Middletown council votes to reconsider Horse Waste Ordinance, sets second reading for Jan. 20, 2026

An unidentified meeting participant moved to reconsider the Horse Waste Ordinance and the council approved the motion, then scheduled the ordinance's second reading for Jan. 20, 2026.

The scheduling matter was introduced during the opening business. "I'd like to make a motion to reconsider the, the horse waste ordinance," the participant said; another participant seconded the motion and vocal "Aye" responses were recorded. Later an unidentified speaker stated the scheduling motion aloud: "Motion to schedule a reconsideration of the second reading to 01/20/2026." The council affirmed the date.

Why it matters: the council agreed to revisit the ordinance on a future meeting date, allowing additional discussion, public comment and possible amendments before a final vote. Speakers said the repeat of the motion will occur after the promotional ceremony and before the regular meeting; the beach commission, which produced the recommendation, could attend that session.

Council procedure and public participation: meeting participants estimated "probably about 13 or 14 or 15" people might attend the public forum on the topic; that number was given as approximate. The council did not record a roll-call vote tally by name in the transcript excerpt; vocal "Aye" confirmations were noted during the motions.

Next step: the ordinance is set for a second reading on Jan. 20, 2026. That session is expected to include the formal repeat of the motion and an opportunity for public comment before any final action is taken.