All right. Good evening everyone. Heidi. >> Yep. Try >> it again. >> This is a meeting of the township committee May 4th, 2026. The notice requirements provided for in the open public meetings act have been satisfied. Notice of this meeting was properly given by transmission to the Asbury Park Press and the two of her times and by
posting at the Middletown Township Municipal Building and filing with the township clerk all in January 9th, 2026. Committeeman Clark here. Committeewoman Kratz >> here. >> Committeeman Sedmbino >> here. >> Deputy Mayor Hibell >> here. >> Mayor Perry >> here. >> Please rise for the pledge of
allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
At this time, I'd like to ask for a moment of silence to honor the troops serving worldwide defending our constitutions, freedoms, and way of life. Thank you. >> All right. Good evening, everyone. I'm going to go a little bit out of order because we certainly have a a special
guest with us here tonight. Um, we have uh Mayor George Hoff from uh Kingsburg who'd like to read a letter. Mayor, uh, please feel free. Thanks for being here tonight, my friend. >> Thank you, mayor. Thank you, council members, and thank you to the public for
allowing me to be here today. Um, as most of you know, on March 28th of this year, uh, Kinsburg was set to have their memorial uh, excuse me, their St. Patrick's Day parade. Unfortunately, it was interrupted by a gentleman who planted a homemade incendiary device.
The parade had to be evacuated and, um, the area had to be secured. Prior to that happening, Middletown had supplied us, Middletown Police Department had supplied us with eight auxiliary officers and after the incident, they had supplied us with a K-9 unit um
officer. So, on behalf of the uh Kingsburg Parade Committee and the Kingsburg B Council, I would like to present this letters to you. Um, I do not have the officer's names. So, I'm hoping uh Tony that you can put these names in there uh for the going above and beyond the call of duty by these
officers, not only in helping prior to the parade, which they usually do with traffic, but staying around afterwards and making sure that the area was secure. So, I commend the Middletown Police Department, the auxiliary department, and the K9 unit for their help and their professional service that
day. So, I could present these to you. Um and you can present them to uh Chief Weber and uh the Middletown Aux British departments and the K9 unit uh officers. So on behalf of the mayor and council of Kingsbury and the Kingsburg parade committee, I present you these letters. >> Thank you, mayor. Appreciate it very
much. >> Thank you for your time. Thanks. Thank you. Thank >> All right, Heidi. >> Our first presentation of of tonight is the Middletown America 250 quilt by Rebecca's Real Quilt Guild. Please come
forward. So, good evening everyone. It's uh it's an honor to uh have uh well these four distinguished ladies here with us today. Um, when we started the America 250
committee in 2020, the end of 2023, early 2024, Morgan had come and and said that um uh the ladies of of our quilting group over at Porsy Park uh would like to uh make
with their own hands a beautiful quilt to commemorate America's semiquincentennial or 250 here. See, I practiced that all all morning. Semi quincentennial. Um, and have been uh working very very hard
on this. And uh today they're here uh to present uh all of the efforts that they have made over so many so many months and so much time. And we are very excited to see. In fact, about four months ago, I want to say five months
ago, we came down, Tara and I came down here to try and figure out where this quilt was going to uh go uh and and be displayed in town hall. And we decided that it would be displayed right here in our courtroom to uh not only show off
the amazing talents of of our quilters, but uh to celebrate continue to celebrate America's semi-quincentennial. So, uh, Mor. >> Oh, wow. >> So, Rick can't use this as a blanket, correct?
>> It's up to you, mayor. >> Yeah. No, the answer is no. Uh, this is absolutely amazing. I mean, look at that with the with the official American 250 seal. >> Remember that was your request? >> I I I think it was my request, but it looks beautiful. But the the the
township's uh logo in the middle is just absolutely uh outstanding. So, congratulations to you for such an unbelievable effort. Thank you to to everyone that's made this possible. It's It's absolutely unbelievable and look forward to seeing it hung up uh right
away and I know Moren will be checking for it. >> You have a favorite to ask? No problem. Come ask long. This is the quilt guild's 40th anniversary. We didn't plan it to come to 250, but it just happened that way.
And to celebrate our 40th anniversary in June, we're displaying a variety of our quilts in the community room of the library. >> Okay. So, what we would like to do, >> you want to borrow it already? You're you're giving it to me now and taking it already. Okay. >> You promise? Okay.
>> Be the centerpiece of our quilt display in the community room library, which will be open from June 4th, I think, June 3rd to the 27th. And we will have a small closing recept reception on the 27th. >> All right. I think we could let you have it for that amount of time. >> Thank you so much. >> Let's get Let's give them a big round of
applause. have a quick question. How long did it take to make it? >> Um, the lap's time is probably not three or four months. Yeah, >> three or four months. >> And and that's because we had several people working on it and we had to send it. One of our long quilters did the
quilting, some of the quilting. And so there were several people involved. So a lot of the time was was just, you know, handing it off to the next. And all that all that detail inside is all hand done. >> Right. But the connection here, >> yes, these are pieces that were sewn
together. >> Quilting holds the three the three layers together. The top, the batting in the middle, and the back. >> And I love I love the back, too. >> I was impressed by the back when I saw really impressed when I saw the front. Wow.
>> Rick was really asking that question because he needs a new duvet. So, he Just wondering how long of a >> table. Thank you very much. >> Thank Thank you all very much. >> Oh, Jesus. >> Thank you.
>> Yeah. Yeah. >> Is everyone ready? All right. One, two, three. Beautiful. Thank you so much. Thanks. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you.
Beautiful job always. Yes. Yeah. Our next presentation tonight, we have the presentation recognizing May 1st through May 7th as excuse me as Elks Youth Week in the
Township of Middletown. At this time, I'd like to invite members of the Middletown Elps Lodge 2179 and their children to join Mayor Perry at the front of the river. Don't be shy. So, it's it's once again an honor and uh thank you to Middletown 2179
um for for not just dedicating themselves to uh one week towards our youth, but dedicating everything that they do toward towards our community. You know, it's it's easy to proclaim a week. It's easy to proclaim um something that's celebrated
all across um you know, the country and through um the the Elks all across our state and across the country. But it's really um the Elks lo 2179 that does so much and so much, you know, I've said it
before here and I'll say it again. Um it's those random acts of kindness that the Elks exemplify whether it's their youth um sports leagues that they run and the breakfast that they have um each year. Uh this year for the first time
not on the same day as the uh Rumson uh St. Patrick's Day parade. Um, but just working with our children, working with our youth, making sure that they have whatever they need. Um, I I'll never forget this and and I know I've told
this story before. Um, but a few years back, um, there was a little girl, a mother who was in need because her child uh was struggling to walk. And it was a Facebook post or a random Facebook post,
but it was Elk's Lodge number 2179 that went out and bought the um Walker um that made that girl's life just a little bit better. And we when we went to uh recognize the Elks for that, um this
little girl was zipping all around the Elks Lodge kind of like Eddie does. Um, and it it's one of those things that just makes your heart fill up with joy and gratitude that there's a group of people out there that's always looking
to make the smallest impact and not ask for anything. but to that those individuals, to those kids that you're helping, to the families that you're helping, to the youth that you support through basketball, soccer, all the activities, the the scholarships that
you all give out. Um it it feels funny to give a proclamation for youth week because the Elks define that 365 days a year um through their their ambassadors helping out families. uh this year.
Another unbelievable story of a family in need um that uh took a child who was not theirs uh and cared for, you know, provided love and support to. So, Els Lodge
number 2179 deserves much more when in recognizing youth week. It it deserves our gratitude every single day. So, let's give a big round of applause for But we are here to celebrate Alex. Okay.
So, uh on behalf of the township committee, I'm incredibly uh humbled and honored once again to recognize all all that the Elks do. I mean to to everyone that's sitting here, thank you all for everything that you do because it means the world and providing our kids with um
the ability to go out there and and have opportunities that maybe they wouldn't normally and to support the families um is is absolutely incredible and we're so grateful that that you're all out there. So on beha on behalf of the township
committee um the order of the Elks has designated the week of May 1st to the 7th 2026 as Elks youth week to honor America's junior citizens for their accomplishments and to give fitting recognition of their services to our community, state, and nation. Miltown
slash number 2179 sponsors and observants during this week in tribute to our junior citizens of the township of Middletown. And no event could be more deserving of our support and participation than one dedicated to these young people who represent the nation's greatest resource and who in
the years ahead will assume the responsibility for the advancement of a free society. Our youth need guidance, inspiration, and encouragement which we alone can give in order to help develop those qualities of character essential for future leadership. And to achieve
this worthy objective, we should demonstrate our partnership with youth, our understanding of their hopes and aspirations, and a sincere willingness to help prepare them in every way for the responsibilities and opportunities of citizenship and being truthful, being
dedicated, being honest, not creating uh disscent for the sake of disscent. Um you are all exemplifying those duties and responsibilities. So therefore, I, Mayor Tony Perry in the Middletown Township Committee, do hereby proclaim
May 1st to the 7th, 2026 as Elks Youth Week in the Township of Middletown and urge all the departments of government, civic, fraternal, and patriotic groups and our citizens to generally generally to participate wholeheartedly in this annual observance. Congratulations and
thank you guys for everything you do. Appreciate it. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, you don't know much about our our organization. We are distinctively American. We take care of our veterans. We take
care of our senior citizens. But the most important resource we have in our community and in our country is our children. That's what the Youth Activities Committee is all about. So, you have any I if you have any
questions about any of the things we do, we we want to get more children involved in it. These children are involved. We we have a soccer shootout. We have a a hoop shoot and we have youth activity breakfasts. We we concentrate so much on
our youth because it's our best natural resource we have. So, I want to thank the mayor and the tax committee for this proclamation. Uh we will continue to do the work we do
because it's paid off great. Thank you very much. Great. More people. One more. Sorry. One, two, three. Thank you so much. >> Let's give a big round of applause for our next
>> Oh, yeah. >> Thank you, guys. Thanks for coming. have an officer walk out with quiline's leaving with our quill. Okay. >> All right. >> Um, we have our next presentation recognizing May 2026 as mental health
awareness month in the township of Middletown. I'd like to invite Be the Difference representatives Olivia O'Brien and Gracie Hahan to join the mayor at the front of the room. Good evening everyone. My name is Olivia O'Brien.
>> I love this already. I don't have to do any talking. Go for it. >> And my name is Grace Koulahan and we are both current seniors at Middletown High School South. We are so beyond proud to be here today to talk about Be the Difference. Be the Difference started in
2023 as a simple idea just wanting to do something that could help our community in need. Since that first walk, it's grown into something incredibly meaningful. Together, we've raised over $35,000 for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's New Jersey chapter, helping it support education, resources, and real people who need it. Every May
during Mental Health Awareness Month, we come together for this walk. It's not just about walking. It's about breaking the stigma around mental health and creating a space where people feel comfortable talking, sharing, and being themselves. This year, the walk will take place on Sunday, May 31st from
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. And we really hope to see as many people there as possible. Bring your friends, your family. Everyone is welcome. There's going to be student volunteers, music, refreshments, and different organizations sharing information and resources. But more than anything, it's
about the people who show up and the support we give each other just by being there. At the end of the day, this is bigger than just one event. Every conversation, every step, and every person who shows up that helps make a difference. It shows that mental health matters and that it's okay to ask for help. So, please share these details and follow along with Be the Difference.
>> So, as we move forward, let's keep showing up for each other, keep being kind, and keep choosing to be the difference. Thank you. Find more information on our Instagram, be the difference NJ. >> Let's give him a big round.
So, right before the meeting started, I went over and Tara introduced me um to uh these two young ladies and said, you know, I think they're, you know, they're a little nervous. Never once has anyone walked up here and
said something before I did, and I love it. I absolutely love it. Um, amazing job. Um, the be the difference uh walk has really been an inspirational one. Uh, starting over at the Middletown Arts
Center and coming right here to town hall. Um, it's it's an amazing event. Um, filled with positivity, gratitude towards each other. Um, just just a wonderful site and I love the fact absolutely love the fact that it is run
by young people. Love the fact that so much time, energy, commitment goes into the walk. As as precise as it goes, it's all done by our seniors and and the the students at Middletown High School
South. It's been nothing but a success. It grows every year. Your impact grows every year. So, um obviously we all know somebody that has uh suffered with uh mental health issues. Um it is not
something um that any of us can escape because it impacts us whether it being ourselves or whether being someone uh we love, friend, family member. Um because nearly one in five Americans um uh
suffer from mental health issues. Um, so, uh, the fact that young people were willing to stand up and I also love the fact even more, um, that, uh, this idea was brought to me originally by, uh, Piper Wyman and, um, the fact that she
is now off and I know still involved, um, but off at San Diego State University. um the fact that it has continued and new people each year get involved and demonstrate uh their commitment to this. Um you're doing a wonderful job. Look forward to uh the
walk on May 31st and um you know I always uh walk with Rick and you know he he tries to tell me to step it up a little bit every once in a while. Um but uh it's uh it's an amazing opportunity. So, I encourage everybody uh follow him on Instagram uh if you can register,
participate. Um it's it's a short walk but an impactful one. So, congratulations to both of you. Thank you for carrying the mantle and appreciate everything that you do and we'll see you on May 31st. >> All right. Congratulations. You did great. And then you changed the
papers and that was I didn't recognize you outside of your dance outfits. Grace, she didn't recognize you and assume. Grace dances with both my daughters. So, uh, we get to see each other under different circumstances. >> Supposedly, Ryan said he can dance. Is that true?
>> I love this. >> The dancing dads are pretty good. >> Did you want to sing? >> Yeah. >> One, two, three. >> Beautiful. Thank you so much. >> Give another big round of applause.
>> Yeah. Congratulations. Thank you so much. At this time, we're going to take a two-minute recess. Right, Heidi. >> I'm going to continue on with some presentations and proclamations for the record. We have a proclamation recognizing May 3rd through the 9th,
2026 as Municipal Clerk's Week in the Township of Middletown. >> Hang on. Hang. I was about to say something. So, um >> you know the while we're recognizing May 3rd to the 9th as Municipal Clerk's Week, I just want to say um Heidi, uh
Amy, thank you for everything that you do for the township. Um running it, getting these agendas ready, uh fulfilling all your obligations. It's much appreciated and and the town I think I can speak for the entire township committee and for the
administration in saying thank you for everything that you do on a daily basis. So thank thank you very very very much. >> We appreciate it. >> At this time we have a proclamation recognizing May 3rd through the 9th 2026 as small business week in the township
of Middletown. We have a proclamation recognizing May 10th through the 16th, 2026 as police week in the township of Middletown and a proclamation recognizing May 17th through the 23rd, 2026 as EMS week in
the township of Middletown and a proclamation recognizing May 25th as uh 2026 as Memorial Day in the Township of Middletown. At this time, uh, we have resolution 26-131, a resolution authorizing the township clerk to read the budget by
title. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Committ Clark. >> Yes. >> Committ Kratz. >> Yes. >> Committee manino. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Hibbell. >> Yes. >> Mayor Perry, >> yes. >> Motion carries to adopt resolution
26-131. At this time, we have the CFO uh conducting the budget presentation for the 2026 municipal operating budget. >> Thank you, Heidi. >> I'm going to go through a short
PowerPoint presentation to just >> I get it now. You did your entire budget presentation in May the in Star Wars theme because it's May the 4th. >> It's May the 4th. >> Okay. Um Whoops. It's even scrolling like the opening
credits of Star Wars. >> Go ahead, Colleen. >> Thank you. Um, all right. There it goes. Sorry. So, yes, I am going to do this except I keep losing my mouse for some reason, but
there it is. Okay. So, the budget process starts very early on. We we will adopt the budget soon and within two months after adoption, we've started the process for the next budget.
When it really starts to become real is in the fall. That's when we send out the internal budget request sheets to the departments. We request revenue estimates and budget requests for the
upcoming year. Uh and then once we have those, we then start scheduling meetings with each of our department heads. We do that through the fall. We try and come up with a draft budget. Once the year closes, the fiscal year closes at
December 31st. We start to finalize some of the numbers. We prepare our 2025 in this year 2026. We prepared our 2025 financial documents. We did second and third rounds of department level budget
meetings. There are certain departments like Ted sitting next to me. Ted has a lot of budgets and his meetings are typically very long and we usually look at them more than once to make sure that we've captured everything and that we're
budgeting as appropriately as possible. Then comes the spring and we met with the township committee members separately to review the budget prior to introduction. Of course before that there's discussions and other meetings that go
on internally but it is a very long process and we spend a lot of time on it. Um, we began I always begin with all of the budget requests included. This year when we did that, it created an increase
of over 12.5 million, which would have been a 19.08% increase. Where we ended was an increase of a little under $2 million 1,953765 and that is a 2.97%
increase on the tax levy. It wasn't an easy process by any means. This year was um particularly challenging for many reasons. some anomalous, some that were ongoing, some that um are are recent additions to the
budget. One of the things that made this budget even more difficult was that everybody is dealing with economic difficulties. Whether it's on a personal level, industry level, everybody is struggling, but so are we.
You know, our raw costs have gone up. our health benefits, our utilities, things like that. Um, and like I said, I have listed here for 2026 some of our our larger increases, health benefits.
That was a nearly $3 million increase. But on our budget, we're self-insured for our our health benefits. And while that was a large increase, it's it's a little bit over 23%
um in comparison to some others and certainly to state health benefits which increased by over 36%. Um, it was more palatable than some other increases
that that other people are dealing with, but it was still a difficult thing and you have to fit it in while fitting in all of the other increases as well. Our other insuranceances went up 250,000. We had a lot of snow this year. That
budget went up 375,000. Our utilities increased about 200,000. Additionally, we have um an anomalous year this year with payroll and our hourly workers. It's a 27 payroll period year. So, it that increased our payroll
expenses a bit. Um and we've had other things um like affordable housing lawsuits. Those are included in this budget. They've been included for the past few years. Um I want to be clear
that that's budgeted within this operating budget. We don't look to any other funding sources for those. Um so all of that is included so that we can still give the services and the
voice that we're being asked to give. Um budget expenses. This is a pie chart that shows I mean it's not surprising the salary and wages are your largest part of the budget. Operating expenses which is basically
what supports all of the departments on their day-to-day expenses. That comes in next. Insurance costs as we've as I mentioned are also large. Um so that's that's really kind of the breakdown. There's smaller items on there. There's,
you know, our shared service agreements and um some capital investments and debt service, but for the most part, that's what it costs to run the town. That's what it costs to provide the services. This is a levy breakdown from last year.
It's always one year behind because all of the levies have not yet been struck. This just shows for the taxes that you know where again a tax dollar goes 22 you know percent stays here to pay for
the things that we just talked about 61% goes to the school to support their operations. There's some other smaller amounts the county get the county gets a little over 10% for the services that they provide.
And I just want to be clear on this as well. This is simply a result of the levies that are struck by each entity. We simply add them together. We divide and that shows what the percentage of the tax dollar is. This is not something
that we get to determine. We don't get to take a tax dollar and decide that so much goes to each entity. It's really a result the other way around of what each entity decides that their tax levy is going to be for the year. Um,
one of the things we talk about the levy. I wanted to take a little bit of time too to talk about some costs in our municipal budget. Um, one of the things with municipal government is here in New Jersey. The municipality is responsible
for assessing, billing, collecting, distributing all of the tax levies for all of the entities. So with that in our budget we have to budget for those costs. Um in every municipality there's
four statutory officers and two of those are your tax collector and your tax assessor. Can't have a town without them. And within them they are the ones the assessor does the assessing you know determines the value of the properties.
the tax collector once the levies are struck and the rates are struck they do the billing they do the collecting and then once the levies are in we have to pay to the other entities based on a schedule that's either set by statute or
agreed upon. Um so for that we have to fund and fill the tax collection office tax assessment office. There's also another line in our budget called the reserve for uncollected taxes. And that is really what some people might know as an
allowance for doubtful accounts because again we we must by law pay every other entity their 100% levy and we get what's remaining. So if for some reason people don't pay their taxes, we have to have money built into the budget so that our
levy is also able to cover our costs. So we have to have for that and also we pay out any tax appeal refunds comes completely out of the municipality. None of the other entities contribute towards that. So for 2026
all of those costs are about $2.8 million. And in addition we have a reserve that we keep off of the books that was built by budget appropriations over the years. that's in excess of $2 million. Um
because you can have some very large state tax appeals that could come through and we always want to make sure that we have money sitting to cover any of those that might end up coming for us for refund. Um
this is just talking again about the reserve for tax appeals. Um, one of the things about the costs that I just discussed is that if we were aortioning these the way we do the tax dollar, as opposed to us footing the 2.8 million,
we'd be about 620,000. So that leaves well over 2 million in the budget that we we take on the cost of for the other entities. And this is not something that's just here in Middletown. I want that to be clear. This is across New Jersey. That's just
the way the system is set up. And I'm only saying it because I just think it's something important for everybody to understand. Um, for the municipal government, unfortunately, there's no aid for any of this. There's no grants for any of this. It's just something we
have to budget for. So from 2025 to 2026 as I mentioned our municipal levy is increasing 1,953765. Our tax rate is decreasing. Um that's a result of
simple calculation that I have on here. Um the average residential assessment increased from 72772 to 785304 from 2025 to 2026.
For the average residential home, the 2026 municipal budget will result in about uh just over $6 a month in an increase about 70 $72 for the year, which again covers all the costs of
police and DPW and recreation and everything else that we do here. Um, so on this I gave a little example of how the tax rate is struck just so that everybody understands that when the assessed values of the town increase,
all that does is increase the denominator on the tax rate calculation, there's no additional dollars that come with that. Um, so here I just showed simply that if you had a levy of $1,000 and your net valuation taxable last year
was $10,000, then your rate would be the 0.1 and then say this year our net valuation taxable is 11,000, the levy is a,000. You can see that it reduces the rate slightly. Um, there again it doesn't increase the levy. It just
simply changes the tax rate calculation. Um, this is something that I show every year because I think it's important to show as a municipality. We really don't get state aid. Um, what we get from the state is called energy
uh receipts tax and we used to collect that locally many many years ago and the state decided that it would be better if they collected it and redistributed back to all the municipalities. But the problem is where that revenue used to increase each year, it's remained flat
virtually since 2010. Um, and this all goes all the way back to 2001. So you can see that for 2026 if we were collecting at the rate that we should that would be over $13 million
in this revenue where we're still at 6,117,15 and that's a difference of nearly $7 million. And so our increase this year is under 2 million. This would have easily covered
that and much more. And since 2002, the calculated shortage based on this revenue not growing, we would have collected over $103 million in those years additional. And our budget this
year is 106 million. So, I'm just trying to show what it what an impact this is that, you know, for us, for the people of Middletown, this shortage on this revenue is really impacting everybody.
And it's something that I talk about every year and I hope that someday it's rectified, but it's been many, many years obviously and um nothing has changed at the state level. But this is important because we don't get any other
kind of state aid directly for tax relief. That's what this would be. Um, with that, I don't know if there's anything else, but I just want to leave you with
as May the fourth be with you. And Yoda said it before, it was cool. >> All right. Um, any questions from the township committee regarding the budget? Kev. Okay. Um, Colleen, I just want to say
um, thank you uh, to you and Trish. Um the number of hours that I was a part of is dwarfed in comparison to what you and Trish um put into this and and all of our department heads,
Tony, um everybody that's involved in the process. Um, I think year after year you you demonstrate how a budget should be presented um simply and and to the point and I think
that's uh great. But um I can still hear Trish banging away on her keyboard and in the conference room um adjusting the budget. Um but to know where um you know with all the budget requests and it's
imperative that I that the the department heads put all their budget requests in well knowing that they're not going to to get all those Ted. Um yeah >> get them and get them cut. >> What? >> Or get them cut.
>> Yeah. Yeah. Ted knows that all too well. Um but when when I say that we spent um you know 48 hours uh together um over the course of months
>> um going line by line 5,000 10,000 >> um you know looking at each one because of how imperative it is to um not only provide the services that were statutoily required to that we that we provide our residents trash collection,
all those things that even though those aren't in the cost drivers, you took my question about where the state health benefits plan was because I think I ask that every single year. Um, I just want to say uh thank you to you and Trish and the finance team and Tony and everybody
that's involved. Thank you to all the department heads that understand when millions of dollars get cut from your budget requests. Um, Ted again. um but uh but without sacrificing the services that our residents uh expect um and
planning that out for future and understanding when things can be bought and and and when they can't. So um just want again once again say thank you to to everybody that was involved. All right, Heidi Motion to approve.
>> Second. >> Man Clark. >> Yes. >> Committeewoman Kratz. >> Yes. >> Committeeman Senino. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Hibbell. >> Yes. >> Mayor Perry. >> Yes. >> This means that the um budget has been introduced and approved and will have a
public hearing on June 4th, 2026. We and and just to clarify for everybody, we are required to have budget out for 30 days. Um, which is the rationale for the meeting being on uh June 4th.
>> Okay. How do you >> at this time we have approval of minutes for April 8th, 2026 workshop meeting. >> Motion to approve minutes. >> Second. >> Committee Clark. >> Yes. >> Committeewoman Kratz. >> Yes. >> Committ Seno. Yes.
>> Deputy Mayor Hibbell. >> Yes. >> Mayor Perry. >> Yes. >> Motion carries to approve minutes. >> At this time, we have public hearing on proposed ordinances. Our first ordinance 2026-3503 a bond ordinance providing an appropriation of 4,226,000
for various capital improvements by and for the township of Middletown in the county of Mammoth, New Jersey and authorizing the issuance of 2,886,315 in bonds or notes of the township for financing part of the appropriation. Any member of the public wish to make a
public comment on ordinance number 2026-3503. >> Okay. Seeing no member of the public stepping forward, move to close the public portion and approve. >> Seconded. >> Committeeman Clark. >> Yes. >> Committeewoman Kratz. >> Yes. >> Committ Senino. >> Yes.
>> Deputy Mayor Hibbell. >> Yes. >> Mayor Perry. >> Yes. >> Motion carries to adopt this ordinance on second and final reading. At this time, we have 2026-3504, an ordinance establishing requirements for inspection of leadbased paint in
certain residential dwellings within the township of Middletown. >> Any member of the public wishing to speak on public ordinance number 2026-3504. Okay, that's good. Nobody's in favor of leadbased paint. Uh, seeing no member of the public stepping forward, move to close public portion and approve. >> Second. >> May Clark, >> yes.
>> Committeewoman Kratz, >> yes. Committeeman Senino. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Hibbell. >> Yes. >> Mayor Perry. >> Yes. >> Motion carries to adopt uh this ordinance on second and final reading. >> At this time, we have introduction of proposed ordinances. But I at this time
I'd like to announce that we're going to remove uh 2026 3507 3508 and 3509. Uh and we're going to uh move them to the June 4th meeting. So at this time we have introduction of
proposed ordinance 2026-3510 an ordinance authorizing the sale of certain properties owned by the township of Middletown not required for public purposes pursuant to NJSA4A 12-13. >> Motion to introduce
>> second man Clark. >> Yes. >> Committee Committee Kratz. >> Yes. >> Committeeman Senino. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Hibbell. >> Yes. >> Mayor Perry. >> Yes. Motion carries to uh pass this ordinance on first reading with a public hearing to be held June 4th uh 2026.
At this time we have ordinance 2026-35 uh11, a traffic ordinance regarding Caldwell Avenue and Claremont Avenue prohibiting trucks over four tons. >> Motion to introduce. >> Second. >> Committ Clark. >> Yes. >> Committeewoman Kratz.
>> Yes. >> Committeeman Sedmbino. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Hibbo. Yes. >> Mayor Perry. >> Yes. >> Motion carries to pass this ordinance with on first reading with a public hearing to be held uh June 4th, 2026. >> At this time, we have ordinance
2026-3512. An ordinance amending chapter 240-23 of the township code establishing fees for police youth week participants. >> Motion to introduce. >> Comm. >> Yes. >> Committeewoman Kratz.
>> Yes. Committeeman Senino. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Hibbell. >> Yes. >> Mayor Perry, >> yes. >> Motion carries to pass this ordinance on first reading with a public hearing to be held June 4th, 2026. At this time, we have 2026-3513,
an ordinance authorizing execution of certain deeds within with Mammoth Hills. >> Motion to introduce. >> Committeeman Clark. >> Yes. >> Committee Kratz. >> Yes. >> Committee Senino. Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Hibbell. >> Yes. >> Mayor Perry. >> Yes.
>> Motion carries. Pass this ordinance on first reading with a public hearing to be held June 4th, 2026. At this time we have the um the uh consent agenda which would include resolutions uh 26-134
through 26-153 removing 26-133 and 26-149 for a separate vote. >> Motion to approve the consent agenda. >> Second min clerk. Yes. >> Committeewoman Kratz.
>> Yes. >> Committeeman Senino. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Hibbell. >> Yes. >> Mayor Perry. >> Yes. >> Motion carries to adopt consent agenda. At this time, we have resolution 26-133, a resolution authorizing fireworks display for Riverview Foundation on July
3rd, 2026. >> Make a motion. Second. >> Committeeman Clark. >> Yes. >> Committeewoman Kratz. >> Yes. >> Committeeman Sedbrino. >> Yes. Deputy Mayor Hibbell. >> Yes. >> Mayor Perry, >> recuse. >> Motion carries to pass this resolution
with recusal noted. >> At this time, we have 26-149, a resolution authorizing fireworks display for Beacon Hill Country Club on 7126. >> Motion to approve. Second. >> Committ Clark. >> Yes.
>> Committeewoman Kratz. >> Yes. Committeeman Senbrino. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Hibell. >> Recuse. >> Mayor Perry. >> Yes. >> Motion carries to adopt this resolution with recusal noted. >> At this time, we have the township committee acting as the ABC issuing
authority. We have resolution 26-154, a resolution authorizing a person-toperson placeto place transfer for liquor license 1331-33-00001. >> Motion to approve. Second. Mini Clark, >> yes. >> Miniwoman Kratz, >> yes. >> Mini Senino, >> yes.
>> Deputy Mayor Hibbell, >> yes. >> Mayor Perry, >> yes. >> Motion carries to pass this uh adopt this or uh resolution, excuse me. >> At this time, we have Township Committee comments. >> Clark.
>> Thank you, Mayor and uh Heidi. Um this past weekend, uh myself and Mayor Perry had the opportunity to go visit with Troop 14 out of Leonardo Girl Scout troop who spent an afternoon of their time walking around town with uh claws
picking up garbage all over the place in preparation for the America 250 and setting an example for the community as to what we should be doing to keep our streets and our neighborhoods clean. Uh it was a it was a really nice uh thing that they did and uh while I was running
errands in the area, I saw them in different places during the day and uh that group of uh young ladies had a really good time with a really nice group of people leading them. So uh just want to congratulate them on doing a little bit to make our community better.
Um, we recognized EMS week at the beginning of this meeting and uh, I have to thank the EMS because if it wasn't for them in 1994, I wouldn't have began my journey of volunteerism in Middletown. I joined Lancra first aid when I was a senior in high school, my
uh, September October of my senior year and uh, that started my trajectory in volunteerism. So, uh, the MS has been an integral part of our community. Uh my grandfather was a member actually in the 1960s which I didn't know until after I
joined. Um but it's been an integral part of our community for a long time. And uh I just want to recognize them for all their hard work. Speaking of hard work, um our budget uh the mayor said quite a bit during uh during his piece about that and how hard
you and Trish and the rest of the team worked. Having been a department head and worked with you um when we had to make difficult decisions, it's not easy, but the way that you present it to the departments and how they have to think
is um is something that I've taken with me since the first budget you and I worked on in 2015 when I was a second assistant chief. And what you asked us to do was create wants versus needs. And that's something I've carried with me, not just when thinking municipally, but
in my personal life, with my family, and with my business. Um, and it's something that you to this day still talk to each department head about when it comes to cutting. And the reason that cutting can happen and we can maintain our services is because you truly determine what our
wants are versus our needs. And you ask us to project what those wants could when those wants could be turned into needs. Um, but you don't reward people for just having pie in the sky ideas. And that's the kind of leadership as a
CFO that uh you've brought to the table since you came here. And I just want to thank you for not just the hard work this year, but all the years prior that have led us to being able to succeed in tough years. So, thank you for that. Um, and then lastly, uh, one of the other
things we recognized at the beginning of this meeting, uh, was be the difference. And um each year uh since since we started recognizing mental health awareness month, I've I've brought up my friend, one of my best friends who killed
himself um a couple of years ago. And he uh he hid some of his mental health issues for a long time. We weren't aware of him. And when they manifested themselves, we all tried to rally around him. And uh you know, he worked really hard for a long time to to
stick with us. and um it just didn't work out. But that that walk starting where it does, it's a stone throw from his house. So when when we go there, it has meaning to everybody in different
ways. And uh for me, that's one of the things that I think about. Um, mental health has been an issue in my family over the years, but never to the point of um, somebody passing. And uh, so I think of
my friend Alan Amler every time we talk about this and every year I bring up his name and as long as I sit up here, I'll bring up his name. So um, I appreciate that we recognize that every year. And uh, with that I'm I'm through with my comments. Thank you, >> Commino.
>> Thank you, Mayor. Just two comments this evening. One one of the presentations was by the Elks and uh what I what I tell my kids often is it's it's about the things that you do when nobody's watching. And that's what that's what the Elks do. They they constantly
continually help out help out children of Middletown and our youth. And they don't look for accolations. They they don't look for accolades. They don't look for praise. They just keep doing it day after day after day because it's the right thing to do. Um and and I you know I try to tell my kids this all the time.
It's not about it's not about um any praise that you get. It's about doing it because it's it's the right thing to do. So, I just want to make sure we recognize the Elks for continuing always to do the right thing and not looking for any praise. And that's I wish everyone in today's world would do that
would would make us a better place. Um, and the the only other item I have tonight, mayor, is uh is is uh accolades to our CFO and and um the administration for a budget that's made to look easy. I'm sure that I'm sure that you could
have done that in three slides or four slides. And uh and what the public doesn't understand, as the mayor pointed out, is there many many hours of uh of review and scrutinizing is how how do we get to a budget that has a has a tax levy increase of 2.97%. How do we get to
a budget that has a decreasing tax rate? And these things are easy to say and they may may be may they may be easy um uh easy talking points, but these are hard things to do and these take a lot of time. They take a lot of time from the administration, from our clerk, from our administrator, from our mayor. And
um these are the things that I'm proud to be a part of Middletown uh that make me proud to be a part of Middletown. So uh thank you very much for your hard work. Make it look easy and uh proud to be a part of it. Mayor, thank you very much. >> Thank you, Committee Woman Kratz. >> Thank you, Mayor. I too just want to say
um thank you to Colleen and and her team. It is not an easy task by a stretch and and I agree with Committeeman Centrino. You sure do make it look easy. So, we appreciate all of your hard work and your diligence and to all of our department heads. In
addition, we are truly thankful for their diligence in turn too to make sure that we are both we are all being good stewards of of Middletown taxpayers dollars and um I'm quite proud of it and and you all should be too. So, thank you
for that. Um also just wanted to also acknowledge and it was wonderful to acknowledge our real quilt guild our which is wonderful. Um, I had an opportunity to kind of work on a quilt one time and it is no easy task and it is time consuming, but it's also a
wonderful opportunity of community and and in this instance too of women getting together and making something absolutely beautiful to to honor and what what a wonderful occasion to honor our 250. So, um, please go and and uh visit the library so you can see the
rest of their work which is beautiful, I'm sure. as well. Um, also to thank the Elks in addition, um, what they do in our community is absolutely uh, behind the scenes and they certainly do not look for recognition or accolades, but
I've been such a witness to so many instances where they have come through for Middletown families in in so many ways, especially our special needs community. They host these wonderful dances and it's just an opportunity to be of service. And I think their their
biggest takeaway and what we should all take away is is just how can I help? And that's really what what seems to be their driving force. So it's it's beautiful that we were able to recognize them tonight. Um and that's really it for me other than I hope everyone um
acknowledges also small business week small business owner myself and I look forward to tomorrow where we'll have uh be able to network and meet other small businesses in addition. So, uh, look forward to that. And with that, I am done. Thank you, Mayor.
>> All right. Thank you, DM >> Colleen. I just have a question. I don't know if, uh, Kim had a different meeting because I didn't have the same feeling when I was in there with you. I think there was a little bit more pressure for some reason. >> So, uh, we got to talk about that,
>> but I'm sure you could speak to the people in our suite and especially the people who support me and my team. It's not as easy. They all hear the pressure when it >> Well, I just want to hats off to all our uh department heads. Uh Tony Merkante, I I know this is a lot of work. The mayor
spent a ton of time. I know he did because I spent a lot of time with him. It's uh uh it's one of the most challenging things to do when you have uh increased cost every step of the way. So, um I just I want to just show my appreciation and and you know, thanks Ted. I know sometimes because you have a
large budget, you do get beat up a little bit. I know you do a lot uh with a little bit less each year and we appreciate that. Um I do want to remind everyone Memorial Day parade here in Middletown. Make sure everyone comes out. Uh small business tomorrow round table. The mayor's been doing it for six
years now. >> Eight years. >> Eight years. Okay. All right. It's a great day to get >> seven seven years, but the only year we didn't do it was co >> Okay. All right. It's a great day. It's a good day to connect with small businesses in town. Uh they are the heartbeat of us. So, uh, it's good to
come out. Uh, that quilt, uh, I was looking at the back and I thought it was amazing, but when you saw the front, it was really amazing. And and to hear that it takes 4 months to make something like that is it's pretty impressive. Uh, I I don't know that I would have the patience, nor I know I can't do the what they created there. So, that's that's
pretty amazing. >> Mayor, that's all I have. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. Um, I just a couple things. I just want to thank um I want to thank uh Janet and her team in recreation. We had the Normandy uh park roller rink grand opening. Um I want to
thank the members of the public that came out and advocated for that when we started the Normandy Park project in 2019 I want to say Tom 2019. Um, you know, it was a it was a huge overhaul
and uh because of of the efforts, we were actually able to save enough money um within that project to then uh be able to do the Normandy Park Roller Rank and the um more than a hundred uh
residents that came out for uh that event um over time coming in. Um the the the roller rink looks great. uh the all the amenities around it are look look fantastic and uh look forward to a lot
of activities being hosted there. So kudos to um you know Ted and and his team uh and Janet and her team for um and and Rick had his ice cream. thanks to Janet >> umh for the grand opening, but it was re
really an unbelievable success and um you know I I remember back in January when we were dealing with tariffs and things of that nature. Um, we were getting kind of stonewalled by uh things at the at the national level that were
prohibiting the dasher boards, which is the boards around the uh roller rink and but we were able to work through that those issues and and get that resolved. Um, but it was a great day and a great opportunity and a great new addition to Normandy Park on the same day. Drive-in
movie theater. I've wanted to do that for I don't know how long. um since co uh and uh so as a part of our America 250 celebration um we had uh nearly 100 vehicles in the
parking lot um to see Hamilton. Uh my kids did not uh make it through the three two hours and 56 minute movie. Um but a lot of people did and it was a great success. So, kudos to Joe who uh
we were testing the the communications team, the mayor's office, uh getting everything ready. Sarah from recreation, unbelievable job getting that all together. Great great community event. Um the North South lacrosse game
um was awesome to say the least. One of the hits I lost my breath. Uh it felt like I got knocked out. Um but uh great game. Um
you know, South victorious in the end. Uh but great effort by both by both teams by both North and South and uh South uh retaining the mayor's cup. Um so just hats off to uh Coach Connor and uh both North and South uh lacrosse.
They did a great job. Um, I also just want to give a shout out to the Middletown Historical Society um who had their uh weekend uh opening up the uh historic train station um uh over at the
train station parking lot, the original train station for Middletown. Uh last year we leased that to them uh so that they could make a history museum and they have done a fantastic job. Pete Van Nortwick, Ray Beth, uh Tom Valente,
Tara, great job. Um the just an amazing job. Uh 250 people walk through over the weekend and uh it was just really cool to see and it's not 250 because it's the 250th anniversary of America. That was
the number that they gave me. Um but uh at our last township committee meeting, we authorized funding to um redo the exterior of that building. So over the course of the next few months, you'll
see a lot of activity over there, um restoring uh the exterior of that building, fixing it up so that it's here for uh many, many, many more decades to come. Um and uh the final thing that we awarded at our last meeting, um while
we're celebrating America's 250th birthday this year, um there is a a tragic um anniversary uh that is also coming up, our the 25th anniversary of September 11th. Um, and as many of you
know, myself and the governing body have been um, dedicated to preserving that beautiful, and I know I'm biased, but I think the best uh, 911 memorial in the state of New Jersey. Um but uh this
governing body after a lot of hard work by Ted and his team, Colleen, Tony, um the folks at TNM, um the uh township committee awarded a uh contract to
renovate the 911 uh gardens, the World Trade Center memorial gardens over the next few months ahead of the 25th anniversary. um the the the look, the um the solemnness of the of the gardens um
are are pretty much remaining untouched. Um but certainly with new walkways, new lighting, all all the amenities to enhance and beautify given that those gardens are 23 years old to them. Um so
um you know temporarily uh the stones will be moved or going to remain on location but the walkway is going to be redone. Uh all new footings for the monuments will be um uh put in new lighting uh new vegetation, sprinkler
systems, all of that uh will be completed uh ahead of the 25th anniversary. Um so I just want to say thank you to the township committee. Thank you to all of our professionals that were able to make that happen. Um so that we can really um enhance
uh the um dignity and truly the only site that 37 Middletown families can visit uh and pay their respects to the loved ones that died on September 11th, 2001. With that, I'll open it up for public comment. Any member of the public wishing to make a public comment may do
so. We ask that you state your name for the record and that you keep your comments to 5 minutes. At four minutes, how do you let you know that you have one minute remaining? With that being said, any member of the public wishing to make a public comment. >> Seeing no member of the public stepping forward, move to close the public
portion and adjourn. >> Second. >> Committ Clark. >> Yes. >> Committee Krabs, >> yes. >> Committeeman Senino, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Hibbell, >> yes. >> Mayor Perry, >> yes. Motion carries to adjourn. >> Have a great day everybody. Thank you all.