Middletown supervisors elect leadership, approve professional appointments and administrative actions

Mike Cusack was elected chair of the Middletown Township Board of Supervisors at the board’s reorganization meeting on [date not specified]; the board also elected Bernadette Hannah as vice chair and Don Corporal as secretary and approved a slate of professional appointments and administrative measures, mostly by unanimous votes.

The board appointed Curtin & Heafner as township solicitor, Hill Wallach as general labor attorney, Remington Vervecht Engineers as township engineer and Pononi as township traffic engineer. The board approved assigning the township manager to the roles of treasurer, assistant secretary and chief administrative officer for pensions, and appointed the finance director as assistant treasurer. The board also established bond limits of $1,500,000 for the township manager, treasurer and assistant treasurer, authorized advertisement of the 2025 board public meeting schedule, and approved the minutes of the Dec. 16, 2024 public meeting.

Why it matters: the routine reorganization items set the township’s leadership and professional relationships for the year, establish the administrative authorities and financial bonding limits that underlie official duties, and confirm who will advise the township on legal and engineering matters.

Most routine nominations passed by 4–0 votes. The appointment of Helene Ratner as chairperson of the township vacancy board passed 3–1. The board also filled multiple advisory-board vacancies and reappointments, including a planning commission appointment for Peter Tantala and appointments to the Human Relations Commission and Environmental Advisory Council.

Board members and staff noted cost and staffing considerations in approving the township engineer contract. A representative of Remington Vervecht Engineers told the board the firm’s rates will increase roughly 6–7% this year, saying the increase is intended to help retain staff and align the firm’s services with the township’s approved budget and projects. The board accepted the explanation and approved the appointment by vote.

The board chair thanked volunteers who accepted appointments to advisory boards and commissions and noted the township relies on those volunteers to carry out advisory work. The board closed the meeting after public comment and brief staff updates.

Votes at a glance: All listed motions passed as recorded in the meeting unless noted below.

- Election of Mike Cusack as chair: approved, carries 4–0. - Election of Bernadette Hannah as vice chair: approved, carries 4–0. - Election of Don Corporal as secretary: approved, carries 4–0. - Appointment of Curtin & Heafner as township solicitor: approved, carries 4–0. - Appointment of Hill Wallach as general labor attorney: approved, carries 4–0. - Appointment of Remington Vervecht Engineers as township engineer: approved, carries 4–0. - Appointment of Pononi as township traffic engineer: approved, carries 4–0. - Appointment of township manager to treasurer/assistant secretary/chief administrative officer for pensions: approved, carries 4–0. - Appointment of finance director as assistant treasurer: approved, carries 4–0. - Authorization of advertisement of 2025 public meetings: approved, carries 4–0. - Establishment of bond limits at $1,500,000: approved, carries 4–0. - Appointment of Helene Ratner as chairperson to the vacancy board: approved, carries 3–1 (one recorded nay). - Approval of Dec. 16, 2024 meeting minutes: approved, carries 4–0. - Appointments and reappointments to boards and commissions (planning commission, human relations, environmental advisory council, financial advisory committee, parks & rec, zoning hearing board, historic preservation, citizens traffic commission): approved, carries 4–0.

Ending note: The reorganization meeting completed routine organizational tasks and confirmed the township’s advisers and volunteer roster for the year; board members emphasized the continued role of advisory boards and volunteers in township governance.