Morris Deputy

The council discussed the upcoming municipal election, reviewed police and committee reports, and addressed several conditional use permit requests, including those for an auto detailing business and an indoor playground. They also reviewed and approved land development plans for a large-scale e-commerce fulfillment center, RV and boat storage, and commercial flex-space buildings. Additionally, the council adopted ordinances amending business license fees and zoning regulations for mobile food units, discussed a tree planting grant application, approved amendments to the personnel policy manual, and ratified an agreement for on-call engineering services.

The Mayor and Council addressed multiple agenda items, including the approval of the Treasurer's Report and Bills Payable. The Police Chief presented the monthly report, detailing significant activity such as vehicle thefts, a DUI arrest, the recovery of stolen golf carts, and an arrest for drug dealing following a multi-month investigation. The Police Advisory Board report discussed community engagement and recruitment recommendations. Updates were provided on the Middletown Main Street initiative and upcoming roadwork on Route 299 affecting Library Avenue and other segments. Public hearings included the approval of a Public Assembly Permit for a Flag Day ceremony. Major Land Development Plans were considered for a new restaurant/retail space at 399 E. Main Street (contingent on variance approval) and a 22-lot senior living subdivision at 410 Brick Mill Road. The Record Major Land Development Plan for warehouses at 1023 Bunker Hill Road was approved, with discussions focused on landscaping, berms, and interim traffic signalization at Merrimac Avenue pending a future roundabout. Council ratified funding agreements for a neighborhood sign replacement, authorized a new Wide Format Printer lease, ratified an amended Electric Services Agreement with Clarios, and amended the YMCA Reimbursement Agreement for recreational improvements at Silver Lake Park. The Police Department's contract for CLEAR investigative software was also ratified. Finally, the Town declared Juneteenth an official holiday, followed by an Executive Session to discuss personnel matters, resulting in the approval of disciplinary action and a promotion recommended by the Police Chief.

The council meeting addressed several agenda items, including the approval of the Treasurer's Report and Bills Payable. The Police Report detailed 1,067 calls for service and the successful arrest and extradition of a suspect involved in multiple commercial burglaries following a joint investigation. The council approved the Police Department's recent CALEA Re-Accreditation Update and noted an upcoming Police Accountability meeting. Public hearings included the approval of a Conditional Use Permit for Storm Dance Academy and the Preliminary Major Land Development Plan for two commercial retail buildings at 4991 Summit Bridge Road. The council also approved the termination of membership with the Saint Anne's Homeowner's Association, ratified agreements for the design and permitting of a sanitary sewer main on North Broad Street, ratified contracts for the Industrial Drive Guardrail Project and Electric System Engineering Analysis/Software training. Two ordinances regarding the business license fee chart and mobile unit sales in the zoning code were introduced for future action. The meeting concluded with an executive session where a recommendation to hire a new Deputy Chief in the Police Department was approved.

Key discussions focused on the Middletown Police Department's pursuit of advanced CALEA accreditation, which involves complying with significantly more administrative policies. The committee also reviewed ongoing recruitment and staffing challenges, noting the department is short of target staffing levels despite active recruitment efforts, and discussed retention concerns, including officers transferring to State Police. Regarding specialized roles, plans were mentioned to add a second traffic officer once new recruits are fully deployed. During the roundtable, committee members offered feedback on the department's performance, with praise for community interaction and handling major accidents, while identifying growth management and retention as key areas for focus. Public comments addressed potential litigation related to body-worn camera misuse, requests for demographic data in arrest reports, training on cultural sensitivity, and resources dedicated to mental health crises for both the public and officers.

The regular meeting included several key actions under Public Hearings. Approval was granted for a sign placement request for Woloshin Law at 41 W. Main Street. The Council approved the DART request for additional bus stops in Middletown, contingent on flag stop conditions for certain locations. Conditional Use Permits were granted for a retail establishment (The Whistle Stop) in an M-I zone and for a consumer electronic warehouse (Keinzu Tech, LLC). Major Land Development Plans were recorded for an Early Childhood Center at 360 Brick Mill Road and a Firestone Total Auto Care Store at 109 Sandhill Drive, with specific conditions applied to the latter regarding sidewalk width. The plan for a light duty automotive service shop at 610 Tower Lane was approved with the condition that the long term parking area be paved. A Revised Record Plan for a dumpster pad relocation at 109 Patriot Drive was also approved. Financial matters included amending a resolution to include the refunding of the Town of Middletown General Obligation Bonds, Series 2010A. Agreements were approved for Municipal Code Services with Apothic Enterprises LLC and actuarial services with Nyhart Company, Inc. for GASB 75 compliance. A resolution authorizing Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation (DEMEC) to proceed with an advanced metering infrastructure program was also approved. The meeting concluded with an Executive Session to discuss personnel and legal matters.