Middletown Mayor DeStefano Delivers State of the City Address

Mayor Joseph DeStefano speaks during his State of the City address at city hall in Middletown, N.Y., on April 4, 2023. (Cara Ding/The Epoch Times)

At a State of the City address on April 4, Middletown Mayor Joe DeStefano reflected on the past year’s work while recounting challenges brought by state laws and expressing hope for future growth.

The city’s crime went up in 2022 following years of decline, a trend in part brought by the bail reform and met head-on with proactive measures, he said.

Infrastructure investments continued to be strong in the past year with the help of federal and state grants, laying the foundation for economic growth in decades to come.

Last year, nearly two dozen new businesses moved into the city, including mom-and-pop shops and bigger companies, such as Gan Jing World.

Meanwhile, new recreational activities popped up, and senior services grew, making city life more enjoyable for both old-timers and newcomers, DeStefano said.

Residents enjoy ice skating at the new ice rink at Erie Way Park in Middletown, N.Y., on Dec. 17, 2022. (Cara Ding/The Epoch Times)

As his administration pushes for growth, care for disadvantaged populations is not forgotten, with an ongoing city program aiding first-time homebuyers and a wintertime shelter for the homeless.

“I am proud of what we have accomplished so far, but there is still more work to be done,” DeStefano said.

“Let us stay committed to our goals and continue to build a city that is inclusive, sustainable, and the kind of place that you want to live, work, and do business in.”

Public Safety

Crime in the city went up by 15 percent in 2022 compared to the year before, the most significant driver being larceny or theft, according to police data.

DeStefano said repeat offenders played a big role and that the bail reform—though drafted with good intentions—has made it harder for law enforcement to rein them in.

Last year, Middletown police arrested 93 people three times or more, 25 people five times or more, and one person 24 times for mostly low-level crime, he said.

A police officer conducts a traffic stop in Middletown, N.Y., on Oct. 16, 2022. (Cara Ding/The Epoch Times)

Under the state bail reform passed in 2019, most misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies are nonbailable, regardless of the defendant’s criminal history.

“Those who oppose changing the law argue that these types of arrests are nuisances—no big deal,” DeStefano said. “It is a big deal when a person walks into your store repeatedly and steals.

“If it is a big deal when it happens in the neighborhoods of Albany legislators, then it needs to be a big deal when it happens in ours,” he added.

DeStefano said police chief John Ewanciw had met the challenge head-on with a proactive crime suppression team, enhanced traffic enforcement, and additional manpower in the narcotics unit.

The other side of the bail reform is a discovery law that has multiplied the workload of county prosecutors, forcing them to dismiss low-level cases at a higher rate.

City Hall in Middletown, N.Y., on Jan. 9, 2023. (Cara Ding/The Epoch Times)

In response, he worked with city attorney Alex Smith to get more quality-of-life offenses into municipal codes and pushed for enforcement at the city courts.

“Broken windows theory does apply, especially in cases of small cities like ours,” DeStefano said.

Infrastructure and Economic Growth

The city continued to improve infrastructure in 2022, with a portfolio of projects worth $100 million still ongoing, according to DeStefano.

Most infrastructure funding comes from state and federal grants, he said.

Woodward dam at the Shawangunk reservoir of the City of Middletown in N.Y., on Feb. 10, 2023. (Cara Ding/The Epoch Times)

Major water projects include purchasing watershed properties to protect water sources, upgrading century-old reservoir dams, and replacing water mains. 

Plus, his administration plans to upgrade miles of raw water lines as deep as 30 feet outside city limits that carry water from reservoirs to the treatment plant. 

In terms of sidewalks, the city started a major upgrade project last year and is about to replace all sidewalks in high pedestrian areas downtown, making for a more walkable and bikeable experience. 

His administration is also working with state Sen. James Skoufis to seek funding for a new downtown parking garage to prepare for future traffic growth. 

As the only city in the middle of the county with water and sewer systems, Middletown also shares its infrastructure with regional businesses in return for fees.

Last year, the city’s septage hauler generated about $420,000 in revenue by treating private waste, and its sale of gray water to the CPV Valley Energy Center brought in over $500,000.

On top of that, DeStefano is in talks with the state to extend the city’s water and sewer lines by three miles along Route 17M to the Mid-Hudson Forensic Psychiatric Center, a project that will cost the city almost nothing yet bring in significant revenue.

Mid-Hudson Forensic Psychiatric Center in New Hampton, N.Y., on Feb. 8, 2023. (Cara Ding/The Epoch Times)

Regarding economic growth, the city welcomed 20 new businesses with ribbon-cutting ceremonies in the past year.

Gan Jing World, a high-tech company providing a clean information platform, relocated from California to Middletown months ago and has an ambitious growth plan, he said.

Poly Craft, a Long Island-based printing company, is building a new plant on the city’s old industrial site that will employ 120 workers.

Gan Jing World is undergoing construction work in Middletown, N.Y., on Dec. 20, 2022. (Cara Ding/The Epoch Times)

Commending Department Heads

While enumerating city activities of the past year, DeStefano thanked his department heads for carrying out their duties and making things happen.

They include city treasurer Leonora Liz, city clerk Rick McCormack, director of senior services Julisa Sierra, city assessor Marianne Feely, fire chief Nick Barber, civil service administrator Joseph Masi, city attorney Alex Smith, and public works commissioner Jacob Tawil.

The city government employs 281 employees.

A lifelong Middletown resident, DeStefano was first elected to the city council representing the first ward in 1982 and went on to be reelected four times.

He was elected mayor in 1993 and served until 2015 when he was forced to resign amid alleged corruption charges; two years later, he successfully got his conviction overturned in court.

In 2019, DeStefano made a political comeback and won the mayoral race by a margin wider than two to one, according to a report by Times Herald-Record at the time.