👋 Hey Middle Township

The Mayor’s Monthly Update

Hey Middle Township!

I’m excited to welcome you to the first edition of our monthly, Township newsletter.

We look forward to updating you on important happenings in our hometown, sharing the unique history of our diverse communities, reporting on the work of Township Committee and highlighting upcoming special events in the Township.

Each year, as we pivot to face new challenges, it has become a tradition for the Mayor to update the business community on the State of the Township. The event is generously sponsored by the Middle Township Chamber of Commerce and features an overview from the Mayor and a summary of the MTPD’s Annual Report from the Chief of Police.

The State of our Township is strong and thriving. Township Committee remains committed to our longstanding philosophy that a well-run town will attract and retain well-run businesses. We promise to do our best to hold the line on taxes, while continuing to provide excellent municipal services for our residents and business owners.

To reach that goal we strive for sound financial management, a stable tax rate and continuous expansion of our ratables base. In 2023 we saw a healthy $44 million increase in ratables from 2022. This growth leaves the township with an overall valuation of $2.9 billion. An expanding ratable base, along with conservative spending practices, help keep our average tax bill lower than 90% of the municipalities in the state.

We continue to attract quality commercial and residential development and support this growth through the ongoing improvements and modernization of the Township’s road, drainage and sewer infrastructure.

Important to maintaining our quality of life is the pending merger between Cape Regional Medical Center and the Cooper University Health System. This partnership promises to bring more specialist care to the township while also creating a financially sound local hospital environment for decades to come.

The township has taken steps to lessen the property tax burden by diversifying revenue streams. By imposing an occupancy tax on short-term rentals, garnering a 2% tax on sales at the recently approved INSA cannabis dispensary and seeking higher-interest returns on the Township’s cash reserves we can meet our 2024 needs while minimizing the impact on the tax levy.

We take seriously our commitment to spend your tax dollars wisely and reluctantly. In 2023, the wide range of services and 24/7 first responder protection the Township provides cost the average taxpayer just $5.52 per day.

Our township, state and country face serious financial headwinds in 2024 and beyond. On behalf of Township Committee and our excellent staff, we pledge to build on the foundation of good government laid over the past several years and strive to keep our hometown a safe, affordable and uniquely desirable place to live, work and visit.

Chris Leusner

Mayor, Middle Township

MIDDLE NEWS

“Since his start here in Middle Township, Mr. Young has worked tirelessly to reform and modernize the Finance and Purchasing office,” Shustack said.

“Those who have never worked in municipal finance can’t understand the amount of work required during the last months of the year to properly close out the current year and roll over to the next year. During the month of December, Mr. Young put in many hours to ensure the Township was in the best possible financial shape.

MIDDLE CFO EARNS EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH HONOR

Middle Township Chief Financial Officer Neil Young was honored as Employee of the Month for March 2024. Young, who assumed the critical role of CFO in late 2022, was nominated for the award by Deputy CFO/Purchasing Agent Dan Shustack.

Middle Township Employee of the Month 2024

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT – GOSHEN

The historic Goshen School House opened in 1872.

Located in the rural, northwest corner of Middle Township, Goshen was one of the earliest towns in Cape May County. Goshen was first settled in 1693. Aaron Leaming (the first of nine men of that name) raised cattle here. A cluster of houses appeared by 1710, and Goshen became a stagecoach stop on the Philadelphia-Cape May route. Goshen's industrial history centered around lumbering and ship building.

Goshen's first industry was a king crab mill and a canning factory. A post office was established in 1818, with Richard Thompson Jr. as the first postmaster. The Tavern House (circa 1725), on the corner of Route 47 and Goshen Landing Road, is one of the oldest homes in Cape May County. At different times it has been a tavern, hotel, dentist office and residence. Family farms worked the open fields bisecting by flowing, tidal creeks.

The Garrison shipyard on Goshen Creek thrived in the mid to late 9th century. The shipyard had capacity to construct two vessels simultaneously. Between 1859 and 1898, twenty-five commercial sailing vessels were built there, along with many smaller craft. The last ship launched by the Goshen shipyard was the Diamond in 1898. The remains of the docks are still visible at the end of Goshen Landing Road during low tide.

One of Goshen’s most distinguished residents was Medal of Honor recipient, Andrew Ludlam. Born in 1845, Tomlin enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on July 21, 1863, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and served aboard the frigate USS Wabash during the U.S. Civil War. Corporal Tomlin was awarded the Medal of Honor on June 22, 1865, for his actions aboard the Wabash during the Second Battle of Fort Fisher on January 15, 1865. After returning to New Jersey, he became commissioner of juries in 1880, and sheriff of Cape May County, New Jersey, in 1895. Andrew Tomlin died on November 1, 1906, and is buried in the Goshen Methodist Cemetery.

The historic Goshen School House opened on Delsea Drive in 1872 and served the community for nearly 100 years. The school was last used as a classroom in 1961. In 1967, the Goshen School House and its surrounding property was sold to the Goshen Fire District #4 by the Middle Township Board of Education for $1. Volunteers are hoping to preserve the building to once again host community projects and programs.

The Goshen Fire Company (Cape May County Station 74) was formed in 1947 and serves Fire District #4 from its location at 331 Route 47.

Today, Goshen retains its uniquely rural and maritime nature with sprawling meadows and fields merging with brackish marshlands, tidal creeks and the Delaware Bay shoreline. Many of the same families that founded the community are still proud residents today. Goshen remains the home of several farms and much preserved open space.

Vistors flock to an eclectic variety of attractions including Natali Vineyards, The Sperlak Gallery and Sculpture Gardens, the Cape May National Wildlife Refuge and the Cape May Bird Observatory Center.

Learn More about Goshen

Volunteer Board Spotlight- Planning Board

Any property development plans that vary from a set of building standards established by statute need to be approved by a municipal land-use board. In our town, this is by either the Planning Board or the Zoning Board.

What is the difference between planning boards and zoning boards in NJ?

Planning Boards adopt the master plan as a planning tool; review proposed ordinances and hear generally compliant applications. Zoning Boards review variance applications based upon the requirements of Township ordinances.

How does the Planning Board work?

Residents volunteering to serve on the Planning Board have the opportunity to make profound and lasting decisions about the future nature of our Township. Training is required by law within 18 months of appointment. Planning board members are also required to complete a financial disclosure form. The volunteers must dedicate several hours of their evenings to attend public meetings; generally, two nights per month.

With that state-mandated training, members of a planning board review and rule on almost all site plan and subdivision applications. More impactful projects are often considered, and the board’s philosophy and vision have a lasting effect on the landscape, appearance and infrastructure needs of the town. Can an office park be converted to apartment complex? Can a big box store be constructed bordering a homeowner’s backyard? Can a larger lot be subdivided into a few smaller lots?

This can be a complicated process. Elected officials, board volunteers, the Board Secretary and appointed professionals all need to work together, communicate effectively and understand their various roles to ensure fairness and professionalism for all applicants.

Before an application can be heard, there are legal notice requirements, officials go through a checklist to see if the application is complete, and local zoning ordinances are reviewed. Once the application is deemed complete, a time clock starts to set a hearing. If the plan is approved, a resolution must be created and adopted before the project may move forward. If the land-use board and developer can't come to terms, the outcome may be litigation — which in many cases can drag out for years, leaving a site vacant and costing the taxpayers’ money.

Who is on the planning board?

The Planning Board is appointed by the governing body. The board members choose a board Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson at the annual reorganization of the board. Meeting prep, noticing, agendas and meeting materials are prepared by the board secretary. The board is guided and supported by appointed professionals, both a board attorney and a board engineer.

The Board numbers nine members and two alternates. One member of Township Committee serves on the board and the mayor may designate a board volunteer to serve as his representative.