Common Council Admits They Talk Too Much

Well, not in so many words, but in a meeting which was a model of efficiency, the Common Council conducted business, considering and voting on more than twenty resolutions and ordinances, in less than two hours.

Perhaps the efficiency was born of the suggestion made by Council member Deborah Kleckowski in an ordinance, that her colleagues were spending too much time grilling city directors in the Questions To Directors section of the meeting.

Kleckowski proposed limiting Council member time for questions to a maximum of ten minutes, assuring that the meeting end by 7 pm when the regular session of the Common Council meeting is scheduled to begin.

Kleckowsi's resolution was supported in whole by a few of her colleagues, but several Council members agreed with the spirit of the proposal saying that Council members should police themselves, and use the limits withing Roberts Rules of Order to limit questions and debate.

One Council member, Jim Streeto, suggested that the Questions to Directors section of the meeting be eliminated altogether.  Streeto suggested that Council members use modern conveyances such as cell phones and email to query directors before the Council meeting.

"I don't see the utility in having the directors called up here like school children to recite," Streeto said.

In the end, the Council rejected Kleckowski's proposal, but agreed that some among their colleagues, monopolized too much meeting time.  None of those Council members were identified by name.

Wave Goodbye to Showmobile Waivers

After research by the mayor's office, and the finance department, the Common Council passed a resolution to adopt a new fee structure for the city's Showmobile rental.  The resolution put an end to waivers that have regularly been granted to community groups who have requested the fee waivers to use the portable stage-with-wheels.

Why Fight the Wifi

Thought the Council and the mayor displayed a complete lack of understanding about how wifi web connections worked, at one point even asking this technology-challenged correspondent for advice, they did approve the expenditure of $14,050 to expand the wifi signal on Middletown's Main Street.

"Will we get it in here," Council member Grady Faulkner asked, and was met with a puzzled silence.

Corporate Office Park Tax Abatement Approved

The Common Council also approved a tax abatement plan, and a waiver of building permit fees of $36,000 was approved by the Council for Tall Properties Development of a Leed certified office condominium on Industrial Park Road.