<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1zFQbs_1H1tpu2D00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1zFQbs_1H1tpu2D00" width="1200" height="628" >The Middletown Town Council approved expenditures for major town projects on Nov. 2 that are reportedly on time and on budget. The news was positive on the high school-middle school, which would include no new tax increases and is on course to come in between $5 million and $6 million under the borrowing limit of $190 million. Facilities Director Ed Collins, who made four reports overall, said the new library will be virtually finished at the beginning of the new year. This was a hot button issue for some voters. The town said it ultimately saves taxpayers $14 million, but some residents wanted the plan to go before voters and not be stamped in a council executive session.For each project, money was shifted on Nov. 2 but not increased. The council unanimously approved a recommendation from Collier’s to award the furniture, fixtures and equipment to the vendors not to exceed $2.8 million. Funding for this proposal comes from bond proceeds, bond interest and/or bond premium. A representative from Collier’s told the council the expenditure was $320,000 below original estimates. Donations continued to come in from the Friends of the Middletown Public Library in support of the library renovation project. The funds will be applied in accordance with donor intent as follows: $250 designated for community gathering and program space; $1,000 for study, work and private spaces; $1,050 for any area. Through various grants and private gifts, the project has garnered hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations it did not expect when the project was approved last year. The council also awarded $46,832 to move contents of the current library into the new facility over the next two months. In other matters:• Melissa Welch and co-chair Karen Barbers gave a presentation about “sunsetting” the Citizens Advisory Committee after three years of work. Their efforts involved ideas to develop recreational use over five acres of the parcel that was going to become the Middletown Town Center. But that project’s development plan did not pass. Council President Paul Rodrigues said he was “troubled” that the committee was ending because there are other parcels in town that could use astute planning and fresh ideas. • George Krol, chair of the Middletown 250th Commission, gave his final report of the grant money the group obtained and the many activities it established to honor the anniversary. • Lynne Tungett, editor and publisher of Newport This Week, invited the council and town staff to attend a community meeting at St. Joseph’s Church on Nov. 11 at 6:30 p.m. She said the meeting is being held to “learn how we can help our immigrant neighbors who are facing detention and deportation.” </div></body>

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The Middletown Town Council approved expenditures for major town projects on Nov. 2 that are reportedly on time and on budget. The news was positive on the high school-middle school, which would include no new tax increases and is on course to come in between $5 million and $6 million under the borrowing limit of $190 million.

Middletown Schools, Library Project Going Full Bore

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The Middletown Town Council approved expenditures for major town projects on Nov. 2 that are reportedly on time and on budget. The news was positive on the

Middletown Schools, Library Project Going Full Bore

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