Common Council

COMMON COUNCIL MIDDLETOWN, CONNECTICUT SPECIAL MEETING FY 2025-2026 BUDGET WORKSHOP #2 TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2025 6:00 PM MINUTES The Special Meeting of the Common Council of the City of Middletown was held on Tuesday, April 15, 2025at 6:00 PM. This was a hybrid meeting, participants in-person in the Council Chamber and remotely, via WebEx. The meeting was also livestreamed on local public access cable television, on the City website, and on the City Facebook page. This meeting is the second of three (3) scheduled budget workshops for the proposed FY 2025- 2026 budget. Present: Councilman Eugene Nocera, President Councilman Anthony Mangiafico Councilwoman Jeanette Blackwell (arrived 6:15PM) Councilwoman Kelly Sweeney Councilman Darnell Ford (arrived 6:15 PM) Councilwoman Linda Salafia Councilman Grady Faulkner, Jr. (arrived 6:35 PM) Councilman Anthony Gennaro, Sr. Councilwoman Steven Kovach Councilman Jonathan Pulino Councilman Vincent Loffredo Councilwoman Leslie Spatola Also Present: Linda Reed, Clerk of the Common Council Sergeant-at-Arms: Middletown Police -- Officer Ranney City Staff: Central Communications – Robert Grauer, Deputy Director Council of Veterans – Philip Cacciola Emergency Management – Robert Kronenberger, Director Equal Opportunity & Diversity Management – Faith Jackson, Director Finance – Carl Erlacher, CPA, Director Fire – David Albert, Chief Old Burying Ground – Mark Eskra (President), James inaudible (Vice-President) Deborah Shapiro (Treasurer) Police – Erik Costa, Chief and Capt. John Lozefski Probate – Judge Joseph Marino and Judge-Elect Souza Registrars of Voters – George Souto, Republic Registrar and Patricia Alston, democratic Registrar Town Clerk – Ashley Flynn-Natale Public Works – Bobbie Knoll Peterson, Acting Deputy Director Water & Sewer – Joseph Fazzino, Director Youth Services _ Justin Carbonella, Manager CALL TO ORDER Common Council President, Councilman Eugene Nocera, is serving as Chair for this budget workshop. He calls the workshop to order at 6:00 PM. The Councilmembers join in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. 1. Town Clerk Town Clerk Ashley Flynn-Natale presented the budget and responded to questions asked by the Councilmembers, as needed. 2. Old Burying Grounds President Mark Eskra presented the budget and responded to questions asked by the Councilmembers, as needed, supported by Treasurer Deborah Shapiro and Vice-President James (inaudible). 3. Council of Veterans Commander Philip Cicciola presented the budget and responded to questions asked by the Councilmembers, as needed, supported by Treasurer Thomas Goglia, 4. Probate Court APRIL 15, 2025 COMMON COUNCIL – SPECIAL MEETING Page 2 BUDGET WORKSHOP #2 Judge Joseph Marino presented the budget and responded to questions asked by the Councilmembers, as needed, supported by Judge-Elect Souza. 5. Transit District No one appearing for this matter. The item will be added to the Common Council Budget Workshop agenda for Monday, April 21, 2025. 6. Registrar of Voters Republic Registrar George Souto and Democratic Registrar Patricia Alston presented the budget and responded to questions asked by the Councilmembers, as needed. 7. Office of Equal Opp. & Diversity Management Director Faith Jackson presented the budget and responded to questions asked by the Councilmembers, as needed. 8. Youth Services Manager Justin Carbonella presented the budget and responded to questions asked by the Councilmembers, as needed. 9. Assessor & Board of Tax Review No one appearing for this matter. The item will be added to the Common Council Budget Workshop agenda for Monday, April 21, 2025. 10. Central Communications Deputy Director Robert Grauer presented the budget and responded to questions asked by the Councilmembers, as needed. 11. Fire Department Fire Chief David Albert presented the budget and responded to questions asked by the Councilmembers, as needed. 12. Emergency Management Director Robert Kronenberger presented the budget and responded to questions asked by the Councilmembers, as needed. 13. Police Department, Including Animal Control Police Chief Erik Costa presented the budget and responded to questions asked by the Councilmembers, as needed, supported by Capt. John Lozefski. ADJOURNMENT There being no further discussion on the budget, the Chair closes the workshop at 8:07 PM. Councilwoman Jeanette Blackwell moves to adjourn. Councilman Anthony Gennaro, Sr. seconds the motion. There being no discussion, the Chair calls for a voice vote. The motion is approved unanimously by a vote of 12-0 (AYE: Councilmembers Blackwell, Ford, Faulkner, Gennaro, Kovach, Loffredo, Mangiafico, Nocera, Pulino, Salafia, Spatola, and Sweeney). The matter is approved. The meeting is adjourned at 8:09 PM. ATTEST: LINDA S.K. REED, COMMON COUNCIL CLERK K: review/ minutes/ 2025 April 15 – Budget workshop 2 – 15 April 2025