Residents press supervisors on fire company loan documents, train crossings, stormwater and tree plantings during public comment

A string of public commenters urged Middletown supervisors to investigate several community issues during the meeting’s public comment period.

Allegations about fire company loan documents: Local resident Dave Cahill asked the board to investigate whether the Pendle (Pendell/Pindell noted in the record) Fire Company misrepresented income on a loan application connected to the purchase of a radio tower (referred to as Tower 8). Cahill asserted the township supplied money for the tower and asked whether township records show a prior removal of a fire company president. Interim manager Nick Valla responded that Pendle Fire Company is a separate legal entity and that the township has not claimed it is otherwise; he suggested Cahill file a Right‑to‑Know request for historical records. Cahill repeated concerns about whether income listed on the loan was legitimate; Valla and the board said ongoing contract negotiations with area fire companies make some details confidential, but recommended formal records requests for historic documents.

Train crossings and Langhorne Yardley closure: Resident Gail Thibodeaux asked the board to consider digital signage on Woodburn Road to warn drivers of freight trains blocking crossings after she and others reported substantial delays. Interim manager Valla said PennDOT has secured state funding to study four rail crossings statewide, two of which are in Middletown, and is working with engineers to develop recommendations. Valla said the township can coordinate messaging with CSX and PennDOT while the state study proceeds and that PennDOT will post official detours during the Langhorne Yardley Road closure (noted at the start of the meeting as June 16–August 15).

Stormwater and Delaware Park: Several residents raised long‑running stormwater problems in neighborhood streams and retention basins, citing unmaintained basins and repeated basement flooding. Richard Doyle and Drew Fitch raised concerns about Mill Creek/Delaware Park drainage capacity and called for prioritized maintenance; both asked the board to act on the stormwater fee and project list. Kessler and other staff acknowledged known problems and described planned projects (including Langhorne Gables and Reeds Avenue) to improve drainage and reduce peak flows. Residents also described beaver activity, sedimentation and a need for basin dredging.

Tree plantings and landscaping: Chris Nowakowski and others urged the township to consider ordinance or policy changes to encourage more evergreen plantings in new developments to provide year‑round visual and sound buffering. Township engineer Eric Kessler said approved plans must use the township’s list of native species and landscaping plans are inspected to match approved plans; he agreed to refer the topic to the Environmental Advisory Council for further study.

Ending: Township staff answered many individual concerns and recommended Right‑to‑Know requests or formal follow‑up where historical records are sought. Staff said PennDOT studies and the newly funded stormwater program will guide future investments and that the township will continue outreach to residents affected by the planned projects.