News Archive

Recreation Aide Tim Johnson named Middle Township’s Employee of the Month

Supervisor praises Johnson’s enthusiasm for providing opportunities for community youth

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Johnson is known among his colleagues for his strong work ethic and always being willing to lend a hand.

Tim Johnson’s supervisors describe him as a behind-the-scenes contributor to the success of the Middle Township Recreation Department.

The Recreation Aide’s quiet dedication benefits everyone who participates in the men’s basketball league, in-house basketball program, open gym for adults and youth, and the coed volleyball league.
Johnson has launched or assisted with each of those programs.

Along with his strong work ethic and commitment, Johnson is always ready to help others. All of these admirable attributes led to his selection as Middle Township’s Employee of the Month.

“I am very surprised. It is an honor to be recognized,” said Johnson, who began working for the Township in 2013. “I love interacting with the youth and families of the community.”

Even on his days off, Johnson steps up to help. Business Administrator Kimberly Osmundsen shared a recent example, saying Johnson pulled into the parking lot of the Martin Luther King Center when he saw her waiting there. When he learned that Osmundsen was waiting for the center to open, he offered to drive home to get his key.

“Tim is a role model to the youth who use the recreational centers in Middle Township,” said Osmundsen, who nominated Johnson for Employee of the Month. “His hard work and dedication to our
visitors and taxpayers should be recognized.”

Recreation Director Dustin Sturm said Johnson works almost every night and weekend mornings for the youth sports programs, and calls the aide a “major asset” for the Recreation Department and local youth.

“Tim seeks ways to positively impact the community,” said Sturm. “We always have conversations on what we can do better, because we both agree the job is never done when it comes to providing
opportunities to the younger generation of Middle Township. It is easier to run and create new programs when you have employees like Tim.”

Johnson will be recognized as Employee of the Month at the Feb. 6 Township Committee meeting.

County paving projects progress in Middle Township

Work is underway on Dias Creek Road, and Goshen Road improvements are expected later this year

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Construction equipment is set up along Dias Creek Road, where paving and drainage work will continue through May.

Middle Township is coordinating with Cape May County on resurfacing projects along Dias Creek Road and Goshen Road that are designed to enhance safety.

“We are pleased to see these important projects moving forward on two of our key county roadways,” Mayor Tim Donohue said. “These have been especially challenging projects when it comes to regulatory requirements of the state of New Jersey. We appreciate the efforts of County Engineer Bob Church to seek creative and innovative solutions to these challenges.”

Construction began in late January on Dias Creek Road from Galloping Way Drive west to Route 47. The $3.3 million county resurfacing project will include significant drainage improvements to address ponding along the roadway and the installation of a 5-inch-thick base course and surface course paving.

The county project also will cover curb and guiderail replacement, new traffic striping, raised pavement markings and other traffic awareness upgrades.

Detours will be in effect on portions of the road throughout construction. As drainage improvement work continues for the next four weeks from Pine Ridge Road to Route 47, thru traffic will be detoured from Springers Mill Road to Route 47. Another phase of drainage work between Galloping Way and Springers Road will immediately follow and will require a detour of thru traffic along the entire length of Dias Creek Road. Residents will be notified ahead of milling and paving operations that affect access on surrounding roads. Work on Dias Creek Road is expected to wrap up by early May.

A major resurfacing project for Goshen Road is in the design phase, with plans to begin construction later this year, pending timely approval of permits and a state Department of Transportation review. Engineers must navigate challenges such as wetlands impact and limited right of way along portions of Goshen Road, which includes both rural and residential areas.

The design will include a reduction of current speed zones to enhance safety and better reflect existing development. The changes also will be more compatible with the current roadway alignment. Reducing speed limits on Goshen Road would avoid the need to elevate the roadway, which would negatively affect private property and regulated wetlands.

The proposed design would extend some lower speed zones and reduce the highest speed on the road from 50 mph to 45 mph.

Beginning on Tuesday, January 31st and extending until Thursday February 9^th the Ocean Drive Bridge over Great Channel, which connects Middle Township to the south end of Stone Harbor, will be closed due to construction. Those motorists wishing  to use Ocean Drive (Cr 619) and cross over the bridge will be detoured around the work zone, as this section of Ocean Drive will be closed to through traffic. The bridge and roadway are being closed in order to allow barge mounted cranes the ability to drive new piling that are part of a planned fender replacement project.

Motorist wishing to travel north on Ocean Drive and access the south end of Stone Harbor will be detoured west onto US Route 147  to the Route 9 intersection.  They will then be directed north along Route 9 to Stone Harbor Boulevard (CR 657) where they  will be directed east along Stone Harbor Boulevard back to Third Avenue (CR 619).

Motorists traveling south on Third Avenue (CR 619) and wishing to continue heading south to US Route 147 will be directed west at the 96^th Street intersection onto Stone Harbor Boulevard (CR 657). Motorist will travel west on Stone Harbor Boulevard to the Route 9 intersection.  Motorists will then be directed south on Route 9 to the intersection of Indian Trail Road (CR 618) where they will be directed east onto US Route 147.

Local Traffic will be permitted approaching the Great Channel Bridge, however, no traffic will be permitted to cross the bridge until this phase of construction is completed.  The detour will end on or about February 9^th.

The County of Cape May will commence construction on the Dias Creek Road (CR 612) resurfacing project beginning on Monday, January 23, 2023.  The project limits are from Galloping Way Drive west to U.S. Route 47. Work will initially involve the installation of drainage improvements in the vicinity of Pine Ridge Road and will continue west toward U.S. Route 47.  Once this section of drainage improvements has been completed, the contractor will install drainage improvements heading east toward Galloping Way Drive.

During the initial drainage installations near Pine Ridge Road and westward, Dias Creek Road will be closed to thru traffic from U.S. Route 47 east to Springers Mill Road (CR 643).  Thru traffic wishing to access Dias Creek Road from U.S. Route 47 will be detoured to Springers Mill Road  and head east to Dias Creek Road.

Dias Creek Road will remain open to thru traffic from Mechanic Street to Springers Mill Road. West  bound traffic will then be detoured onto Springers Mill Road to Route 47. All residents will have access to their homes at all times.  School buses, emergency vehicles, and trash trucks will be able to enter the work zone. All motorist entering the work zone should proceed with caution and should expect delays.

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Middle Township will hold free rabies vaccination clinics

The vaccine that helps protect dogs and cats from the deadly virus is also a licensing requirement

Residents can help protect their furry friends by getting them vaccinated at one of Middle Township’s free rabies clinics for dogs and cats.

“As rabies is so deadly, prevention is the only key to effective control,” said Middle Township’s Animal Control Officer William Candell. “The most effective prevention is had when domesticated animals are vaccinated against rabies.”

A recent Middle Township case of rabies in a skunk underscores the importance of rabies vaccinations for pets. The rabid skunk came into contact with a family’s dog in their backyard. The dog did not have an up-to-date rabies vaccination, so it must be quarantined for 45 days.

Middle Township has seen only one case of rabies in a domesticated animal in recent years; an unvaccinated horse was infected in January 2019. There have been 11 cases in wildlife since then. Once rabies establishes in an area, it always remains among the wildlife. Even if a pet stays indoors, it can be exposed to the virus if a wild animal such as a bat gets inside, Candell said.

About 70 dogs and 20 cats typically visit each of the free rabies clinics. The schedule for this year’s clinics in the Township is:

• Feb. 4, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., at the Public Works Building, 400 W. Mechanic St., Cape May Court House
• May 6, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., at the Public Works Building, 400 W. Mechanic St., Cape May Court House
• November 4, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., at the Public Works Building, 400 W. Mechanic St., Cape May Court House

Middle Township dog owners will need a current rabies vaccination to receive a license for their pet. Dogs over 6 months old must be licensed in January of each year.

A one-year license for a spayed or neutered dog is $8.20, and owners pay $24.60 for a three-year license. For dogs that are not spayed or neutered, a one-year license costs $11.20 and a three-year license is $33.60. Dog licensing can now be completed online by visiting Middle Township’s opens in a new windowdog license portal. Licenses are also available at each Free Rabies Clinic.

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Del Haven road restoration work underway as water supply project continues

Final paving in the Phase 1 area will be completed in early spring

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Crews have restored Township roads impacted by Phase 1 of the Del Haven water project.

Many Del Haven homeowners who recently received the ability to connect to a fresh water supply now have freshly restored roads as well.

Middle Township is working with the Lower Township Municipal Utilities Authority to bring fresh water to the bayfront communities of Del Haven and Green Creek, where residents currently use well water. Middle spearheaded the project as an innovative, affordable solution to bring safe drinking water to areas experiencing saltwater intrusion.

The process of providing water connections for nearly 1,000 residents began last summer. The work is in the first of three phases, focusing on the area of Del Haven closest to the Delaware Bay. All Township roads impacted during Phase 1 have been restored. Final paving of the county road and side roads off Route 47 will be completed in early spring.

“This entire project is intended to make Del Haven residents’ lives more convenient. That includes providing easy access to fresh water and restoring roads as quickly as possible,” said Mayor Tim Donohue. “We appreciate the partnership of the Lower Township Municipal Utilities Authority in this important work to improve the quality of life in Del Haven and Green Creek.”

As work continues, Middle has been actively pursuing grants to assist residents with the cost of connecting their internal plumbing to the fresh water supply and disconnecting from their wells. The Township expects to establish financial assistance criteria for income-qualified owner-occupants.

Middle already has shifted $150,000 in existing home rehabilitation grant funds to use for Del Haven/Green Creek assistance, and a request is pending for an additional $400,000 in grant funding.

The Township is still seeking other potential funding sources and will provide more information as it becomes available.

Middle’s Deputy Tax Assessor named Township Employee of the Year

Liz Simpkins has worked for Middle since 2002

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Mayor Tim Donohue recently presented Liz Simpkins with the 2022 Darius Graham Employee of the Year Award.

Liz Simpkins works with numbers all day in Middle Township’s  Assessment of Taxes Department.

But it’s her people skills that have truly earned her the appreciation of colleagues and the community –
and now, the title of Middle Township Employee of the Year.

Simpkins, who is the Deputy Tax Assessor and Township Claims Coordinator for Middle, received the
2022 Darius Graham Employee of the Year award during a staff holiday event in December. 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.

Middle also presents Employee of the Month awards throughout the year, and the annual winner is
selected from those honorees.

Simpkins was the Employee of the Month last August and at the time, jokingly described herself as the
office’s “barista, snack provider, party planner, landscaper and water cooler coordinator.”

When she learned about the most recent award, Simpkins expressed gratitude to work in a friendly
atmosphere with her wonderful coworkers.

“This is our hometown,” she said. “It’s a place where you know everyone, and they know you. It’s so
nice to work with longtime friends and longtime residents.”

Simpkins said she enjoys her job and being there for the community. She joined the Middle Township
team in 2002 and celebrated her 20th work anniversary on Oct. 1.