Township creates standing stormwater advisory committee and approves $1.61M drainage contract and culvert purchase

Middletown supervisors on Monday moved to formalize stormwater governance and to fund near‑term drainage projects after years of public comment about recurring neighborhood flooding.

The board authorized the township solicitor to draft and advertise an ordinance to create a permanent stormwater advisory committee and directed staff to begin recruitment for the panel. Interim manager Nick Valla told the board the committee would help identify and prioritize capital and maintenance projects funded by the township’s newly established stormwater fee. Valla said staff recommends a five‑member committee and proposed that up to three members could concurrently serve on other advisory boards for continuity, although the board asked the solicitor to draft the ordinance with flexibility rather than a strict mandate.

Nut graf: The action and subsequent contract awards are the first major uses of the township’s stormwater funding stream. Township engineer Eric Kessler described several projects recommended by an ad‑hoc steering committee and the engineering office that the new advisory body will help prioritize going forward.

The board then awarded the Langhorne Gables drainage improvements (phase 2 base bid plus alternate 1) to Foresight Concepts for $1,610,355.88, the lowest responsive bid. Kessler said the base work installs storm infrastructure on Longview Avenue between Willow and Jefferson and includes improvements to culverts and inlets; alternate 1 updates and separates an aging system between Clay and Fir avenues. The project received a $744,000 ARPA H2O PA grant that will be applied to construction and the township will use stormwater fund dollars to cover the balance.

Kessler described the award as a substantial improvement to a neighborhood that previously lacked a coordinated drainage system: “This will really provide that water an opportunity to actually get off the road, get off the properties, and get into the creek system to eventually go down to Neshaminy Creek,” he said. The board approved the award 5‑0.

The supervisors also authorized the township to purchase a pre‑designed ConTech arch culvert for Reeds Avenue—ConTech’s price for the culvert is $165,000—and authorized advertisement for bids to install the culvert and replace the roadway. Kessler said the culvert will be an open‑bottom arch that provides greater hydraulic capacity and environmental benefits versus the existing undersized circular pipe; total project cost is estimated at about $420,000 and will be paid from stormwater funds. The board approved that package 5‑0.

Finally, the board authorized advertisement for the township’s 2025 CDBG ADA curb ramp program in Juniper Hill, which will reconstruct 19 curb ramps using Community Development Block Grant funds; an alternate adds one ramp at Jasmine and Jollybrook near the pedestrian bridge. Supervisors also discussed the high per‑corner price and staff said they will continue to seek funding and schedule ramps to align with repaving work. That advertisement was also authorized 5‑0.

Ending: Supervisors said the standing advisory committee and the new funding stream should let the township prioritize long‑standing flood hot spots and coordinate resident outreach during construction. Kessler said the Langhorne Gables contract includes a 120‑day work expectation after mobilization; the Reeds Avenue culvert purchase aims to shorten lead time so installation can proceed promptly once a contractor is selected.