Middle Governing Form Change Stalls

COURT HOUSE – In October 2018, Middle Township’s governing body formed an advisory committee to study the township’s form of government. Although the committee report noted most members reached a broad consensus that change in the form of government “would be best for Middle Township,” the body did not strongly push a specific option of those available under state law. With that report the effort to potentially change the form of government stalled.
At the Feb. 19 township committee meeting, Mayor Timothy Donohue was asked for an update on the issue.
Donohue acknowledged that the township form with a three-member governing body had limitations and was adopted for a smaller municipality in an age when government had a more limited role.
Donohue pointed to state Sunshine laws that limit the ability of any two members of the governing body to converse on township business.
Donohue also recognized that some residents would probably like to directly elect the mayor.
Donohue said that he considers the matter in the hands of the public. “If town residents want to start a petition to formalize a charter study, I’ll be the first to sign it,” he said. “I don’t believe that effort should be directed from the governing body,” he added, placing the responsibility for any effort to change the form of government squarely in the hands of the township’s voters.