Middletown Township  
   March 2019
Catie Turner's Hometown Concert!
 
American Idol contestant Catie Turner returns home to Middletown for her first solo concert on the east coast! Tickets are on sale NOW and available online.

Catie gained national fame in the spring as she made it to the final rounds of American Idol. Her career as a solo artist has since kicked off with her first single releasing earlier this month, and an EP will follow this summer!

Catie will perform at Community Park on Saturday, May 11th, beginning at 4 p.m. Middletown band Nothing but a Nightmare will open. Attendees should bring lawn chairs or blankets so they can relax and enjoy the show! Parking is limited at the Community Park, but shuttle busses will run from Maple Point Middle School to the Park from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
 
"We are so excited to welcome Catie back to her home town," said Board of Supervisors Chairperson Tom Tosti, "and I hope we have a great crowd to show how proud we are of her accomplishments."

We hope to see you there!


Community News
Comprehensive Plan Update

The Township is excited to announce that Remington and Vernick Engineers will complete Middletown's new Comprehensive Plan.

A Comprehensive Plan is a document that serves as a guide for the community when setting goals for land development, transportation, accessibility, and economic development. They are developed through a highly interactive process with Township staff, the community, and a planning consultant.

Last year, Middletown was awarded a Transportation and Community Development Initiative (TCDI) grant from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission to develop the Comprehensive Plan. More information on the grant award is available in the August 2018 eNews. The Township advertised a request for proposals before the holidays, and Remington and Vernick was awarded the project at the February 19th Board of Supervisors meeting.

"The achievement of this TCDI grant is really incredible," said Supervisor Amy Strouse, "and I am really excited to see what this will do in terms of promoting community development, economic revitalization, and improvements to our transportation infrastructure."
New Invasive Species

Top view of spotted lanternfly sitting on a fence_ Berks County_ Pennslvania.
The spotted lanternfly is a highly destructive invasive species that is mostly concentrated in southeastern Pennsylvania. They damage and kill plants and trees including fruit trees, pines trees, and crops. The insect originates from southeast Asia and was first observed in the United States in 2014. Penn State University, the US Department of Agriculture, the PA Department of Agriculture, and the PA Department of Environmental Protection are working together to contain the spread of the spotted lanternfly. They recommend that if you see one, you should kill it immediately and report it to 1-888-4BAD-FLY or online.

More information is available through the Penn State Extension.

Shred Event

The next shred event will be on Saturday, April 13th, from 9 a.m. until noon at the Oxford Valley Mall parking lot near the Fourth Street entrance. Residents will be permitted to bring up to three boxes of paper for disposal. This is a great opportunity to get rid of old documents while keeping your identity and information safe.

The Township would like to thank the mall and Inspire Federal Credit Union for partnering on the event!
Police Department
Canines on Patrol


Two new Police K-9s are out on patrol in the community.

Fitz and Kratos completed the first round of their training in January, and they will now begin patrol details with their respective officers, Mary Alice Felt and Troy Clawson. Later this month, they will begin scent training where they will learn their specialties as narcotics dogs.

Welcome to the community, Fitz and Kratos!
Taxes and Finance
Tax Return Reminder

Remember that you must file your taxes no later than April 15th. Residents should have already received their Earned Income Tax (EIT) returns. If you have not, please contact Keystone Collections Group, the EIT collector, at 724-978-0300. Note that residents who have previously filed their taxes online may receive their returns via email instead of in the mail.

Any resident with questions regarding filing for the EIT should reach out to Keystone or visit their website at keystonecollects.com.
Parks & Recreation
Earth Day

One of Middletown's most exciting events is just around the corner!

The annual Earth Day Celebration will be on April 27th at Core Creek Park. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., join the Township and other neighboring communities for a day of free entertainment and activities. Explore how to save energy in your home, increase your recycling, and grow your own backyard garden while learning about fun outdoor activities you can do with your family.

Local vendors will have free giveaways, and all attendees can receive a free tree for their home!

Please contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 215-750-3890 or [email protected] if you have any questions.
4th of July Parade

Planning is underway for the 8th Annual 4th of July Parade, and the Parade Committee is still seeking sponsors. Any businesses or organizations interested should email [email protected].

And remember, all residents, businesses, and organizations are welcome to march in the parade or create a float! It's never too early to start planning!
Fire & Emergency Management
Sound the Alarm

The Middletown Township Department of Fire and Emergency Management wants your help in sounding the alarm about fire safety!

The Sound the Alarm, Save a Life Progam includes local fire fighters and the American Red Cross. On April 6th from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., volunteers will provide information and help install smoke detectors in homes that need them. When a fire starts, you may only have a couple minutes to escape, and early warnings can be the difference between life and death. This program is aimed at educating residents about the importance of smoke detectors and fire safety. This year, the volunteers will visit the Hollybrooke and Sandybrook neighborhoods.

Interested volunteers may register online or contact Ned Bloom at the Red Cross with questions. If you would like the volunteers to check your smoke detector, call 484-403-4734 for an appointment.

 
Rapid Fire Response

Middletown's daytime fire response was recently on the scene at Mike Piazza Honda after a fire broke out.

Last year, the Township entered a lease agreement with local fire companies to use a fire truck during the day to help improve the response time to fires. The benefits of this arrangement were on display as Township staff arrived at the car dealership within three minutes of the call to 911, and the fire was put out just two minutes later!

"I want to congratulate our Fire and Emergency Management staff on their great work," said Chairperson Tom Tosti. "This is just one of many examples of how they keep Middletown safe and how their daytime fire response benefits the whole community."
Other Segments and News
Department Spotlight:  Finance Department

The Department Spotlight segment returns as we help you know how the Township departments and Boards operate. This month, we shine a spotlight on the Department of Finance.

The Department of Finance is integral to the day-to-day operations of the Township. They are responsible for managing all Township finances, bills, payroll, and benefits administration. In addition, the Department leads the annual budgeting process and provides regular updates to department directors and the Board of Supervisors.

Leading the Department is Brian Shapiro, Director of Finance and Human Resources. Brian has worked for the Township since 2016, and he has 16 years' of experience in finance and municipal government. Brian oversees all financial operations and works closely with department directors and the Township Manager in leading the budget process.

The other members of the Department of Finance each specialize in certain aspects of the Department's operations. Accountant Mary Hendershot handles payments to the Township and reconciles bank records. Linda Reid oversees paying the Township's bills as well as liens on trash bills. Judy Reece is responsible for payroll and benefits administration.

While the Finance team is not as visible to the public as some of the other departments, their work is essential for ensuring the proper management of the Township and its finances.
Upcoming Events
 


March 18  - Board of Supervisors meeting, 7 p.m. in the Public Hall of the Municipal Center
 
March 27 - Zoning Hearing Board meeting, 7 p.m. in the Public Hall of the Municipal Center
 
April 1  - Board of Supervisors meeting, 7 p.m. in the Public Hall of the Municipal Center

April 3 - Planning Commission meeting, 7 p.m. in the second floor conference room of the Municipal Center

April 6 -  Sound the Alarm Campaign

April 13 -  Shred Event, 9 a.m. to noon in the Oxford Valley Mall Parking Lot

  
 
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Middletown Township
3 Municipal Way,  Langhorne, PA  19047
215-750-3800
                                        

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