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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.
Middletown Shares
School Regionalization
Through the offer of a lifetime from the state Department of Education, Middletown has the prospect of building all new schools in Town for 20 cents on the dollar without giving up local control.
This is all potentially possible through an evolving regionalization model being considered by officials in each community.
Importantly, Middletown students would attend Middletown schools with Newport students going to Pell, Thompson and Rogers High schools unless they choose to take part in a program in the other community.
Before anything with hybrid unification moves forward, it needs to be approved by both the Middletown and Newport councils as well as voters in each community.
Turn here to see the latest in this exciting and evolving conversation that could offer Middletown students a better education with more choice.
School Regionalization Documents
Town Council Regionalization Proposal May 16, 2022
Proposed Special Legislation Guiding School Regionalization
Town Council Hybrid Unification Special Meeting Agenda - May 10
"Hybrid School Unification Talks Advance"
"Newport, Middletown Looking At Working Together To Improve Schools
School Preliminary Redesign Plan November 2021
Middletown Schools Stage 1 Submission To RIDE
Middletown Shares
"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 Shares
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 Shares
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.
Middletown Shares
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.
Middletown Shares
American Rescue Plan Act Input
Middletown is expected to receive close to $5 million in American Rescue Plan Act money. At this point, the Town's Planning Board is reviewing the recommendations in early May. From there, suggestions will be made to the Town Council, which has ultimate say on how that money could be best spent.
Middletown Shares
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.
Short-Term Rentals Documents
"Short-Term Rental Conversation Continues"
Short-Term Rental Task Force Created
Short-Term Rental Task Force Meeting 1
Town Council Short-Term Rental Subcommittee Notes
Town Council Short-Term Rental Subcommittee Meeting -- July 29, 2021
Town Council Short-Term Rental Subcommittee Meeting Posting
Town Council Short-Term Rental Subcommittee Minutes -- July 29, 2021
Town Council Short-Term Rental Subcommittee Meeting Video - Aug. 5, 2021
Town Council Short-Term Rental Subcommittee Agenda Aug. 25, 2021 Meeting
Town Council Short-Term Rental Subcommittee Meeting Video Aug. 25, 2021
Town Council Short-Term Rental Subcommittee Agenda Sept. 2, 2021
Town Council Short-Term Rental Subcommittee Meeting Video Sept. 2, 2021
Middletown Shares
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.
Old Mill Lane LNG Documents
Energy Facility Siting Board LNG Letter
Narragansett Electric LNG Project
National Grid Old Mill Lane Notice
State PUC Old Mill Lane Info Session Video (Scroll to 52:50 of the video to see the action)
Order Granting Conditional Waiver & Staying Licensing Proceedings
National Grid Old Mill Lane Submission
National Grid Old Mill Stakeholder Presentation
March 15, 2022 NYCU About Middletown Objecting to Lack of Information about Old Mill Lane site
Middletown Shares
Proposed Fiscal 2022 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 $75.9 million, which a 1 percent more than the current figure. If approved, the residential tax rate is expected to be $12.59 per $1,000 of assessed value compared to $16.66 per $1,000 of assessed commercial value.
Take part in the conversation by clicking on the following link: Budget Ideas
or
Email town officials directly at Budgets@MiddletownRI.com