Finding Funding and Building Partnerships to Preserve Our Bayside Beaches

I’m sure you have seen the headlines and drama about the multi-million-dollar beach restoration projects aimed at protecting and maintaining the Atlantic Shore beaches and the mega-dollar properties at risk on our barrier islands. These projects are critical to protecting the tourism industry in New Jersey, especially in Cape May County. The ongoing challenge is to bring all the agencies involved to the table to secure the necessary funding and ensure the interagency cooperation required to move these projects to a timely and affordable completion.

Here in Middle Township, our efforts to build resiliency on our Delaware Bay beaches may not draw the headlines. But these smaller projects are critically important to protecting the unique and important ecosystem that supports and sustains the diverse variety of plant and animal species that call Middle Township home or pass through our beaches and wetlands as they follow age-old migratory patterns. These small but significant projects are designed to fortify our beaches using newly evolving methodologies to mitigate the impact of punishing storms and the wave activity.

Looking to the Fall of 2025, our Middle Township team is bringing together Kimble’s Beach property owners, the American Littoral Society, National Fish and Wildlife and Stockton University to partner on a project to protect owner’s properties and the environment. This project will be similar to a project successfully completed in 2016 on Cook’s Beach.

The Cook’s Beach project, designed to protect and enhance the horseshoe crab habitat, was led by the American Littoral Society. The project included the fortification of the beach with new sand, supported by the planting of dune grass and placement of shell bags to create a berm out near the Mean Low Water Level. 

The project proposed for Kimble’s Beach would be similar to the Cook’s Beach project. This project will also include plantings and will consist of roughly 25,000 cubic yards of sand. This new project will include the installation of rock breakwater units made with marine mattress and rock cages about 800 ft in length to assist with intervention. Project models forecast that the shoreline will see enhanced protection and resiliency at least until the year 2056.

The project partners are currently working through permitting modifications. Funding is in place for public outreach and permitting purposes. Middle Township is supporting the American Littoral Society’s effort to secure full project funding from the federal government.

Once the project is completed, Stockton University will coordinate with the American Littoral Society to conduct horseshoe crab egg density counts, as well as bird, crab, oyster and fish counts at this location.

We should never take for the granted how blessed we are to live and work in such a beautiful community. As your Mayor, I am committed, along with my partners on Township Committee, to continue to find the funding and develop the partnerships necessary to protect our most valuable resources. 

Chris Leusner

Mayor, Middle Township

March 3, 2925 – Regular Meeting of Township Committee

1. Presentation honoring MTHS Wrestling Team – New Jersey Group 2 Champions.

2. Final approval of sale of contiguous Township-owned property via private auction,

3. Approval of grant application to NJDOT Local Aid Infrastructure Fund Program.

4. Approval of amendments to vendor fees for 4th of July event.

5. Ratified agreement and approved of contract with Consulting and Municipal Engineers for Affordable Housing Planning Services and Consulting.

6. Resolution supporting Cape May County’s application for continued designation as a regional U.S. Coast Guard Community.

7. Resolution authorizing contract for Zoning Board professionals – Robert Belasco/Solicitor and Vincent Orlando/Engineer.

8. Approval of application to Governor’s Council on Substance Use Disorder – Municipal Alliance Grant.

March 17, 2025 – Township Committee Work Session

1. Presentation and discussion of proposed updates to the ordinance regulating gravel pits.

March 17, 2025 – Regular Meeting of Township Committee

1. Appointment of School Crossing Guards.

2. Approval of temporary budget amendment.

3. Approval of extension of dates for introduction and adoption of municipal budget.

4. Approval of resolution supporting community project funding application to authorize a plan to construct an eighty-foot-wide berm for ecosystem restoration at Reed’s Beach.

5. Approval to submit a grant application in support of Reed’s Beach Berm Project.

6. Awarding of contract for land surveying services to Cape Land Surveyors LLC.

7. Approval of Shared Services Agreement with the Middle Township Board of Education for trash and recycling collection.

8. Approval of an application to the NJDOT for a bus stop on Court House-South Dennis Road, between Shadow Lane and Village Drive.

9. Resolution supporting the extension of a grant awarded for the Magnolia Drive Roadway Preservation Project

10. Adoption of a resolution opposing Atlantic City Electric 17.23% rate increase for Middle Township utility customers.

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/

The Cape May County Open Space Review Board has reached a consensus to recommend the Board of Commissioners approve funding for major improvements to Middle Township’s Clarence Davis Sports Complex in Goshen. The total funding from the County would total $2,455,145.

The scope of the proposed project would include refurbishing playing fields, updating existing lighting, upgrades to dugouts, seating, announcer‘s box and concession stand. Additional areas of improvement would include concrete/asphalt paving, entrance signage, wayfinding signage and security upgrades (cameras, lighting, etc.). 

The Open Space Board handed down its recommendation following a presentation to the Board by Middle Township Administrator Kimberly Osmundsen, Director of Grants and Economic Development Nancy Sittineri and Nichol Welsh from Engineering Design Associates on March 18th. 

Mayor Chris Leusner shared his strong support for the project, “This is an exciting step forward for Middle Township and our residents. The proposed upgrades will greatly enhance the Clarence Davis Sports Complex and create a safer, more enjoyable environment for all who use it.”

A Public Hearing on the project will be held on May 13, 2025 in the Commissioner’s Meeting Room at the County Administration Building. This hearing will open the 45-day public comment period after which the Commissioners will vote on the final approval of the Goshen Complex Project funding.

Municipal Court

Natalya Schultz

Anthony Piscopo

County Infrastructure Projects Move Forward in Middle

The past year saw positive progress on many long-awaited, Cape May County funded projects in the Township. As we move into 2025, several important road and infrastructure projects are slated to get underway. We thank the Board of County Commissioners for working to fund these projects. We appreciate the efforts of County Engineer Bob Church to effectively move these important infrastructure improvements towards the finish line. 

Projects Completed in 2024:

• Goshen Road - Phase 1 from Dias Creek Road, north of Timonthy Lane

• Goshen Road - Maintenance paving from Timothy Lane to Bidwell’s Creek Branch

• Dias Creek Road -Paving from Route 47 to Stagecoach Road

• Avalon Blvd. - Safety improvements at Leonard’s Lane

• Fishing Creek Pump Station Upgrades - Lower Township/ Middle Township line

• Court House – South Dennis Road – Ongoing safety upgrades and traffic study

Projects Planned for 2025:

• Goshen Road - Phase 2 paving and drainage, north to Route 47 (fall 2025 start)

• Magnolia Drive – Resurfacing through an NJDOT Grant (early summer 2025)

• Court House South - Dennis Road - Resurfacing from College Drive to Winding Way (spring 2025)

• County Park and Zoo – Completion of parking and access upgrades (spring 2025)

• Hand Avenue - culvert replacement (Fall /winter 2025)

• 96th Street Bridge -Replacement of bridge bascule span and upgrades (tentatively late fall 2025 pending permits and funding)

• Goshen/Swainton Road – Court house/South Dennis Road - Installation of caution lights at intersection

• Grassy Sound Fish Pier – County Open Space funded project. Completion of new pier (May 2025)

• Seashore Road - Phase 1 resurfacing from Route 47 to Breakwater Road (fall 2025 commencement)

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