Tony Perry sworn in as Middletown mayor; Rick Heibel sworn in as deputy mayor at annual reorganization

Tony Perry was sworn in as mayor of Middletown Township on Jan. 4, 2026, at the township's annual reorganization meeting, and Rick Heibel was sworn in as deputy mayor. The committee also authorized a professional services contract for the township attorney, appointed fire and EMS leadership for 2026 and approved a multi-item consent agenda.

Perry took the oath after the committee's reorganization motions passed and used his address to highlight the township's recent open-space acquisitions, parks improvements and investments in senior and veterans services. "When residents voted to protect open space, you didn't just authorize funding. You entrusted us with a responsibility," Perry said, framing land preservation as a long-term stewardship obligation.

The committee voted to authorize a professional services contract with Brian M. Nelson, Esq., of Spiro, Harrison & Nelson to serve as township attorney. The motion was made, seconded and approved by the committee.

The meeting included the formal swearing-in of newly appointed public-safety leadership. Fire Chief Daniel P. Kelly and a slate of fire department officers repeated the oath of office after the committee adopted resolution 26-02 appointing the department's officers for a one-year term ending Dec. 31, 2026. EMS Chief Floyd Goldstein and deputy chief Craig Schwartz were sworn under resolution 26-03.

Perry used his remarks to list capital and community priorities for 2026: a $1.3 million improvement project for the Middletown Senior Center (HVAC, lighting, bathrooms, roof, windows and ADA work), a planned $1.4 million preservation-strengthening project at the World Trade Center Memorial Gardens and upgrades to athletic fields, tennis courts and playgrounds across town. He also noted Middletown's role in county America 250 celebrations and recent activity as a film location.

The mayor highlighted public-safety statistics from 2025: volunteer fire, first aid and OEM teams responded to 4,192 calls (including 1,781 fire calls and 2,403 first-aid calls). Perry noted the township's Emergency Volunteer Incentive Program, which provided nearly $40,000 in direct property tax relief to volunteers.

Deputy Mayor Rick Heibel, newly sworn, thanked residents and reflected on his service as a volunteer fire chief: "Serving as a volunteer fire chief taught me that neighbors look out for one another," he said, and pledged to continue prioritizing public safety and community programs.

On the consent agenda, the committee adopted resolutions 26-04 through 26-54. Resolution 26-20, authorizing professional services contracts for qualified consulting engineers, was considered separately and carried with one recusal noted (Committee member Kevin Sanambrino recused himself). The committee introduced ordinance 2026-3491, amending development standards for Block 1045, Lots 23 and 4, and scheduled its public hearing for Jan. 20, 2026.

There were no public comments during the allotted public-comment period. With reorganization business complete, the committee moved, seconded and approved adjournment.

Votes at a glance: resolution 26-02 (appointment of fire officers) ' adopted; resolution 26-03 (EMS appointments) ' adopted; consent agenda resolutions 26-04 through 26-54 ' adopted; resolution 26-20 (engineering contracts) ' adopted with one recusal; ordinance 2026-3491 ' introduced for first reading, public hearing set for Jan. 20, 2026.

The meeting included ceremonial elements (presentation of colors, pledge, invocation) and multiple oath ceremonies; no substantive policy debates or public-comment items were raised that altered committee actions that day.