Budget 2025 – Sound Fiscal Policies Deliver Quality Municipal Services

While Middle Township’s annual budget is generally introduced each April, the work to control discretionary spending, manage long-term debt levels, mitigate inflationary trends and deliver quality municipal services is a year-round focus of Township Committee and our administrative team.

Chief Financial Officer Neil Young and Leon Costello from the Township’s auditing firm, Ford, Scott and Associates formally introduced the municipality’s 2025 budget at the Township’s April 7th Public Meeting. 

The budget as introduced calls for a modest 2.8 cent increase in the Municipal Levy. 

Several factors contributed to upward pressures on the Township’s spending requirements:

1. Loss of NJ Municipal Relief Fund Aid – $367,000
2. Increase in healthcare premiums – $697,000
3. Increase in contractual costs for trash and recycling from 2024 to 2025 – $394,000
4. Increase in the Township’s contribution to funding the Cape May County Animal Shelter
5. Contractual increases in employee salaries and wages

As you can see, many of the upward pressures on spending (and the reduction in support from the State of New Jersey) are beyond the Township Committee’s control.

Our budget team works diligently with our professionals to implement sound, long-term financial remedies to mitigate the impact of increased expenditures:

1. A growing and healthy surplus allowed for an increase in surplus utilization of $250,000.
2. The Township’s ongoing efforts to diversify revenue streams created an increase in anticipated revenues from interest on investments, licensing fees, short term rental fees, hotel/motel tax, construction fees and business registration.
3. Savings from Salaries and Wages related to departmental personnel adjustments and retirements.
4. Total projected savings from newly negotiated service provider contracts of over a million dollars.

While Middle Township is the statutory taxing authority for our residents and businesses, collecting all property taxes, the municipal levy represents only 29.72% of your total tax bill. School tax makes up 55% of your property tax bill. County taxes comprise 15.3%. It’s important that all these taxing authorities work together, along with our elected municipal, county and state officials, to deliver effective and high-quality services to our constituents at a cost we can all afford.  

Small towns like ours face an ever more challenging and complex financial future, especially in the State of New Jersey. We pledge to continue to work to tighten our spending wherever possible as we look to creatively diversify our municipal revenue streams.

Township Committee applauds the hard work of our Administrator Kim Osmundsen, CFO Neil Young and our excellent Department Heads to deliver a financially prudent, well-structured 2025 budget.

Chris Leusner

Mayor, Middle Township

April 7, 2025 – Regular Meeting of Township Committee

1. Introduction of amendment to the Fire Prevention ordinance (Chapter 142).

2. Introduction of an ordinance amending and replacing Chapter 132 – Excavations and Soil Removal in the Code of the Township.

3. Introduction of an ordinance to exceed the exceed the municipal budget appropriations limits and to establish a cap bank.

4. 2025 Budget Presentation by the Township Auditor and Chief Financial Officer.

5. Introduction of 2025 Budget by title only. 

6. Resolution authorizing the execution of a Memorandum of Agreement with PBA Local 59.

7. Resolution approving 2025 Mobile Food Vendor Licenses.

8. Resolution approving Social Affairs Permit for Our Lady of the Angels Church.

9. Approval of 2025 Hotel/Motel Licenses.

10. Resolution to create a Tabulation Committee to review bids for Middle Township ADA Restrooms.

11. Resolution establishing a Green Team for the Sustainable Jersey Program.

12. Resolution approving a Sustainable Land Use Pledge.

13. Resolution approving the appoint of an Administrative Agent for Affordable Housing Programs – Triad Associates.

14. Resolution supporting speed limit reductions on Route 9 North.

April 21, 2025 – Township Committee Work Session

1. CANCELLED

April 21, 2025 – Regular Meeting of Township Committee

1. Resolution approving new hires – Public Safety.

2. Resolution approving resignation – Public Works.

3. Resolution approving Change Order for Pump Station Improvements Phase 2.

4. Resolution approving the renewal of towing Licenses 2025.

5. Approval of a contract awarded to CME (Consulting & Municipal Engineers) for Affordable Housing Planning Services.

6. Approval of a contract awarded to Deblasio and Associates for Sewer Engineering Services.

Middle Township residents are encouraged to attend Township Committee meetings to share their thoughts, questions and concerns with Township Committee. 

Visit the Township website for information on meeting dates and times: https://middletownship.com/

Kendra Karstens, Administrative Assistant/Middle Township Police Department, has been named Middle Township’s April Employee of the Month. Kendra joined the Township team, at the age of 19, as a Temporary Clerk in February of 2006. 

She was promoted to a full-time position later that year. In March of 2013, Kendra was promoted to a supervisory role in Police Records and has overseen the Records team’s vital mission for the past twelve years.

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Welcome New Hires



Nikodem Rzotkiewicz – Class 2 Law Enforcement Officer

Farewell & Best Wishes

Middle Township Committee would like to congratulate Corporal Phillip Johnson on his retirement! Corporal Johnson served as the Assistant Commander of the Cape May County SWAT Team and played an important and vital role in the training that our officers received each year.

We would like to thank Phil for all his years of dedicated service. On behalf of all the residents of Middle Township, wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors!

Middle Launches Hometown Heroes Banner Program to Honor Local Veterans

Mayor Chris Leusner and Township Committee are proud to announce the launch of the Hometown Heroes Banner Program, an initiative designed to honor and recognize local veterans and active-duty military for their dedication and service to our community and country. The program serves to celebrate the sacrifices and contributions of those who have put their lives on the line to ensure the safety and well-being of their fellow Americans.

The Hometown Heroes Banner Program will feature specially designed banners displaying photographs of selected past and present service members, proudly displayed in designated areas in downtown Cape May Court House. The banners will serve as a public acknowledgment of their service and a point of pride for the community as they reflect Middle Township’s commitment to honoring those who serve.

“The Hometown Heroes Banner Program is a heartfelt tribute to the men and women who have selflessly served our country and community,” said Mayor Leusner. “These individuals embody the true spirit of bravery and sacrifice, and their contributions deserve to be recognized and celebrated. We invite everyone to join us in honoring our local heroes through this meaningful program.”

The patriot project has been led by the Middle Township Garden Club as part of their efforts to support our veterans and bring improvements to public spaces in the downtown area. Last year the Garden Club joined with local volunteers to paint the American Legion Post and provide beautifying landscape upgrades. 

The program aims not only to honor individuals but also to inspire future generations by educating them about the importance of service, courage, and community support.

Middle Township Honoree Profile Qualifications:

● Active service with immediate family in Middle Township

● Active service currently residing in Middle Township

● Living veterans born in or residing in Middle Township

● Deceased veterans born in or strong ties to Middle Township

● Veteran employees of Middle Township

● You must provide an official service photo of the honoree

Township residents interested in sponsoring an honor banner for a service veteran or active-duty member of the armed forces can learn more at middletownship.com or contact Alicia Woodrow at awoodrow@middletownship.com.

Middle Township is committed to the principal that a well-run town will attract and retain well-run businesses. Through our Planning and Zoning Boards, we work to facilitate high-quality residential and commercial development in our Town Centers while preserving the unique rural nature of the 72 square miles we call home. 

Businesses Opened in 2024

• Chipotle - CMCH

• Mavis Tire 

• Coastline Storage – 3115 Rte 9 S

• Burleigh Storage - 673 Shunpike 

• Old Navy

• AutoZone 

• Salty Acres Café (County Commons in Dance Studio) 

• Shore Side Catering – Grapevine Plaza

• Surf Electric – Old CMCH Thrift shop

Business Coming in 2025

• Carter’s Kids – 3201 Rte 9 S, Rio Grande

• Blue Fin Capital – 514 North Wildwood Blvd – Convert exiting bldg. into storage units, construct new bldg in rear for storage units.  

• INSA – 1580 Rte 9 N – cannabis dispensary NOW OPEN!

• Anzelone Electric/Cabinet Shop – 1102 Rte 9 S NOW OPEN!

• Dink It Pickle Ball - 1027 Rte 9 S – pickle ball indoor facility.

• JP Morgan Chase – 5 Court House South Dennis Rd

Upcoming Projects:

• AT&T – 6 CH SO Dennis Rd (Next to Chipotle)

• Atlanticare Medical Offices – Rte 9 (near AMI) – received preliminary approval. Final Approval received.

• Grande Woods North Townshouses - (64) townhouses behind Old 7 Mile Brewery

• Wingstop – Rio Grande (next to Primo’s Hoagies)

Single Family Dwellings:

• Stone Harbor Lakes & townhouses at Stone Harbor Golf Club – currently have 97 permits issued out of 202. 65 homes have CO’s

• BGJ1 LLC – 509 Rio Grande Ave, Rio Grande – Received final approval for 128 garden apartments in 11 buildings. (Will include up to 26 affordable housing units)

• Patsys Way – 14 single family dwellings (construction started)

• Avalon Marina Subdivision – 18 lot major subdivision. 

• 1 N Main – B&B realty completed top floor apts (4 apts) and 4 apts downstairs.

• 110 Single Family homes were constructed in 2024

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