Middletown Launches Newly-Designed Website and Mobile App

The mobile app is available on Apple and Google Play app stores.

Today, Middletown Township launched its newly-designed website (middletownnj.org) and mobile app created by government website provider CivicPlus.

“The majority of our residents rely on our website for timely and critical information, so it’s imperative that we have the most up-to-date technology to ensure a more intuitive and seamless experience for everyone,” said Mayor Tony Perry. “Both the website and app have a clean, user-friendly layout that will make it quicker and easier for both residents and businesses to access the information they need."

Click HERE to read the full press release.

Middletown Township Officially Opens New
Ecological Garden

From left: Recycling and Clean Communities Coordinator Jessi Ticino, Mayor Tony Perry, Public Works & Engineering Director Ted Maloney, Public Works & Engineering Deputy Director Lory Hubbard, and Recycling & Solid Waste Division Head Eric Maggio with Girl Scout Troops 127 and 61124.

The Township of Middletown celebrated the ribbon cutting and grand opening of the Ecological Garden located at the Department of Public Works & Engineering (52 Kanes Lane) on Wednesday, September 22^nd. The Ecological Garden was created to serve as an extension to the Recycling Center tours the Township provides to children of all ages to highlight the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling.

To kick off the event, the Township invited two local Girl Scout Troops, Troop 127 from Leonardo Elementary School and Troop 61124 from Nut Swamp Elementary School, to take the first tour. The girls had the opportunity to walk through the “Garbage Garden” to see the creative ways items that were discarded at the Recycling Center can be repurposed.

“I am so grateful to work in a town that values sustainability and education,” said Recycling and Clean Communities Coordinator Jessi Ticino. “It is only through education that we can make a lasting change, and we hope this garden will inspire children to be proactive and innovative in their approach to sustainability and recycling.”

Click HERE to read the full press release.
Click HERE to view photos from the ribbon cutting.

Run (or Walk!) for a Cause in Third Annual Mayor's Challenge on Saturday, 10/23 at Poricy Park

Join Middletown Recreation for its third annual Mayor's Challenge, with all proceeds benefiting local non-profit Infinite Love for Kids Fighting Cancer. Come to Poricy Park (345 Oak Hill Road) on Saturday, October 23^rd for either a 5K Fitness Walk, a family-friendly 1-mile Fun Run, or gear up for the 5K Race - the choice is yours!

The schedule is as follows:

8:45 am: 5K Fitness Walk

9:00 am: 1mi Fun Run

9:30 am: 5K Race

Please keep in mind that this trail run includes single track, bridges, woods, and many hills. The course is not suitable for strollers. Registration includes a long sleeve shirt (while supplies last), bib with timing chip, and a medal.

Click HERE to view the trail map and to register.

Middletown Will Never Forget:
Watch 9/11 20^th Anniversary Ceremony Video

A screenshot from the YouTube video

Middletown Township held a memorial service at the Middletown World Trade Center Memorial Gardens, located next to the Middletown Arts Center (36 Church Street), on Saturday, September 11^th in honor of the 20^th anniversary of the World Trade Center attacks. Thank you Cine Selector, a local production company, for capturing the heartfelt ceremony.

Click HERE to watch the video on our YouTube channel.

VFW Post 2179 and Auxiliary Honor POW/MIA with 39^th Annual Candlelit Service

From left: Assemblyman Gerry Scharfenberger, Committeewoman Kimberly Kratz, and Mayor Tony Perry came together to honor our missing military members. Photo courtesy of Carmen S Peterson.

Last week, VFW Post 2179 and Auxiliary hosted its 39^th annual POW/MIA candlelit service to remember the prisoners of war and military members who never returned. As always, we are thinking of our missing soldiers and their families.

Pictured above are military tag necklaces decorating a tree. The tags symbolize soldiers who never returned home from war. Photo courtesy of Carmen S Peterson.

Old Village Fire Company Station 11 Dedicates Retired Fire Truck to Late Firefighter Christopher Roland

Members of the MTFD and Middletown Township Committee unveil the plaque dedicated to late firefighter Christopher Roland in front of his family.

Middletown business, Uras Monuments, donated the plaque for the Christopher Roland Cassion Unit.

Michelle Borghese wears a "Team Chris" t-shirt as she looks at the Christopher Roland Cassion Unit and reflects on her cousin's lasting legacy.

Last weekend, members of Old Village Fire Company Station 11, the Middletown Township Committee, and family and friends came together for the dedication of the Christopher Roland Cassion Unit. Christopher was a firefighter with the MTFD for thirteen years before he lost his battle with Huntington's Disease in 2018. His loved ones fondly remember his positive demeanor and love for life.

Going forward, the Christopher Roland Cassion Unit will carry fallen firefighters to their final resting place. Christopher is the first Middletown firefighter to be memorialized in this way.

There will be a New Jersey Team Hope Walk to fundraise for the Huntington's Disease Society of America on Saturday, October 2^nd at 11 AM in Edison, NJ.

Click HERE for more information about the upcoming walk and how you can support Team Chris.

Troop 122 Boy Scouts Spread their Wings and Soar to Eagle Scout Rank

Mayor Tony Perry shakes hands with Eagle Scout Rian M. McCusker while congratulating him and Eagle Scout Sean P. Purcell. Photo courtesy of The McCusker Family.

Last weekend, two Boy Scouts from Troop 122 were promoted to Eagle Scouts at the Eagle Scout Court of Honor that took place at VFW Post 2179. Eagle Scouts Rian M. McCusker and Sean P. Purcell dedicated an impressive amount of hard work and time to earn this promotion. Read below about the community service projects they completed to achieve this rank.

Rian revamped VFW Post 2179's kitchen by cleaning and painting it. VFW Post 2179 uses the kitchen on a weekly basis to serve food for dinners, monthly breakfasts, and special events. The kitchen's functionality allows post members to host fundraisers to support operations.

Sean refurbished VFW Post 2179's outdoor picnic area. He repaired and repainted picnic tables, as well as polished and fixed the grill. The outdoor area is a place where VFW Post 2179 and American Legion Post 515 hold their annual summer picnic, as well as other communal events.

Congratulations Eagle Scouts Rian and Sean! Thank you for making a difference in our community and for assisting our veterans.

Saker ShopRites, Inc. Receives Middletown's First
Green Business Award

Pictured from left: Recycling & Clean Communities Coordinator Jessi Ticino, Mayor Tony Perry, CEO of Saker ShopRites, Inc. Richard Saker, and Public Works & Engineering Director Ted Maloney.

Saker ShopRites, Inc. received Middletown's first Green Business Award at the Township Committee Meeting held on Monday, September 20^th.

Saker ShopRites, Inc. opened its new Middletown ShopRite (1361 NJ-35) in June. The company has implemented environmentally-friendly practices throughout all its locations, especially at the Kings Commons shopping center that used 90% of the existing Sears structure in the construction of the current building on the property.

The ShopRite of Kings Commons was also built with the latest in energy-efficient technology, including LED lighting in the store and parking lot, and an HVAC system that uses demand ventilation, which adjusts to the changing environment maximizing efficiency. The store also features in-floor radiant heating, which uses reclaimed waste heat from the store’s refrigeration system, a parking lot that uses bioswales to capture, treat, and infiltrate storm water runoff, as well as doors installed on refrigerated cases to reduce energy consumption up to 75%.

Saker ShopRites, Inc. also has a robust multi-stream recycling program and processes expired products through an onsite bio-digester in an effort to minimize waste. Any excess prepared foods or expiring food that can be frozen is donated to local food banks.

Congratulations, Saker ShopRites, Inc.! Thank you for your commitment to sustainability and for helping us preserve the beauty of our town for
future generations.

Click HERE to watch the Monday, September 20^th 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 Sunday, October 3^rd.

Township Installs Water Fountain in Roosevelt Park for People & Pets

Front of the water fountain at Roosevelt Park

The Township is continuing to make upgrades to our local parks. Last week, a new ADA compliant stainless steel, outdoor water fountain was installed at Roosevelt Park (371 Port Monmouth Road). The water fountain features a bottle filler, pet fountain, and hose bib. Stop by to get hydrated!

Back of the water fountain at Roosevelt Park

Listen to Live Music at the MAC's Music Café on Sunday, September 26^th from 4 - 6 PM

Join the Middletown Arts Center on Sunday, September 26^th from 4 to 6 PM for its September singer-songwriters showcase featuring local talents Denise Miller, R.G. Evans, Jenny Cat, and TheSunkenCity. The concert will take place inside the MAC's theater (36 Church Street). The event is free with a suggested donation of $5.

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

Register Now for Fall Exercise Programs

Middletown Recreation is offering fall exercise classes. Drop-in registration is available for both Yoga and Indoor Volleyball – come on down to Croydon Hall (900 Leonardville Road) to try!

Yoga classes are for adults and presented weekly by Hot and Soul Yoga on Tuesdays from 6:30 - 7:30 PM. Indoor Volleyball has adult co-ed teams, picked every Tuesday, for great exercise and fun socialization from 7:30 - 9:30 PM.

Youth Running is presented by Gone Running, LLC for grades 3-10. The eight-week season includes a t-shirt, end-of-season competition, and awards. The program takes place on Thursdays from 4:30 - 5:30 PM. Registration has been extended for one week so it’s not too late to sign your child up! Youth Running takes place at Poricy Park (345 Oak Hill Road).

Visit www.middletownnj.org/signup for more information and to register.

Prepare for College with the MTPL and Rutgers University on Wednesday, 9/29 at 7 PM

MTPL Financial Aid with Rutgers University

Getting ready to apply to college and have questions about financial aid? The Middletown Township Public Library is here to help!

Join the MTPL on Wednesday, September 29^th to listen to Rutgers University discuss financial aid and answer your questions! The event will begin at 7 PM and take place over Zoom. Library visitors must follow current health and safety protocols. Registration is required.

Click HERE to register.

Honor Our Fallen Heroes at the Give2Those Stride & Ride Relay on Monday, 10/4 at 1 PM

Elmood Ave. to be Repaved between Monday, 9/27 and Tuesday, 9/28

Elmwood Avenue, between Leonardville Road and Oakland Avenue, is scheduled to be repaved on Monday, September 27^th and Tuesday, September 28^th, weather permitting. On-street parking on Elmwood Ave. will be prohibited for the duration of this work. Please follow posted traffic detours. Residents will be able to access their driveways on Elmwood Ave. on Monday, September 27^th, with intermittent disruptions.

On Tuesday, September 28^th from 8 AM - 5 PM, there will be no vehicular access to or from Elmwood Avenue as the new asphalt is put in place. Please remove vehicles prior to 8 AM on September 28^th. Parking will be available on adjacent streets.

If you have any concerns with access during construction or require special accommodations, please contact Lt. Neal Hansen, Traffic Division Commander, Middletown Township Police Department at (732) 275-7447.

Navesink River Road Closed for Bridge Replacement

Navesink River Road is currently closed to traffic to replace the bridge over McClees Creek. The bridge is being replaced due to age and normal deterioration from vehicular traffic during its years in service. The work is anticipated to be completed by spring 2022.

Click HERE to read the full press release from the County.

Visit www.middletownnj.org/collection for more information.

Bulk Collection: Accepted/Not Accepted Items

Please be aware of the following rules regarding what is and is not accepted in bulk collection. For sanitary purposes, please wrap your mattresses and box springs in plastic. Still not sure if your item is considered to be bulk? Email a picture to bulk@middletownnj.org.

For more information or to view your collection schedule, download the Recycle Coach app or visit www.middletownnj.org/bulk.

State Authorities Urge Residents to Report Invasive Spotted Lanternflies

After increased sightings in Monmouth County, the Middletown Health Department advises the community to be aware of the Spotted Lanternfly. The Spotted Lanternfly is a serious invasive pest that feeds on sap from over 70 different plant species. It excretes honeydew while feeding, which results in mold covering the plant and anything nearby. While Spotted Lanternflies do not directly hurt humans or animals, they can negatively impact our agriculture, economy, and everyday life.

If you see a Spotted Lanternfly, take a photo of it and report it to the NJ Department of Agriculture (NJDA) or call 833-4BADBUG (833-422-3284). The NJDA is urging anyone who comes across the insect to report and destroy it immediately to help slow the spread.

For more information about the Spotted Lanternfly, visit the New Jersey Department of Agriculture's website. For additional resources from the NJDA about the invasive bug and how to help control the spread, visit the NJDA's Homeowner Resources.