Middletown Township Committee Introduces 2020 Budget with 0% Municipal Tax Rate Increase
The Middletown Township Committee introduced its $83.4 million dollar budget with a zero percent municipal tax rate increase at tonight’s Township Committee meeting. The proposed 2020 municipal budget represents an ongoing commitment to minimizing costs while maximizing revenue and services.
“Despite the global pandemic and declining revenues, the Township Committee has once again delivered a fiscally responsible budget without reducing services, continuing to invest in our parks and recreational facilities and spearheading initiatives that protect Middletown’s most vulnerable residents,” said Mayor Tony Perry. “This budget represents the fiscal solvency and stability to withstand this crisis and lost revenues, however it hinges on Middletown and the State of New Jersey getting back on its feet.”
Key drivers to the budget this year include planning for increased costs in response to a new law protecting firefighters and other first responders and operational storm response savings.
In an effort for residents to gain a greater understanding of where their tax dollars are being spent, the Township will be updating the “Tax Dollar Receipt” calculator on the website: www.middletownnj.org/mytaxdollars.
CLICK HERE FOR TO READ THE PRESS RELEASE.
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Middletown Township Celebrates Earth Day with
100% Renewable Energy
In recognition of Earth Day, Middletown Township announced that it has entered into a renewable energy agreement through Tradition Energy, one of the nation’s largest independent energy risk management and procurement advisors. The renewable electricity purchase will offset 100% of the Township’s conventional energy usage and reduce costs.
“This new electrical energy arrangement will save the Township 10% versus our previous contract and at the same time move our percentage of renewables for electricity from 25% to 100%,” said Mayor Tony Perry. “Not only are we excited to secure these savings for taxpayers, but we’re also able to achieve a major environmental win for our Township.”
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Join Middletown in Today's Earth Day Challenge and Go Light Outs from 7-8 PM
In recognition of the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day (April 22), the Middletown Green Team and Middletown Arts Center have been co-presenting an Earth Week Challenge on the Green Team's Facebook page to encourage residents to help make Middletown a healthier and cleaner community.
Today's Earth Day Challenge: LIGHTS OUT!
Click HERE to follow the Green Team’s Facebook page to find out why we want you to turn off your lights from 7-8 PM and get information about other challenges. After participating in each challenge, you can post a picture in the comments showing your neighbors what you did (and hopefully encourage them to participate!). For certain challenges, prizes will be randomly selected.
Don’t worry if you can’t do the challenge on the day it’s posted - come back to it another day! All challenges must be completed by Wednesday, April 29. Winners will be announced, along with their winning picture, on Friday, May 1. Winners will be featured in the Township’s e-newsletter, Middletown Minutes.
Remember, the most important part of this challenge is to have fun and help our community make every day Earth Day!
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Watch the Township Committee Meeting on Middletown's YouTube and Municipal
TV Channels
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On Monday, April 20th the Middletown Township Committee held a virtual Regular Meeting that enabled residents to participate remotely. This meeting included the proposed 2020 budget presentation by Middletown Township CFO Colleen Lapp.
Click HERE to watch the meeting on the Township's YouTube Channel or catch it on Middletown Township's TV station (Verizon FiOS Channel 26/Comcast Cable Channel 20) every night at 8:45 PM through May 8th. |
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Middletown's Virtual Game of Catch!
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Recreation Director Janet Dellett challenged Middletown residents young and "seasoned" to a virtual game of catch and you all knocked it out of the park! Over 100 households sent in videos with a total of 160 clips. The ball (or roll of toilet paper in some cases!) zigzagged across Middletown over 250 miles! Thank you to all who participated.
Click HERE to watch the video of this epic game of virtual catch.
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Middletown Township created a webage, www.middletownnj.org/FocusOnTheGood,
that highlights the positive stories in our community during the COVID-19 public health crisis. Here are some of our featured stories! |
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MTPL and MTPS Work Together to Create Reusable Personal Protective Face Shields for Those on
COVID-19 Front Line
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 Mayor Perry surrounded by face shields created through a collaborative effort between the Middletown Township Public School District and Middletown Township Public Library.
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The Middletown Township Public Library (MTPL) and the Middletown Township Public School District (MTPS) have been working together to make reusable PPE face shields for those on the front line of the COVID-19 pandemic. Face shields have already been delivered to Township emergency services personnel and employees who deal with the public directly, and they have been making more for local medical professionals and first responders.
“Thanks to a great team led by Marc Seigel from the School District and several staff members from our library, we already have 100 face shields ready to donate to Bayshore Medical Center,” said Mayor Tony Perry. “We are proud to do our part in supporting our health care heroes.”
This collaborative effort began when a library patron reached out to see if her sister, who is a nurse, could use face shields that were made by 3D printers, knowing that the library has one. Included in her note were links to directions on how to make a face shield on a 3D printer.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE COMMUNITY ADVISORY.
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Middletown School Nurses Team Up with
Health Department
The Middletown Township Public School’s certified school nurses are working with the Middletown Township Health Department to assist in COVID-19 case investigations and contact tracing of positive residents. The collaborative effort between and the Township was spearheaded by Middletown High School North Nurse Eileen Gavin and Middletown Health Department Director Rich DeBenedetto.
The Middletown School Nurses are dedicated and trained professionals who are also offering case management resources for issues that many people face, such as food insecurities, financial challenges and mental health referrals. They are currently doing a food drive with Middletown Helps Its Own, so please consider donating to those in need in our community (see details in flyer).
For additional resources and information from the MTPS nursing staff, please visit the new Virtual Health Office by clicking HERE.
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CLICK HERE TO READ MORE STORIES ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY COMING TOGETHER! |
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Takeout Thursdays Restaurant of the Week: |
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This Takeout Thursday, the Township Committee went to MJ's Restaurant Bar & Grill (1005 Highway 35) to grab some of those famous wings. There is nothing better than wings on the night of the NFL Draft!
Be sure to support our local restaurants every Thursday by ordering takeout/delivery. It helps boost business and allows you to explore new places to eat!
Please consider rallying behind our small businesses by purchasing gift cards for future services. It's a great way to support our community! |
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Join the Middletown Township Public Library's Online Scavenger Hunt!
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Looking for a challenge while you're at home? Try your hand at the MTPL's online scavenger hunt to see how well you know the online resources available at your fingertips!
You have until Tuesday, April 28th to complete the scavenger hunt and submit your answers. Players will be entered into a raffle for a $50 Amazon Gift Card donated by The Friends of The Middletown Library. |
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Check Out the MAC's
Latest Virtual Arts Center Programming!
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NEED MULCH THIS SPRING?
DPW HAS YOU COVERED!
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Guidelines for Satellite Recycling Centers
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Financially Impacted by COVID-19?
United Way of Monmouth and Ocean Counties’ Financial Success Center Network is here to help! |
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 NJ 211 has been activated to assist with handling COVID-19 calls from NJ residents. Residents can also text NJCOVID to 898-211 to receive information and stay informed. To receive live text assistance, residents can text their zip code to 898-211.
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Register Now for Township Emergency Alerts
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 We strongly encourage each and every resident to register for Township emergency alerts. In the event that something needs to be communicated quickly, including any emergency information about COVID-19, we need to be able to reach you. Please register for alerts by texting MiddletownNJ to 888–777.
Please share to ensure that everyone is aware!
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Click HERE to access hi-res photos from this
e-newsletter. |
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Verizon FiOS Channel 26/Comcast Cable Channel 20
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