News Archive

Middle reminds eligible residents to apply for tax relief

Some New Jerseyans could receive up to $1,500 through the recently expanded ANCHOR program

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Applications for the ANCHOR tax benefit were recently mailed to homes.

At a time when homeowners are watching household budgets closely, Middle Township urges residents to take advantage of state-run tax rebate programs.

opens in a new windowThe Senior Freeze Program offers a property tax rebate for homeowners who are 65 or older or receive federal Social Security disability benefit payments. Taxpayers who meet income eligibility criteria will be reimbursed for any increase in property taxes. The deadline for 2021 tax year applications is Oct. 31.

opens in a new windowNew Jersey’s ANCHOR (Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters) program replaced the Homestead Rebate program and expanded eligibility for state residents. The deadline to receive a benefit based on your 2019 property taxes is Dec. 30.

“Local taxpayers might already be aware of these programs, but a friendly reminder never hurts, especially when it could put significant money back in the bank,” Mayor Tim Donohue said. “We are
always looking for cost-savings opportunities for our Middle residents, whether by seeking efficiencies in local services or highlighting benefits from the state or federal government.”

Here is what to know about each program:

Senior Tax Freeze Program

Benefit: A property tax reimbursement for seniors and people with disabilities who establish a “base year” of eligibility.

Criteria: Total annual income of $92,969 or less in 2020 and $94,178 or less in 2021, plus one spouse 65 or older or receiving Social Security disability

How to apply: opens in a new windowstate.nj.us/treasury/taxation/ptr/index.shtml or 800-882-6597.

ANCHOR Program

Benefit/Criteria: Homeowners with 2019 incomes of up to $150,000 will get up to $1,500 in relief.

Those who made between $150,000 and $250,000 will get up to $1,000. Renters with incomes of $150,000 or less will receive $450.

How to apply: opens in a new windowstate.nj.us/treasury/taxation/anchor/index.shtml or 888-238-1233. Forms also may have  arrived by mail.

Notice of Public Sale of Land – November 30, 2022 at 10:00am

Middle records clerk’s ‘determination’ and ‘keen eye’ earn her Employee of the Month

Alexis Kalish stepped up to make sure police department’s website has latest information

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Alexis Kalish enjoys the different experiences each day brings working at the Middle Township Police Department.

The Middle Township Police Department’s website information needed updating, and Records Clerk Alexis Kalish was quick to volunteer for the job.

She is dedicated to serving the community, and her willingness to assist with these updates led to her being named Middle Township’s October Employee of the Month.

“I am very grateful for being nominated for Employee of the Month,” said Kalish. “Having this position as a Records Clerk has been, and continues to be, a great experience. I have learned a lot working at the Middle Township Police Department. And it is also nice to have good communication with my co-workers; this makes the job ten times easier.”

Kalish has been working with Middle Township for about six years, starting as a part-time recreation aide. She has been a records clerk for the police department since 2018.

“What I enjoy most about my job is that it offers room to continue to learn new things,” she said. “And you have different experiences every day.”

Her co-worker, Kendra Karstens, noticed Kalish’s commitment to her job and nominated her for Employee of the Month.

“She possesses the determination and keen attention to detail needed to continuously update the website, various digital forms, statistical reports, and important files in order to give our residents and staff the most up-to-date department information,” said Karstens, the department’s lead supervisor. “During a period of so much change within our department, she has volunteered to assist with these updates, helping to ensure a smooth transition.”

Besides updating the website, Kalish’s responsibilities include conducting monthly statistics and local records checks, copying reports for the public, attorneys, law enforcement agencies, and insurance companies; processing expungement orders, issuing temporary placards for people with disabilities, and more.

“We are proud to recognize Alexis for her hard work and commitment to the MTPD and our community,” said Mayor Tim Donohue. “The staff in our Police Records Department manages an ever-expanding database of reporting and record-keeping programs. This role is vital to meeting our compliance requirements and ensuring citizens access to important records in a timely manner.”

Kalish plans to take more training classes to enhance her work in the records department.

NOTICE: There will be no interruption of trash & recycling for the week of October 10th to 14th. GME will be running on a normal schedule.

County and local officials call for task force to investigate pop-up car rally mayhem

Officials urge teamwork ‘to ensure this can never happen again in our hometowns’

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Citing the need for a county-wide approach to address residents’ and visitors’ concerns, Middle Township Mayor Tim Donohue was joined by County Commissioner Len Desiderio and County Office of Emergency Management Director Martin Pagliughi in calling for the formation of a regional task force to investigate the events leading up to a weekend of lawless and unsanctioned pop-up car rallies in Cape May County.

The chain of events that spanned the weekend of Sept. 23-25 left two people dead and several others seriously injured, and caused extensive property damage in Wildwood.

“While the Wildwood Police Department struggled to maintain order, Middle Township and other Cape May County communities were also forced to mobilize extensive resources, call for mutual aid and fund staff overtime to deal with a constant barrage of challenges and complaints related to these flagrant violations of the law, all coordinated via social media,” Donohue said. “The criminal element within these groups, from outside our county, with absolutely zero respect for the law or for the safety and welfare of our communities, must be prosecuted to the fullest extent.”

Desiderio indicated that task force organizers would reach out to local and county elected officials and law enforcement agencies to discuss details on the makeup and mission of the proposed group.

“The people we serve are rightfully demanding answers,” Desiderio said. “We must be open and transparent as we take steps to determine how and why these dangerous and ultimately tragic events occurred.”

Pagliughi said his office is already coordinating with the Cape May County Sheriff’s Office and the CMC Chiefs of Police Association to gather data and statistics from several municipalities on their response to the so-called H2Oi car meetups.

“We need to build consensus on a regional plan to ensure this can never happen again in our hometowns,” Pagliughi said. “This task force will be challenged to develop an effective and unified approach that leaves no window of opportunity open in any Cape May County municipality for a recurrence of this type of dangerous mayhem and lawlessness.”

Middle still accepting member applications for Rio Grande Community Partnership

Final passage of ordinance to create board is expected at Oct. 5 Township Committee meeting

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Members of the newly formed Rio Grande Community Partnership will be appointed on Oct. 17.

As Middle prepares for final passage of the ordinance to create the Rio Grande Community Partnership, residents have one last chance to submit membership applications.

Township Committee plans a second reading of the ordinance to create a nine-member volunteer board at its Oct. 5 meeting. Board members will be appointed on Oct. 17.

The creation of the board was spearheaded by Middle Township Committeeman Jim Norris, who grew up in Rio Grande and is pursuing a collaborative approach to address quality-of-life concerns in the Township’s southern business district.

“We look forward to final passage and the creation of this board to focus on the issues in the Rio Grande area,” Norris said. “Bringing all interested parties together to deal with these multifaceted concerns provides our greatest opportunity for success.”

The Rio Grande Community Partnership will create a structure for Rio Grande residents, business owners, social-service agencies and local government to work together on addressing challenges such as homelessness, petty crime, drug use and an ongoing housing shortage.

Representatives and advisers from local and county government and the Middle Township Police Department will be on the board. The Township will appoint a staff member as secretary to the board and provide legal counsel from the municipal solicitor.

Residents and business owners interested in serving in the Rio Grande Community Partnership may contact Deputy Business Administrator Suzanne Schumann at 609-465-8853.

TRAFFIC NOTICE – South State will be implementing a single lane, alternating traffic pattern utilizing dedicated flaggers on the Ocean Drive Bridge over Great Channel in order to collect field dimensions for upcoming steel repairs. The flagging pattern will be active Thursday – Friday (10/6 – 10/7) from 7AM – 5PM.

Please be advised that due to impending inclement weather the Township Committee Meeting scheduled for tonight will be rescheduled to Wednesday October 5^th at 6pm.

Middle honors longtime commissioner with proclamation

Gerald M. Thornton is county’s longest-serving official with a combined four decades in office

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Gerald M. Thornton has advocated for veterans, seniors and students with special needs throughout his years as Cape May County Commissioner.

Commissioner-Director Gerald M. Thornton, an influential figure in Cape May County politics since the 1970s, will retire at the end of the year – but not before being honored by his hometown of Middle Township.

Middle will issue a proclamation to mark Oct. 10 as Gerald M. Thornton Day in honor of the Commissioner’s “hard work and dedication to Cape May County throughout an illustrious career in service spanning 40 years.”

“On behalf of all the residents of Middle Township, I want to say how honored we have been to have Jerry Thornton as our ‘hometown’ Freeholder/Commissioner for so many years,” Mayor Tim Donohue said. “Jerry has always stood up for what is right and has been a fearless fighter for our Township in our shared mission of constantly striving to improve the quality of life for all of our residents. Thank you, Jerry, for your forty years of service to Cape May County.”

Thornton is the longest-serving county official, who originally served as county freeholder from 1976 to 1987. After a break from elected office, Thornton successfully ran for freeholder again in 1995, and was re-elected to eight consecutive three-year terms. New Jersey changed the name of the position from freeholder to commissioner in 2021.

In addition to his public service, Thornton served for 12 years in the Air Force and has consistently advocated for fellow veterans. The creation of the Cape May County Veterans Cemetery is a highlight of his legacy. Thornton proposed using county-owned land to build the cemetery and worked with the state and veterans organizations to bring the project to fruition. When the cemetery opened in Cape May Court House in 1980, Cape May County was one of only two counties in the nation with a local cemetery for its veterans.

Thornton counts his work to help create the county’s Special Services District and senior centers among his other proud accomplishments.

As Commissioner, he is responsible for overseeing areas such as Finance & Purchasing, Emergency Management, Culture & Heritage, Tourism and Public Information. He is a liaison to a number of organizations and institutions, including the Pinelands Commission, Atlantic Cape Community College and the South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization.

Thornton’s long record of service has earned him previous honors, including the Board of Directors Lifetime Achievement Award from the New Jersey Association of Counties (NJAC). He also is a member of the NJAC County Commissioner Hall of Fame.

Middle Township introduces online portal for convenient access to records

Licensing program makes it easier to obtain routine paperwork

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The Middle Township Municipal Clerk and Vital Statistics Offices recently launched a modern convenience that could eliminate quite a few trips to Town Hall.

The Township now offers online access to vital records and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests through GovPilot, an online municipal licensing program.

The program allows residents to request and pay for copies of birth certificates, marriage certificates and death certificates, as well as public records.

Township officials welcomed the opportunity to update services and bring this level of convenience to the community.

“We are excited to incorporate these technological upgrades and service improvements in the county’s busiest Municipal Clerk’s office,” said Mayor Tim Donohue. “I want to thank our excellent administrative staff for their hard work and forward-thinking approach to making this vision a reality.”

Deputy Business Administrator Suzanne Schumann kept citizens’ needs in mind when considering the new program.

“We always strive to bring convenience to the community,” said Schumann. “Now we can offer our customers the same type of experience they get in the private sector.”

The service will expand to offer online dog licensing beginning Jan. 1 for the 2023 licensing year.

The Township can now accept credit cards in the office as well as online. A convenience fee applies to all credit card transactions. A $1.50 fee is charged for every credit card transaction up to $57, and a 2.65% fee is charged on every transaction greater than $57.

To use the online portal, go to opens in a new windowmiddletownship.com/departments/clerkregistrar/