Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Middletown public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
21 issues with high priority
Circus Liquors Redevelopment Plan
The Committee introduced the court-settlement-driven redevelopment plan for Block 825, Lot 55.01. Residents like Mark Patton are worried about high housing density in the concept plan and want to know where they can weigh in. Officials say density is set by the court-approved zoning; specifics of any site plan come later at the Planning Board.
Park Improvement Bond
The Township finalized a $3.01 million bond to fund park improvements across Middletown.
Middletown EMS Relocation to Leonardo
Middletown EMS is moving from 1 Penelope Lane to the former Leonardo First Aid Squad building at 32 Viola Avenue, which has indoor vehicle storage, training space, and quick access to Normandy Road for faster emergency response.
$3.37M Capital Bond for DPW Equipment and Road Paving
The township approved change orders for Colonial Square and Half Mile Road paving, a $500,000 county paving program authorization, and Mater Dei Bridge paving.
Chronic flooding on Nevada Drive
A 42-year Nevada Avenue resident says his street floods constantly and is getting worse, with no storm drains and water running toward the Bayshore Bike Trail. He cleared the county-dredged area with EPA help and brought photos; the mayor and township engineer will meet him on site.
Opposition to high-density and affordable housing
A resident with the 'Americans Pushback' group criticized court-mandated affordable housing and offered to work with the township to monitor high-density development, including a rumored 750-unit project.
Pickleball court noise complaints
A resident who has lived behind the park for 25 years says the pickleball courts' sharp paddle noise invades his home from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., even with windows closed. The new park-hours ordinance passed, but he wants enforcement, quieter equipment, an acoustic study and a township contact. The mayor offered a sit-down meeting.
Target Enforcement Zones for Speeding
Police will strictly monitor Ocean Avenue, Locust Point Road and nine other roadways starting October 1 — and tickets in these zones mean a mandatory court appearance. New warning signs are going up.
Open Space Land Exchange and Preservation
The township is trading its mostly unbuildable Treader property (plus open space funds) for the 83-acre Conway tract, the last large developable parcel in Middletown — possibly worth up to 1,000 homes under Mount Laurel rules. It also cuts the township's fourth-round affordable housing obligation by 50-60 units, but five tenants on the land must move within 60 days.
Proposed Township-Wide Data Center Ban
A resident asked the township to consider banning AI data centers and Flock license-plate cameras. Mayor Perry answered directly: he's not in favor of Flock cameras and will never vote to put them in Middletown.
Properties Up for Auction — Open Space and Flooding Concerns
Residents are pushing the Committee to pull the Hagel Place lots off the auction block, warning development would disrupt wetlands, worsen flooding in Port Monmouth, and disturb protected migratory birds. The Committee says it can't act until the auction closes, when it can accept or reject bids.
Flood insurance discounts and heavier storms
Middletown's FEMA Community Rating System work keeps a 15% flood insurance discount for coastal residents (5% for everyone else), but recent record rains are flooding streets that never used to flood, making mitigation education more urgent.
Belford Sidewalk Hazards After Utility Work
A resident told the Committee that JCP&L left utility poles in the middle of dug-up Belford sidewalks, forcing pedestrians — including wheelchair users — into the street, and cited 43 ADA violations with photos.
Ideal Beach parking lot late-night activity
Bayside Parkway residents say the township promised parking signs at Ideal Beach in April and still hasn't delivered; an ordinance fix is now due August 17, adopted in September. They also want more frequent litter pickup and better trash cans.
LED Billboard Ordinance Controversy
The Environmental Commission asked the Committee to rescind or suspend Ordinance 2026-3502, calling it internally inconsistent and lacking measurable brightness standards. The Township Attorney and Mayor explained a state Supreme Court ruling barred an outright ban, so the ordinance was adopted to limit LED conversions to just three of the township's 19-plus billboard locations and avoid litigation.
EMS Ordinance Overhaul
The Committee unanimously rewrote Chapter 37 of the township code governing emergency medical services, consolidating the EMS division. Multiple committee members publicly thanked EMS volunteers, with Committeeman Clarke crediting his own EMS service at 16 with launching his career.
Armed Class III Officers in All Schools
A new shared services agreement with the Board of Education keeps armed Class III special law enforcement officers at every Middletown school through June 2028. Adopted unanimously on the consent agenda.
New Townhouse Zones RTH-10, RTH-11, RTH-12
Three ordinances introduced on first reading would create new multifamily townhouse zones on specific parcels township-wide. Public hearings are set for July 13, 2026, before any final vote.
Energy Tax Restoration Resolution
The committee formally asked the state to restore Energy Tax receipts and increase municipal aid for property tax relief, arguing flat state funding has shifted costs onto local property taxpayers.
2026 Municipal Operating Budget Introduction
The Committee took up the introduction of the 2026 municipal operating budget, which sets spending for township services and shapes next year's taxes. The budget was read by title and introduced at this meeting.
$4.2 Million Bond for Capital Improvements
A $4.226 million bond for various capital projects was introduced; the public hearing and final vote come April 20.