National Night Out

 

It's almost time for the biggest party in town. National Night Out returns on August 6th, and the Middletown Township Police Department invites you to this annual celebration of their relationship with the community.

Please join your friends and neighbors for a massive block party at the Municipal Center parking lot between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. This year will feature many activities and vendors from all across the region, and participants can enjoy food, games, demonstrations, tours of the Police Department, much more! The Police Department will also offer child fingerprint ID cards.

For the most up-to-date information on National Night Out and to see the many exciting vendors who will offer their products and services, please check out the event's Facebook page. You may also contact Officer Melissa Robison at mrobison@mtpd.org if you have additional questions.

We look forward to partying with you on the 6th!

Middletown is excited to invite you to participate in City Hall Selfie Day! On August 15th, communities across the county celebrate public service by taking selfies in front of their municipal buildings.

Township residents can showcase their Middletown pride by visiting the Municipal Center - 3 Municipal Way, Langhorne - and taking a selfie. Participants can win a $100 gift card to Oxford Valley Mall. Just share your selfie to our Facebook and Instagram (@middletownbucks), like our Facebook page, and tag three friends and #CityHallSelfie by August 15th for a chance to win. The winner will be announced on Monday, August 19th.

Bucks County will host a public demonstration of various voting machines being considered for future use. The County is exploring machines from five different vendors as they seek to remain compliant with updating voting regulations. Attendees will have a chance to try the machines, ask questions of the vendors, and share their feedback with the County before a final decision is made.

The event will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, August 19th, in the Charles E. Rollins Center at the Bucks County Community College, 275 Swamp Road, Newtown, PA.

The Middletown Department of Fire and Emergency Management has earned certification through the Pennsylvania Fire Commission's Volunteer Rescue Service Recognition Program. This achievement is only earned by departments who meet high standards for training, equipment, communication, and reporting for rescue operations. Department staff completed many hours of training in topics such as vehicle rescue, highway aid, helicopter landings, machine rescue, and medical certifications. Middletown now has one of only three departments who have completed this program.

"Congratulations to the fire marshal and his staff on this recognition," said Board of Supervisors Chairperson Tom Tosti. "Their dedication to meeting the highest standards demonstrates their commitment to keeping our community safe."

The Department of Fire and Emergency Management has completed a program to train emergency organizations on how to respond to one of the most serious types of disasters that could occur in the community: a train derailment. Township staff worked with SEPTA, many local fire and rescue services, and dozens of volunteers on a hot Saturday in July to simulate rescue operations during a derailment. Volunteers, many of whom were local boy scouts, acted as victims while first responders practiced treating injuries, escorting victims out of a burning train car, and rescuing trapped individuals.

This month's spotlight features the Department of Parks & Recreation.

As the summer recreation season winds down, this is a perfect opportunity to learn a bit about the people who run the many exciting programs enjoyed by residents and their children. The Department of Parks and Recreation is responsible for the maintenance and preservation of all Township open space, recreation facilities, and the twenty Township parks in Middletown. They also run programs throughout the year to meet the needs and interests of the community. One of their most significant programs is Summer Recreation, a day camp that serves hundreds of children each year. Many residents also enjoy the community events run by the Department, including the annual 4th of July Parade and Earth Day Celebration.

Leading the Department is Director Paul Kopera. Paul joined the department in 2006, and became a full-time program coordinator in 2008. He later began honing his leadership abilities as Assistant Director before taking over as Director in early 2018. He brings years of sports and recreation experience to the community and the Department, and he manages day-to-day operations while planning for big events and new recreation facilities for the future.

The Parks and Recreation team also includes several individuals who work every day to deliver exciting programs to residents. Program Coordinator Patrick Graham is a Bucks County native who joined the Township as an intern in 2015. He joined full time after earning a Bachelor's Degree in Sports and Recreation Management from Temple University. Pat oversees the development and implementation of many recreational programs, including the Summer Recreation Program, and he is also a certified playground safety inspector. Joanne Morelli, a Middletown resident, is the newest full-time member of the department. Joining as Program Specialist in 2018, Joanne previously spent many years involved in community and recreation activities, and she brings that experience to Township programs. Additionally, Department of Public Works staff, to be featured in a future eNews, tirelessly work to keep the parks, facilities, and playing fields clean and maintained.