Leeann

The County of Cape May will commence construction on the Dias Creek Road (CR 612) resurfacing project beginning on Monday, January 23, 2023.  The project limits are from Galloping Way Drive west to U.S. Route 47. Work will initially involve the installation of drainage improvements in the vicinity of Pine Ridge Road and will continue west toward U.S. Route 47.  Once this section of drainage improvements has been completed, the contractor will install drainage improvements heading east toward Galloping Way Drive.

During the initial drainage installations near Pine Ridge Road and westward, Dias Creek Road will be closed to thru traffic from U.S. Route 47 east to Springers Mill Road (CR 643).  Thru traffic wishing to access Dias Creek Road from U.S. Route 47 will be detoured to Springers Mill Road  and head east to Dias Creek Road.

Dias Creek Road will remain open to thru traffic from Mechanic Street to Springers Mill Road. West  bound traffic will then be detoured onto Springers Mill Road to Route 47. All residents will have access to their homes at all times.  School buses, emergency vehicles, and trash trucks will be able to enter the work zone. All motorist entering the work zone should proceed with caution and should expect delays.

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Middle Township will hold free rabies vaccination clinics

The vaccine that helps protect dogs and cats from the deadly virus is also a licensing requirement

Residents can help protect their furry friends by getting them vaccinated at one of Middle Township’s free rabies clinics for dogs and cats.

“As rabies is so deadly, prevention is the only key to effective control,” said Middle Township’s Animal Control Officer William Candell. “The most effective prevention is had when domesticated animals are vaccinated against rabies.”

A recent Middle Township case of rabies in a skunk underscores the importance of rabies vaccinations for pets. The rabid skunk came into contact with a family’s dog in their backyard. The dog did not have an up-to-date rabies vaccination, so it must be quarantined for 45 days.

Middle Township has seen only one case of rabies in a domesticated animal in recent years; an unvaccinated horse was infected in January 2019. There have been 11 cases in wildlife since then. Once rabies establishes in an area, it always remains among the wildlife. Even if a pet stays indoors, it can be exposed to the virus if a wild animal such as a bat gets inside, Candell said.

About 70 dogs and 20 cats typically visit each of the free rabies clinics. The schedule for this year’s clinics in the Township is:

• Feb. 4, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., at the Public Works Building, 400 W. Mechanic St., Cape May Court House
• May 6, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., at the Public Works Building, 400 W. Mechanic St., Cape May Court House
• November 4, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., at the Public Works Building, 400 W. Mechanic St., Cape May Court House

Middle Township dog owners will need a current rabies vaccination to receive a license for their pet. Dogs over 6 months old must be licensed in January of each year.

A one-year license for a spayed or neutered dog is $8.20, and owners pay $24.60 for a three-year license. For dogs that are not spayed or neutered, a one-year license costs $11.20 and a three-year license is $33.60. Dog licensing can now be completed online by visiting Middle Township’s opens in a new windowdog license portal. Licenses are also available at each Free Rabies Clinic.

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Del Haven road restoration work underway as water supply project continues

Final paving in the Phase 1 area will be completed in early spring

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Crews have restored Township roads impacted by Phase 1 of the Del Haven water project.

Many Del Haven homeowners who recently received the ability to connect to a fresh water supply now have freshly restored roads as well.

Middle Township is working with the Lower Township Municipal Utilities Authority to bring fresh water to the bayfront communities of Del Haven and Green Creek, where residents currently use well water. Middle spearheaded the project as an innovative, affordable solution to bring safe drinking water to areas experiencing saltwater intrusion.

The process of providing water connections for nearly 1,000 residents began last summer. The work is in the first of three phases, focusing on the area of Del Haven closest to the Delaware Bay. All Township roads impacted during Phase 1 have been restored. Final paving of the county road and side roads off Route 47 will be completed in early spring.

“This entire project is intended to make Del Haven residents’ lives more convenient. That includes providing easy access to fresh water and restoring roads as quickly as possible,” said Mayor Tim Donohue. “We appreciate the partnership of the Lower Township Municipal Utilities Authority in this important work to improve the quality of life in Del Haven and Green Creek.”

As work continues, Middle has been actively pursuing grants to assist residents with the cost of connecting their internal plumbing to the fresh water supply and disconnecting from their wells. The Township expects to establish financial assistance criteria for income-qualified owner-occupants.

Middle already has shifted $150,000 in existing home rehabilitation grant funds to use for Del Haven/Green Creek assistance, and a request is pending for an additional $400,000 in grant funding.

The Township is still seeking other potential funding sources and will provide more information as it becomes available.

Middle’s Deputy Tax Assessor named Township Employee of the Year

Liz Simpkins has worked for Middle since 2002

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Mayor Tim Donohue recently presented Liz Simpkins with the 2022 Darius Graham Employee of the Year Award.

Liz Simpkins works with numbers all day in Middle Township’s  Assessment of Taxes Department.

But it’s her people skills that have truly earned her the appreciation of colleagues and the community –
and now, the title of Middle Township Employee of the Year.

Simpkins, who is the Deputy Tax Assessor and Township Claims Coordinator for Middle, received the
2022 Darius Graham Employee of the Year award during a staff holiday event in December. The award is
named for a longtime employee of the Clean Communities Program and is given to those who
demonstrate a deep commitment to their work, the Township, and its residents.

Middle also presents Employee of the Month awards throughout the year, and the annual winner is
selected from those honorees.

Simpkins was the Employee of the Month last August and at the time, jokingly described herself as the
office’s “barista, snack provider, party planner, landscaper and water cooler coordinator.”

When she learned about the most recent award, Simpkins expressed gratitude to work in a friendly
atmosphere with her wonderful coworkers.

“This is our hometown,” she said. “It’s a place where you know everyone, and they know you. It’s so
nice to work with longtime friends and longtime residents.”

Simpkins said she enjoys her job and being there for the community. She joined the Middle Township
team in 2002 and celebrated her 20th work anniversary on Oct. 1.

Notice from Atlantic City Electric:

Within the next two to three months, Asplundh Tree Expert Company, on behalf of Atlantic City Electric, will be performing tree pruning and removal around our electric distribution facilities in your Municipality.  This is being done to improve electric service reliability and safety to our customers, including the municipal government, and your residents.

All affected property owners will be notified of our activities prior to work being done, and will have the opportunity to discuss with us any concerns they have prior to work proceeding.

Ownership of affected trees is determined by our easement or public right-of-way rights. 

Please be assured that our work crews will be doing professional utility pruning and tree removal, utilizing best management practices. 

Below are samples of the door hangers which will be utlilized when they are in a neighborhood.

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NOTICE: There will be no interruption of trash & recycling for the week of December 26th-30th, 2022 and January 2nd-6th, 2023GME will be running on a normal schedule.