Middletown Township  
   June 2015

Thank you for reading the Jun 2015 edition of the Middletown Township e-newsletter. Please share with your family, friends, and neighbors! And remember to follow us on Twitter and like our Parks & Recreation Department and Police Department on Facebook to keep up to date on the latest news, events, safety concerns, and other happenings in the Township!

Railroad tracks. Railway tracks. Rail road tracks.

CSX Delays at Woodbourne 

Station Frustrating Residents

 

Many Middletown travelers may have noticed the delays caused by the CSX trains on Woodbourne Road. The Township shares your concerns and frustrations. Board of Supervisors Chairman Pat Mallon has spoken out at recent board meetings that these delays impact our residents and that the Township has "grave concerns for the safety of our residents" as road blockages can impede access to medical facilities. Unfortunately, Middletown Township has no direct authority over the rail company - they are regulated by the Federal Rail Administration.

 

Despite the limits to our legal authority, the Township is doing everything in its power to resolve the matter quickly:

  • Our Police Department issues citations when a train blocks the crossing for an excessive period of time, and our Chief of Police expresses our concern to CSX staff each time.
  • We have petitioned PennDOT to allow us to install warning signs at the approaches to the intersection so that motorists can know ahead of time if there will be a delay. PennDOT is currently reviewing the request.
  • The Middletown Township Police Department posts delays on the Township's emergency notification system and through Twitter to give residents advance warning before getting caught by the traffic.

The Board of Supervisors, Township Administration, and Police Department are actively involved in discussions with PennDOT, CSX, and legislators at other levels of government -- Congressman Fitzpatrick, State Representative Farry, and State Senator Tomlinson -- to resolve the matter.

 

Chairman Mallon has invited CSX to come to a public meeting to address resident concerns.  CSX is considering long term options, but our elected officials and administration continue to seek short term options for more immediate relief of the situation. We must "protect the rights and safety of our residents," Mallon said, and "we will continue to fight this battle."

 

If you would like to be added to the Middletown Township Police Department's Nixle emergency notification system, you may sign up here.  You may also follow us on Twitter @MiddletownTwp.

Under Construction Sign 2015 Road Improvement Program Underway


 

With the warmer months here and the winter finally behind us, it's time for much needed road repairs to begin. At the last meeting, the Board of Supervisors awarded James D. Morrissey, Inc. the $1.7 million contract for repaving 11 miles of Township roadway spread across 45 roads. 


 
Construction will begin in July. See the list below to see if your street is included:

  • Pickering Bend, Moon Drive, Wellington Drive, Carlene Court and Wood Lane

  • Penncrest Drive, Green Ridge Road and Summit Ave

  • Aspen Lane, Virginia Ave, Broadview Ave, North & South (N&S) Hawthorne Road

  • West Gillam Ave, Parkvale Ave, Arbutus Ave and Hollywood Ave

  • N&S Clearview Ave, N&S Hazel Ave, N&S Myrtlewood Ave, N&S Woodbine Ave

  • N&S Canterbury, N&S Walnut Terrace, S. Buckthorne Ave, Playwicki Street

  • Rosemary Ave, Rosewood Ave, Meadow Lane, Old Lincoln Highway

  • Redwood Ave, Clover Drive

  • Duxbury Drive, Parker Street, Eastbrooke Ave, Spring Street

  • Boxwood Lane, Boxwood Drive

The South Flowers Mill Road Improvement Project will be bid in July and construction will begin in August. We will regrade the road for safety and install an underdrainage system to prevent flooding. 

4th of July Parade


 

The fourth annual Middletown Township 4th of July parade is almost here!


 

We will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 4th, at Veterans Memorial Park (700 Veterans Highway). The parade will follow Veterans Highway and continue on to Twin Oaks Park on Trenton Road. This year's theme will be veterans of World War II, as we will honor that great generation of service members.


Want to get involved? It's not just for businesses - families can join the parade as well. Decorate bikes, wagons, strollers...even pets! Come show your patriotic spirit and march along with us! For more information and registration for your family or business, please see our website!
Stormwater Management for Homeowners

The Township works hard to protect our water from contamination, but we need your help.

Simple actions by our residents can go a long way toward keeping our environment safe. Please consider the following list before you dispose of something that can harm our water!

  • Use the correct amounts of fertilizer and be very careful when applying it - if it washes onto driveways, streets, and sidewalks, it will find its way to storm drains and into our creeks.
  • Please clean up waste from your pets! Leaving it on the ground will lead to bacteria and parasites washing into the water and create health risks, so be sure to carry disposable bags.
  • Do NOT throw pet waste into drains. Those connect directly to the water and are unfiltered. Please instead flush it down the toilet or throw it in the trash.
  • Please do NOT wash your car in the street or on a driveway. Doing so will cause chemicals, oil, and other pollutants to run into drains and contaminate our water.
  • Please keep streets and drains clear of any trash or debris. Doing so will prevent dangerous contaminants from getting into our water - so be careful where you sweep.
Forsythia Crossing Bridge Now Open

Construction on the Forsythia Crossing Bridge is now complete, and the bridge is open! Closed back in September after a PennDOT inspection, the bridge is now safe and ready for traffic to resume. The timing was perfect, as the bridge was open for the charity Run the Gates event on June 7th.

Before Construction
After Construction

Middletown Township Welcomes New Police Officers

The Middletown Township Police Department is very proud to introduce to you the three newest officers serving the Township: Melissa Robison, Stephen Andres, and Thomas Leinheiser.

 

Officer Robison (center) with the Chief, Township Manager, and Board of Supervisors

Officer Melissa Robison was sworn in and began her career at MTPD on March 16, 2015. A lifelong Bucks Country Resident growing up in Warwick, she attended Central Bucks East High School and Montgomery County Community College. A 2009 graduate of the Montgomery County Police Academy, Robison was a full-time officer in Warminster for five years before coming to Middletown. In addition her police service, she is also a staff sergeant and 14-year member of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. She is scheduled to receive a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Drexel University in June. "Melissa is a bright, driven, hard-working individual who will be a tremendous asset to our police department," says Chief Bartorilla. "The combination of her work and life experiences will be a great benefit to our organization and to the township."

 

Officers Leinheiser (left) and Andrews

Stephen Andrews was sworn in and began his career with MTPD on April 14, 2015. Formerly of the Tullytown Borough Police Department, he is a 2009 graduate from Council Rock South High School, and a 2012 graduate of the Montgomery County Police Academy. Chief Bartorilla notes that Andrews "is an energetic and enthusiastic officer who comes to Middletown with a great reputation. Steve was highly praised by his former boss, Chief Dan Doyle of Tullytown PD. I am confident that Steve will utilize that energy and enthusiasm to provide the highest level of service to our township's residents."


Thomas Leinheiser was sworn in and began his career with MTPD on May 4, 2015. After graduating Conwell Egan Catholic High School and earning a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Temple University, he graduated from Temple University's Police Academy. He previously worked as police officer in Bristol Township and Tullytown Borough. He also coaches youth baseball for Neshaminy. Praising him as well-rounded, polite, and personable, the Chief speaks to Leinheiser's potential for success in the MTPD:
"I believe he possesses the perfect mindset for the 21st century police officer: respectful, self-confident, and service oriented. I believe Tom will achieve great things in the Middletown Township Police Department and that he has a very bright future ahead of him."
The Do's and Don'ts of Propane Grills

During the summer, many of us enjoying firing up the grill for a picnic or barbeque with family and friends. For your safety, please follow this list of recommendations from our Fire Marhsal:

  • Only use the grill outdoors in a well-ventilated area.
  • Always follow all of the manufacturer's instructions and keep manuals in a safe, accessible place.
  • Make sure the gas grill is shut off and cooled off before covering your grill after use.
  • Make sure there are no sharp bends in the hose or tubing, and check for any holes or leaks.
  • Move gas hoses as far away as possible from hot surfaces and dripping hot grease.

Propane Grill Don'ts:

  • Do not smoke while handling the propane cylinder.
  • Do not leave the cylinder in your vehicle.
  • Do not use matches or lighters to check for leaks.
  • Do not allow children to tamper or play with the cylinder or grill.
  • Do not use, store or transport your cylinder where it would be exposed to high. temperatures. This includes storing spare cylinders under or near the grill.
See our website for the full list of recommendations. Please be safe, and call the fire department immediately in the event of a fire.
Upcoming Events
 

June 24 - Zoning Hearing Board meeting, 7 p.m. in the Public Hall of the Municipal Center

 

July 1 - Planning Commission Meeting, 7 p.m. in the Public Hall of the Municipal Center

 

July 3 - Township offices closed for the holiday

 

July 4 - 4th of July Parade, 9 a.m. beginning at Veterans Memorial Park

 

July 8 - Zoning Hearing Board meeting, 7 p.m. in the Public Hall of the Municipal Center

 

July 9 - Middletown at the Mall, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Oxford Valley Mall

 

July 20 - Board of Supervisors meeting, 7:30 p.m. in the Public Hall of the Municipal Center

 

 

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Middletown Township
3 Municipal Way, Langhorne, PA  19047
215-750-3800