriation at the meeting but several pledged to consider restarting TIF contributions in the budget process. \"We need to go through the budget process, and let's see where we end up,\" a councilor said. MEDAC members and district stakeholders said committing to the TIF now — or to fund initial feasibility/design work — will help secure additional private and grant funding.","The Middletown Economic Development Advisory Committee and property owners urged the council to commit tax‑increment financing (TIF) funds to support undergrounding utilities, streetscape and resiliency work in the Atlantic Beach District; councilors said they will consider contributions during the budget process",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6611693,"Council authorizes project labor agreement for Middletown Middle‑High School project",318,452000,770000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2893092-3de282643205e784dce503ee7865b239&start=452&end=770","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2893092-3de282643205e784dce503ee7865b239/thumbnail_452000.jpg","/articles/6611693/Rhode-Island/Council-authorizes-project-labor-agreement-for-Middletown-MiddleHigh-School-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6611693-4d597a7781d0f9704df69715259e0989/orig.mp4?Expires=1770676914&Signature=MqQeIh9Cs1g12OVkCXDpag~Up~1iyN1e~BmK4KoxXVvZVKyCDAjr7gdNxJ1dgQrtkwj16gCre~sh2CftNzd4Lsm5v2zb8zRVtRaYpRYpl0AMYeVgZVG6rnhfxp4wAJBHLCQBCZgwcUIbznPMZ5W~R~U8IO25YoMubJMcX75akfqSsCVOqkrQlm4i3wm6riPEYGnqgWAbbznu6qDwaIziaq9NrAa8hJ4vzEex1f~LXDV38UfhaoqucN0jeTRI7gKHy12mPg77SHNpZXd8xMrHM29RpLreRjOLUGqPkynLQtcNkGBuocDWk3qHGTaGAU2dMH~d~ZZQ3UHajrv4VQlR0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Middletown Town Council voted to adopt a resolution authorizing the establishment of a project labor agreement (PLA) for the Middletown Middle‑High School construction project.

Town officials introduced a memorandum and a feasibility study on the PLA. Attorney William (Bill) O'Gara, who completed the study, briefed the council on his findings and the legal framework. O'Gara told the council a project labor agreement is a labor contract tied to a specific construction project that requires construction unions to work for the length of the project, can preclude picketing and reduce labor disruption. Rhode Island law permits public authorities to use PLAs on projects where the authority determines a PLA will provide benefits for projects that are of sufficient size, complexity or scheduling need.

O'Gara and council staff outlined the project scope: a 211,000‑square‑foot middle‑high school with an estimated construction cost of $137,500,000. He said the project is subject to prevailing‑wage requirements and that union subcontractors dominate the market for large public‑school construction in Rhode Island, which meant a PLA was unlikely to put the town at a competitive disadvantage. The construction manager, Gilbane Construction, supported a PLA and believed it would help keep the project on schedule for the 2027‑28 school year.

The council received the memorandum and then voted on the resolution authorizing the solicitor's office to work with Gilbane Construction to enter into a PLA with Gilbane and trade unions in Rhode Island. The motion to adopt the resolution was made, seconded and approved by voice vote. No council member recorded opposition in the public transcript.

The council also noted the town had authorized an RFI and a feasibility study earlier; Attorney O'Gara performed that study on behalf of the town and presented the report to the council at the meeting.

The motion passed on a voice vote recorded in the transcript as \"All in favor: Aye.\" The council did not record a roll‑call tally in the public record presented in the transcript.","The council approved a resolution authorizing formation of a project labor agreement (PLA) for the Middletown Middle‑High School construction after receiving a feasibility study; attorney Bill O'Gara briefed the council on PLA function, scope and market impacts","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Middletown council withdraws proposed airport-overlay zoning ordinance, sends it to planning board

Town updates: affordable housing, school and library projects, sidewalks and town software

Atlantic Beach District committee urges council to restart TIF funding for utilities undergrounding

Council authorizes project labor agreement for Middletown Middle‑High School project