Middletown supervisors vote to terminate manager, appoint interim manager

The Middletown Township Board of Supervisors voted unanimously April 13 to terminate the township manager and to appoint Stephanie Teally Cools as interim township manager.

Chair opened the agenda item by moving to terminate the manager and said the matter was personnel‑related, so the board would not comment on specifics. The motion specified the township would “provide required 60 days written notice of termination with an effective termination date of 06/13/2026.” After public comment, the board voted 5–0 to approve the termination.

Residents asked whether the township would owe any contractual severance or payout. “He does have a contract, and we’re going to abide by the contract,” responded Esposito, who said the board would not discuss personnel details publicly. Resident Lance Seggers asked whether the township would be “on the hook” for severance; staff replied salary and contract terms are public record but declined on‑the‑spot comment.

Following the termination vote, the board moved to appoint Stephanie Teally Cools as interim township manager on a temporary, at‑will, non‑contractual basis, to be paid at the same biweekly rate as when she previously worked for the township and without ancillary benefits. The motion passed 5–0.

Residents urged the board to set a firm timetable for hiring a permanent manager. Eric Bruno asked for a deadline, saying, “I need you guys to have a deadline within that motion… we need long term stability.” The board replied it would pursue the search with urgency but would not set an artificial deadline, saying it must find the “right person.”

Next steps: the board said it will begin a search immediately; the interim appointment takes effect upon completion of required notice and the board will return to the hiring process for a permanent manager.