Chad Murnaghan earns Employee of the Month honor after recent career change
Chad Murnaghan is a team player in the Middle Township Finance Department. He said it is an honor to work for the town he ‘was born and raised in.’
Almost a year ago, Chad Murnaghan decided to trade in his hard hat and construction site scenery for a calculator and an office environment – and his new coworkers are so happy he did.
The former laborer is now an accounts clerk for Middle Township’s Finance Department, helping manage the township’s expenditures. He takes pride in his work and is a valuable part of the team, earning him recognition as November’s Employee of the Month.
“I pay the bills,” said Murnaghan. “I have an accounting degree and am a numbers person, so this job is right up my alley. And it’s an honor to work for the town I was born and raised in.”
Murnaghan is indeed a numbers person: His close review of Middle’s utility accounts has reduced the township’s liability by about $50,000.
“I have a lot of helpful coworkers behind me that make success possible,” said Murnaghan. “A lot of people in this town are working very hard. This is a whole new career for me and everyone in the department has been accepting and nice.”
Fellow accounts clerk Betzy McClintock nominated McClintock for the Employee of the Month honor.
“Working with Chad is an absolute pleasure,” said McClintock. “He has helped keep the ship afloat in the finance office. He is humble about his accomplishments and says he is just doing his job, but the time and energy he puts forth goes above and beyond.”
Mayor Tim Donohue, who oversees the Township’s Finance Department, said Murnaghan is a model employee.
“Chad has been an exemplary member of our Township finance team,” he said. “His strong work ethic, willingness to learn new skills, and overall disposition have made him a joy to work with for everyone in the office. He is very deserving of this honor, and I am happy to have him on our team!”
Murnaghan will be recognized at the Nov. 21 Township Committee meeting.
Kimberly Osmundsen appointed to second four-year term in position with budgetary oversight
An experienced professional with deep roots in Middle will serve as the Township’s Business Administrator for another four years.
Township Committee passed a resolution at its Nov. 7 meeting to renew the contract of Kimberly Osmundsen, who also will continue in her role as Municipal Clerk.
“On behalf of Township Committee, I’m happy to announce that Kim will be leading our Township team for another four years,” Mayor Tim Donohue said. “Her intelligence, leadership, tireless work ethic and personal integrity have played a key role in keeping our hometown on a steady and stable course through one of the most challenging periods in our history. No one cares more about protecting the interest of our taxpayers and improving the quality of life for all of our residents.”
Osmundsen will continue serving as the main administrator representing Township Committee and has other duties that include:
• Working with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to regularly review budget operations, work progress and costs of municipal services, and preparing an annual report on the Township’s financial status
• Preparing the annual municipal budget, also with the CFO
• Coordinating with Township Committee members on oversight of departments
• Making recommendations for plans and programs to meet Township’s needs, based on research of operations
• Working with the Personnel Officer to create and maintain policies regarding employees, and recommending hiring, transfer, termination and other personnel actions to Township Committee
• Responding to questions and complaints about Township business
• Remaining on call for emergencies on a 24-7 basis
“As a lifelong resident of Middle Township, I am grateful for the opportunity to continue serving the residents and visitors of this great community,” Osmundsen said. “I will help ensure our Township runs with the level of financial responsibility and quality services that our residents have come to expect.”
Osmundsen has spent more than 20 years working for the municipality.
She joined the Township’s work force in 2000, taking over as Clerk in 2009 after that position was vacated by a retirement. Osmundsen was the Township Clerk and Deputy Business Administrator since 2012.
Osmundsen is active in the community and served on the Middle Township School Board for three years, resigning in 2019 once she accepted the position of Business Administrator. She also served on the Township’s Emergency Management Committee and was secretary of the Economic Development Council.
Osmundsen also has represented her profession with outside roles. During her term as the Clerk and Deputy Business Administrator, she was the Fund Commissioner for the Township for the Atlantic County Joint Insurance Fund and Fund Commissioner for the Health Insurance Fund.
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University, Osmundsen went on to earn state certifications for Registered Municipal Clerk and Certified Municipal Registrar from Rutgers Center for Government Services.
Osmundsen lives in Cape May Court House with her husband Doug, a retired Middle Township police officer, and their four children.
Those who rent out their properties through Airbnb and similar marketplaces can comply with
Middle Township’s new short-term rental ordinance by registering through an online portal.
Beautiful beaches, the Cape May County Zoo, golf courses, restaurants, breweries, and wineries are just a few of the many attractions that draw tourists to Middle Township.
Now travelers can rest assured that their short-term rental meets local regulations.
Middle Township approved an ordinance over the summer to require licenses for short-term rentals and recently set up a portal so property owners can register online.
“Short-term rentals offer convenience for tourists and revenue opportunities for property owners. We established a reasonable set of standards to ensure the safety and success of the process for all parties,” Mayor Tim Donohue said. “It also was important to create a vetting system to preserve the integrity of our residential areas.”
opens in a new windowShort-term rental applicants will use the municipal licensing program GovPilot, which is the same system used to access birth, marriage, and death certificates; public records and – starting in 2023 – dog licenses.
An annual short-term rental license is $250 and runs from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31. Anyone who applies before the start of the year will be covered through Dec. 31, 2023.
Middle Township also will receive revenue through occupancy taxes collected by the state. Those who rent Middle Township properties through online marketplaces such as VRBO, Airbnb and
Facebook will pay a 3 percent occupancy tax. The tax only applies to online listings, and not those rented through a real estate agent, newspaper ad or other means.
The criteria to register a short-term rental in Middle Township are:
• A completed landlord registration form
• Proof of liability insurance, including coverage specific to short-term liability insurance
• Proof of being current with taxes and sewer bills
• Certification of satisfactory fire inspection
The Township will review the registration and contact the applicant if they need to complete some of the requirements. If a fire inspection is needed, the township will ask the Fire Bureau to follow up with the applicant.
Property owners can learn more about the short-term rental licensing process and use of the portal during a Nov. 21 Township Committee work session.
Roadwork is part of the Township’s five-year maintenance plan
Central Avenue was one of many Middle Township roads to be paved last year.
Middle Township has rolled out its paving schedule for the rest of the year. The projects will include Goshen Landing Road and West Main Street in Whitesboro, as well as a number of residential roads.
The construction is part of the Township’s five-year paving plan, which began last year with work that included extension drainage project repairs and upgrades.
“Middle prides itself on delivering a high level of service to our residents and we are diligent about maintaining local roads,” Mayor Tim Donohue said. “Providing safe, reliable roads is one of many ways we work to make our Township a desirable place to live and do business.”
Work is expected to begin on or around Oct. 31 with the paving of Goshen Landing Road. The paving program also will include Goshen Creek Road, West Main Street in Whitesboro; Jackson, Fulton and Cherry streets; Savannah and Randolph streets; and English Way.
The Township hopes to complete the projects by the end of the year, weather permitting.
