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COMMON COUNCIL
MIDDLETOWN, CONNECTICUT
SPECIAL MEETING
FY 2026-2027 BUDGET WORKSHOP #1
MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2026
6:00 PM
MINUTES
The Special Meeting of the Common Council of the City of Middletown was held on Monday, April 13, 2026, at 6:00
PM. This was a hybrid meeting, participants in-person in the Council Chamber and remotely, via WebEx. The
meeting was also livestreamed on local public access cable television, on the City website, and on the City
Facebook page. This meeting is the first of three (3) scheduled budget workshops for the proposed FY 2026-2027
budget.
Present:
Councilwoman Jeanette Blackwell Councilman Vincent Loffredo
Councilman Darnell Ford Councilman Jonathan Pulino
Councilman Grady Faulkner, Jr. (arrived 7:45 PM) Councilwoman Linda Salafia
Councilwoman Shanay Fulton (arrived 6:08PM) Councilwoman Leslie Spatola
Councilman Anthony Gennaro, Sr. Councilwoman Kelly Sweeney
Councilwoman Ava M. Hart
Also Present:
Hon. Eugene P. Nocera, Mayor
Linda Reed, Clerk of the Common Council
Sergeant-at-Arms: Middletown Police -- Officer Porto
Absent: Councilman Anthony Mangiafico
City Staff:
Arts & Culture – Kisha Michaels, Coordinator
Emergency Management - Robert Kronenberger
Finance – Carl Erlacher, CPA, Director
Fire – David Albert, Fire Chief
Health – Kevin Elak, Director
Probate Court – Hon. Phrances Leverton Szewczyk, Probate Judge
Russell Library – Ramona Burkey, Director
Transit District – Brendan Geraghty, Transportation Planner
Halyna Familgietti, Finance Director
Youth Services – Justin Carbonella, Manager
CALL TO ORDER
Common Council President, Councilwoman Jeanette Blackwell, is serving as Chair. She calls the workshop to
order at 6:00 PM. The Councilmembers join in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Chair begins the budget workshop presentations, inviting spokespersons to present for each of the following
items.
1. Mayor
The proposed Budget for FY 2026-2027, including details for the Mayor’s Office, was introduced and presented
by Hon. Eugene P. Nocera, Mayor, assisted by Carl Erlacher, Director of Finance & Revenue Services.
Councilmembers asked questions as needed.
2. Arts & Culture
Arts & Culture Coordinator Keisha Michael presented the budget and responded to questions asked by the
Councilmembers, as needed.
Upon completing this portion of the budget presentation, Mayor Nocera assumes the position as Chair for the
balance of this budget workshop.

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APRIL 13, 2026 COMMON COUNCIL – SPECIAL MEETING Page 2
BUDGET WORKSHOP #1
3. Probate Court
Hon. Phrances Szewczyk, Probate Judge, presented the Probate Court budget and responded to questions
asked by the Councilmembers, as needed.
4. Youth Services
Youth Services Manager Justin Carbonella presented the budget and responded to questions asked by the
Councilmembers, as needed.
5. Health Department
Director Kevin Elak presented the budget and responded to questions asked by the Councilmembers, as
needed.
6. Fire Department
Fire Chief David Albert presented the budget and responded to questions asked by the Councilmembers, as
needed.
7. Emergency Management
Director Robert Kronenberger presented the budget and responded to questions asked by the
Councilmembers, as needed.
8. Transit District
Transportation Planner Brendan Geraghty, Transportation Planner presented the budget, assisted by Halyna
Familgietti, Finance Director. They responded to questions asked by the Councilmembers, as needed.
9. Russell Library
Director Ramona Burkey presented the budget and responded to questions asked by the Councilmembers, as
needed.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further discussion on the budget, the Chair closes the workshop at 9:09 PM.
Councilwoman Jeanette Blackwell moves to adjourn. Councilman Vincent Loffredo seconds the motion.
There being no discussion, the Chair calls for a voice vote. The motion is approved unanimously by a vote of 11-0
(AYE: Councilmembers Blackwell, Faulkner, Ford, Fulton, Hart, Gennaro, Loffredo, Pulino, Salafia, Spatola, and
Sweeney; ABSENT: Councilman Mangiafico). The matter is approved.
The meeting is adjourned at 9:10 PM.
ATTEST:
LINDA S.K. REED,
COMMON COUNCIL CLERK
K: submit/ agenda – 2026 April 13 – budget workshop 1 – 13 April 2026