[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,76,87,99,111],{"_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",6559693,"mediaKeyId","3194696-4ab74b7d8559203adb94b909046fbf11","parentId",3194696,"title","Council receives island bike plan, refers it to Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee and authorizes adding committee member","audioSeconds",170,"startMs",5192000,"endMs",5362000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3194696-4ab74b7d8559203adb94b909046fbf11&start=5192&end=5362","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3194696-4ab74b7d8559203adb94b909046fbf11/thumbnail_5192000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6559693/Rhode-Island/Council-receives-island-bike-plan-refers-it-to-Bicycle-Pedestrian-Committee-and-authorizes-adding-committee-member","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6559693-43c11c028a4aaad0f5838ae74025b1f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770611512&Signature=CPbbePSOVX-m9drHZ~D8K8hdr1Lf2B37EzKC6~6Ca7CFfOh1-ySceBDFi7yf0m0gyIzdxxpig6lZsauMJA~FmCmkbBTaifpYoT-BUMpYnp2ezfScIk7tXmtIdrLr-sR6GuMfstYJQxCfjcK716O2dS8g34gW05gJfg8aPjTc2CDl-Y29SQTYw1S3tNxHDJWMquIqwYLo2tYSs~fXO0Ks9ikZLnLPX0Ft2GE-V5ruiWqBuQ3e13ZC5qE6KXw5HGggXCevMlBsvtvl1jNIF3tcUjUmvoT1HTC9QSS6q3SXF0cQ4VMbbhezVwNDkhLoyjXtjoZ5yYnMc3HvzOGu7Q0gaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Middletown, RI","date","2025-05-06T00:57:40.617Z","article","The Town Council received a communication from Bike Newport recommending adoption of the Bridle Island bike plan as a guiding document for transportation and infrastructure planning. Councilors voted to refer the plan to the town’s Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee for review and recommendation rather than adopting the plan outright.

Councilors also approved a separate request from the Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee chair, Emily Buck, to advertise for an additional voting member. Buck said the committee currently has six voting members and adding one would create an odd number to reduce quorum and voting issues during the busy summer schedule.

Why it matters: The referral will allow the advisory committee to review the plan’s recommendations and return with a formal opinion; any council action to adopt elements of the plan would follow committee review and a council vote.

Next steps: The clerk will publicly advertise the vacancy and the Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee will return recommendations on the bike plan to the council.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","May 5, 2025 Town Council","oneSentenceSummary","The council received a proposed Bridle Island bike plan from Bike Newport, referred the plan to the Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee for review, and instructed the town clerk to advertise for an additional committee member to reach an odd‑number quorum.","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":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6559698,"Residents urge council to revisit housing choices as rents rise and younger families leave",0,2968000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3194696-4ab74b7d8559203adb94b909046fbf11&start=2968&end=2968","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3194696-4ab74b7d8559203adb94b909046fbf11/thumbnail_2968000.jpg","/articles/6559698/Rhode-Island/Residents-urge-council-to-revisit-housing-choices-as-rents-rise-and-younger-families-leave","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6559698-cf62a1e4f52ac33d19c6ca200119eb6c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770611512&Signature=KKuUBona6o2SzMxs~lsxNkcT-UJ5GNxRsRYqLVX3jtkNUP1TgRWqcVfr-hg9o1ZG0UPmrGQnGqdKcJ8XYs-eFWsi0lfDGCC~mkqqrb5pxSyRd1rHg-f10pwIvyzwm~OC6CazxKN7xBozyVDUaZb9Loyfuqa0m-T2TLu64gjFIvCET99Nb4uHP1P7WK461mfwb96GZJAGoOmjypz7LAjOlSXvLmSDsBLqewTJU4QtmkPqQRsNovqGYKGr62pBK~4vEC9K11Nk-gOWklyA5VLHSUKGYcJEFsbuAuqBqCY2FXB6FgifcFqhSPFz~2JoceSoDZdgZO~wReQLXdNtiC~yDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Two town residents used the public comment period on Wednesday to press the Town Council on housing affordability and the reuse of vacant school buildings for affordable housing.

Lawrence Frank, citing HousingWorks Rhode Island data he handed the council, said rent increases are squeezing Middletown workers and families. He said the average monthly rent for a two‑bedroom rose from $1,977 in 2023 to $2,179 in 2024 and argued that a large share of Middletown’s workforce earns under $50,000 a year. “That 5,500 represents almost 50% of all Middletown employees,” Frank said, and he urged councilors to reconsider a previous vote on a housing proposal he called the Penrose motion.

Another resident, identified in the transcript as Mrs. Bonvilles, read a prepared statement arguing that repurposing the Berkeley Peckham and Oliphant school buildings for affordable housing would expand the tax base and reduce future tax pressure for residents. She said taxpayers ultimately fund municipal projects and urged the council to “focus on the big picture,” noting state funding incentives can accompany repurposed schools.

Councilors responded with a short explanation of procedural options. A councilor summarized Robert’s Rules of Order on renewing or reconsidering motions and noted that in‑meeting motions to reconsider can be made only by a member of the prevailing side during the same meeting; renewing a motion later requires a substantial change in circumstances or wording.

Why it matters: Speakers tied affordability to school enrollment, teacher retention and the town’s tax base, saying a lack of affordable housing can depress family formation and long‑term enrollment in the new schools. Councilors did not take action during the meeting; public‑comment items require separate agenda action to be voted on later.

What comes next: Speakers requested the council reintroduce the prior housing motion; councilors explained the rules for reconsideration and renewal and suggested that a new or amended motion would be the procedural route to revisit the issue.","During the public forum, residents urged the council to reconsider a previously defeated housing proposal and highlighted rising rents and the need for more affordable housing for working residents and seniors. A councilor outlined parliamentary options to renew or reconsider past motions.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6559702,"Council approves prioritized CDBG application for 2023–24 despite objections that town projects are missing",1062,4108000,5170000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3194696-4ab74b7d8559203adb94b909046fbf11&start=4108&end=5170","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3194696-4ab74b7d8559203adb94b909046fbf11/thumbnail_4108000.jpg","/articles/6559702/Rhode-Island/Council-approves-prioritized-CDBG-application-for-202324-despite-objections-that-town-projects-are-missing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6559702-ade9a48457c4751b2cca8ee86ebf7f11/orig.mp4?Expires=1770611512&Signature=d4wVsSe9E3JuDk5lQlwEoSquce7tAvHIQcttMVw6epNGBZivMBcnORWb8QPtUvAhW71iDa~tzjpLcxOtbRVoXyx9EAr6cSaXWfKWJ8PAypyRH3HMFgL4mpsc1xCf4a0T-ZfO9gh6NpsEkuyQOw~79a8UvkjEKeo84O3vFLLj3t-stxvO5IDrLPAL31OxLNIG7WPDsEKy7GAct9EDQOBNkCSqWvj5kkV4dDGYCTb6vBbINcGG5hl6uBfNbGwIZ1w3nenk3ERBXX0fEMb43qGRB1FSH0ilP-9cQykV7uzEtY0ylFlQK96y8dQn25sXlSoCpas85AAeS6zmOlUrsNRShg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town Council on Wednesday approved the Town of Middletown’s prioritized list of projects for the 2023–2024 Community Development Block Grant program after a public hearing, though at least one councilor opposed the submission and others raised concerns that the slate included primarily regional service providers rather than town capital projects.

Bob Plaine of Church Community Housing, the town’s CDBG administrator, and town staff explained the state had solicited a consolidated application covering two program years and encouraged regional service providers to submit a single application through one participating town. Plaine said that service providers frequently serve Middletown residents even when their physical facilities are in neighboring towns.

Several councilors pressed staff to explain why no Middletown‑specific capital projects — such as sidewalks or senior‑center improvements — were on the application this year. Town staff said they had advertised the availability of funds but did not receive town project requests for inclusion this cycle; staff also noted that the grants are competitive and that project awards are typically administered to nonprofit service providers that operate regionally.

The prioritized list included five funding requests; one example noted in the packet was a small affordable housing proposal (Bloom Court). During the vote the council approved the resolution; the roll call recorded one councilor opposing the application.

Why it matters: CDBG awards can fund housing improvements, public services and small capital projects that principally benefit low‑ and moderate‑income residents. Councilors said they wanted more outreach in future cycles to identify Middletown‑specific projects and asked staff for a five‑year record of how CDBG funds were used to benefit the town.

Next steps: Staff said the application period closes May 20 and that the town must submit the prioritized list as part of the package. Council members asked staff to notify them earlier in next cycles so the council can consider and develop Middletown projects for competitive funding.","After a public hearing, the Town Council approved the prioritized list of projects for the town’s federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application for program years 2023 and 2024. Some councilors expressed concern that no town‑specific capital projects were on the list and one councilor opposed the resolution.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6559707,"Middletown council approves purchase and LED conversion of town streetlights, selects repayment option",278,3270000,3548000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3194696-4ab74b7d8559203adb94b909046fbf11&start=3270&end=3548","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3194696-4ab74b7d8559203adb94b909046fbf11/thumbnail_3270000.jpg","/articles/6559707/Rhode-Island/Middletown-council-approves-purchase-and-LED-conversion-of-town-streetlights-selects-repayment-option","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6559707-df6c0bbea04fb51ef77555d92f2aa847/orig.mp4?Expires=1770611512&Signature=C4aSZ6kLxxOzaZPmZGuc~kZEQ8xvUwQyuyjBfAO2iTsnQu4L37eksTvcfxCAxfYMK6ZK2FGZ36lA6vS7xfkyombyJBF1DV7hf~LdoiFIeX-37GMEpBJ~I-YHpCAeUhLdLJs60CLrC-2Yqj-8IzP9LwjKUC1yt9mo1cDfrfTO17adrDuCbNi-2cIDqJ2lO~S03nHCtotPPZ3Cf-XEjZWSAEpygnJxdh6iMseRrO7BqOt8ofjjrXEm6ZWxXXrb0YTaXo~lzOuAa52d~BuuVyKfK0h3tQWqz6LVio2rKV29DqpGWxSLNgfrvh41kzbBFTlLmDY8DGqHSzzCASc0vH1bxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Middletown voted Wednesday to purchase its streetlights, convert fixtures to LED, and enter a maintenance arrangement intended to cut the town’s long‑term streetlight costs.

Town staff presented three financing options and recommended an option that combines state and utility incentives with an unbilled repayment mechanism. The council approved the resolution authorizing purchase and conversion and awarding the project to the selected contractor and engineering team.

Town staff described the project’s components and budget. The total project cost was estimated at $1,242,263, which includes a pre‑conversion survey, purchase cost for lights ($321,005), LED fixtures and conversion ($680,304), control hardware and communications ($113,619), a 10‑year communications prepaid license ($45,305), and a 5% contingency. Staff said first‑year maintenance is estimated at $37,018, with subsequent annual maintenance around $31,795.

The town expects $208,160 in incentives from Rhode Island Energy and an unbilled repayment of $672,577 applied to future electric bills over 60 months (estimated at $11,209.61 per month). Under the chosen option, the town would appropriate roughly $361,526 from the general fund to fund the remaining upfront costs. Staff and the town’s consultant said the measure will save more than $1 million over ten years compared with the town’s current streetlight tariff.

Will Livencott, a consultant with RPM, said his firm has assisted more than a dozen Rhode Island towns with similar conversions and helped the town verify savings and secure program information.

Councilors asked how soon the town would recoup the investment; staff replied that the town is projected to be cash‑positive in year two under the recommended option and that ongoing savings come from lower energy use, reduced maintenance, and shifting state‑road lights onto the Rhode Island Department of Transportation’s (RIDOT) account (approximately 192 units would be moved off the town’s bill). Staff also noted a limited procurement window to lock pricing and incentives.

The resolution authorizes the town administrator to execute conversion agreements, accept the utility incentives, and notify RIDOT upon completion. Staff said the project includes an initial inventory and survey to identify redundant or unnecessary lights and to limit light spill onto private property.

Why it matters: Converting to LED with controllable fixtures is intended to reduce energy and maintenance costs, improve lighting control, and remove some state‑road lights from the town budget. Officials estimated ten‑year net savings in the low‑seven figures.

Implementation notes: Staff said the selected vendor’s pricing was based on a competitively bid East Greenwich procurement that other towns can piggyback; the town has a narrow window to accept the price and incentives.","Council approved a contract to buy the town's streetlights, convert them to LED with controls, and selected an option that uses Rhode Island Energy unbilled repayment to finance part of the work. Officials said the project will reduce energy and maintenance costs and break even within a few years.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6559712,"Middletown council approves multiple trade awards as schools project advances on time and on budget",2443,428000,2871000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3194696-4ab74b7d8559203adb94b909046fbf11&start=428&end=2871","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3194696-4ab74b7d8559203adb94b909046fbf11/thumbnail_428000.jpg","/articles/6559712/Rhode-Island/Middletown-council-approves-multiple-trade-awards-as-schools-project-advances-on-time-and-on-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6559712-67ac30aad87e71a6da04812f60f35103/orig.mp4?Expires=1770611512&Signature=SVxTmc3gPVVbCAyocvz-wieUV8qbpgxgdVn1JHWElAFZrGO~-rFdYLkwDlrsKNK30g4qmP9~roexulj57YBSLRTnS2dfabztm9-6hjLySPbaqAFJf67gA4e~0s9tk~XRJanzqoJoEEjr9FbySQyCQsNQHrurg5ajVHrVPu84faP3WPHa11nUNQ9MAHqalhdlbtJwECKd2k1kh0dzYkJEAY4o0W96fCM-xS9RYqkxQK6dfa00SZs9wARhkPjUNE1KEtMv2g5vJLRdQWIO00tFzsbJ1Wbv43JuDKA~6PILPCWh0UJEUZANMKuYZh696gr~aCaSeW7jc9aeCJ7B1u0V9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Middletown on Wednesday approved a set of construction trade awards and related contracts for the new Middletown middle–high school, the town's senior project manager said, while project managers emphasized the overall program remains on schedule and “on budget.”

Justin Bernard, senior project manager with Colliers Project Leaders, told the council that Gilbane, the construction manager at‑risk, and Colliers recommended awards after scope reviews and best‑and‑final pricing and that the trade packages would be presented in groups as part of the RTA process. “These trade packages were all bid out by Gilbane… Scope reviews were attended by Gilbane, Colliers, members of the school building committee, and the design team,” Bernard said.

The council approved a materials‑testing and special‑inspections contract with Prime Consulting for $175,520; a site‑work RTA (Package 31a) to DeGregorio Corporation for $12,174,000 (which includes an owner allowance of $2,675,000 for unsuitable soil disposal); a structural‑steel RTA to Shepherd Steel Company for $7,052,500 (including a $20,000 owner allowance for possible modifications); a concrete RTA to JL Marshall & Sons for $5,427,000; and a pre‑construction surveying contract with Falvey Associates for $11,250. Each item was presented with recommended alternates or allowances as appropriate and approved by the council.

The site‑work award to DeGregorio includes the owner allowance to cover disposal or reuse of soils that are “unsuitable” for building — a term project staff repeatedly clarified does not mean contaminated. Bernard said the town and Colliers expect to test soils and, if feasible, reuse them on other town properties. “Our goal is to keep it in town,” he said, adding the architect will be asked to prepare soil testing at the next meeting.

Officials described the RTA sequencing: the first group of packages for the elementary complex will come later in the month; for the high school and middle school, the first bid packages presented included site, concrete and steel tonight, with later rounds for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, elevators, millwork, food service and equipment. Bernard said there will be roughly 37–38 trade RTAs presented in groups of about six, and those six smaller guaranteed maximum price (GMP) segments will combine into the overall GMP for the projects.

Bernard and the project team reported the projects remain on schedule and within the project budget to date. A tentative groundbreaking for the high‑school/middle‑school complex was set for June 9 at about 10 a.m., pending final event logistics.

Participation goals and alternates: the site‑work package was presented with 4.75% Women Business Enterprise (WBE) participation and 2.3% Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) participation. The structural‑steel package had no MBE participation but listed 20.77% WBE. The concrete package included 8.35% MBE and 8.94% WBE participation. Bernard also outlined which alternates were recommended for hold, approval or rejection for each package; several alternates were recommended to be held so the council could decide later based on the remaining budget.

On financing and process, the team reiterated that favorable numbers on early trade packages do not necessarily mean the final GMP will be under budget because later long‑lead items (glass, roofing membrane, finishes) can change costs. “I would caution… against using that word ‘under budget’ right now until the whole GMP is built,” a project representative said.

Votes at a glance:
Prime Consulting — materials testing and special inspections — $175,520 — approved.
DeGregorio Corp. — RTA 31a site‑work package — $12,174,000; owner allowance $2,675,000 (unsuitable soils) — approved.
Shepherd Steel Company — RTA 05a structural steel — $7,052,500; $20,000 owner allowance — approved.
JL Marshall & Sons — RTA 03a concrete — $5,427,000 — approved.
Falvey Associates — RTA 99 pre‑construction surveying — $11,250 — approved.

Why it matters: The awards move the largest capital undertaking in recent Middletown history into the procurement and early construction phase. The council will continue to approve dozens of RTAs in coming meetings that together form the project GMP and direct how the town’s school construction funds and contractor participation goals will be allocated.

What comes next: Staff said additional RTA packages will be presented over the next meetings in staged groups. The architect and town administration will return with further details on soil testing, alternates, and other budget items for council review.","Council approved a series of request-to-award (RTA) packages for the new Middletown middle–high school, including site work, structural steel, concrete, materials testing and preconstruction surveying. Officials said the project remains on schedule and within the overall budget; several alternates and owner allowances were held or included.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council receives island bike plan, refers it to Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee and authorizes adding committee member

Residents urge council to revisit housing choices as rents rise and younger families leave

Council approves prioritized CDBG application for 2023–24 despite objections that town projects are missing

Middletown council approves purchase and LED conversion of town streetlights, selects repayment option

Middletown council approves multiple trade awards as schools project advances on time and on budget