The most critical discussion centered around affordable housing. Reverend Debbie Cook of the Monmouth Housing Coalition addressed the council, highlighting the severe challenges faced by families seeking affordable living spaces in Middletown. Cook articulated the coalition’s mission for housing justice and equity, pointing out the need for township leaders to engage with community members in addressing the affordable housing shortage. She requested a meeting with council members, emphasizing the urgency and noting her previous attempts to initiate dialogue without success.

Lana Rogacheva, another speaker, echoed Cook’s sentiments, calling on the council to uphold Middletown’s historical spirit of welcoming new residents. She advocated for a community that is diverse and inclusive, stressing the importance of affordable housing in achieving this vision. Rogacheva urged township leadership to collaborate with community members to create a supportive environment for all residents.

In addition to housing, several other concerns were raised by residents. Don Watson inquired about the status of specific ordinances, including one related to tree regulations, which was still under development. Melanie, representing the Lincroft Village Green Association, expressed gratitude for the council’s recognition of their 25 years of community service. However, she voiced concerns over traffic safety, citing frequent speeding incidents and accidents on Route 520. Melanie urged the council to work with local police to analyze traffic data and implement safety measures, particularly around problematic intersections. She also highlighted the issue of excessive noise from vehicles and suggested signage to remind drivers of muffler ordinances.

Melanie also brought attention to the condition of the Link Acres Fields, noting they were in disrepair and unusable for the rest of the season due to the need for sod installation. The estimated repair cost was noted to be around $10,000. This prompted discussions about budget allocations for community amenities and maintenance.

The council meeting also addressed several ordinances, including Ordinance 2024-3431, which repealed and replaced a previous ordinance to adopt the Highway 36 Redevelopment Plan. The ordinance passed without public opposition. Another ordinance, 2024-3434, was passed to allocate $2,100,000 for acquiring property behind River Plaza Elementary School, with the Stola Family Trust contributing $1 million towards the purchase.

A separate ordinance, 2024-3435, authorized a purchase and sale agreement with the Richard Chas Devola Family Trust for open space preservation. This too saw no public dissent and was approved unanimously. Additionally, the council introduced a salary ordinance and several bond ordinances for capital improvements and park enhancements, scheduling public hearings for November 18, 2024.

During the session, the township’s best practices inventory was discussed, revealing a score of 41, which exceeded the minimum required to maintain full state aid, including energy tax receipts expected in 2024.

Deputy Mayor H emphasized the upcoming Middletown Day celebration, encouraging community participation, while Mayor Perry detailed the event schedule, which included festivities and fireworks.

As the meeting drew to a close, a resident raised concerns about the implications of new affordable housing rules set by the Department of Community Affairs, which require approximately 1,200 new affordable housing units in Middletown. The council acknowledged the challenges of balancing housing needs with community desires to preserve open space, expressing frustration with state policies that do not adequately support municipalities’ unique circumstances.