Middletown town council hears from parents, discusses names for new parks
At the March 2 workshop meeting, residents urged the mayor to help avert proposed school closures as the committee discussed park names and introduced an ordinance updating extra cart fees.
On March 2, 2026, the Middletown Township Committee met for a workshop session at the municipal building on One Kings Highway, where residents used public comment to press local officials to get involved in the Middletown school district’s plans to close schools.
The most pointed exchange came from resident Bernard Daus, who urged Mayor Tony Perry to step in as the district considers closing three schools, calling it an “imminent threat” to the community and arguing that closures would “fracture” Middletown’s neighborhoods.
Daus told the committee the proposed closures would “waste tax dollar money and damage Middletown’s reputation,” and he asked for the mayor’s “leadership to help get the BOE out of this mess.” He also described what he viewed as instability at the Board of Education, noting that the superintendent “has resigned” and saying that after earlier reassurances that the district had time to plan, “suddenly we have emergent budget issues and the BOE is in crisis mode again.”
Daus referenced an April 3, 2025 press conference by Perry and said he agreed with the mayor’s prior comments about reducing administrative overhead and protecting neighborhood schools. “One year later,” Daus said, “we need your leadership again. Please come to the rescue.”
Responding during the public comment portion of the meeting, Perry thanked residents who had met with him to share concerns and said the township had not yet received a formal briefing from the school district.
“This governing body has not received any type of briefing or anything like that,” Perry said, prompting township administrator Tony Mercantante to reach out to school officials “to get something on the books.” A meeting with school administration is planned for later in the week.
Earlier in the meeting, Mercantante discussed the process for formally naming newly acquired parkland. The proposed name for the former Lincroft Presbyterian Church property is West Front St Community Center, while property on Hubbard Road would be named in memory of Tigger Stavola. The discussion ended with the committee indicating there were no objections, and the administrator said a resolution would be brought at the next meeting “officially naming those parks.”
The committee also passed Ordinance 2026-3499, which amends the township code governing rates for additional solid waste and recycling carts. The ordinance states that fees for carts and related services must be set by ordinance and updates the price for an additional solid waste cart. Under the ordinance text, “the cost for service and rental of an additional solid waste cart of any size shall be $600,” tied to a schedule for the term of the township’s solid waste collection contract. The ordinance included a schedule showing a 2025 price of $350. An additional recycling cart will be $200, up from $100.
The meeting opened with a moment of silence as officials acknowledged the recent passing of former Fire Chief Tom Amato and Andrew Bane, a member of the township fire department and zoning board, and extended condolences to their families.
The next committee meeting is scheduled for March 16, when members are expected to vote on a resolution naming the parks discussed at the workshop. A public hearing will also be held on Ordinance 2026-3501, which would authorize the issuance of $2,859,500 in bonds to fund soccer field improvements at Bayview Elementary School, upgrades to the Bodman Pavilion, and pickleball, tennis, and basketball court improvements at McMahon Park.