Leeann

Middle Township Approves Contract for Inclusive Playground

Goshen Complex project will replace outdated ADA play area.  Second project slated.

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On April 8^th, Middle Township Committee approved a contract with Landberg Construction, LLC to construct a new, ADA accessible playground at the Goshen Sports Complex.  The new amenity will replace the current ADA playground which was closed several months ago due to safety concerns.

The approximately $392,000 project is designed to allow all children equal access to participate in play, regardless of ability, age or comfort-level.  The goal is to offer all children a variety of activities, at varying skill levels within the same, safe and creative space. The area is designed to promote cognitive, social, emotional and imaginative skill development in children of all abilities.

“We are excited to move this project forward for all of our young children,” Committee Jim Norris said. “It is so important to foster public spaces that are safe and inviting for kids of all skill levels.  We look forward to opening the ADA accessible playground this Fall.”

Norris, who oversees the Township Recreation Department, shared plans for a second playground, now in the planning and bidding process.  This project would replace the current playground adjacent to the Goshen Complex Snack Stand.

$478,000 in funding towards the two playground projects is being provided by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.

MIDDLE CFO EARNS EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH HONOR

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Middle Township Chief Financial Officer Neil Young was honored as Employee of the Month for March 2024. Young, who assumed the critical role of CFO in late 2022, was nominated for the award by Deputy CFO/Purchasing Agent Dan Shustack.

“Since his start here in Middle Township, Mr. Young has worked tirelessly to reform and modernize the Finance and Purchasing office,” Shustack said. “Those who have never worked in municipal finance can’t understand the amount of work required during the last months of the year to properly close out the current year and roll over to the next year. During the month of December, Mr. Young put in many hours to ensure the Township was in the best possible financial shape. He is a dedicated employee and a great leader.”

Neil Young graduated Summa Cum Laude from Rowan University with a B.S. in Accounting in 2007. He began his career in financial management with Municipal Auditors, Ford Scott and Associates.  Young spent five years auditing the financial records of several area municipalities and school boards. Neil assumed the position of Chief Financial Officer in Wildwood Crest in July of 2011.

Over the next ten years, in several local towns, Neil Young built a reputation as an excellent custodian of public funds, a meticulous preparer of municipal budgets and an innovative leader in the development of fiscal and cash management policies. Young has completed both the Certified Municipal Finance Officer and Certified Tax Collector courses through Rutgers University. He received State of New Jersey certification as a Municipal Finance Officer in December 2012.

“Neil is an invaluable member of our Township leadership team. I congratulate him on this well-deserved honor,” Mayor Chris Leusner said. “His commitment to sound financial management and intelligent and innovative, long-range monetary policies ensure our taxpayers’ dollars are spent wisely in a challenging financial environment.”

The Municipal CFO is tasked with overseeing the staff in the Finance Department, reconciling revenue, appropriations and bank accounts, providing financial reports to the governing body, coordinating, tracking and leveraging grant funding, managing municipal debt and assisting in the preparation of the annual budget.  The CFO works closely with the Business Administrator, Chief of Police and all Department Heads to protect the best interest of the taxpayers on a daily basis.

“I’m honored to be recognized for my efforts,” Young said. “I’m proud of the hard work our Finance Office team performs on behalf of our taxpayers.  I appreciate the commitment and partnership of Township Committee, Business Administrator Kim Osmundsen, Chief Pooler and all of our Department Heads to the daily work required to successfully manage our $25 million annual budget.”

MTPD Supports Cops & Hoopers Event

Leusner Honored for Gym Buddies Program

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Volunteers from the Middle Township Department, along with officers from several other local agencies, partnered with No Limits Boxing Academy to host the Cops and Hoopers Event for 3rd -6th graders on March 9th.  Academy participants rotated between four stations designed to hone personal, professional and on-court skills, to not only develop basketball abilities but to ensure youth become stewards of the community.

Each station was led by local police officers representing different Cape May County Law Enforcement Agencies.  Sgt. Ron Miller and Officer Alyssa Jones represented Middle Township Police Department.

Sgt.Miller took the opportunity to engage with the youth, sharing insights into the requirements and training involved in becoming a law enforcement officer. He also provided demonstrations of police equipment, showcased a police vehicle, and encouraged the youngsters to aspire to become future leaders within their community.

Officer Alyssa Jones, along with law enforcement colleagues, monitored the fitness station. Here, the focus was on educating the children about maintaining healthy lifestyles and imparting proper physical fitness techniques. These interactive workouts were designed to demonstrated not only the importance of staying fit but also motivate the youngsters to embrace an active and healthy lifestyle.

“Events like Cops and Hoopers are invaluable opportunities for our community’s youth to not only develop their athletic skills and personal skills but also to build meaningful connections with law enforcement officers,” Police Chief Jennifer Pooler said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to partner with No Limits Academy and other local law enforcement agencies to advance our mission to positively engage our kids through community policing.” 

Mayor Christopher Leusner, joined by No Limits Academy founder Josh Mercado, gave the opening remarks sending his best wishes to the participants while thanking the police officers for volunteering their time. Leusner was honored by Mercado for his ongoing contributions to the county’s youth.

Mayor Leusner was instrumental in assisting Josh Mercado in realizing his vision to create a safe space for the children of Cape May County and connecting Mercado with law enforcement officers and first responders to build a network of partners to provide ongoing support. Together, Leusner and Mercado created No Limits Academy’s Gym Buddies Program, aimed at developing relationships of mutual trust and respect between police officers and youth.

“I’m truly honored to be recognized, but Josh Mercado is the real story here,” Mayor Leusner said. “Josh’s unrelenting commitment to our kids through the positive programs offered by No Limits Academy is making a lasting difference in the life of so many young folks in Middle Township and beyond.  I want to thank all the officers that volunteered and the many generous sponsors that continue to support these vital programs.”

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Middle Township Mayor Chris Leusner presented a comprehensive overview of the State of Township 2024 to local business leaders on the evening of February 28th.

The annual event, sponsored by the Middle Township Chamber of Commerce and held Upstairs at the Bellevue Tavern, featured a forty-one-page presentation by Mayor Leusner, followed by MTPD Chief Jennifer Pooler’s summary of the department’s annual report.

Highlights of Mayor Leusner’s presentation included:

• Middle’s Philosophy on Responsible Business Development
• Property Tax Trends
• Expanding The Ratables Base
• Fiscal Challenges
• Strategies For Controlling Costs
• Economic Development
• CRMC Merger with Cooper University Healthcare
• Infrastructure Improvements
• Quality Of Life Issues
• Recreation And Special Events
• Caring For Our Seniors
• Employee Recognition

“The State of our Township is strong and thriving,” Mayor Leusner said.

“Township Committee remains committed to our longstanding philosophy that a well-run town will attract and retain well-run businesses. We promise to do our best to hold the line on taxes, while continuing to provide excellent municipal services for our residents and business owners.”

To review the full State of the Township presentation please visit: opens in a new windowhttps://qrco.de/sot2024

MTPD ADDRESSES HIRING NEEDS – SWEARS IN NEW OFFICERS

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Presiding over his first Regular Meeting of Township Committee on Wednesday evening, Middle Township Mayor Chris Leusner swore in two new full-time Police Officers to the municipality’s police department.

Officers Jayden Matthews and Christopher Rudy both served as Class II officers prior to their appointment at the January 17^th meeting. The officers were surrounded by family and friends as they took the oath.  Nearly two dozen members of the MTPD attended in a strong show of support for their new brethren.

“I’m proud to welcome Officers Matthews and Rudy to the department,” Chief Jennifer Pooler said. “They have done the hard work to successfully complete their rigorous training.  I’m confident that they will make us proud and serve the community well.”

opens in a new windowMatthews and Rudy join recently sworn Officer Christian Quaranta as the MTPD looks to maintain proper staffing levels in a challenging environment for police hiring.

Township Committee also approved the promotion of five Class II Officers to full-time Police Officer.  Michael Bailey, Ty Pettit, Wilson Laracuente, Daniel Wright and Joshua Moyer will be enrolled in the upcoming class at the Cape May County Police Academy.

In addition, the MTPD added two new Class II Officers, Zachary Linz and Owen Bryan to the ranks.

“I want to publicly recognize Chief Pooler’s implementation of this multifaceted hiring plan to address the department’s staffing needs,” Mayor Leusner said. “Public Safety will always be our top priority. The appointments approved tonight by Township Committee will ensure that our police department remains a proactive force committed to community policing and dedicated to the service and protection of our residents.”

Leusner Joins Middle Township Committee as Mayor

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Former Middle Township Police Chief Christopher Leusner officially joined the Township’s governing body, as the municipality held its annual reorganization meeting on January 3^rd. Leusner, a Republican, joins Deputy Mayor Ike Gandy and Committeeman Jim Norris on the three-person Committee, filling the vacancy created when four-term Committeeman and Mayor Tim Donohue chose not to seek reelection in 2023.

An overflow crowd of family, friends, dignitaries and supporters attended the ceremony. The MTPD Honor Guard began the meeting with the presentation of the colors. Josh Mercado and students from No Limits Academy led the attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance.  Middle Township student Parker Lengel performed a stirring rendition of the National Anthem and MTPD Chaplain Scott Durbin gave the invocation.

Supported by his wife Natalia, sons Christopher and Cole and stepdaughters Sophie and Angie, Leusner was sworn into office by retiring Mayor Donohue. Also in attendance were Leusner’s proud parents, mother Carla and former Middle Township Committeeman and Mayor Charles (Chuck) Leusner.

Committeeman Gandy called for a motion to appoint Leusner as Mayor for 2024.  The motion was seconded by Committeeman Norris and passed unanimously.  Cape May County Commissioner Director Leonard Desiderio had the honor of swearing Leusner into the Mayor’s role.

Ike Gandy was unanimously supported by Committee to continue in the role of Deputy Mayor.  Gandy was sworn in by former Judge of the Superior Court of New Jersey and Cape May County Republican Chairman Michael Donohue.

In sometimes emotional remarks, the former Police Chief noted with pride the lifelong example of unselfish public service provided by his father. Chuck Leusner served eight terms on the Township’s governing body. Chris Leusner attended his father’s first swearing in ceremony at the age of six.  Leusner mused that he had practically grown up in Town Hall.

“Middle Township is a special place. Seventy-two square miles, from the Delaware Bay to the Atlantic Ocean,” Leusner said. “We have faced our share of challenges. But we always emerge stronger. Our strength comes from our unity.  We believe in community.  We believe in hard work. We believe in helping each other.”

Mayor Leusner lauded the leadership of former Mayor Donohue and pledged to carry on Donohue’s commitment to bringing good people together to do good work while providing excellent municipal services. Leusner praised the leadership of Township Administrator Kimberly Osmundsen and Police Chief Jennifer Pooler and looked forward to leading a team of excellent, experienced department heads, in partnership with Committeemen Gandy and Norris.

Leusner pledged to make certain that all voices, from every neighborhood, are heard and respected in the decision-making process.

“Together, we can ensure that Middle Township remains a model of good government,” Leusner concluded. “A fiscally responsible government, in a town filled with community spirit.  A town we can all be proud to call home.”

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Betzy McClintock recognized as 2023 Cape May County Municipal Alliance Volunteer of the Year

Betzy McClintock was recognized as the 2023 Cape May County Municipal Alliance Volunteer of the Year by the Cape May County Commissioners on December 12, 2023.  Betzy is a dedicated public servant with over 15 years of experience with the Township of Middle and began volunteering for the Middle Township Municipal Alliance in 2020.  Betzy’s leadership was integral in the implementation of the Middle Township police youth summer camp by developing the youth leadership component for the camp.  She also serves as an example of the impact one individual can make in their community by volunteering with their Municipal Alliance and as encouragement to others to join their local Municipal Alliance.  Beyond Betzy’s commitment to community volunteering with the Middle Township Municipal Alliance, she is deeply involved in community service as a dedicated Girl Scout Troop Leader, guiding and empowering young leaders of tomorrow.

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