2022 State of The Township Presentation
Mayor Tim Donohue presented the 2022 State of the Township address to the Middle Township Chamber of Commerce on Feb. 25.
The theme of the address was “Full Speed Ahead,” capturing the momentum of economic development and growth in Middle Township.
The presentation includes highlights such as:
- 2020 Census data showed 8 percent population growth in Middle, the only town in Cape May County with a significant increase over the last decade
- Middle is experiencing more economic development than it has in the past 20 years
- The ratable base has increased by more than $30 million combined over the past two years
- Major projects underway include the Cape Square movie theater/entertainment complex in Rio Grande
- Focus on enhancing recreation and tourism continues with improvements at Norburys Landing waterfront park project and the imminent opening of Bike Path North
Recreation Program Coordinator Kyle Morinelli named Employee of the Year 2021
Middle Township Recreation program coordinator named Employee of the Year
for ingenuity during COVID restrictions
Kyle Morinelli’s creativity kept basketball families cheering from the virtual bleachers
Kyle Morinelli has always been a team player.
The 2011 graduate of Middle Township High School played baseball all four years.
Morinelli also participated in basketball, football and baseball through Middle Recreation programs. Now he’s running those activities as the Recreation Department’s program coordinator.
But Morinelli’s determination to keep sports families connected during COVID elevated him to MVP – and Middle Township’s Employee of the Year.
Morinelli will receive the 2021 Darius Graham Employee of the Year award at the Jan. 19 Township Committee meeting. 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.
As the Township geared up for youth basketball season last winter, Morinelli knew COVID regulations would keep spectators out of the gym. He explored the possibility of livestreaming the games and did extensive research to find the best equipment within budget. Morinelli and the recreation crew were ready to go live by the start of the season – much to the delight of many families.
When state health restrictions eased to allow two spectators per game, the Recreation Department continued the livestreams. The virtual option made games available to a wider audience, so grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other fans continued to cheer for young athletes.
Morinelli shares the credit for all the Recreation Department’s achievements.
“You are only the best when you work with the best,” he says. “This is a team award; the entire recreation staff is the secret behind everything that was accomplished this past year at the department. It’s currently 15 pistons all firing at once to make the Recreation Department work properly, and I can’t do my job without every single one of them.”
After Middle Township High School, Morinelli eyed a career in sports and received a master’s degree in Sports Administration from Georgetown University. Morinelli returned home for the opportunity to coach alongside his dad in North Wildwood. Middle Township recruited him in 2019.
Superintendent of Middle Township Recreation Department Dustin Sturm is excited about the Employee of the Year honor for his “right-hand man.”
“During his job interview, Kyle said his main goal was to make an immediate impact on the department and bring new programs to the youth of Middle Township,” says Sturm. “We did not know at the time there would be a global pandemic. Kyle did not allow this to stop him from being creative and putting in the effort to create new programs even under the restrictions. He coaches, mentors and spends much of his extra time in the community making a difference – especially for young student-athletes.”
Committeeman Jim Norris, who oversees the Recreation Department, said Morinelli has contributed to a robust array of programs.
“Kyle has done so much in his time here at the Recreation Department. From implementing new sports programs and activities to improving the ones we already had, he is truly deserving of the Employee of the Year award,” Norris said. “I am excited to announce our recreation team has even more activities and programs planned for 2022. I can’t wait to see those plans come to fruition and I know the residents of Middle Township appreciate their efforts.”
Middle Township to plan for 2022 at Jan. 4 reorganization meeting
Middle Township to plan for 2022 at Jan. 4 reorganization meeting
Ike Gandy will be sworn in to a second three-year term on Township Committee
Middle Township will plan for 2022 and reflect on a year of continued growth despite formidable challenges at its Jan. 4 reorganization meeting.
The 7 p.m. meeting will be streamed through Zoom and will not be held in person because of weather conditions and rising COVID cases in the area.
Deputy Mayor Ike Gandy will be sworn in to a second term on Township Committee by Assemblyman Antwan McClellan during the meeting. Gandy will continue serving with Mayor Tim Donohue and Committeeman Jim Norris.
“Both Committeeman Norris and I want to congratulate Deputy Mayor Gandy as he enters his second term,” Donohue said. “We are excited to move forward with our great Town Hall leadership team to continue to build a better Middle Township for all of our residents.”
The past year was the second spent operating during a pandemic, but that did not slow Middle’s progress. The former Pier One building in Cape May Court House was redeveloped to house Starbucks, Verizon and Taco Shop. Chipotle opened in Rio Grande, and more businesses – including A Piece of Cake bakery – will open soon.
Other projects focused on making Middle a better place to live and visit. Construction began last fall on the final phase of Bike Path North, which will fully connect the Township in the county-wide trail network. The Township also has applications pending for future Open Space Projects to preserve and enhance the municipality’s natural resources.
Many projects and development opportunities are on the horizon this year. A Jan. 19 land sale will give residents and others the chance to repurpose vacant and abandoned properties.
Residents also will benefit from a five-year paving plan that will launch in 2022. The first projects are tentatively set for Rio Grande roadways. The Township will again apply for state grants, seeking to fund drainage and road improvements on Main Street in Whitesboro, west of Pennsylvania Avenue.
Important strides are expected in the Del Haven Water Main Extension Project, which the Lower Township Municipal Utilities Authority awarded to a contractor last fall. The project to bring fresh water to more than 1,000 Del Haven homes will begin construction the first quarter of this year, pending supply availability.
Other quality-of-life upgrades will include pump station modernization to ensure a reliable sewer system. Phase One of the improvements began in November and should be completed by the summer of 2022. Phase Two will follow, with a targeted completion date of summer 2023.
TO WATCH THE MEETING
Register in advance to watch the reorganization meeting via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIvdOutpzMiGdz7OGndreob-P4G9mK7o38c. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
No public comments will be taken through Zoom. If you have a question you would like to submit in advance, email Business Administrator/Clerk Kimberly Osmundsen at kosmundsen@middletownship.com
