Middletown Celebrates ShopRite's New Location

On Wednesday, June 23^rd,  Middletown ShopRite celebrated the grand opening of its new 91,624 square-feet location (1361 NJ-35) in the Kings Commons shopping complex on Rt. 35 South. The ShopRite, owned by the Saker family, relocated from across the highway on the northbound side of Rt. 35. Township officials and MTPD officers joined the Saker family for this momentous occasion. 

Although this Saker ShopRite brought familiar favorites from its old location, it will also be installing new amenities. There will be a grab-and-go prepared foods department that will feature a thousand fresh meals from World Class Kitchens and Dearborn Farms. A 20,000 square-foot ShopRite Wine and Spirits store will also be opening next door. 

The Saker family owns 32 ShopRite supermarkets. They are looking to hire about 320 employees at this new location.

Visit shoprite.com/careers for more information about
employment opportunities at ShopRite.

MTPD Officer John F. Walsifer II Promoted to Sergeant

MTPD Officer John F. Walsifer II was promoted to the rank of Sergeant at the Monday, June 21^st Township Committee Regular Meeting. 

Police Chief R. Craig Weber shared some details about Sgt. Walsifer’s career path and spoke very highly of him.

 Sergeant Walsifer II grew up in Belmar and currently resides in Brick. He graduated from Manasquan High School, Brookdale Community College and Rutgers University, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Labor and Employee Relations. Prior to his career at MTPD, Sergeant Walsifer II served as a Special Law Enforcement Officer Class I (SLEO I) for Avon By The Sea Police Department.

Deputy Chiefs Bob Stefanski and John Kaiser also attended the promotion ceremony, as did fellow officers, family members, and friends. 

Congratulations, Sergeant Walsifer!
Thank you for serving our community and stay safe!

Township Installs New Playground at Bodman Park!

Thanks to our community's support to increase the Open Space Trust Fund, Middletown is now able to make upgrades and improvements to the more than 60 parks across the township. Pictured above are children enjoying the brand new playground that was recently installed at Bodman Park (Market Street).

The playground at Corporal William A. Schulz Park (Fairview Drive) was also recently refurbished as part of the Open Space Trust Fund. A brand new playground is currently being installed at Chanceville Park (Aberdeen Terrace).

Click HERE to watch a video of the new Bodman Playground installed by Whirl Construction!

Pick up or Purchase a 9/11 Remembrance Yard Sign at the MAC this Weekend from 12 to 3 PM

The Middletown Township World Trade Center Memorial Gardens Committee is selling remembrance yard signs to raise money for the World Trade Center Memorial Gardens (36 Church Street). The committee will be selling signs at the Middletown Arts Center (36 Church Street) on Saturday, June 26^th and Sunday, June 27^th from 12 to 3 PM. Bring your order confirmation number if you already placed an order. If you did not order a yard sign and would like to purchase one, they will be available for $40. Proceeds will go toward renovations and improvements to our WTC Memorial Gardens.

You can also stop by the Middletown Arts Center during regular business hours to purchase a lawn sign by cash or check. 

Click HERE to order a remembrance lawn sign.

Visit www.middletownremembers911.com for more information or call (732) 615-2287 if you have any questions.

Township Administrator Tony Mercantante Speaks at Small Business Symposium 

On Thursday, June 24^th, Township Administrator Tony Mercantante spoke at the Small Business Symposium hosted at Bell Works co-sponsored by The Connection, Inc and the Eatontown Industrial Park Association. He encouraged small-business owners to reach out to their local communities for resources. He also discussed several initiatives Middletown has created to help our small-business owners.

Click HERE to watch the live-streamed event.

New Town Hall Construction Update

Construction at our new Town Hall building has undergone a lot of work since our last update in May. The electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and fire suppression systems are progressing rapidly, as well as the interior framing of the building.

The window openings are going to be covered temporarily so the HVAC system can start up. Exterior brick and stone work is underway, and the interior wall covering is expected to begin soon.

Visit www.middletownnj.org/municipalcomplex for updates!

Latest U.S. State Department Passport Processing Times

As of June 17^th, the U.S. State Department has announced that expedited shipping for passports has increased from 10 to 12 weeks. Please see the graphic for the latest passport service times.
 
For information about the Middletown Town Hall Passport Office, visit www.MiddletownNJ.org/passport.

Through his participation in the Township's Adopt-A-Garden Program, volunteer Mike Galati adopted the gardens at the Middletown Health Department (180 Main Street, Port Monmouth) and has done a fantastic job cleaning up the area. Check out the before and after pictures above!

Thank you, Mike! We are so grateful for caring volunteers who help keep Middletown a beautiful place to live.
 
Keep an eye out for future volunteer opportunities at www.middletownnj.org/cleancommunities.

Submit Artwork to DPW and MAC's Trash Sculpture
Art Contest by Friday, August 6^th at 4 PM

The Middletown Department of Public Works and the Middletown Arts Center are seeking trash sculptures to display at the Township's new outdoor Ecological Garden at DPW (52 Kanes Lane). Winners will receive a gift bag that includes a MAC gift certificate and they will also have their artwork showcased at Middletown Day as an example of a creative way to reduce, reuse, and recycle! Please see contest rules in the flyer above.

For more information or to enter the contest, email jticino@middletownnj.org.

Celebrate Weissfest 2021 at the MAC with Free Outdoor Concerts Today and Tomorrow from 5:30 - 9 PM

Stop by the MAC (36 Church Street) for a special weekend of events celebrating renowned Rock 'n Roll Photographer Mark “WEISSGUY” Weiss’ birthday and his 40+ years as a Rock ‘n Roll photographer.

Check out his gallery exhibit "The Decade that Rocked" on view at the MAC now through August 15^th.

There will be free outdoor concerts featuring music from the 80s at the MAC today and tomorrow from 5:30 - 9 PM. Bring your own lawn chair.

Click HERE for more information about Weissfest 2021.

Listen to Live Music at the MAC's Outdoor Music Cafe on
Sunday, June 27^th from 4 - 6 PM

Join the MAC on Sunday, June 27^th from 4 - 6 PM for its June singer-songwriters showcase featuring local talents Rick Barth, Dan Toye, Rick Dill, and Bob MacLeod with Rich Adams. The concert will take place outdoors on the MAC’s tented patio (36 Church Street). Please visit middletownarts.org for weather-related changes.

All safety guidelines will be followed.
The event is free with a suggested donation of $5.

Click HERE to donate to the MAC.
Click HERE for more information about the event.

Middletown Social Services Presents Vision Event at Middletown High School North
Wednesday, June 30^th from 2 to 6 PM

Attend MTPL's Showcase of "The Rocket's Red Glare" on Thursday, July 1^st from 3:30 - 4 PM

Visit mtpl.org to register.

Register For This Summer's Snapology Camp!

This year, Middletown Recreation is offering half-day camps at Poricy Park – Nature Center. Kids will have a blast making new friends and tackling S.T.E.A.M. projects with Snapology this summer. Camps will be smaller socially-distanced groups in accordance with state COVID-19 guidelines.

Registration is now open! Click  HERE to sign up.

Click HERE to access hi-res photos from this
e-newsletter. 

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