Middle Township Lists Municipal Mid-year Accomplishments

COURT HOUSE – As 2019 reaches the mid-point, Middle Township’s resident and business owners can look to a solid list of progress and accomplishments under the new leadership of Business Administrator Kimberly Krauss. 

According to a release, “Our focus was to cut through the accumulated clutter and zero in on our core mission of providing excellent municipal services at the lowest cost possible,” Mayor Timothy Donohue stated. 

“To speed that process and cut red tape, we revamped our administrative function,” Donohue continued. “The municipal clerk and the administrator positions were consolidated and relocated the administrator to the first floor. The support staff was reorganized to take better advantage of their diverse skills. We advanced the team’s skills through cross-training and additional certifications, providing greater support to the administrator. We also took advantage of the opportunity to remodel the administrative suite for better functionality, at a very low cost, through a shared services agreement with Stone Harbor Public Works. “The end result has been a more efficient and effective administrative operation under Kim’s professional leadership.” 
The township provided an update on major 2019 initiatives:  

No municipal tax increase – A steady and responsible growth in the township’s ratable base; savings on healthcare costs; the reorganization of some township departments; and a cap on each department’s operating expenses have enabled the township to avoid a tax increase this year.  

Open Space and Recreation Projects – MLK Center Tennis/Pickleball Courts project was completed; the Avalon Manor fishing pier contract was awarded, and work will begin in September; the Railroad Avenue recreation complex/Rio Grande contract was also awarded. Work is scheduled to start in October; and bike path – north work will commence by the end of the year once the final DEP approvals are finalized.  

Del Haven water project – This agreement with the Lower Township Municipal Utilities Authority (LTMUA) will bring clean, safe, high-quality water to nearly 1,000 homes in the Del Haven area. Estimated completion date is spring 2021, and construction will begin once all permits are secured.  

Sewer-Roads-Drainage and Capital improvements – Middle Township approved two bond ordinances that will provide long-term improvements to the township’s sewer utility and capital projects that include repair work for roadways and drainage. Spending will address longstanding flooding issues in problem areas and fund upgrades to aging sewer pump stations. Work was completed on the paving of Gibbs Street in Whitesboro, drainage, and paving of West Atlantic Avenue, and the striping of Shell Bay Avenue. 

Whitesboro Post Office – Site approval and a signed lease agreement with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) solidified plans for the new Whitesboro Post Office.  
With the groundbreaking planned for the fall, the building will be located on the northeast corridor of Route 9 and Main Street. The township also petitioned the USPS to dedicate the post office in the memory of Whitesboro founder, George Henry White. 

Economic Development – To enhance the Township’s economic development and attract more visitors to the area, Middle Township approved plans to bid out a new liquor license. The minimum bid was set at $750,000, and bidding will open on Aug. 21; designated two conditional developers for areas in need of redevelopment in Rio Grande and Burleigh; and introduced an ordinance to effectuate a change in zoning to facilitate the construction of a 102-room Hampton Inn near the Exit 10 on-ramp of the Garden State Parkway. 

Additionally, municipal officials are also partnering with Cape May County to advance the $25 million public/private renovation of the Rio Grande Kmart site; Negotiating a major project for development on the long-abandoned Lamonica food processing plant site that promises to bring 90 quality, year-round jobs to the township; and partnering with Cape Regional Medical Center to move forward the construction of their new surgery center. 

Public Safety – With resident safety in mind, Middle Township successfully launched the Code Blue Warming Center in partnership with Cape May County; purchased a new animal control vehicle and promoted a second humane law enforcement officer to investigate animal cruelty claims; swore in Police Chief Christopher Leusner as president of the New Jersey Association of Chiefs of Police; and received a grant to expand the Summer Police Youth Camp. 

“I want to thank all our employees and recognize them for their hard work and dedication,” Krauss stated. “We look forward to an even more productive second half of 2019 as there’s still plenty of work to be done. Our mayor and committee have provided our excellent department heads with a simple and focused mission: provide value and services we can all be proud of at a cost our residents and businesses can afford. This vision frames our work each day and we are committed to spending the taxpayers’ dollars wisely and reluctantly.”