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Middletown supervisors adopt updated codes, approve purchases and appointments; auditor appointment draws dissent
Summary
At the same meeting the board adopted the 2018 International Fire Code, authorized advertisement of the 2018 Uniform Construction Code, approved vehicle and equipment purchases, awarded a playground contract, appointed board members and approved an emergency HVAC repair for the police range; the appointment to the Board of Auditors was contested and passed 4-1.
Alongside approval of the Maple Point Elementary School land-development plan, the Middletown Township Board of Supervisors acted on a slate of municipal items.
Ordinances and codes - The board enacted Ordinance 22-01 to adopt the 2018 edition of the International Fire Code, with local amendments addressing open-burning rules, false-alarm fees and clarifications on standpipe/hydrant requirements; the vote was unanimous (5-0). - The board authorized the township solicitor to draft and advertise an ordinance to adopt the 2018 edition of the Uniform Construction Code and the 2018 edition of the property-maintenance code; that authorization also passed unanimously.
Purchases and capital items - The board approved the purchase of five Ford utility police interceptors (three 2021 and two 2022 hybrid units), plus outfitting and decals, for a $228,000 total cost; funding sources include an RDA award ($128,536), an insurance recovery ($43,773) and a township capital contribution (~$55,715). The chief noted the hybrids are new to the fleet and that the department will track fuel and maintenance savings. - The board approved a budgeted replacement of an aging heavy-duty tire machine and wheel balancer (Snap-on Tools) for $18,339 to support in-house maintenance. - Parks & Recreation received authorization to execute a $235,158.86 contract with Martorano Recreation Company to replace the Cobalt Ridge playground with an inclusive design that integrates accessible ramps and sensory features for users with disabilities.
Appointments and controversy - The board reappointed three members to the Technical Board of Appeals for five-year terms (unanimous). - A separate and contentious appointment to fill a vacancy on the Board of Auditors passed 4-1: Linda Pascali was appointed to serve through Dec. 31, 2023. The appointment prompted public comment and internal debate about whether the vacancy should be filled by a candidate matching the departed elected official27s party; some residents urged appointing a Republican, while board members defended their selection process and candidate vetting.
Emergency and other business - Township staff presented an emergency authorization request after a power outage damaged the police indoor range27s specialized HVAC and filtration system. The board approved a $15,751 replacement with Burns Mechanical to restore range operations and reciprocal arrangements with neighboring jurisdictions that use the indoor facility.
Votes at a glance (formal outcomes) - Consent agenda (bill list $1,037,079.04; settlement, change orders, escrow releases, snow emergency resolution 2022-05): approved 5-0. - Maple Point Elementary preliminary/final land-development approval (LD #21-05) with conditions: approved 5-0. - Ordinance 22-01 (2018 International Fire Code): approved 5-0. - Authorize advertisement of adoption of 2018 Uniform Construction Code and property maintenance code: approved 5-0. - Police vehicle purchases and outfitting: authorized 5-0. - Tire machine and balancer purchase: authorized 5-0. - Cobalt Ridge playground contract: authorized 5-0. - Reappointments to Technical Board of Appeals: approved 5-0. - Board of Auditors appointment (Linda Pascali): approved 4-1. - Emergency HVAC replacement for police indoor range: authorized 5-0.
The board closed with several recognitions and adjourned. Several items (final land-development plan sign-off, ordinance drafting and publication, coordination with PennDOT) remain as next procedural steps.
