Middletown mayor outlines $9.5M capital plan; council approves 2026 bond resolution

The mayor told the Common Council the city’s capital program includes about $9.5 million in projects and equipment and asked members to approve a bond resolution authorizing borrowing to meet those needs.

The mayor outlined project estimates including $1.8 million to convert the old courthouse into city hall and police offices, roughly $500,000 for Paramount Theater roof and lift work, $633,000 in police department capital (including two vehicles), about $1.4 million for fire department needs including a new fire truck, and roughly $818,000 for parks and recreation equipment. Public works and sanitation items were described as a large share of the request; the mayor cited a $481,000 garbage truck, loaders, blower attachments and other vehicles and equipment. The mayor characterized the bond resolution as authorizing borrowing, not an immediate commitment to spend, and said staff would pursue grants to offset city costs.

DPW Commissioner Jacob provided project detail and stressed operational necessity for vehicle replacements and equipment, noting parts shortages for older snowblowers and the department’s plan to retain one functional blower while replacing a failing unit.

At the meeting’s action stage, council considered and carried the 2026 bond resolution to cover citywide capital needs. The measure was presented as a bond authorization that allows the city to borrow for listed capital projects; members voted in favor and the resolution carried. The mayor and department heads said they will continue to seek grant funding to reduce the city’s net borrowing.

Next steps: the bond authorization allows the city finance office to determine timing and amount of borrowing; the mayor said Finance (Leonora) will decide when and how much to borrow and that individual projects may be adjusted based on grant awards and final procurement.