Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Middletown public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
10 issues with medium priority
Edgemoor Road storm basin dispute
A resident spent years and $3,800 of his own money fixing a crumbling storm basin the township initially disclaimed, before finally securing a drainage easement. He asked the Committee to take resident infrastructure concerns more seriously.
Solid waste contract extension
The township locked in a one-year extension of its solid waste and recycling collection contract at up to $8.38 million — a core service every household relies on.
2026 Leaf Collection and Snow Plowing Contracts
Leaf collection and snow plowing are locked in for the season: $575,700 in leaf collection contracts and snow plowing contracts running through October 2028.
Safe Routes to School grant for River Plaza
Deputy Mayor Hibell teased a Safe Routes to School grant presentation for River Plaza Elementary, showing plans that would move the entire walkway off Hubbard Avenue for safer student walking routes.
Firefighter Appointments
Two new volunteer firefighters joined the ranks: Joseph W. Cavanagh at Port Monmouth Fire Company and Matthew R. Domalewski at Belford Engine (Station 3).
Stormwater Mapping in Port Monmouth, Belford and Leonardo
A $101,750 engineering contract advances Phase 2 of stormwater GIS mapping in Port Monmouth, Belford and Leonardo — groundwork for better flood and drainage management.
Solid Waste and Recycling Cart Fee Changes
The township awarded a three-year contract for marketing recyclables and purchased 1,404 new recycling carts. These deals shape recycling costs and service for years to come.
McMahon Park improvements change order
The Committee awarded the biggest contract of the night on consent — $2,022,600 to G.E Construction Services LLC for McMahon Park upgrades, picked from eight bids.
Substance Use & Misuse Prevention Month and Middletown Alliance programming
October is Substance Use & Misuse Prevention Month, and the Middletown Alliance has free events for parents: an October 15 DEA 'Hidden in Plain Sight' workshop and an October 27 youth wellness fair at High School North. There's also a survey on the township website for ideas on spending opioid settlement funds.
Opioid settlement funds survey
The township signed onto a Monmouth County program that routes eligible municipal court defendants into a 12-week to 6-month substance-use diversion program, funded with opioid settlement money.