News Archive

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Middle Township receives $507,000 in state community development grants

Funds will be used to rehab low-income housing and improve access to recreation area

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Rendering concepts for Norbury Landing Recreation Center

Cape May Court House, N.J. – Two grants from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs will fund more than $500,000 in significant quality-of-life improvements for Middle Township residents.

The larger Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) award of $400,000 will be used to improve accessibility at the Norbury Landing Neighborhood Park & Observation Area in the Del Haven section. The location is popular for bird-watching and surf fishing on the Delaware Bay, but the current structure does not accommodate people with mobility issues.

Proposed improvements for Norbury Landing were outlined in an ADA compliance report and concept plan that was prepared last summer. The recommended enhancements include the additions of ADA-compliant parking, an ADA-accessible route that includes concrete sidewalk and a wooden boardwalk; guard rails, and amenities such as benches, interpretive signage, and binoculars.

“This was the third time the Township submitted for the funding and our persistence paid off,” said Middle Township Director of Grants and Economic Development Nancy Sittineri. “Del Haven is the home to the most beautiful sunsets and wildlife viewing, and we want to ensure all residents could experience the joys of Norbury Landing.”

The grant will help the Township address many repairs and renovations, Sittineri said. The project is expected to begin late 2021.

The other Small Cities CDBG award of $107,000 will fund the rehabilitation of 12 low- and moderate-income housing units within the municipality. Small Cities is not an emergency-based program, but rather a resource to support ongoing maintenance. The Township applies for the funds annually.

Middle Township residents who meet an income qualification and other criteria can apply for home rehabilitation aid on the Township website or in person.

“Middle Township will always vigorously pursue our fair share of federal and state grant funding,” Mayor Tim Donohue said. “We’re excited to announce these significant awards that will advance quality of life improvements in our hometown. Kudos to Grants and Economic Development Coordinator Nancy Sittineri for her hard work on these grant applications.”

“This is the Township’s way of assisting our lower-income residents, by providing assistance that would otherwise be unavailable,” Sittineri said.

For more information on these grants or to obtain an application, please contact Nancy Sittineri at nsittineri@middletownship.com.

Middle Township Resolution Creates Plan Endorsement Citizens’ Advisory Committee

Group will guide the plan endorsement process for the

Middle Township passed a resolution during its June 21 Committee meeting to create a Plan Endorsement Citizens’ Advisory Committee to serve as a liaison between the Township and the State Planning Commission (SPC) Office of Planning Advocacy (OPA) throughout the Township’s State Plan Endorsement Process. The resolution aligns with the Township’s goal to update its State Plan Endorsement by the State Planning Commission.

The Plan Endorsement Citizens’ Advisory Committee will act to increase public awareness of, and involvement by, the general public in planning for the future of the Township. The primary purpose of the Committee is to gain an understanding of the needs, desires, and intentions of the community regarding land use. A representative of the governing body is included to assure the governing body is aware of issues being raised and to provide support from the community leadership in the efforts of the Committee.

Middle Township first received State Plan Endorsement in September 2011, a process that spans 10 years. The Township currently is working with the OPA to update its plan. Earlier this year, Middle Township also submitted its Re-examination Report to the state, which evaluated the municipality’s current goals, objectives, and land use policies within the existing Master Plan, and provided a plan for the future growth of the Township.

“On behalf of the Township Committee and our residents, I want thank this committed and diverse group of citizens for stepping up to serve,” said Mayor Tim Donohue. “This is our hometown, and our residents and their elected officials should be the ones developing the vision to improve our overall quality of life, not the Trenton bureaucracy. I look forward to serving with this board to create a smart and sustainable long-range plan.”

The new committee comprises 5 – 10 members, including one representative of the governing body, a Class IV member of the planning board; one representative of a local board, commission, or committee who is not a member of the planning board; and two representatives of the public that do not hold a position, employment, or office with the municipality.

Those appointed to Middle Township’s Plan Endorsement Citizens’ Advisory Committee include: Mayor Timothy Donohue; Susan Copson, Planning Board; Mark Saioni, Zoning Board; Rachel Shepherd, Environmental Commission; John Menz, Jr., Rio Grande Fire Commission; and members of the public Gary Farrow and Tracey Cardwell.

Plan Endorsement was developed by the State Planning Commission to provide assistance and coordination to municipalities, counties, regional and State agencies to meet the publicly supported goals of the State Planning Act (N.J.S.A. 52:18A-196 et seq). State action is necessary to help municipalities develop New Jersey’s economy while protecting the natural, historic, and recreational resources, providing adequate and diverse housing, and redeveloping our cities and older suburban areas.

Middle Township Committee, after postponing its budget process while awaiting clarity on COVID-19 related federal aid, adopted a $22.87 million 2021 general operating budget on June 21st. The final budget cut the originally proposed 2-cent increase in the local purpose tax rate by 60%, to less than a penny. The 2021 tax rate of .492 translates into a $14 per quarter increase for a property accessed at $300,000. The 0.80 of a cent increase in the levy follows two years of zero levy increases in 2019 and 2020.

“Our goal is always to spend the taxpayer’s money wisely and reluctantly,” Mayor Tim Donohue said, “After two years without a tax rate increase, we face a modest bump, driven by the unprecedented circumstances of the past year.”

The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan relief bill contains $360 billion in state and local relief. As part of New Jersey’s share of the relief funds, $1.741 billion is divided among the state’s 565 cities and municipalities.

The Township will receive approximately $1.84 million dollars in federal COVID relief. Fifty percent of those funds, $921,000 will be allocated to the 2021 budget to fill a hole created by lost revenues in 2020 and to reduce the amount of municipal surplus used to fund 2021 operations by $480,000. Revenue shortfalls, in 2020, amounted to over $500,000. This had the effect of driving down the total dollar figure that could be used as anticipated revenues in the 2021 budget. The principal areas of revenue loss were the hotel/motel occupancy tax, the municipal court, and construction fees.

“This budget (and the prudent use of these federal relief funds) puts us in strong position to handle the still daunting challenges before us,” Deputy Mayor Ike Gandy said, “By waiting on these federal funds and allocating them wisely, we were are able to address the one-time revenue shortfalls and restore our surplus to historic norms.”

Township Committee also took steps to address the labor shortage plaguing municipalities throughout South Jersey. Middle will raise its minimum hourly wage for part time workers to $15 an hour and increase its base starting salary from $24,990. to $27,500.

A new law requiring community service payments from hospitals provides needed and reoccurring revenue. The 2021 budget notes a $265,000 payment from Cape Regional Medical Center, the first time that line item has been part of Middle Township’s revenue budget. Going forward, these payments will be made annually by CRMC.

“On behalf of Township Committee, I want to thank our budget team for their hard work in navigating these uncharted budgetary waters,” Committeeman Jim Norris said. “It took patience, creativity and innovative approaches to address all these budgetary concerns and produce a final budget that successfully addresses the negative impacts of the past year, while minimizing the monetary impact on our taxpayers.”

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Middle Township invites community input on marijuana dispensaries

June 21 work session will include discussion of whether to allow facilities

Cape May Court House, N.J. — Middle Township seeks public feedback on whether to permit medical and recreational marijuana dispensaries to open in the community.

Residents are welcome to comment during a Township Commitee work session at 5 p.m. on Monday, June 21, in person in the Meeting Room at Town Hall. Anyone who cannot attend the session can submit comments in advance at kkrauss@middletownship.com

New Jersey’s recreational marijuana law allows municipalities to establish specific restrictions about how marijuana is grown, sold and used within their borders.

Municipalities were given 180 days from the law’s passage – through Aug. 21, 2021 – to regulate marijuana use in their towns.

“Some municipalities have taken a broad approach to marijuana regulations,” Mayor Tim Donohue said. “We aim to be strategic and weigh the potential benefits and risks of each decision. Our community’s input is important to us as we determine whether certain types of cannabis businesses have a place in Middle Township.”

The Township already has acted to control marijuana use within its community. Township Committee passed a ban on marijuana use in public places in April. The ordinance is similar to local prohibitions on both alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking in parks and public properties. Violators of the marijuana ordinance face a $100 to $250 fine for a first offense, and $500 to $1,000 for a second or subsequent offense.

opens in a new windowCovid-19 Mortgage Payment Relief Information

Middle Township’s Fourth of July Celebration Returns in a BIG Way!

Come enjoy games, live music, food, and stay for the fireworks display

Middle Township is gearing up for the return of its Fourth of July celebration, and is promising a party that’s bigger and better than ever.

All are welcome to mark Independence Day with games, live music, food, and fireworks. The festivities will kick off at 6 p.m. Sunday, July 4, at the Clarence Davis Complex on Goshen Road in Cape May Court House.

Be sure to bring your A game, your dancing shoes, and your appetite.

Competitive types can enjoy games that include Giant Jenga, Jumbo Tic-Tac-Toe, Hula Hoops, Jumbo Checkers, Jumbo Connect 4, Balloon Toss (age groups 5-8, 9-13, 14 and up), 3-Legged Race, and a Pie Eating Contest (age groups 5-7, 8-10, 11-13). Play one, or even play them all.

The Animal House band will keep visitors movin’ and groovin’ all night long. Food and ice cream vendors will have flavorful options available for purchase. Grab dinner and dessert and then settle in for the fireworks display beginning around 9 p.m.

“There’s no better time to celebrate our freedoms than the Fourth of July, and we’re excited to spend this holiday with residents and friends,” said Mayor Tim Donohue. “Middle Township is a community like no other, and we look forward to being reunited for more celebratory events like this one.”

This event marks the return of Middle Township’s annual Independence Day fireworks show. Last year’s event was postponed until September because of concerns that crowds would exceed the state guidelines at the time. The Freedom on the Fourth festivities were held at the start of Labor Day weekend.

For more information or questions on Fourth of July events, please contact Nancy McDevitt at (609) 465-8728 or nmcdevitt@middletownship.com.

Middle Township announces steps to affirm fair housing commitment

‘Mandatory set aside’ for multi-unit developments is under consideration

Middle Township plans to adopt a resolution at its June 21 Township Committee meeting that solidifies its commitment to voluntary compliance with fair housing obligations.

The Township also is weighing a “mandatory set aside” ordinance that would require a certain percentage (either 15 or 20 percent) of all developments of five or more new residential units be reserved for affordable housing.  This measure would apply only to new development within the sewer service area.

The actions come after the Fair Share Housing Center (FSHC) filed a court motion against the Township. The court filing challenges the Township’s immunity from builder’s remedy lawsuits. Such litigation can allow developers to construct multi-family housing with an affordable housing set-aside outside the scope of local zoning regulations.

However, the Township maintains that its immunity from the lawsuits remains in place based on good-faith efforts to resolve outstanding issues.

Middle Township entered into negotiations with the Fair Share Housing Center in 2019 to address the municipality’s obligation under New Jersey’s Third Round Housing Formula.

That portion of the state regulations establishes the cumulative affordable housing need for 1999 through 2024, and assigns each municipality its fair housing obligation.

Under New Jersey Law, municipalities are required to comply with their constitutional obligation to create a “realistic opportunity” for their “fair share” of the regional need for affordable housing. By complying voluntarily, towns avoid being forced to comply through exclusionary zoning lawsuits.

Municipalities with approved affordable housing plans are immune from builder’s remedy lawsuits. Middle Township’s immunity has been based on the complex work of developing an affordable fair housing plan while continuing to negotiate with FSHC.

The Township’s planners are collecting recently available housing and demographic data from the latest U.S. census and related statistics. The information will be used in the final Housing Element of the Township’s Master Plan. At 72 square miles, Middle Township is much larger geographically than most New Jersey communities, which is another factor in the planning process.

The planners are also working with Township administration to collect information and documentation demonstrating the Township’s affordable housing “credits” based on prior affordable housing developments, such as the Conifer Apartments Complexes, Habitat for Humanity homes, ARC group homes and several others. The Township is also negotiating with FSHC to structure an agreement that provides Middle with a number of credits for the various mobile home parks in the Township.

The Township’s team is hopeful that the outstanding issues with FSHC can be resolved without having to litigate the pending motion.  Middle Township is preparing a draft settlement agreement and hopes that it will be finalized with FSHC within 60 to 90 days.

Middle Township’s De Vico Senior Center to reopen soon for indoor programs 
Welcome-back event and activities planned for July 6

Zumba class rocking the lot at The Samuel De Vico Senior Center

The Tai Chi class enjoyed practicing outside last fall

Now that COVID restrictions have lifted, Middle Township residents are ready to get back to normal. Businesses are open, restaurants are serving, sports are in full swing, and indoor recreational activities are about to join the mix.

The Samuel De Vico Senior Center on West Romney Place in Cape May Court House has been offering outdoor-only activities since last fall. But that’s about to change. On Tuesday, July 6, the Township’s senior center will host a “Welcome Back” event from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. Members, community, and friends are invited to stop in and meet with members of the Senior Advisory board, Mayor Tim Donohue, and Committeeman Jim Norris. Refreshments and takeaways will be provided.

This event also marks the relaunch of the center’s full schedule of events and activities, including Chair yoga, Zumba, Cardio Sit & Fit, line dancing, Tai Chi, and Move & Groove. More leisurely activities such as card games, art classes, Bingo, and health and wellness presentations are also returning. Printed monthly schedules will be available as well as signup sheets for any upcoming events requiring pre-registration. Annual memberships are available for $6.

“I am constantly working to fill the calendar with new and exciting activities and programs that are enjoyable, educational, relaxing, and engaging for the seniors,” said senior center director Marilyn Miller.

“We are so excited get the De Vico Senior Center fully up and running for our seniors again,” Mayor Tim Donohue said. “Director Marilyn Miller has done a great job keeping everyone engaged and the outdoor classes in recent weeks have been great to see. We have had an opportunity to spruce up the building interior and look forward to seeing the space buzzing again!”

Committeeman Jim Norris, who oversees the Recreation Department, also had praise for Miller.

“Marilyn has done such a great job for our seniors during the pandemic, but everyone is chomping at the bit to get back in the building. We can’t wait to see everyone safely back in action at our facility again!”

The center’s outdoor classes, which became popular during the COVID-related closure, will continue through the summer and into fall, weather permitting.