Middletown MIS Director Charged with Tax Fraud

The Management Information Services Director of Middletown Township was indicted by a Monmouth County grand jury on Tuesday for failing to report income on his 2010-2014 returns, failing to disclose income outside of his Township employment and altering public records, according to an announcement by Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

The 14 count indictment against Todd W. Costello, 45, of Jackson, alleges that he failed to report over $500,000 in income and failed to pay $22,000 in New Jersey Income Taxes.

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Middletown Recognizes Richard Saker As A Distinguished Citizen

Middletown Mayor Gerry Scharfenberger, Laura Saker and Richard Saker

Middletown– Mayor Gerald Scharfenberger, PhD. and the Township Committee awarded Richard Saker the Distinguished Citizen Award at the Township Committee meeting on February 15.

Saker, the head of Saker ShopRites, Inc., was honored for his ongoing and significant contributions to the township’s Cultural and Arts Council, the Middletown Arts Center, and Middletown Day. He’s a major sponsor of many township outreach programs including the Welcome Home Picnic for Vietnam Veterans and the Mayor’s Food Basket. He’s also dedicated member of the Economic Development Committee, explained Mayor  Scharfenberger.

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Success strikes impossibly fast for Keansburg/Middletown rockers

KEANSBURG — In terms of a band’s life cycle, Can’t Swim is an embryo. The raucous Keansburg four-piece recorded its first EP over the summer, and has yet to rock a single gig. The band released its first single — the first bit of music anyone has ever heard from them — in December. But nevertheless,… Read the rest of this entry »

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Middletown’s Crime Rate Lowest Since 1969

The Jets were Super Bowl Champions and Neil Armstrong took the first walk on the moon during the year when Middletown Township had less serious crime than occurred in 2015.

There were 520 index crimes reported in Middletown during 2015, for an Index Crime Rate of 7.82 per 1000 people.  Index crimes are those that are reported annually to the FBI.  They are murder and non-negligent homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, motor vehicle theft, larceny-theft, and arson.

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Middletown reschedules dog rabies clinic for February 20th

The Middletown Township Health Department has rescheduled the Dog Rabies Clinic that was canceled due to the recent snow storm.

The new date is February 20, 2016. The clinic will be held from 9am to 11am at the Croydon Hall Gym, located at 900 Leonardville Road, Leonardo.

The clinic is for dogs only and is free of charge to both residents and non-residents. All dogs must be on a leash and must be accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older. Late fees for 2016 dog licenses will not be charged until March 1st to accommodate residents who need the clinic to get a valid rabies vaccination for their pet. Please contact Animal Control at 732-615-2097 if you have any questions.

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Middletown Rabies Clinic Cancelled

Middletown Township has announced that the rabies clinic scheduled for Saturday, January 23 has been cancelled due to the expected storm.

The Health Department is currently working to reschedule the clinic for a date in February. The new date will be announced on the Township’s website (www.middletownnj.org).

Please note late fees for 2016 dog licenses will not be charged until March 1st. Please call 732-615-2097 with any questions.

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Scharfenberger: Middletown is ready for the storm

Middletown, NJ- Mayor Gerry Scharfenberger, Ph.D. announced today that the Township is ready for the coastal storm that is expected to hit New Jersey on Friday.

“Middletown is ready to face what may be the first major snow storm of the season,” said Scharfenberger, “The township has 153 pieces of equipment at its disposal to clear snow from more than 650 lane miles of road.”

The fleet includes 83 township plows, brining machines, sanders, and other heavy equipment. The township can put more equipment on the road this year thanks to the recent acquisition of several army surplus vehicles at no cost. The other 70 plows are provided by local contractors who augment township snow removal efforts as needed.

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Monmouth County Awarded $714K in Road Safety Grants

Funding for projects in Middletown, Millstone and Upper Freehold

Freeholder Director Tom Arone

Freeholder Director Tom Arnone announced this afternoon that Monmouth County has been awarded $714,000 in federal funds to make safety improvements on County roads in Middletown, Millstone and Upper Freehold.

The improvements will be completed as part of two separate projects:

• Upgraded traffic signals, installation of dedicated left turn lanes, pedestrian countdown signals and highly visible crosswalks at the intersection of Leonardville Road (CR 516) and East Road in Middletown, $339,000
• Application of high friction surface treatment, safety edging (to minimize vertical drop-off and allow motorists to safely reenter the paved road) and signage to warn of curves along Stagecoach Road (CR 524) from Cherry Lane in Millstone to the intersection with Chambers Road and Roosevelt Road in Upper Freehold, $375,000.

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Scharfenberger Sworn In As Middletown Mayor

Acting Governor Kim Guadagno administered the Oath of Office to Mayor Gerald Scharfenberger, PhD, on Sunday when the Middletown Township Committee reorganized for 2016.

Selected by his fellow members of the Township Committee, Scharfenberger replaces Stephanie Murray who served two terms as mayor through 2014 and 2015.  Scharfenberger praised the “spectacular job” Murray did as mayor and expressed his gratitude to her for what she taught him about leadership and public service.

Scharfenberger has been a member of the Township Committee since 2005 and previously served as mayor in 2007,2008, 2009, 2010 and 2013.

Guadagno swore in Committeeman Tony Fiore as Deputy Mayor and Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden administered the Oath to Committeeman Steve Massell who was elected to his third term on the Committee last November.

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Man killed in Middletown accident was beloved elementary school custodian

MIDDLETOWN – The man struck and killed by a car on Route 36 Saturday was a beloved staff member at a township elementary school, according to officials. John Chambers, 36, was known affectionately as “Mr. John” to students at Harmony School, where he served as head daytime custodian, Principal Erik Paulson said in a letter posted… Read the rest of this entry »

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