Middletown Announces New Summer Camp at Monmouth Museum in Lincroft
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Click HERE to read our press release for more information. |
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MTPD Celebrates Police Promotion and Welcomes Two New Officers
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 Pictured from left: Deputy Chief John Werner, Sergeant Ric Cruz, Officer Robert Poss, Officer Nicholas Massaro, and Chief R. Craig Weber (Photo courtesy of MTPD) |
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At the Township Committee Meeting on Monday, March 17th, Mayor Tony Perry was humbled to conduct the swearings-in for Middletown Township Police Department (MTPD) officers Ric Cruz, Nicholas Massaro, and Robert Poss. Officer Ric Cruz was promoted to Sergeant after working as a detective in the MTPD since 2020. After serving in the United States Coast Guard, Sergeant Cruz was hired as a patrolman in 2012. Throughout the past 13 years of his career, he has overseen the Community Relations Unit, spearheaded the Police Youth Week camp, led the Police Explorers program, and instructed the police aspect of the Middletown Alliance's program, Alliance Leaders, that teaches 5th and 8th graders about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. Sergeant Cruz is also heavily involved in the Law Enforcement Against Drugs and Violence (L.E.A.D.) program that is taught in schools and was recognized as the New Jersey Instructor of the Year at the 2024 L.E.A.D. Conference. Sergeant Cruz is a passionate advocate for our elders and youth, whom he regularly provides police tours and presentations. He is a true staple in our community and beloved by many. Officer Nicholas Massaro graduated from the Monmouth County Police Academy in 2020 and worked for the Keyport Police Department before beginning his career with the MTPD. He received his K-9 certification from the New Jersey State Police in 2023 and has received several awards, including the 2022 Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Award and the Chief Phil Meehan Leadership Award from Hazlet Hope. Officer Robert Poss graduated from the Monmouth County Police Academy 89th Basic Class for Municipal Police Officers and worked in the Long Branch Police Department from April 2012 to December 2024 in various capacities. Officer Poss was assigned to the Forensic Unit of the Long Branch Police Department Criminal Investigations Division for approximately six years. Some of his training included Crime Scene Investigation Course #113 through the New Jersey State Police Forensic Services Bureau and New York Police Department Homicide Investigators Course. We thank these three officers for their dedication to serving and protecting our community and wish them all the best! Click HERE to watch the meeting on the Township's YouTube channel or catch it on our TV channel (Verizon FiOS Channel 26/Comcast Cable Channel 20) every day at 7:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 5:00 PM, and 8:30 PM through Sunday, April 6th. |
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Middletown Elks Lodge #2179 Wins First Place in 2025 State Ritual Competition
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At Monday's Township Committee Meeting, Mayor Tony Perry presented Elks Lodge #2179 with certificates to congratulate them on being back-to-back champions in the State Ritual Competition! Middletown Elks Lodge #2179 is a fundamental organization within the Bayshore area and truly emphasizes the importance of brotherhood and helping others. The Township commends them for always preserving their lodge’s history, especially through this competition, while simultaneously building upon its future. Please join us in wishing the Elks luck in the 2025 National Ritual Competition, which will be taking place in Kansas City in June! |
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Middletown High School North Boys and Girls Basketball Teams Celebrate Division Championship
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The presentations at the most recent Township Committee Meeting ended with Mayor Tony Perry and the Township Committee recognizing Middletown High School North's boys and girls basketball teams for winning the 2025 Shore B Coastal Division Championship! The boys' team had an impressive 17-9 record throughout the season and the girls' team were undefeated in their division. Middletown is so proud of the Lions for accomplishing this incredible feat together! |
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Community Comes Together to Discuss Newman Springs Road/County Road 520 Traffic Improvements
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 Mayor Tony Perry outlines the project phases for community members. |
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On Tuesday, Middletown Township and Monmouth County hosted a public input session to discuss traffic on Newman Springs Road/County Road 520 in Lincroft. Approximately 80 residents came to Town Hall to provide feedback on the proposed traffic improvements. Mayor Tony Perry and Township Administrator Tony Mercantante were joined by Monmouth County Commissioner Director Tom Arnone, County Engineer Joseph Ettore, County Public Works Director John Tobia, County Engineer Vince Cardone, MTPD Lieutenant Anthony Ciccone of the Traffic Safety Bureau, and U.S. Naval Weapons Station Earle Community Liaison Nicholas Ginther. The ongoing project will be divided into two phases. During the meeting, the County hosted a public hearing for the first phase which is the Acme Access Road. Phase two, which is expected to begin in 2026, will consist of lane restriping and various traffic calming improvements. Lieutenant Ciccone provided statistics on behalf of the Middletown Township Police Department and reminded residents that our police officers are committed to making our roadways safer. The next step for the project is to bring representatives from Holmdel and Red Bank into this conversation and award a traffic study investigation. Once the traffic study is awarded, the Township and County will plan to host another public input session in May. The ultimate goal is to have our bordering municipalities work together to achieve traffic calming for our community. If you have any questions or concerns, please email mayorsoffice@middletownnj.org. |
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Township Thanks Army Special Forces Officer for Service with Flag and Certificate
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On Wednesday, Mayor Tony Perry presented Army Special Forces Officer Nick Lavery with a certificate and flag that was flown at Town Hall on Friday, March 14th to thank him for his service. Nick was a featured speaker at local business Whirl Construction's 2025 Annual Kick Off Luncheon. Nick enlisted post-9/11, experienced multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, and was wounded on three different occasions. Despite losing a leg in combat in 2013, he defied military medical retirement, rehabilitated, and deployed to Afghanistan once again in 2015. He is the first Special Forces operator to return to combat as an above-the-knee amputee, and is a warrior and patriot. The recipient of a multitude of prestigious awards, including the Silver Star, three Purple Hearts, and two Bronze Stars, Nick is a shining example of what it means to love and serve your country. |
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Middletown Partners with Interfaith Neighbors to Participate in March for Meals Campaign
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 Pictured from left: Monmouth County Commissioner Deputy Director Sue Kiley, Committeewoman Kimberly Kratz, and Monmouth County Commissioner Erik Anderson (Photo courtesy of Interfaith Neighbors) |
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On St. Patrick's Day, Committeewoman Kimberly Kratz felt extra "lucky" to help Interfaith Neighbors distribute lunches at the Middletown Senior Center (900 Leonardville Road, Leonardo) as part of the March for Meals initiative! Interfaith Neighbors is a nonprofit comprised of local faith communities that work together to address homelessness. March for Meals is Meals on Wheels' annual month-long campaign that raises public awareness about hunger and how it affects our senior citizens, as well as the importance of senior nutrition programs. |
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Longtime Resident Marge McKee Celebrates 104th Birthday
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 Committeewoman Kimberly Kratz was proud to join fellow Middletown Housing Authority Commissioner Tony Panzica at Marge's birthday party! |
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On Friday, Committeewoman Kimberly Kratz was excited to join Middletown resident Marge McKee for her 104th birthday celebration! Marge lives in the Alice V. Tomaso Plaza (2 Oakdale Drive), which is where her birthday party was held. Committeewoman Kratz was honored to attend and bring Marge some beautiful flowers and a birthday certificate on behalf of the Township Committee. |
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Check Out New Episode of Minute with the Mayor
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Join Mayor Tony Perry as he highlights a recent police promotion, welcomes two new police officers, celebrates Middletown High School North's basketball teams, congratulates Middletown Elks Lodge #2179 on winning first place in the 2025 State Ritual Competition, and thanks our volunteer first responders for their dedicated service to our community. Click HERE to watch the episode on YouTube. |
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Check Out DPW's Spring 2025 Brush Collection Schedule
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Register Now for Middletown Alliance Parent Presentations This Spring
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Participate in the Next North Middletown-Port Monmouth Neighborhood Plan Meeting on Thursday, 3/27
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Middletown Township, Ideal Beach Community Association, Bayshore Family Success Center, Affordable Housing Alliance, and Monmouth County Habitat for Humanity are creating a community-driven neighborhood plan for the North Middletown-Port Monmouth area! This neighborhood planning process will bring together residents, business owners, public officials, local organizations, and other stakeholders to develop a comprehensive set of proposed strategies and activities to improve the community. Once completed, this neighborhood plan will unlock special state funding to implement these proposed strategies through the New Jersey Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit (NRTC) Program. We encourage residents who live in the planning area to complete this Google survey. The next meeting will be on Thursday, March 27th at 6:00 PM at Ocean Avenue Elementary School (235 Ocean Avenue). We hope to see you there! Visit middletownplan.org for more information about the plan. On Thursday, the NRTC YOUThinking Hub was launched to give North Middletown and Port Monmouth teens a voice in shaping their community. Several members of our youth went to the first meeting at Cugini's Pizza in Port Monmouth to share their ideas. Stay on the lookout for future meetings! |
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 Members of our youth shared their feedback by answering questions and drawing pictures on a board. Some of their notes include how they would describe Middletown, what they like best about living here, and how they would design their dream park. (Photo courtesy of Affordable Housing Alliance) |
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NJAW Lead Service Line Replacement Program Door-to-Door Canvassing Continues
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CDM Smith, on behalf of New Jersey American Water (NJAW), started a door-to-door canvassing effort related to the Lead Service Line Replacement Program (LSLRP) in Middletown on Monday, February 3rd. The canvassing and internal inspections are currently taking place in the New Monmouth Elementary School District in Area 1 on the map above. The entire canvassing is expected to take place over the next few months. All CDM Smith inspectors will wear co-branded (NJAW and CDM Smith) high visibility logo vests and will have NJAW-issued Contractor ID badges. Inspectors will introduce themselves and the program to property owners and will then ask to enter the home to inspect the water service where it enters into the home (typically in a basement or crawl space). The inspector will take exterior photos of the property and interior photographs of the service material and record the pipe material identified. Inspections generally take 15 minutes or less. At no time will residents be asked for money. Any customer that prefers to not have an internal inspection completed will be directed to alternatives to the inspections including self-reporting. The Middletown Township Police Department is aware of the canvassing. If you have any questions about LSLRP, please email njawlead@cdmsmith.com and LeadFreeNJ@amwater.com. |
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Sign Up for Middletown Parks & Recreation's 2025 Specialty Summer Camps
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Join Middletown Parks & Recreation for its various specialty camps hosted by third party vendors. With plenty of options to choose from, your child is bound to have a great summer! Click HERE for more details. |
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MAC's Spring Classes Are in Full Bloom
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The Middletown Arts Center (MAC) will be blossoming this season with a vibrant array of spring classes in theater, dance, visual art, wellness, and music. Some classes begin next week, so register today to secure your spot! Click HERE to view and register for the youth classes. Click HERE to view and register for the adult classes. |
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Register Now for MAC's Summer Arts Camps
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Registration for the Middletown Arts Center's (MAC) summer arts camps officially opened on Wednesday, March 5th. Your favorite instructors are back for a fun-filled summer of theater, visual arts, dance, STEM, and so much more! Click HERE for more information and to register. |
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MTPD to Host Free Car Seat Safety Checkpoint TOMORROW (Saturday, 3/22) from 8 AM - 4 PM at New Monmouth Baptist Church
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Residents are invited to a FREE Car Seat Safety Checkpoint hosted by the Middletown Township Police Department (MTPD) on Saturday, March 22nd at New Monmouth Baptist Church (4 Cherry Tree Farm Road) to ensure your child is in the right car seat and that it is installed correctly. Car seat safety checkpoints are also typically held every second and fourth Wednesday of the month at Station 11 Old Village Fire Company (1340 NJ-35) from 2:00 to 6:00 PM. Please contact Officer Michael Reuter at 732-615-2046 if you have any questions or concerns. |
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Teens: Compete in the MTPL's Hunger Games Trivia Night on Wednesday, 3/26 at 7 PM
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Celebrate the release of Sunrise on the Reaping and test your knowledge of the Hunger Games series at the Middletown Township Public Library's (MTPL) Trivia Night for Teens! This fun event will take place in the MTPL's Community Room (55 New Monmouth Road). Winners will receive a free copy of the new book, so make sure to register today! Click HERE for more information and to register. |
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Sign Up for MTPL's Team Speed Puzzling Challenge Happening on Saturday, 3/29 from 11 AM - 2 PM
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Gear up for the USA National Jigsaw Puzzling Competition and compete in the MTPL's team speed puzzling challenge! This competition is open to all ages, but at least one member of each team must be at least 18 years of age. You can either sign up as an individual and the MTPL will place you on a team OR you can sign up as a team. All teams will receive the same 500-piece puzzle, but the first team to complete it wins! This event will take place in the MTPL's Community Room. Registration is required. Click HERE for more information and to register. |
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Monmouth County Senior Advisory Council to Host Community Listening Session About Aging Concerns at Middletown Senior Center on Friday, 4/11 at 10:30 AM
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The Monmouth County Senior Advisory Council will be hosting its next community listening session for residents of Atlantic Highlands, Fair Haven, Highlands, Middletown, Red Bank, Rumson, and Sea Bright. The session will take place at the Middletown Senior Center (900 Leonardville Road, Leonardo) on Friday, April 11th from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM. During this session, you will have the opportunity to discuss the challenges you anticipate as you age in your home and explore solutions to help you navigate them. County resources will be available and lunch will be provided. There is limited seating, so please contact Sheila Chapman at 732-431-7450 or Sheila.Chapman@co.monmouth.nj.us to RSVP by Friday, March 28th. Visit monmouthadvs.com for more information about the Monmouth County Division on Aging, Disabilities & Veterans Services. |
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Hop into the Spring Spirit at Middletown Parks & Recreation's Annual EGGstravaganza on Saturday, 4/12 from 10 AM - 1 PM
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Bring your family out for a spring-filled Saturday and join Middletown Parks & Recreation for its annual EGGstravaganza at the Middletown Arts Center (36 Church Street)! Get your photo taken with the bunny, meet friends at the petting zoo, jump in a bounce house, do arts and crafts with Doodle Dude and Miss Fish, and more! This event is free with free parking available in the NJ Transit lots. Click HERE for more information. |
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Register Now for Blood Drive Happening at Town Hall on Tuesday, 4/15 from 12:30-6:30 PM
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The Middletown Township Health Department is proud to be partnering with the New Jersey Blood Services/New York Blood Center to host a blood drive at Town Hall (1 Kings Highway) next month! According to New York Blood Services, someone needs blood every two seconds. It is important to have blood available 24/7 for emergencies as well as ongoing, life-sustaining needs for patients battling chronic diseases. Since blood cannot be synthetically made, there is no substitute – only volunteer donors can give the gift of life. Help make a difference by making an appointment today at nybc.org/drive and use the sponsor code 72770! |
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Register for Middletown Parks & Recreation's MLB Pitch, Hit & Run Competition Happening Tuesday, 5/20 at 5 PM
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Join Middletown Parks & Recreation for MLB's Annual Pitch, Hit & Run Competition! This fun event provides children an opportunity to showcase their baseball and softball skills with the opportunity of earning a chance to attend and compete for a championship during the 2025 MLB World Series. Register today because if Middletown gets 150 registrants, then our winners automatically advance to the regionals hosted at a nearby MLB stadium! Click HERE for more information and to register. |
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Be the Difference Suicide Prevention Community Walk to Take Place on Sunday, 5/18: Sign Up Now!
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On Sunday, May 18th, the third annual Be the Difference Walk will be starting at the Middletown Arts Center (36 Church Street) at 10:00 AM and ending at Town Hall (1 Kings Highway). The proceeds from this event, which was founded by former Middletown High School South student Piper Wyman, are donated to the New Jersey chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. This year, Middletown High School South senior Alex Taddeo is spearheading the event. Mayor Tony Perry and the Township Committee are proud to support the event that will once again travel up Church Street to Town Hall. Follow @bethedifference_nj on Instagram and click HERE for more information and to register. |
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- Church Street in Belford (near Saint Mary School) between Leonardville Road and Drift Road is currently closed to replace Bridge MT-10. It will be closed 24/7 to vehicular traffic through October, but pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the course of the project.
- As of Monday, January 13th, Broadway is closed between Main Street (Port Monmouth) and Church Street (Belford) due to construction of the final phase of the US Army Corps of Engineers’ Port Monmouth Flood Control Project. Broadway will be closed for approximately 2 years. Detours were posted. Port Monmouth Road between Main Street (Port Monmouth) and Church Street (Belford) reopened on Monday, January 13th, providing an alternate detour route for the Broadway closure.
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Middletown Township Animal Control Provides Information About Baby Rabbits' Spring Habits
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Connect with the Township to Help Correct Concerns
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Middletown Township is now utilizing the “See-Click-Fix” platform so residents can easily contact the Township to report any concerns. The Township is branding this reporting tool as Connect & Correct since you can submit your request via the website and track its progress through completion. Visit middletownnj.org and click on the Connect & Correct button. This link will direct you to a page of categories you can choose from to report your concern. Simply choose the relevant category from the list such as lost pet, pothole, sidewalks, playgrounds, etc. and add a brief description of the issue. You will be able to enter an address or pinpoint the location of the issue on the map. You will also have the option to attach a photo if you would like, and then you can click to submit the report.
You will then be able to track the status of the issue through updates on the platform or via email notifications.
The Township will be launching the Connect & Correct app in April which should make it even easier to report your concerns on-the-go as well as streamline communications regarding any concerns you may have. |
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Register for Middletown's Emergency Alerts & Updates
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Know Someone with a Disability? Make Sure They Register with NJ Register Ready!
Middletown’s Office of Emergency Management encourages residents with disabilities to register with NJ Register Ready. This free program is designed to assist first responders and emergency planners in identifying community members who may need assistance evacuating in advance of an emergency. For more information about the program and the three ways you can register, visit middletownnj.org/oem.
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Click HERE to access hi-res photos from thise-newsletter. |
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Verizon FiOS Channel 26/Comcast Cable Channel 20
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