Middletown Elections Are Coming- Be VERY Afraid!

Sorry, well not really, that I have not kept up with Middletown politics.  I do know some of what's going on due to visitations, not the daily snooze (they charge).  Truly, it's not very high on my list since I no longer reside nor own property there!
I do know about the referendum question (above) and some of the local yokels running (I say this most affectionately).
I'll be short & sweet.  If you don't elect Ed Silveira, Barbara VonVillas, and Dick Adams- you are nuts & deserve what you get.  I've only heard mention of a few other names- "I've heard that song before." Feel free to check the archives!  Check Projo's, too.  Change is extremely difficult, if not impossible for most, so past performance matters!
It's highly questionable why ANYONE would want to run for Town Council/School Committee, but aren't you lucky that they do!  Hat's off to one and ALL of them!   
Pay special attention to State Lege races.  Often these candidates are ignored and get a free pass every year.  They Should Not!  High property taxes- thank them.  Tolls raised?  Look to them.  School woes?  Hey, cast your eyes towards Prov.  But, damn, they do know how to look effective and duck. It's often a beauty contest.  If you haven't got the physical attributes- spin city. So don't let the philistines escape!
Hang tough & buckle down!  Ask those  hard questions & duck the incoming. "Eggheads of the world- unite!  We have nothing to lose but our yolks!"  Adlai Stevenson.

Middletown Council Meets Monday

At 6 pm they meet to discuss the West Side Master plan regarding the town's plan to bid & purchase Navy land by Greene Lane.


There is an interesting item in the Consent Calendar which is usually just voted on & not discussed. Evidently everyone agrees to opening sealed minutes of Nov. 07 & Dec. 07 regarding the Kempen case. Expect to hear more on this later.


There is a resolution to approve combining Newport Co. Visitors Ctr. with East Bay Tourism Council.

On the regular calendar there are various other items, but nothing extremely notable. Councilor Silveira has asked for an update regarding the contract the schools entered into with Salve Regina Univ.

I also heard a recent complaint that the town used to print it's proposed budget in the newspapers with a dept. breakdown. This time it was just the bottom line. Curious.

If there is anything of interest, I'll try & get video up on Wed.; providing, of course, that all the planets are in the correct alignment.

St. Sen. DiPalma before the Middletown Town Council

**UPDATE** Darn! All that editing & hours of stuff for naught. I fixed & hopefully link will work now.

This is Sen. DiPalma giving a lege update at the Mon. Council meeting. I missed the first 3? minutes- the State is doing roadwork on W. Main, most of the Charter changes are on the guv's desk waiting to be signed, and the change giving seniors with limited incomes a local tax break is in committee.

Since it was so long (too long- 13 min.), it had to be divided. See Pt. 2.

My totally unsoliticed advice: whoa, Nellie! Stick to a script (less than 5 min.) which would help eliminate the run-on sentences during which we fall asleep wherein you also throw in so much stuff that it's like my kitchen sink and I lose track whereupon the sentence ends and I hear something I'm interested in but I'm so off-track at that point that it takes me by surprise and I'm unsure that I heard it correctly. Got it? KISS.

Middletown Council Meets

It was a long one, preceeded by a workshop on the new assessment, & followed by a closed session meeting on Union negotiations. How do they stand it?

One reason making this meeting so long is loose control. This results in endless yak-yak and confusion. Sometimes, it's difficult to know who is in charge. At one point Councilor Silveira referred to the Town Admin. (Sean Brown) as "Mr. Chairman." Too often everyone's gaze is directed at the Town Solicitor (Mike Miller), "The Great Arbiter", or "The Quiet Man" Brown.

This has to do with an inexperienced chair, & a table shape that denies members from actually seeing/hearing each other, and members not speaking directly into their mic's (or lousy mic's). All easy fixes, but...

I'll cover major points & post video up ?Wed.

To receive the same income from last year, your tax rates would need to increase 1.54%. That's NOT good news. Commercial is 2.39%. Detailed assessment info by name/location will soon be posted on the town website.

When Councilor VonVillas asked Tax Assessor for a really simple answer as to why your home value will decrease but not your taxes, she didn't get it. Oh, you silly girl. She is concerned that it may well be a "big surprise" when locals receive their tax bill in August. Yup.

Three memorandums from the Planning Board rec'd too much conversation. You vote to receive these or not. Not this time. Two members recused themselves accidentally (Bozyan & Prez Semonelli). I think. They did, then they didn't, but who knows. Even the Prez, supposedly running the meeting, was confused. They really wanted to recuse themselves later in the agenda.

Recusals. I am assured by Councilor Bozyan that he did confer with the Ethic Board and was told that it was a necessary action on his part. I believe him. I don't know when the line is drawn that you should go before the Ethics Commission for a decision; e.g., Councilor Santos as Treasurer for the local historical group. So I asked. If you have nothing in writing from them, it counts for butkus. It's your opinion based on how you interpreted what you were told & the facts that you revealed privately. You may well not want your business laid out for the public to read, but that's how it goes. It takes nothing but filing a form & an appearance to receive a written opinion.

Sen. DiPalma gave a lege update. Sorry, I found it long & confusing. The bad news is- the State is in an ever-deepening hole- almost $600 mil. And "the worst is yet to come" when Stimulus funds end in 2011. Good news- sorry, little. The lege will likely approve recent Charter changes. Prostitution, school funding formulas, holding harmless, tax structure, library funding- it all blurred by iffiness & a confusing ramble. KISS Forget the details, stick with the bullets. Nice try, though & your effort is appreciated.

Much discussion ensued with a request from the Substance & Abuse Task Force to impose training sessions on liquor store employees. The concern was that this is an "unfunded mandate" (VonVillas) with the Prez also expressing concern. Right now, it's covered through fed grants, but that could always end. This was the first hearing & it will be on the agenda again before it's voted on. Councilman Silveira wanted more into from police (stats) that this ordinance would actually address and solve a problem- underage drinking.

The wind turbine ordinance is still being worked on and Solicitor "The Great Arbiter" Miller is instructed to draw up a moratorium ordinance until one is actually in effect.

There was some lively discussion once again on the School Committee's request for $30,000 to move the Kennedy School playground equipment to the Gaudet School field area. Councilor Santos voted against it just when the topic was brought up & Councilor VonVillas wanted to know what the vote was on. Again, confusion.

Upshot, Councilor Santos is NOT fond of the school committee, thought that they should fund this, & wanted these monies from somewhere besides Parks & Rec. Something to do with the "kids"? having to replace railings & a "band-aid" approach to Second Beach. You've got me.

Councilor VonVillas tried to keep the discussion on track with the playground being a "community resource .... We're not doing this for the school."

Mr. Hawes ("Open Space" chair) spoke that he supported having a "really good site at Gaudet [to include playground equipment]" and "Get it done! I don't care where the money comes from." The discussion continued with Mr. Viveiros from the audience speaking to the need for proper budgets to be prepared, eliminating requests like these- especially from the School Dept. School Dept. -65% of the town's budget. That's where this pointed anger is coming from. Thank you, State of Rhode Island & fed'l gov't from so little $ and so many mandates.

Councilor Silveira again tried to draw the discussion down to the topic at hand with, "It's all ours. We're all in this together. I take offense at "us" against "them." "Them" being the school department and "us" being the town. One more audience speaker- Manny Mello, "Let them move it themselves." You get the drift.

Bottom line- playground goes to Gaudet. Councilor Mello is "for" playgrounds but voted against because of the funding source. "Them" should fund it, I guess.

And totally off topic, I asked the school facilities director if a backboard was ever returning to the Gaudet tennis courts. YES!! Sometime!! But I had to agree to use it. Okay and that's likely the only way you'll get me to those courts for awhile. Read this as: out of practice and lousy at serves.

Middletown Council Meets Monday & Fog

There is a fun-filled prelim meeting at 6 for the "Tax Assessor Report on Town Revaluation and matters related there to." So did you get your assessment recently? The ones that I've seen from Newport & Middletown all went down. I think that my home decreased by $90,000. But that's the good news.


The bad news is that odds are your taxes will not go down. Heck, they'll go up. They'll discuss the recent ev-al & it's relevancy to the tax rate at this meeting, I would think. Awfully difficult to present a bill to the public when your home is worth less, but you're paying more. Please, kick us while we're down.


Then there is the regular agenda at 7, also fun-filled. I'll try & get some video up by Wed. Unless the weather is good & I'm actually out having fun.


The Middletown Economic Advisory Committee recently was awarded a private grant from the Michael & Kitty Dukakis Center at Northeaster Univ. for the Economic Development Assessment tool worth $5000. This is the correct link. "This on-going research collaboration between the Dukakis Center, the private sector and municipal governments uses a web-based self-assessment test to determine how capable a municipality is when competing for development." Good stuff**

The Planning Board is recommending that the entire town ordinance on senior housing be stricken while the town's solicitor is remmending just deleting the offending age phrase. One might ask the two recusing Council members to actually get Ethics Board decisions regarding this. Voting on important matters now & in the future is... well, important. Otherwise, it may appear that the weasel factor plays a role in the decision. This is still an open public hearing. If this ordinance becomes history, then another one will have to be written.


They also will again have an open hearing regarding new harbor mooring fees & windmills.


There is a proposed ordinance on requiring alcohol training certification for all liquor store owners and employees. Jeez, endless rules. All, of course, involving fees. Nickel & dimed to death. A property owner wants two "No Parking" signs on Fenner Ave. (my family's old stomping grounds) removed & once again the Council will address the request of the Schools for $ assistance with moving playground equipment from Kennedy to Gaudet.


The Dem. Town Committee Chair recommends his niece for the town's Personnel Review Board. This is a partisan board. Is it legal to recommend your niece? Sometimes, I just get plain silly, I know. It's the fog that has spread into my brain.


You know, for the first 10 yrs. or so that I lived here, I though that incoming land fog was strange smoke with no smell. I'd always seen fog when it was already in or coming off the water. I never actually saw it creep in over land like a low flying cloud. Hey, I was a city girl, after all. Where were all those fires coming from as I walked by Vernon Park off of Fenner Ave.? Oddly, it happened about the same time every night. It would slowly roll in with soft puffs of land-hugging odorless smoke. It took me awhile to figure it out. The fog really does come in on "little cat feet" when it claims the land. Hey, I never claimed to be the brightest bulb.

Middletown Council Updated by Rep. Ruggiero

Here is Rep. Ruggiero updating the Council on lege activity.

Middletown Council & Harbormaster

In Mon. Council meeting, resident Art Benner spoke to the harbor ordinance. I mistakingly thought that it called for an increase in various costs to the public, but actually it was calling for a $25 fee to tie up to the town's 5 new public moorings at Third Beach. Hey, Mrs. Know-It-All doesn't know EVERYTHING.


Art brings up several valid points- mainly concerning the Harbormaster (Steve Ponte). This summer job is 5 days/wk.- no weekends when it's the busiest.

There are 70 moorings which bring in $100/yr. There is a waiting list of appx. 10 yrs. People often sublease these moorings. Now before a harbormaster, this was all income. Even with the pumping fees which the Harbormaster manages, thuis program falls short of $.

So why have a Harbormaster at all is Benner's valid question. The loss of this job would cost elem. Principal Ponte no severe hardship and all the other members of his family are town employees. We would then regain an income from Third Beach.

I've been at Second & Third Beaches where there were FIVE cop cars present. FIVE. And on more than one occasion. When there is a problem at the beaches who handles the problems- lifeguards & police. I'm wondering if at some point this job was originally funded through fed'l funding for homeland security. Well, it ain't now.

So here are Art's thoughts.

And a big thanks to John McDaid at Hard Deadlines who explained to me how to get video off the t.v. & my son who helped me with the finer points. I'm still working out kinks, but it's still pretty neat overall, I think.

Middletown Council Meets

It was quiet & short- for me not the Council. They met before for a budget workshop & after for negotiations with the Police Dept. Lucky me.

State Rep. Ruggiero gave a lege update. Funny, with new Rep./Sen., they do that now. She is focusing on the tax exemption for sr. (I think that will be a local vote) & the charter changes. She is opposed to DOT taking over local bridges, favors net metering. She said that the biggest issues facing the lege are pension reform & local revenue sharing. She shes herself as an "extension to your team [Council]." Finally, someone who gets it.

The wind turbine ordinance is still being worked on & so was cont'd. 3 testified as to the need to slow traffic on Forest Ave. with a "Stop" sign- Bill Medeiros, Bruce Ryerson, Bruce Long. This now gets sent to the police for a review/study.

An interesting discussion took place during the ordinance to raise harbor fees. Art Benner addressed the need for a Harbor Master. While the Town Admin. "Wuite Man" Brown said that this job is self-sustaining (I think, I couldn't hear him will), Benner pointed out that these moorings at Third Beach used to bring in income (what an idea!). 70 mooring at $100/each. There is a 10 yr. waiting list & owners often sublet them. Brown also said that the town provides pumping services for a few. Benner also reminded everyone that no one is there on weekends when there is the most boat traffic.

Benner brought up some valid points. We could provide zilch & make bucks. Eliminating this summer job would cause little hardship to locals. Steve Ponte, current harbor master, is also an elem. principal. In point of fact, every member of his family is town employed. I'm with Benner on this one.

I've been at Second/Third Beach when 5 police cars have been present. Really. 5. On more than one occasion. All on break? The ordinance will be read again next time & voted on.

That's about it. You can always check out the agenda for specific info. Everything passed.

I'll try & post up some more video- maybe tomorrow if my efforts suceed.

Middletown Council Meets Tonight

Monday at Town Hall at 7 pm. At 6 there is a special meeting for:
6:00 P.M. Presentation – Middletown Fire Department
6:25 P.M. Review of FY 2009-2010 proposed Budget – Parks/Recreation/Beach

State Rep. Ruggiero is going to give a lege update. Less $ is coming. Surprise, surprise. And more fees to boot. Yippee. But thank the Lord, the Lege is still following through with tax breaks for the very richest. What a relief to know that in year two of this, relief is just around the corner for us all. After all, tax them less and they will spend, right? I liked Sen. Levesque's suggestion-whenever you meet the very richest who reside here, give 'em a big hug.

Speaking of fees, there's is going to be a daily mooring fee (big bucks!), a resident wants a "Stop" sign on Forest Ave., and monies are being moved around- mainly to cover shortfalls from the State. More monies is needed for ongoing "special litigation." Hmm, maybe pursing former Town Admin. Kempen? Why not just shoot the guy?

Sounds quiet, but you never know. Tues. it will be on cable Ch. 18.

Middletown Council- Who was first?

So who was first in their efforts to get the Chair's recognition for a nomination?

This was the result of the May 4 meeting in which there was an opening on the Zoning Board with two applicants. The camera focuses on the Council singularly so you miss the full pic of Councilor Bozyan poking & gesturing to the Chair (to his right) to stop Councilor Silveira from making the nomination. You had to be there. I wrote about this previously & here is the video. So you figure it out. The Chair clearly couldn't. Coucilman Silveira was being a bad-boy again with Councilor Sylvia joining in the fun.

The Chair never recognizes Councilor Cambra or his motion (with Councilor Bozyan throwing in a quick second), but clearly does recognize Councilor Silveira; although he thinks that it's just for a question. The town's attorney (whom everyone keeps staring at) is either asleep with his eyes open, or decides that sometimes ignorance is the better part of valor (wise man). He tosses the hot potato back to the chair where it belongs. The Chair decides in favor of Cambra who frequently functions as the parliamentarian (quietly advising the Chair on rules).

Being Chair is difficult & I can empathize with Prez Semonelli. I now understand why Congress functions under the seniority system rather than who gets the most votes. Sometimes- experience matters. Councilor Silveira has gotten much better at knowing the rules and using them to his advantage. Smart man. If you're going to play the game well, you'd better study the rulebook (Roberts' Rules of Order).

Clearly the Republican applicant was seemingly more desirable then long-time resident Independent, Christy. His name was placed in nomination by a Democrat rather than the lone Council Republican. This is somewhat odd- to say the least . But it sure was fun to watch!

I'm getting somewhat better with the video, so expect more after the next Council meeting if I can figure out my new hardware & software.

Middletown Council Recusals

Recusals are regulated by Ethics Laws. One can ask the Ethics Commission for clarification if one is unsure of the regs in their particular case. If one chooses to recuse themself, they must file an official form stating why. Recently, both Councilors Semonelli & Bozyan did so in regard to the senior housing ordinance.

The former stated that Pat Hayes, Jr., the lawyer for the Bay Ridge Senior development on Forest Ave, while the latter stated that Hayes is attorney for the family trust. However, merely that you use sometimes use a lawyer does NOT establish the business relationship that the regs call for. Not voting on important matters is not to be taken lightly. It's kind of like the reason we elect people.

Those interested in this zoning reg should ask the two Councilors for clarification from the Ethics Board. It costs zilch & others on the Council have certainly done so recently & in the past. When the 2 Councilors said they were recusing & left the dais, they did not state any reason why they were doing so. Later, Councilor Silveira reminded them they must do so.

and the results
Then there is this one. Why would the Council Prez recuse because his daughter goes to MHS? This was on a prom donation from his discretionary fund. Since his daughter doesn't profit from this any more than anyone else, I've got to wonder why? Yeah, yeah, an abundance of caution & all that. Picky, picky.

Here Comes the Sun!

What's that big golden glow in the sky? I can actually see birds AND planes. The fog & dark sky has FINALLY lifted. It STOPPED raining. Talk about depressing weather. But wait! It's coming back tomorrow. Lucky us. No duckies have showed up in my backyard pond/depression. No ibis' wandering around either. What's up?

I gotta go enjoy while I can. Maybe today is a bike ride. At least a walk.

On Sat. there is a town budget hearing from 9-2. You can also buy beach passes at the Second Beach gazebo on Sat. & Sun. from 9-3 How come I haven't seen any postings for beach jobs on the town's site??? I've been watching for a LONG time. Nothing on their Twitter site either. I asked & am eagerly awaiting.

Middletown Council Meets

***UPDATE: I'm updating due to new info I rec'd regarding having the playground equipment moved from Kennedy School to Gaudet. This was a poor presentation and needed a lot more explanation from the school dept.

Since I went to the budget workshop on the library & senior center, I was there 3 hrs. The Council met afterwards for an exec session. Lord, how do they stand it? This Sat. that meet almost all day.

Much of the meeting was a rehash of topics; so, yes, I confess it, I sometimes zone-out. I cleaned up my calendar & shopping list. There were some high points though & I will attempt later in the week to post one or two for your videos for your enjoyment (and mine).

Most Councilors rarely make use of their mic meaning that I am often mystified because the audience cannot hear what is going on. During the consent calendar which has a number of items wherein the Council just votes one resounding "yes" with no discussion, Councilor Bozyna asked to comment on the new fence amendment to remark that it was built on an old one. Whatever this means. This is a new ordinance regarding perimeter fences & hedges now needing a permit. You've got me on any of this. It's a fog out there.

Everything proceeded merrily until the first reading of the ordinance for senior housing. This is being done at the request of the Forest Farm development & was, in fact, originally made for them. It appears that the original ordinance is trumped by federal law. Well, duh! A number of neighbors showed up to testify regarding this one- they like it as it is. This is basically a legal-eagle discussion- like it or not. Anyone who thinks that they can clear this up with 45 min. on the computer is in denial of how the law actually works and has never been involved in a legal battle or in the court system. God help you. For more detail on this go to http://www.bayridgeatforestave.blogspot.com/

Expect no quick resolution on this one. It's back to the Planning Committee & more review. Oddly enough, Councilors Bozyan & Semonelli absented themselves from this by stating "conflict of interest." Thank you to Councilor Silveira later asking what these conflicts were. Yup, I for one would like to know. Seems that they shared the same lawyer- Pat Hayes. So I'm wondering if Sears' owner Semonelli would also have to absent himself if a customer was before him on Council business. Just wondering. Anyway, thanks to the alert Councilor for asking. It should have been stated by those claiming conflict.

There was discussion of the wind energy ordinance. Sorry, when one commenter opined that there is no minimum requirement for how low to the ground the propellers could be, I went into funny-land. We could actually have a windmill-guillotine on our hands. Need a haircut? Neighbors you don't like? Sorry, that's how my mind works. This one may need a tad more crafting- or not. It will continue as it was just its first reading.

There was a LOT of discussion regarding the school committees' requesting funds for moving playground equipment from Kennedy school (to be closed) to Gaudet; although no one ever asked exactly WHERE at Gaudet it was going. I think it makes a difference. It seems that the $30,000 for this was going to come from the Beach Fund. Councilor Santos did not like this. Suppose it's a bad summer? Anyway, money from this fund frequently has gone to parks. It also upset Santos that the schools were not using their own funds for this & others were upset with the cost. The Council wants more info regarding costs.

Evidently this whole thing is part of an actual plan to place equipment at Gaudet school which has activities for every age level except this. Funding is to be done through monies designated to be used for parks & rec. It will be placed in the activity area. Too bad this was presented better. I certainly missed it.

Funding for restoring the former Linden School (now gone) playground was approved; although it engendered much discussion as the town really has done little planning on the use for all its open space purchases (Silveira). These playgrounds are expensive & never seem to last very long.


Antone spoke to the trash program. He wants it to pay for itself. In which case the bags would be so expensive no one would buy them & that would be the demise of that program. Or he wants a public vote on the program. Or he wants a mandatory program. Councilor Sylvia was upset with Viveiros' seeming change of positions. Anyway, Antone doesn't want any tax monies supporting the program. I weary of the endless conversation.


The high point was the two committee appointments. This is basically a game of who jumps in first & hollers out a motion. Don't get me wrong here. The Chair already knows who is getting the nod & whom he is going to recognize for the motion, but still, watching the game is entertaining. So Councilor Sylvia jumped in to nominate a Republican for a partisan committee (the State decides which committees). Now what makes this somewhat odd is that there is ONE Republican on the Council- Santos. The Chair of the Republican Town Committee who is solicited for names for this type of committee (Viveiros) had submitted his own name. So Councilor Santos should have made the motion. But she didn't. Councilor Sylvia nominated- not the town committee's request, but Sal deRuggiero (former Republican Town Committee Chair). And that was the end of that story. One name, one vote. Slap-down to Viveiros & the Republican Town Committee.


Then it was time for the Zoning Board. Two apps, but only one opening. Ah, now it really was fun. Councilor Silveira (that bad boy) jumped in followed quickly by Vice Chair Cambra. Silence. Silveira kept on going. Independent Helen Christy (former owned of the Brew Pub). Called for a vote. Ah, now it hit the fan. This wasn't part of the script. The Chair looked like the proverbial deer caught in the headlights until Councilor Bozyan poked him & mumbled, "out of order." Let me aside for a moment in that Chair Semonelli who at first seemed utterly lost in his role in Nov. now is more comfotable, although his confusion & inexperience is still sometimes evident. Chair is no easy job. He then voiced that Silveira was out of order which he actually wasn't as the Prez had not reconized anyone yet.


Silveira soldiered on & shouted out for an "instant replay" to the videographer as to who was "first." The cameraman hollered back that he was unable to do that. But then he shouted back that "you were!" At this the Prez was thoroughly mystified & turned to the Soliciter who told him that it was always his choice as to whom was or was not recognized. So he choice Cambra & the name was "Potter" for the committee. The vote was 5 to two for that choice & Christy was not voted on. You had to see it! Like I said, I'll try & post.


Nothing in the local newspaper on the meeting yet. Maybe today.

Middletown Council Meets Tonight

There is a budget workshop with the Sr. Ctr. & library at 6 while the Council actually meets at 7. On the agenda is a Planning Board alternate with two candidates- local Helen Christy & newcomer lawyer Mike Potter. If the latter is appointed, that will be 3 lawyers sitting on the Board. Doesn't that sound like fun? Lawyers evidently now have time on their hands with a poor economy.

They will aso be taking up a new ordinance courtesy of the aforementioned Planning Board. You will now need a permit for a fence (or hedge) on your perimeter. There are design & height requirements. Why the town would even want to get involved in this is beyond me. Sure, it will bring in $, but also cost time of Building officials & clerks. Of course, it was the Building Dept. who initiated this proposed rule. Evidently they have time on their hands. Right now, except for surrounding in-ground pools, it's a property owners' discussion. No idea of permit cost yet.

There is also a request from the Beach Commission to amend the Second Beach concession contract with Bruce Long's lemonade and now hotdog stand. Without any bidding the latter was added & will now stay another year. Or not.

There is also a windmill ordinance.

Antone Viveiros, who seems to be one of the only acknowledged Republican in town, has only himself to keep appointing to bi-partisan committees. I believe that this is #2. Kind of like the Dems (who are now in-fashion), although they have more family members they can put forth.

Middletown Council Asks Schools to Reduce Budget

There was a budget workshop last night for the School Committee & Town Council. The Schools had worked up a budget that was 4.75% higher than last year's. 4.75% is the max increase allowed by State law (next yr. it will be 4.5%). Of course, when the State passed these caps, it also promised a reliable school aid formula and a share in the general revenue funds. The former never materialized & all funding is in jeopardy.

The Council asked that it be reconfigured to a 2% raise. Why 2%? Chair Semonelli spoke that 2% is what's "palatable to the town." Indeed, from Councilor Sylvia, "If 2% was conveyed to you, why are we looking at 4.75%?" Good question, although that figure was only recently given to them. School Committee woman Theresa Silveira-Spengler, who was often quite upset and vocal at an otherwise calm meeting replied: "But, it's not reasonable."

As School Chair Michael Crowley explained, it's not only a difficult budget year, but they are smack in the middle of contract negotiations with both teachers & teacher assistants. This translates into a salary projection of the current contract. They are also unsure of State & fed'l funds. Any stimulus funding will not apply to current personnel- a definite drawback; not to mention know what the actual numbers are.

Since the largest expense of any school dept. is personnel, both groups were concerned with program cutting beyond what is already planned; e.g., the closing of Kennedy School. Councilor VonVillas was especially concerned with salaries. If you can reduce this line, you will not have further program cuts. "Start at the top." Councilo Silveira urged worked together on this budget, "We need to be part of the solution."

The meeting was dominated by Councilors VonVillas (a former school sup't), with frequent comments & suggestions from Councilors Sylvia and Silveira. It's nice to see people up there who actually know what they're talking about & can ask pointed questions. After all, that was the point of this workshop.

Sup't Kraeger did a good job with her Power Point presentation which was much appreciated by the tiny audience who had no copies of their budget (would have been nice). Short & to the point. School Chair Crowley was able to get to the heart of the schools' problems in coming up with a workable budget. Indeed, he mentioned the problem of the "starve the beast" philosophy which is now full-force at the local level. With little State and Fed'l funding (yet plenty of mandates), it is virtually impossible to fund schools properly. The guv's own office has suggested changing the budget year to Oct. rather than June so that $ would be more forthcoming.

School Committee woman Spengler had plenty to say about taxes & schools in an often confrontational manner full of non sequiturs. I didn't get her connection that if you pay higher taxes, you may as well send your kids to private school. Most notable is her anger with Vision Appraisal assessments & her high property taxes. Somehow she believes that if her assessment decreases, so will her taxes. Ah, you dreamer, it doesn't actually work that way. The irony of her discontent is that since the schools are appx. 70% of the town's budget, her own actions are increasing her taxes. She did liven up the meeting though. She is passionate about not cutting programs and that's a good thing.

Bottom line- it's not a good year to be in contract negotiations. BTW, Town Admin. Sean Brown (the Quiet Man), bespoke the fact that in the past year there have been more foreclosures in town than in the past 12. It's been much worse in Newport. The town, unlike Newport, does not keep figures on businesses gone kaput.

Expect to see a final budget from the Schools in June. They are also meeting tonight with a lively session expected from parents unhappy with the Kennedy School closing. Let's face it, it's all about $. It always has been.

The audience for this budget workshop was tiny. 3 elem. school Principals, two from the town's Finance dept., Matt Sheley from the NDN, RINEA local rep (God bless her, not a good year to have that job), and Karen Roarke (former Town Counselor). When Karen spoke up from the audience, she was reminded that it was a workshop (no comments) & promptly left. She forgot to ask, "Mother, may I?"

It was not filmed.

Middletown Council Meets with School Committee Tonight

That's at 6 PM tonight at Oliphant School (cellar). The school budget IS the Council's budget, for the most part. I can't recall (brain freeze) whether or not the public may speak at a workshop; although, I've always found members quite willing to receive input from attendees.

Beer afterwards? Works for me. Myself, I like the Brew Pub (Connell Highway) where they make their own beer. Now that I think about it, forget the stupid meeting & just go to the pub.

More Interrogatories in Middletown

Expect to hear that more of these interrogatories are being asked regarding the Kempen (former Town Admin.) case, according to current buzz. They will be given to Councilor Santos, & former Councilors Barrow, & Council Prez Rodrigues. All paid for courtesy of us, of course. Since it is a former Council matter, they get the free use of the current Solicitor. Questions will be submitted to them and they have a time period in which to submit legally binding answers. Gosh, I forget.

Kempen's Suit Against Middletown Continues

As the battle ranges on, another volley has been fired. I sue you, you sue me. The stakes are high at this point. The town wants its settlement back & Kempen doesn't want to return it.



The only thing the man has ever wanted to do was publicly speak about his term as Town Admin. So let him. His lawyer, Wakefield's Michael Brady, has filed a list of 22 questions for former Councilor Shirley Mello to respond to within 40 days.



Some are simple: name, address, dates served, etc. The first half of the questions ask for all documents, notes, & communications Mello had either about or with Kempen. It asks if Mello filled out a job performance evaluation of Kempen & what she based this on.



The second half then gets to the nitty gritty. Three questions deal with Mello's statement that "Kempen threatened to sue the town." Another one with "you think that he should be able to come forward and accuse and threaten to sue without any response from us?"



It then asks about any unofficial communications with herself and former Council Chair Paul Roderigues and former Councilor Barrows. Lastly, it asks for any communications on the matter with the current Council.



Whew! These interrogatories are no fun. You swear that your answers are full & truthful. Better not make any mistakes! Since this matter arises from the time she served on the Council, we all will be paying for her use of the Town Solicitor. Lucky us!



How much has all this cost us? Plenty. Will it ever end? Yes, but not soon and we may never actually know the outcome- meaning that it could all be settled quietly out of court. Likely.

Middletown Council Meeting, Pt. 2.

Councilor Silveira was appointed to theNarragansett Bay Coyote Study Committee.

Council appointments: Greg Schutz- Zoning Board (currently on it. Now there are two openings)

Rev. Chris Epperson & Carol Silvia- Substance Abuse Task Force (the only two applicants for two openings)

Alex Saunders- Open Space & Fields Committee (only he applied for FOUR vacancies)

Gladys Lavine- Planning Board


Ah, now the latter appointment. There were two applicants. She is currently on the Board & was actually voted in previously until Councilor Bozyan was told his voting for his sister was a conflict of interest. So he recused himself & left the dais this time. Councilor Sylvia suggested that the position be re-advertised. Councilor Santos wanted to know if they could vote in both (NO- regulated by State law). So the Treasurer of the local Dem. Town Committee, sister-in-law of that Chair, & the sis of the Councilor was voted on. 3-2 with VonVillas, & Sylvia voting against. Silveira was not there (illness). Done and done.


So apply for some of these board openings!!! So, quit your whinig and be part of the solution! Meet your neighbors & see up close how the system works. Click here.

Middletown Council Remuneration

Councilor Silveira intro'd the resolution for a 1/4 reduction in their $2,500 and $4,000 (for Prez) town renumeration at this Council meeting. Unfortunately, he was ill and not there. So the resolution died quietly. They could have posponed it, but...

Afterward the Council meeting, the Prez, Semonelli, informed the Newport Daily News reporter, Matt Sheley, & then turned over monies he had already rec'd from the town. It is a generous move; although, if the tax holiday he's been promoting actually happens, he'll most certainly profit from it. Yeah, cynical, I know. Remember, I've been following politics and politicians for a LONG time.

The Town Council had nothing to say on this item. Zilch. I'm somewhat surprised that Indian Ave. estate & another estate owner & member of the family who funds the Middletown Democratic Town Committee, Councilor Bozyan, didn't join in. I've also got to wonder if he bothered to inform any of his fellow councilors on what he planned to do; otherwise, it might be viewed as grandstanding & could come back to slap him.

Now I think these Councilors more than earn the small amount that we give them. Still, what Semonelli did was generous. He did not have to do it. (NDN, 4/7/09, "Council leader gives up his pay.) I also have to wonder what his fellow councilors think of all this. It could have been quietly given up or even donated to a local charity. It could be a simple case of one-up-manship. Like I say- cynical.