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Community Corner

Middletown Common Council Approves Inter-local Prison Agreement

For 20 years, the city has incarcerated approximately five prisoners monthly at no cost — now it will be reimbursed $50 per day.

City water and sewer infrastructure, the videotaping of Common Council meetings and transparency of meeting locations were discussed Thursday at the monthly community meeting at the South Fire District Fire House.

Only two residents showed up with questions and topics for discussion as the aftermath of a rough storm left many at home without power.

Council members discussed the possibility of resident ownership of water meters and the approximate $40-per year charge for meter rental, maintenance and infrastructure, after a resident's question. Discussion also ensued regarding sewer charges for water used for gardening, sprinklers and car washing. 

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It was determined that there is no way to measure the percentage of water not contributing to sewage, or the volume of sewage output, so the water department charges sewage based on household water usage.   

The subsequent Common Council meeting was also brief, to consider the inter-local prison agreement with East Hampton. It unanimously approved the proposition to instate a one-year agreement to hold prisoners overnight at the Middletown Police station headquarters for $50 per day.  The charge would cover the costs of room and board for the prisoners, including surveillance by a warden and three meals a day provided by The Athenian Diner II. 

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The Police department is looking into making a deal with McDonald’s Restaurant to provide meals for approximately $12 a day, compared to the $24 cost for meals from the diner. Council members then discussed the health issues regarding food options for prisoners and it was agreed that if a prisoner had a medical condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure, an alternative meal would be provided from the local hospital or other institution. 

The new inter-local prison agreement with East Hampton is similar to the arrangement the Middletown Police Department has set up with Portland, and will now provide Middletown with compensation for holding prisoners overnight.  Since East Hampton does not have facilities to hold prisoners at their police headquarters, Middletown and other surrounding cities have been incarcerating them for the past 20 years without compensation. 

The agreement was simply a matter of establishing a contract and no more than a four to five prisoners a month are expected from East Hampton. Under the agreement, duties such as transporting the prisoners to and from holding and to the hospital are still the responsibility of East Hampton Police officers.

The next community meeting is July 14 at 7 p.m. in the South Fire District station community room at 445 Randolph Road. For information, call (860) 347-6661.

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