Middletown Township  
   March 2018
Thank you for reading this March edition of Middletown Township's monthly eNews! Please enjoy and share with your friends and neighbors. And remember to follow the Township and Police Department on Twitter  and like our Parks & Recreation Department, Fire Marshal's Officeand Police Department on Facebook to keep up to date on the latest news, events, safety concerns, and other happenings in the Township!
Shred Event
 
Shred Day returns in April! Middletown Township again partners with Oxford Valley Mall and Inspire Credit Union to offer this opportunity for residents to shred unwanted paper and prevent identity theft. On April 14th from 9 a.m. until noon, shredding trucks will be stationed in the Mall parking lot between the movie theater and the old Boscov's entrance, and residents may bring up to three boxes of paper to be shredded.

Many papers contain personal, identifying information such as account numbers, passwords, and social security numbers that are in danger of falling into the wrong hands. Some criminals seek out this information for fraudulent purposes, such as making purchases with your accounts. Shredding these papers instead of simply recycling them is a key step in protecting your identity and assets. Shredding paper yourself can be time consuming, however, so this event offers a great opportunity to save time while protecting yourself from identity theft!
Public Servant Retires

After 37 years of serving the Township, Janet Buzby will retire this month from the Fire Marshal's Office. Janet originally started as a volunteer to help the Fire Marshal record and issue violations. Over time, her role evolved into a full-time position that encompassed everything from administrative support to aiding residents in times of need.

Janet's presence will truly be missed throughout the Township. She has been "an integral part of developing the Fire Marshal's Office into what it is today," said Fire Marshal Jim McGuire. "Janet has been a dedicated employee serving the citizens of Middletown for almost 40 years, and she always puts the residents first." In addition to her administrative work, Janet has assisted with fire investigations and helps care for residents after a fire. Even if an incident occurred in the middle of the night, she would still be out there serving as a family liaison and coordinating resident centers to provide food and shelter to those in need.

After retiring, Janet's first plan is to enjoy a trip to Disney World with her longtime friend and former coworker Ann Everk, who retired from the Township last year. After returning, Janet is uncertain of her plans, but she eagerly awaits whatever the next adventure life offers her.

Janet was recognized by the community at the March 19th Board of Supervisors meeting. Please join us in congratulating Janet on a well-earned retirement and thanking her for all she has done for the Middletown Community!
Yard Waste Collection

Regular yard waste pickup resumes in April. Yard waste includes leaves, grass, clippings, fruit, branches, and other yard and garden material. Pickup will occur every Wednesday, and there is no limit to the amount that can be removed. Yard waste must be placed in 30-gallon biodegradable paper bags or regular trash containers, and each must weigh less than 50 pounds when full.

Due to the many recent storms, Waste Management is prepared to take more than the usual amount of yard waste for the first pickup in April. For those who are disposing of branches, remember that they must be put into bundles no longer than four feet and no wider than a six-inch diameter.

For additional information on yard waste removal, please see the Township website.
New Solar-Powered Speed Sign

The Police Department and the Department of Public Works now have a new tool to improve traffic safety - a portable speed sign!

The new Interplex Solar Feedback Speed Sign can be placed anywhere in the Township and will actively display the speed of passing motorists while keeping powered by its own solar panel. Such signs offer an effective reminder to drivers that they need to monitor their speed on local roads. The Police can place the sign in targeted areas where speeding is a problem, while Public Works will use it to improve safety near road projects.
Police Testing

Interested in becoming a police officer? The Middletown Township Police Department is now accepting applications for the physical and written test. Only applicants who successfully pass these tests can be considered for a position in the future.

All applicant MUST be at least 21 years old and either be Act 120 certified or currently enrolled in a state-certified police academy. Additional requirements are noted on the first page of the application.

The applications are due on April 30th, and both tests will take place on May 5th. For more information and to download an application, please click here.
Earned Income Tax Reminder

Tax return filings for the 2017 Earned Income Tax are due no later than April 17th. You should have received your tax return information earlier this year. All residents must file their annual taxes, including those who work out of state and in Philadelphia. REMEMBER: If you filed online last year, you will receive the information electronically and NOT in the mail. If you have any questions about filing, please contact Keystone Collections Group at 866-539-1100.

Keystone has also completed an audit of 2015 tax and financial records, and some residents may receive delinquent tax notices if records show they still owe money for that year. If you receive such a notice, please remember that Keystone Collections Group is the local Earned Income Tax collector, NOT a collections agency. If you have any questions about receiving such a notice, please direct them to Keystone at the number listed above.
Department Spotlight - Parks & Recreation

The eNews will begin a series of highlighting Township departments as well as the volunteer boards and commissions that serve the community. In this issue, we will provide a spotlight on the Department of Parks and Recreation.

The Middletown Township Department of Parks and Recreation is responsible for many activities related to promoting recreational activity and preserving open space. They provide quality programming to meet the interests of residents of all ages while maintaining 20 parks and several additional preserved open space properties. They also organize many of the events enjoyed by the community throughout the year, including Earth Day, the 4th of July Parade, and the Holiday Open House.

The Department is led by a new director, Township resident Paul Kopera. Seeking a change after 20 years as a pension consultant, Paul started with Parks and Recreation in 2006, and became the full-time program coordinator in 2008. He has a background in sports recreation, and played club hockey for Fordham University. Paul's years of recreation experience will help further Middletown's tradition of excellent recreational programming. Said Township Manger Stephanie Teoli Kuhls, "Paul brings a natural energy and enthusiasm to his new leadership role, and we are all very excited for his many accomplishments to come."

Working with Paul is an excellent team of individuals who run programs and maintain the parks facilities. An experienced maintenance staff of foreman John Balent, Keith Roach, and Mike Klimowicz maintain the beauty and functionality of the parks so that they are clean, safe, and always ready for use. Steve Schoell lends his expertise as a certified arborist, and John and Keith are Certified Playground Safety Inspectors. The programming team includes program coordinator Patrick Graham, who has worked for the Department since 2015. Pat manages daily programming issues while developing new and exciting activities and events for the community. The Department's newest member is program specialist Joanne Morelli, whose wealth of experience as a Girl Scout leader, PTO member, and singer has already led to a successful first few months with the Township.

Upcoming Events
 


March 28  - Zoning Hearing Board meeting, 7 p.m. in the Public Hall of the Municipal Center
 
March 29 - Coffee with a Cop, 9 a.m. at Sykes Enterprises, 800 Town Center Dr., Langhorne
 
March 30  - Township offices closed for Good Friday

April 2 - Board of Supervisors meeting, 7 p.m. in the Public Hall of the Municipal Center

April 4 -  Planning Commission meeting, 7 p.m. in the second floor conference room of the Municipal Center

April 6 - Senior Health Fair, 10 a.m. to noon at the Raymond P. Mongillo Community Center

April 11 -  Zoning Hearing Board meeting, 7 p.m. in the Public Hall of the Municipal Center

April 14 -  Shred Event, 9 a.m. to noon at the Oxford Valley Mall parking lot
  
 
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Middletown Township
3 Municipal Way,  Langhorne, PA  19047
215-750-3800