Middletown Minutes

Middletown Celebrates ShopRite's New Location

ShopRite's New Location Grand Opening
Pictured from left: Detective Anthony Dellatacoma, Traffic Safety Officer Michael Reuter, Township Administrator Tony Mercantante, Committeewoman Pat Snell, Deputy Mayor Rick Hibell, Assemblyman Gerry Scharfenberger, Saker ShopRites, Inc. CEO Richard Saker, Saker ShopRites Sr. Vice Presidents Rick Saker and Joe Saker, Committeeman Ryan Clarke, ShopRite General Store Manager Debbie Seeley, Saker ShopRites Sr. Vice President Tom Saker, Deputy Chief Robert Stefanski, and Police Chief R. Craig Weber.

On Wednesday, June 23rd,  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 and group at his promotion to Sergeant
From left: David Walsifer, Sergeant John F. Walsifer II, Deputy Mayor Rick Hibell, Police Chief Craig Weber, Deputy Chief Robert Stefanski, and Deputy Chief John Kaiser.

MTPD Officer John F. Walsifer II was promoted to the rank of Sergeant at the Monday, June 21st 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!

MTPD Officer John F. Walsifer II being promoted to Sergeant





Deputy Mayor Rick Hibell administered Sergeant Walsifer II's Oath of Office while his father, David Walsifer, held the Bible. 






Click HERE to watch the Monday, June 21st Regular Meeting on the Township's YouTube channel or catch it on our TV channel
(Verizon FIOS Channel 26/Comcast Cable Channel 20) every night at
5:00 PM and 8:30 PM through July 6th.

Township Installs New Playground at Bodman Park!

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

9/11 20th Anniversary Lawn Sign

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 26th and Sunday, June 27th 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 

Tony Mercantante at  Small Business Symposium

On Thursday, June 24th, 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

Town Hall Construction

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!

National HIV Testing Day 6/27

National HIV Testing Day is June 27th: Health Department Encourages Community to Know Their Status 


HIV is a treatable, chronic illness thanks to major advancements in HIV research. Getting tested for HIV is the best way to help end HIV in your community. HIV testing is an important step in protecting your health and the health of your sex partner(s). Middletown Health Department encourages everyone to know their HIV status by getting tested in recognition of National HIV Testing Day on June 27th. 

This year’s theme, “My Test, My Way,” emphasizes that there are many testing options and places a person can get tested for HIV, including doing it themselves at home. Testing is the only way to be sure of HIV infection. It is not only important to know your HIV status, but also the HIV status of your sexual partner(s).

New Jersey offers free HIV and other STI services to all state residents via the hotline. Knowing who to call for resources and information is the first step in ending the HIV epidemic in New Jersey. The hotline is staffed by health professionals (doctors, nurses, and pharmacists) available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide free, confidential help: Call: 1-800-624-2377; Text: 973-339-0712, or chat here.

Click HERE to read the full press release from the
New Jersey AIDS/HIV/STD Hotline.

Latest U.S. State Department Passport Processing Times

U.S. State Department Passport Processing Times

As of June 17th, 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.

Health Department Garden Before
The Middletown Health Department garden
before Mike's volunteerism.


Special Shout-out to One of Our Wonderful Volunteers,
Mike Galati!

Health Department Garden After
The Middletown Health Department garden
after Mike's volunteerism.

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 6th at 4 PM

Trash Sculpture Art Contest
Click on the image to view the flyer larger. 

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

Weissfest 2021

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 15th.

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 27th from 4 - 6 PM

MAC June Music Cafe

Join the MAC on Sunday, June 27th 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 30th from 2 to 6 PM

Optical Academy and Middletown Social Services Vision Event at Middletown High School North on 6/30 2 -6 PM
All insurances are accepted.
Self pay: $30 eye exam
$30 contact lens fitting
Frame & lens starting at $29


Click  HERE  for more information and to register.

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

MTPL The Rocket's Red Glare on 7/1 from 3:30 - 4 PM

Visit mtpl.org to register.

MTPL regular hours returning Monday, 7/12

Register For This Summer's Snapology Camp!

Snapology Camp at Poricy Park

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.

Temporary change in bulk collection in North and South zones through 7/9
DPW is now hiring seasonal laborers at the Recycling Center
This position is ideal for someone who likes to help others, enjoys being outdoors,  and doesn't mind a little exercise! Rate of pay is $13.00 per hour.

Click
HERE for more information and to apply.


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

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1 Kings Highway, Middletown, NJ 07748

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