Middletown High School North Varsity Girls Swim Team Celebrates Division Championship

At the Township Committee Meeting on Monday, the Township Committee recognized the Middletown High School North Varsity Girls Swim Team for winning the 2025 C-North Division Championship! This marks the first time the team won the title since 2008. We are so proud of the Lions for working together to earn this victory and are confident they'll continue to make a "splash" in whatever they do!

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 27^th.

Township Committee Proclaims April 6-12, 2025 as National Library Week

In celebration of National Library Week, Mayor Tony Perry and Committeewoman Kimberly Kratz presented a proclamation to Middletown Township Public Library (MTPL) Director Kate Hammond in honor of the week-long campaign and to thank her and her staff for all their hard work.

On March 31^st, the MTPL celebrated the completion of its year-long renovation project. Despite any obstacles they faced, the MTPL continued to operate as usual.

We encourage all our residents to visit the MTPL (55 New Monmouth Road) and check out the Reference Area, History Room, and expanded seating and study areas as well as the new Teen Room and Makerspace!

Visit mtpl.org for more information.

Middletown Recognizes Alcohol Awareness Month

At Monday's Township Committee Meeting, Mayor Tony Perry and Committeewoman Kimberly Kratz presented Middletown Alliance Coordinator Erika McKee with a proclamation recognizing April as Alcohol Awareness Month in Middletown. The Middletown Alliance is a community-based volunteer organization that works to prevent substance use disorders, underage drinking, vaping, and other at-risk behaviors. 

As chairperson of the organization, Committeewoman Kratz shared her personal reason for joining and how she lost her uncle at a young age due to drinking and driving. Alliance Coordinator Erika McKee talked about the organization's upcoming events and educational resources.

Interested in learning more? Visit middletownnj.org/middletownalliance.

Township Honors Assistant Administrator and HR Director Jim VanNest for Upcoming Retirement

At the meeting, the Township Committee surprised Assistant Township Administrator and Human Resources (HR) Director Jim VanNest with a plaque in honor of his upcoming retirement. Jim is a lifelong Middletown resident and has worked for the Township over the last 15 years. His retirement will be effective at the end of this month. We thank him for his service to our community!

Check Out New Episode of Minute with the Mayor

Join Mayor Tony Perry as he provides an exciting update about the Middletown Township Volunteer Incentive Program, congratulates the Middletown High School North Varsity Girls Swim Team on its recent division championship, and applauds the MTPL in honor of National Library Week (April 6-12, 2025) and the completion of its impressive renovation project.

Click HERE to watch the episode on YouTube.

Find Out the Answer to This Week's Township Trivia Thursday!

Middletown Township and the Middletown Township Historical Society are partnering to present Township Trivia Thursdays every other week. 

Test your trivia skills while learning more about our town and its rich history. This week's question can be found on middletownnj.org/trivia and the Township's YouTube channel. The next trivia question will be featured via the Township’s social media channels on Thursday, April 24^th. The answer will be revealed in the Friday, April 25^th issue of Middletown Minutes and on our Township Trivia page. 

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X!

Boy Scouts Pack 122 Learn About Local Government at Town Hall

On Monday, Mayor Tony Perry had the pleasure of welcoming boy scouts from Pack 122 of New Monmouth Elementary School to Town Hall! While in the courtroom, they talked about the roles of the mayor and Township Committee and brainstormed ideas they’d love to see in town - some favorites included a wiffle ball field and a trampoline park!

We applaud Pack 122 for getting involved in their local government and community.

Township Committee Members Show Support at Lincroft Little League Parade

On Saturday morning, Mayor Tony Perry, Deputy Mayor Rick Hibell, and Committeeman Kevin Settembrino were proud to support Lincroft Little League at its annual parade! Community members marched along the route and enjoyed a fantastic baseball game.

Middletown Arms Co. Celebrates Grand Opening

Last weekend, Middletown Arms Co. (429 NJ-36) officially opened in the Port Monmouth section of town. Committeewoman Kimberly Kratz was honored to help cut the ribbon and personally welcome the family-owned business to Middletown. Follow the business on Facebook (@Middletown Arms Co. & Sporting Goods) and Instagram (@middletownarmsco) to learn more about its offerings.

Middletown Alliance Kicks Off "Spring Clean Out Your Lungs!" Initiative with PSA Series

It’s time to "spring clean" out your lungs! Throughout the month of April, the Middletown Alliance for Drug and Alcohol Prevention will be highlighting the health risks associated with vaping nicotine products through a series of Public Service Announcements (PSAs). 

The first PSA highlights the dangers of vaping. Keep an eye out for upcoming PSAs on quitting tips and resources, as well as information about how to recycle your vapes and vape batteries at the Middletown Recycling Center (52 Kanes Lane). For more information on the health risks of vaping and further education, please visit middletownnj.org/middletownalliance.

Click HERE to watch the first PSA.

Sign Up for MAC's School's Out Day Camp Happening Monday, 4/14 - Friday, 4/18 and Monday, 4/21

The Middletown Arts Center (MAC) will be hosting its School's Out Day Camp during spring break! The MAC offers full- and half-day camp programming for elementary school students when Middletown's public school district is closed. Young students are invited to fill their days off from school with crafting, doodling, and more creative activities with Miss Fish, the Doodle Dude, and friends. 

There are morning, afternoon, and full-day sessions. A half-day costs $38 and a full day costs $75. Children may be dropped off at the MAC Annex, which is located at the Middletown Reformed Church (121 Kings Highway), any time after 8:30 AM and must be picked up by 3:30 PM.

Click HERE for more information and to register.

Use MTPL's Free Museum Passes and Discount Codes During Spring Break

In addition to free museum passes, the Middletown Township Public Library (MTPL) is pleased to offer discount codes for patrons to purchase tickets to fun nearby attractions including The Crayola Experience, Liberty Science Center, Diggerland, and Big Kahuna's Waterpark! 

Plan ahead for spring break next week with a discounted pass to fun! View the full list of free museum passes and discount codes at mtpl.org/museum-passes.

Municipal Offices Closed on Friday, 4/18

Attend Second Public Input Session About Newman Springs Road/County Road 520 Traffic Improvements on Tuesday, 5/13 at 6 PM

Check Out DPW's Spring 2025 Brush Collection Schedule

Register Now for Middletown Alliance's 

Parent Presentations This Spring

Next one is on Monday, 4/14!

The Middletown Alliance proudly presents its Spring Parent Presentation Series! The Alliance hosted the first presentation on Thursday, March 27^th at Town Hall. The presentation focused on current drug trends and was led by Prevention Specialist Nicki Francis from the Wellspring Center for Prevention. Nicki shared some of the latest drug trends and products seen in Monmouth County and local schools, such as nicotine oral pouches, easy-to-conceal vape devices, kratom, and more. Parents and guardians were able to ask questions and learn about what Middletown is doing to help fight these issues!

Interested in attending the remaining presentations? The next one on Monday, April 14^th will be about social media and the final one on Thursday, May 22^nd will be about raising resilient kids. Both presentations will be held from 7-8 PM in the Training Room at Town Hall (1 Kings Highway).

Click HERE to view the graphic in a larger PDF format and visit middletownnj.org/presentation to register for the presentations.

Celebrate National Volunteer Month by Donating to Middletown First Aid & Rescue

With April being National Volunteer Month, now is the perfect time to give back to Middletown First Aid & Rescue! The all-volunteer squad is one of the five Middletown Emergency Medical Services (EMS) squads.

Middletown First Aid & Rescue is currently looking for cases of water and Gatorade, which they provide at large-scale events and fires to help rehab and ensure hydration of both their members and our firefighters. The squad is accepting donations every Tuesday from 5-10 PM at 11 Cruse Place. You can also send money via Venmo to @MTFARS-1 to support their mission.

NJAW Lead Service Line Replacement Program  

Door-to-Door Canvassing Continues

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 3^rd. The canvassing and internal inspections are currently taking place in the Port Monmouth Elementary School District and Ocean Avenue 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.

RSVP to Annual Small-Business Roundtable Happening on Tuesday, 5/6 at 8 AM

Attention all small-business owners! Mayor Tony Perry and Monmouth County Commissioner Director Tom Arnone will be holding their annual Small-Business Roundtable on Tuesday, May 6^th at Town Hall (1 Kings Highway). If you are interested in attending, please email mayorsoffice@middletownnj.org or call 732-615-2024.

Save the Date: Annual Memorial Day Parade with American Legion Post 338 to Take Place on Monday, 5/26

Sign Up for Middletown Parks & Recreation's 2025 Specialty Summer Camps

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.

MonmouthNJ 250 Committee Announces Student Poetry Contest: Submit Your Entry By Friday, 5/16

Earlier this week, the MonmouthNJ 250 Committee announced that they are hosting a Semiquincentennial Poetry Contest for Monmouth County students in grades 3-5 in recognition of America’s 250^th birthday. This contest invites students to write a poem reflecting upon what patriotism means to them.

Prizes will be awarded for each grade level. The winning essays will be showcased on monmouthNJ250.org and the MonmouthNJ 250 Committee's social media channels. It will also be highlighted throughout the committee's Semiquincentennial celebration.

The deadline for submissions is Friday, May 16^th and the winners will be announced by Sunday, June 1^st.

Click HERE for more information about the contest and how to submit your entry.

Hop into the Spring Spirit at Middletown Parks & Recreation's Annual EGGstravaganza on Saturday, 4/12 from 10 AM - 1 PM

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 from 10:15 AM to 12:15 PM and enjoy carnival games, face painting, a balloon artist, and more! This event is free with free parking available in the NJ Transit lots. There will NOT be an egg hunt at the EGGstravaganza.

Click HERE for more information.

Search for Treasures in Middletown Parks & Recreation's Mystery Egg Hunt on Thursday, 4/17 at 5 PM

Join Middletown Parks & Recreation for a Mystery Egg Hunt! You may be asking yourself, "What is the mystery?". Well, you know the time and date... but not the location! The mystery locations will be revealed at 4:30 PM on Thursday, April 17^th on Middletown Parks & Recreation's Facebook account.

This festive activity is free for residents, but participants must bring their own basket for the hunt.

Click HERE to follow Middletown Parks & Recreation on Facebook.

Register Now for Blood Drive Happening at Town Hall on Tuesday, 4/15 from 12:30-6:30 PM

The Middletown Township Health Department is once again partnering with the New Jersey Blood Services/New York Blood Center to host a blood drive at Town Hall (1 Kings Highway) on Tuesday, April 15^th. 

According to New York Blood Center, 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. Please use the sponsor code 72770.

Make Blackout Poetry at the MTPL's Adults-Only Program on Tuesday, 4/15 at 4 PM

Celebrate National Poetry Month in April by creating your own blackout poetry at the Middletown Township Public Library (MTPL)! 

Blackout poetry, also known as redacted poetry, is when a creator uses pre-existing text (such as text from a book, newspaper, or magazine) and crosses out or redacts words in order to create something new. 

Try it for yourself at the MTPL's free program, which will be taking place in the Community Room (55 New Monmouth Road)! There is no registration for this program; all are welcome!

Sign Up for MTPL's Teen Poetry Workshop Happening on Thursday, 4/17 at 7 PM

Calling all teens! Come to the MTPL's Teen Room and join local nonprofit Project Write Now for a poetry workshop in celebration of National Poetry Month. Registration is required.

Click HERE for more information and to register.

Celebrate Earth Day with Middletown Parks & Recreation on Saturday, 4/26 at 9 AM

In honor of Earth Day (Tuesday, April 22^nd), join Middletown Parks & Recreation for some hands-on park beautification and help refurbish the Murray Farmhouse's Colonial-era garden located at Poricy Park (345 Oak Hill Road). This free event is the perfect community service project for scouts, groups, and those looking for volunteer hours!

Click HERE for more information. Please email recreation@middletownnj.org if you are interested in participating.

Compete in Middletown Parks & Recreation's Fishing Derby on Sunday, 5/4 from 9 AM - 12 PM

Catch the big fish and claim the prize at the return of Middletown Parks & Recreation's Fishing Derby! Participants will be competing for the longest fish at Garvey's Pond, located on Lakeside Avenue in Navesink. There will be medals for the top winners in each age range and raffle prizes throughout the event. Please bring your own equipment.

Click HERE for full tournament rules and registration.

Sign Up for the Mother-Son Western Hoedown Happening on Thursday, 5/22 from 5:30-8:00 PM

Moms, visit the Wild Wild West with your son! Join Middletown Parks & Recreation for a night of fun with a DJ, BBQ dinner, games, activities, and amechanical bull! This outdoor event will take place at Poricy Park (345 Oak Hill Road). Tickets cost $36 per resident. 

Click HERE for more information and to register.

Be the Difference Suicide Prevention Community Walk to Take Place on Sunday, 5/18: Sign Up Now!

On Sunday, May 18^th, 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.

• As of Monday, March 31^st, Chapel Hill Road is closed at Whipporwill Valley Road for construction. A detour is set. Properties 1-230 have access from the NJ-35 side. Properties 231-400 have access from Kings Highway East. The road will be closed 24/7 for approximately 6 months. Click HERE to view a map of the detour.
• As of Tuesday, April 1^st, NJ-35 from approximately the New Monmouth Diner (1887 NJ-35) northward through Holmdel and Hazlet will be closed for resurfacing from 10 PM – 6 AM through Tuesday, April 22^nd. One lane will close at 8 PM, two hours prior to the full closure. Most of the work will be done outside of Middletown.
  
• Church Street in Belford (near Saint Mary's 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 13^th, Broadway is closed between Main Street (Port Monmouth) and Church Street (Belford) due to construction of the final phase of the U.S. 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 13^th, providing an alternate detour route for the Broadway closure.

Middletown Township Animal Control Provides Information About Baby Rabbits' Spring Habits

Connect with the Township to Help Correct Concerns

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.

Exciting news — the Connect & Correct app is now officially available on the Apple App Store and Google Play! The goal of the app is to make it even easier to report your concerns on-the-go as well as streamline communications regarding any concerns you may have.

Register for Middletown's Emergency Alerts & Updates 

Click HERE to access hi-res photos from this

e-newsletter. 

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