Middletown Mayor Highlights City Budget Savings, Animal Welfare Efforts in Biweekly Update

MIDDLETOWN, CT — The City of Middletown has announced a series of administrative and community updates as part of the mayor’s recent biweekly report.

On March 2, the Middletown Common Council approved a new cooperation agreement with the Middletown Housing Authority. This agreement is projected to generate over $470,000 in annual revenue and cost savings for the city. According to the city, the deal consolidates fragmented, decades-old agreements into a single document to ensure administrative transparency and parity regarding service charges. Assistant General Counsel Christopher Forte led the project for the city, while Executive Director Ben Bare represented the Middletown Housing Authority during the negotiations.

In addition to financial updates, Middletown received the Sustainable CT Climate Leader designation. The city previously achieved silver-level certification in 2023 and earned the new honor for its work in climate resilience. As part of the recognition, the city received a $12,000 bonus prize, which officials plan to use for food-scrap recycling programs. The city is also partnering with the Jonah Center for Earth and Art for the Heatsmart Middletown program, which provides energy audits and efficiency resources to residents.

Public health and community engagement remain key priorities for the administration. The city’s Wellness Program is partnering with Hartford HealthCare to host a mobile mammography unit this May. The unit will visit the Board of Education on May 19 and City Hall on May 21 for eligible residents and employees. Furthermore, the health department scheduled free Narcan training sessions for March 25 at the Northern Middlesex YMCA and April 8 at the Russell Library. Residents can also access free supplies for medication disposal and storage through funding from the National Opioid Settlement.

Youth services and community events are also on the horizon. The city will host an indoor Easter Egg Hunt on March 28 at the Middletown Recreation Center, featuring age-specific candy hunts and activities. Middletown Youth Services is also offering a two-part life skills workshop for high school students on March 25 and 26.

Beyond administrative and community programming, the city highlighted recent efforts to address animal welfare. Labor and employment attorney Kori Termine Wisneski reported that she has handled four large-scale animal abuse cases since 2022, resulting in the rescue of over 120 animals. These efforts involve collaboration between the City’s Animal Control Office, legal staff, and local police to secure permanent custody of neglected or abused animals. The city continues to coordinate with various regional rescue groups to find homes for animals removed from unsafe conditions.