Middle Township Seeks to Regulate Temporary Structures
Middle Township seeks to regulate temporary structures
Ordinance would address homeless encampments raising safety concerns in Rio Grande
Middle Township has introduced an ordinance to help maintain the safety and attractiveness of the municipality.
The ordinance to amend the Township Code to define and regulate temporary structures such as tents and canopies was introduced at the May 15 Township Committee meeting. A public hearing and adoption are scheduled for June 19. The amendment is not intended to regulate licensed campgrounds.
Although the measure has a range of practical applications, it would be a vital tool to address homeless encampments in Rio Grande. The tent set-ups create a fire risk and sanitation issues.
“We are concerned about the hazards these encampments present for the community,” said Mayor Tim Donohue. “Our Police Department is working closely with Volunteers of America to connect homeless people with the resources to help them get off the streets. We also need to address the other piece of the issue, which is ensuring the community is safe and clean for those who live, shop and run businesses there.”
The ordinance prohibits temporary structures that create an “attractive nuisance,” which includes those that draw trespassers; have unsanitary plumbing facilities or defective electrical equipment; pose a fire hazard or other danger; need repair or are structurally unsound; or are dilapidated or abandoned.
In addition, the ordinance specifies that temporary structures “may not be utilized for habitation.”
The measure also establishes requirements for dimensions, proper anchoring and setbacks – the distance a structure must be from roadways and property lines. Temporary structures are permitted for no longer than seven days within a 180-day period.
Violators are subject to a fine of up to $2,000 or up to 90 days in the county jail and/or community service.
Middle Approves 2023 Budget
Middle approves 2023 budget
Total tax bill rises 2.95% as Township takes steps to contain rising costs
Middle Township property owners will see a 2.95 percent increase in their total tax bill for 2023. A property with an assessed value of approximately $400,000 will see an annual increase of $225.74 ($56.43 per quarter). The total property tax bill constitutes the municipal levy, school tax, county tax, fire district budget, county library tax and county open space fund. Middle Township’s municipal levy makes up approximately 26 percent of the total tax bill.
The 2023 municipal budget is slightly less than the 2022 total, and salary and wages are down year to year. The Township has worked to reduce costs by privatizing emergency medical services, consolidating police dispatch services into the County Dispatch Center, implementing a hiring freeze, reducing professional fees and operating costs, and entering a shared services agreement with North Wildwood for construction official services.
Middle Township continues to hold the line on debt service. In Cape May County, Middle pays a smaller percentage of its annual appropriations in debt service than all but Woodbine and Cape May Point.
The Township continues to see a revenue shortfall amid a slow recovery from the impacts of COVID shutdowns. While the State of New Jersey continues to hold billions of dollars of COVID funding in its surplus, in 2023 Middle Township will not receive the nearly $1 million in COVID relief funding that helped balance the municipal budget in 2021 and 2022.
Middle Township is not immune to the historic increase in inflation that began in 2021. The cost spikes impacting the 2023 budget include a 12 percent increase in state pension contributions, a 23 percent increase in state health benefits costs, and double-digit percentage increases in utility costs for fuel, electric, natural gas and internet services. Per-employee costs have risen because of contractual obligations and the need for the Township to remain competitive in attracting and retaining a well-qualified and committed workforce.
All these factors have contributed to the 4.76-cent increase in the local tax rate. Middle Township’s local property tax burden remains one of the lowest in the State of New Jersey and the annual cost per resident for all municipal services amounts to $767 per year or $2.10 per day. The Township will see the levy increase for just the fifth time in the last 12 years.
Chad Murnaghan Honored With Middle Matters Civic Recognition Award
Middle presents award to accounts clerk who helped police subdue suspect
Chad Murnaghan was driving home from work when he saw lone officer struggling with individual
Middle Township native Chad Murnaghan recently came to police officer’s aid when he saw a dangerous situation
unfolding. He will receive the Middle Matters Civic Recognition Award for his heroic efforts.
Traffic was the reason Middle Township resident Chad Murnaghan wound up on the right road at the right time.
Murnaghan, an accounts clerk for Middle Township’s Finance Department, was heading home from work on April 27 when he decided to turn into a neighborhood to avoid roadway congestion. While driving through the quiet community, he saw a police officer being overpowered by an individual. Without hesitation, Murnaghan stopped his truck and ran to assist the officer.
Murnaghan, who formerly worked in security, was no stranger to this type of situation. Together, he and the officer subdued the suspect.
“I’ve lived in Middle Township for 47 years, was born and raised here,” said Murnaghan. “You get to know everyone in a small town, and you look after each other. This was just a chance encounter for me.
The police deal with these situations all day, every day. I will always support the police department and their efforts.”
Middle will honor Murnaghan’s bravery with a Middle Matters Civic Recognition Award at its May 15 Township Committee meeting.
“We are incredibly proud of Murnaghan’s bravery and willingness to go above and beyond to help a colleague in need,” said Business Administrator Kimberly Osmundsen, who nominated Murnaghan for the award. “His swift action helped to prevent a potentially dangerous situation from escalating.”
Murnaghan, a recent Middle Township Employee of the Month recipient, is honored by the recognition, but hopes it helps focus attention on the hard work and dedication of Middle Township police officers.
“The officer was alone as he was the first on the scene, and he jumped into action to do his duty,” said Murnaghan. “The police are committed to our community, and I am grateful for their service.”
Nikki Hober Honored as Middle’s Employee of the Month
Code Enforcement Officer named Middle Township’s Employee of the Month
Nikki Hober does her part to maintain the appearance of the Township opens in a new window
Code Enforcement Officer Nikki Hober enjoys hearing from Middle Township residents who suggest improvements.
As a Code Enforcement Officer for the Middle Township Police Department, Nikki Hober is dedicated to helping the town look its best.
She is enthusiastic about improving the quality of life for residents and is committed to carrying out her responsibilities, earning her the title of Employee of the Month.
“It’s an honor to be nominated as Employee of the Month,” said Hober. “It’s a wonderful feeling knowing people appreciate the work I do and all the effort I put forth.”
The police department’s Code Enforcement Unit is staffed by civilians who investigate and enforce the local ordinances of Middle Township. Hober began working for the unit in 2021, and applies municipal ordinances such as property maintenance, tall grass and reminding residents of bulk item pick-up days.
“What I enjoy most about my job is the people I work with and being able to speak with members of the community,” she said. “I love getting to know the residents and listening to their ideas of how to make the area a better one. There is always room for improvement.”
iddle’s Deputy Business Administrator Suzanne Schumann has witnessed Hober’s dedication and hard work, and nominated her for Employee of the Month.
“Nikki goes above and beyond and gives full attention to detail and dedication to her job responsibilities,” said Schumann. “She has made important contacts with residents and business owners
in the Rio Grande area and strives to upkeep the area as much as possible from a code enforcement standpoint. More often than not, Nikki is already in the process of handling a situation before it is even brought to her attention.”
Hober will be honored during the Township Committee meeting at 6 p.m. on May 15
Middle Township Adds Breach of Peace Clause to Municipal Ordinances
Middle Township adds breach of peace clause to municipal ordinances
The change will give law enforcement more tools to control unruly situations and disturbances
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Police responded to unsanctioned car rallies in Middle Township last September.
Middle Township police could soon have a new option when trying to control unruly crowds.
Township Committee recently introduced an ordinance to amend the township code with “breach of peace” language and expects it to be adopted after a second reading on May 15.
Ocean City passed a similar measure in January after experiencing an increase in disruptive and destructive summer crowds on the boardwalk and beaches. “We want to give our officers reasonable and responsible tools to maintain public safety,” said Mayor Tim Donohue. “Police need the ability to defuse an unruly situation, especially related to large crowds.”
“I want to thank Township Committee for adding the breach of peace language to our local ordinances. This measure gives officers additional confidence when enforcing our local ordinances,” said Police Chief Christopher Leusner. “This additional language will be helpful when dealing with violations that impact the public peace or order and repeat offenders.”
The ordinance was partly motivated by the need to deal with pop-up car rallies and other unsanctioned large gatherings.
The rallies unleashed reckless behavior in Middle Township and Wildwood last September. The Wildwood event turned tragic, with two people killed, several injured and extensive property damage.
The Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office also is taking a proactive approach to ensure a peaceful season at the shore. After learning about an unsanctioned party planned for this month in Wildwood, the prosecutor’s office issued a warning and said police would shut down the event. The party has since been canceled.
State Approval of Middle Municipal Centers Will Enhance Responsible Development
State approval of Middle municipal centers will enhance responsible development
The mixed-use areas align with the state planning process and the Township’s smart growth strategy
Middle Township earned state recertification for municipal center designations, including areas in Cape May Court House (left) and Rio Grande.
The State Planning Commission recently approved Middle Township’s center designations, providing additional structure as the municipality continues a path of strategic development.
The state designates municipal centers to help ensure orderly growth of mixed-use development throughout New Jersey. Communities with designated centers are eligible for incentives, such as priority for discretionary state funding and expedited permit review.
Middle’s renewed center designations are expected to help advance projects already in the pipeline, such as the Hampton Inn planned for Cape May Court House.
The Township’s centers were originally authorized in 2011; the Township began the process for a renewed endorsement in 2021.
The Township’s regional centers, which have the most potential for development, are in Cape May Court House and Rio Grande.
Smaller areas, called hamlet and village centers, are designated in Del Haven, Green Creek, Swainton and Goshen. Other designated centers are the Burke/Kindle Commercial Node and the Hildreth Commercial Node. The state defines a node as an existing or planned concentration of facilities and activities that are not organized in a compact form.
The recertification of Middle’s centers is a key component of the Township’s broad plan to attract quality development.
“Together with our affordable housing settlement and master plan renewal, the center designations provide consistency for developers and stability as the Township grows,” said Mayor Tim Donohue.
A Plan Endorsement Recommendation Report submitted by the state’s Office for Planning Advocacy noted that Middle Township, with an estimated 20,716 residents as of 2022, has increased at a faster rate than the state or Cape May County.
Since 1990, Middle Township’s population has grown 37.9 percent. At the same time, New Jersey’s population has increased 20.1 percent while Cape May County’s population has remained virtually stable.
The center designations process promotes preservation as well as development, and occurs in conjunction with the Department of Environmental Protection’s mapping of Coastal Area Facilities Review Act (CAFRA) centers
The Township created an environmental assessment review process to ensure that all development will appropriately consider environmental resources alongside opportunities for revitalization.
