Middletown Shares

We want to hear what you think

Middletown Shares is a new, town-sponsored community platform for residents, businesspeople and visitors to learn and discuss some of the ongoing issues of Middletown.

As part of the platform, the latest information about an issue will be loaded to this webpage. This could include everything from design plans for a project and artist renderings to a video of a community forum and other important documents. There will also be a passively moderated forum available for anyone to chat and discuss the issues in a safe, threat-free environment.

The thinking with Middletown Shares is it will help the entire community understand the issues of Middletown better in a more holistic, grassroots way. Remember, we might not all agree all of the time, but we should all be focused on making family friendly Middletown the best place possible to live, work and play.

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School Building Situation

On Election Day, Middletown voters overwhelmingly approved regionalization and a $235 million bond for three new schools. Unfortunately, Newport voters decided to leave close to $50 million in state aid on the table and reject the proposal.

As a result, the Town of Middletown is moving forward, now trying to decide the best option to give local students and educators the safe and healthy school buildings they need and deserve. 

Among the ideas under consideration are revisiting regionalization with Newport and Portsmouth, building a new high school, all new schools and other options, with a special election potentially in April for voters to have their say on whatever proposal moves forward.

Affordable Housing

No matter where you turn in Town, one of the hot topics is the cost of housing. A mirror of what's happening now across the country, some say they can't afford to live in Town anymore and are getting forced from their homes, while others say they'd like to buy into Middletown, but the prices are prohibitive. In response, the Town's Affordable Housing Committee is looking at the options, including bringing projects to Linden Park at 141 West Main Road, the Oliphant administration building at 26 Oliphant Lane and the former Peckham School at 650 Green End Ave.

Get in on the conversation by clicking the Affordable Housing link and offering your feedback and ideas.


Affordable Housing Documents

"Senior Capstone Project Looks At Affordable Housing"

"Town Affordable Housing Project Takes A Major Step"

"Housing Is Happening In Middletown"

Oliphant School Affordable Housing Report

Oliphant School Affordable Housing Advance

"Middletown Center" Town Center

The Town of Middletown is working with a local development team to remake 15 underused acres in the heart of the community into a new town center known as "Middletown Center." The proposal gets its first public airing April 21 at 6 pm before the Planning Board, which will perform a concept review. This is the first step in a lengthy review process, where everyone is invited to hear, see and speak about the plans.

Middletown Outreach Department

The Town Council is looking at expanding its out of classroom opportunities available to students through a new Middletown Outreach Department. The goal is to help prepare students for the increasingly competitive 21st century world, whether its college, the workforce or beyond.

Middletown Outreach Department Documents

General Assembly Support Memo

"Middletown Looks For Help With Its Outreach Group"

Town Council Resolution Supporting State Funding For Middletown Outreach Department

"After Hours Learning"

Town Council Resolution Supporting Making Education A Priority

Linden Park

The Town Council is considering multiple ideas for the future of Linden Park at 141 West Main Road. Among those include redoing the five-acre park with a new playground, playing field and four pickleball courts on the southwestern corner of the site. Previously, the Town's Affordable Housing Committee suggested the property be in the mix for a new affordable housing project, but that idea was shelved by the Town Council. Now, the former Peckham School site at 650 Green End Avenue and Oliphant administration building at 26 Oliphant Lane are part of that conversation.

Get in the conversation by clicking on the Linden Park link.

Linden Park Documents

Pickleball Courts Approved For Linden Park (7.18.22)

Revised Proposal For Linden Park (7.18.22)

Linden Park Proposal November 2021

Former Oliphant, Peckham Schools Emerge As Top Affordable Housing Options

Short-Term Rentals

There are some issues that just spark conversation. In Middletown, short-term rentals seem to be one item that generates discussion, no matter where you go.

After hearing concerns from some residents and short-term rental operators themselves, the Town promised to step up enforcement on problem properties this summer.

As that work continues, the Town Council created a new Short-Term Rental Task Force to investigate the matter and come up with fair, equitable solutions. 

To offer input on what you'd like to see happen with short-term rentals in Middletown, visit Short-Term Rental Forum online to share your ideas and opinions.

Narragansett Electric (National Grid) Plans For Old Mill Lane Liquified Natural Gas Operation

In January 2019, close to 7,500 customers in Middletown and Newport lost natural gas service in the middle of winter. Ever since, the utility provider has been under pressure to find reasonable solutions that guarantee there's no repeat without creating other problems.

On June 7, 2021, the Town Council received the latest information related to the effort. To view this paperwork and a video circulated by the council, check out all the links. 

Also, to participate in a community discussion about the Narragansett Electric proposal, visit Old Mill Lane LNG Forum online to let your voice be heard.


Fiscal 2023 Budget

The proposed budget determines spending on everything from the number of school buses on the road to lifeguards at Sachuest Beach as well as police officers part of the force. This year, the proposed budget is $79.7 million million, which a 2 percent more than the current adjusted figure. If approved, the residential-owner occupied tax rate is expected to be $11.93 per $1,000 of assessed value compared to the regular residential tax rate of $17.68 per $1,000 of assessed value and $17.68 per $1,000 of assessed commercial value.

Take part in the conversation by clicking on the following link: Budget Ideas

Fiscal 2023 Budget Documents

Fiscal23 Budget Approved

Fiscal 2023 Proposed Budget Document

Fiscal 2023 Budget Q&A

Fiscal 2023 Budget Presentation

Fiscal 2023 School Budget Deficit Reduction Plan