Mtown News Flash 6-29-12: WATER EMERGENCY and other news

URGENT -  Due a severe water main break all outdoor water use is restricted immediately. Only use water when necessary. Conserve all water. Read about it .... Here  and Here

Child Safety Seat Checkpoint, Fri, June 29 2:00-7:00 pm
Police officers trained as child passenger safety technicians will assist motorists with proper child safety seat installation as well as proper positioning and harnessing of a child. Checkpoints held Police Headquarters, 1 Kings Hwy. No appointment needed. Free and open to the public.

The program is funded through a grant from the state Division of Highway Traffic Safety. Please remember state law requires that all children below the age of 8 years or less than 80 lbs. in weight must be seated in a child restraint system. Contact the Traffic Safety Bureau at 732-615-2045 for details.


Movie Series and Food Drive - 1st Show Fri June 29, 9 pm
The Free Summer Movie Series & Food Drive, hosted by Shore Flicks, LLC will be showing monthly movies in township parks. Please help support local food banks by bringing a donation.

• June 29, 9:00 pm - Croydon Hall, 900 Leonardville Rd, Gremlins (PG)
• July 28, 8:45 pm - Normandy Park,600 Nutswamp Rd, Honey I Shrunk the Kids (PG)
• August 31, 8:00 pm - Tonya Keller Community Center, 50 Bray Ave, Hugo (PG)

A Special thank you to all our sponsors: JCP&L, Saker ShopRites, Provident Bank, NY Waterway, WAWA, Lincroft Village Dental Care, Carpets With A Twist & Colonial American Bank. In the event of inclement weather, movies will be canceled. Call the Recreation Department at 732-615-2260 for more information.


Middletown Begins Single Stream Recycling July 2
Middletown residents will be freed from sorting recyclables this Independence Day as the township transitions to single stream curbside recycling.

Starting Monday, July 2nd the practice of collecting glass, plastic and metal containers in one pick-up, then newspapers and cardboard in another pick-up several weeks apart will come to an end. All permitted recyclable materials can be put into the same containers. Recycling will still be collected twice a month, but residents can put all their recyclables out each time, Mayor Anthony Fiore announced.

The switch to single stream recycling is part of new garbage and recycling collection contracts with Republic Service/Marpal Disposal and Future Sanitation. The five-year contracts will save the township nearly $500,000 compared to the previous contracts, the mayor said.

“It’s a real win-win situation. Under the new contract the township will be able to reduce costs and increase services,” the mayor said. “In addition to the convenience and environmental factors, single stream recycling will make the collection process more efficient, cut costs and generate new revenues.”

With single stream recycling, ALL cans, plastic containers, bottles, jars, cardboard, newspapers, office papers & mixed papers (junk mail, magazines, coupon inserts) can be placed into the SAME containers. There is NO change to the collection schedule. All recyclables will be collected twice a month based on the existing schedule by zone, said Public Works and Engineering Director Ted Maloney. He noted the maximum weight per container is 50 pounds. Read more


Meet the Mayor at the Library July 2
Middletown Mayor Anthony P. Fiore will host Meet the Mayor nights at the Middletown Library, 55 New Monmouth Road, from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm July 2 and July 16.

Residents are invited to stop by to discuss issues related to Township government. Meet the Mayor nights replace regularly scheduled office hours at Town Hall on these dates. The Mayor generally holds office hours at Town Hall on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month, excluding federal holidays. Residents can also reach the Mayor by calling his office at 732-615-2024 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.



Middletown Day Community Showcase
A new feature at Middletown Day will be the Business and Community Showcase. Middletown Businesses, Schools, and Community Organizations are invited to set up a booth at the fall festival to help us showcase all that makes Middletown special. Businesses will be provided a 10’x10’ booth space for a fee of $250 (Booth space is free for sponsorships of $500 or more). A free 10’x10’ booth space will be provided to 501c3 Middletown organizations. Middletown schools may also reserve one free space per school. Download application. Call Recreation at 732-615-2260 for more information.



Vote for the MAC
Monmouth Health & Life Magazine is hosting its Annual Best of Monmouth County 2012 Awards. Please vote for the Middletown Arts Center in the categories of "Dance Lessons" and "Theater." Voting ends August 1st.


http://www.monmouthhealthandlife.com/Monmouth-Health-Life/Best-of-Monmouth/

2011 Homestead Rebate PTR Deadline Extended
The Division of Taxation has EXTENDED the filing deadlines for 2011 Property Tax Reimbursement (PTR) and Homestead Benefit applications from June 30, 2012 to October 19, 2012. Members of the public who need assistance can call the Property Tax Reimbursement Hotline at 800-882-6597 or the Homestead Benefit Hotline at 888-238-1233.


Save the Date!

Sat, Jul 7, noon – Jazz and Blues Fest, MAC
Thurs Jul 12, 7p.m Summer Concert – Jennifer Mylod, MAC
Mon, Jul 16, 4:30 – 6:30 pm – Mayor at Main Library,
Fri, Jul 20, 2:00–7:00 p.m. – Child Safety Seat Checkpoint, Town Hall
Thurs, Jul 26, 7:00 p.m., Summer Concert: The Del Angels, MAC
Sat, Jul 28, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Child Safety Seat Checkpoint, Town Hall
Sat Jul 28, 8:45 p.m. – Summer Movie – Normandy Park
Fri, Aug 3, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. – Child Safety Seat Checkpoint, Town Hall
Thurs, Aug 9, 7p.m. – Summer Concert: Funktion 11, Croydon Hall
Thurs, Aug 23, 7p.m. – Summer Concert: RB Express, Croydon Hall
Fri, Aug 24, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. – Child Safety Seat Checkpoint
Fri, Aug 31, 8:00 pm – Summer Movie, TKCC
Sat, Sept 29, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m – Middletown Day 2012, Croydon Hall


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Calendar
http://www.middletownnj.org/calendar

Middletown Arts Center Classes and Programs
www.middletownarts.org

Middletown Day – Sat, Sept 29
www.middletownday.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MiddletownDay
Applications: Middletown Day Sponsor and Participation Forms

Middletown Library
Event Schedule

Middletown Parking Permits
Online-Renewal and New Applicants

Middletown Photos
Galleries

Middletown Police
Activity Reports

Middletown Recreation Facilities
2012 Permit Application

Middletown Senior Center
Special Events

Poricy Park Camps and Programs
www.poricypark.org

Mtown News Flash 6-15-12

Meet the Mayor at the Library June 18
Middletown Mayor Anthony P. Fiore will host Meet the Mayor nights at the Middletown Library, 55 New Monmouth Road, from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm June 18, July 2 and July 16. Residents are invited to stop by to discuss issues related to Township government. Meet the Mayor nights replace regularly scheduled office hours at Town Hall on these dates. The Mayor generally holds office hours at Town Hall on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month, excluding federal holidays. Residents can also reach the Mayor by calling his office at 732-615-2024 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

2011 Homestead Rebate & PTR Deadline Extended
The Division of Taxation has EXTENDED the filing deadlines for 2011 Property Tax Reimbursement (PTR) and Homestead Benefit applications from June 30, 2012 to October 19, 2012. Members of the public who need assistance can call the Property Tax Reimbursement Hotline at 800-882-6597 or the Homestead Benefit Hotline at 888-238-1233.


American Water Changes Water Disinfectant to Chloramine
Kidney Dialysis Patients & fish Owners Take Precautions
New Jersey American Water officially changed its water treatment disinfectant from free chlorine to chloramine tomorrow: Tuesday, June 12, 2012. While most customers will not notice any change in their water, some might notice that the taste and odor of chlorine is reduced. Please note that two groups of customers need to take special precautions: kidney dialysis patients and fish owners. For more information, visit Precautions for Dialysis Patients and Fish Owners. Chloramine is safe for all mammals – including dogs, cats -- as well as birds. More information for fish, amphibian and fish pond owners.

More Information

NJ American Water Chloramine Facts
NJ American Water Customer Notice
NJ American Water Press Release on New Treatment Process
NJ American Water


Vote for the MAC
Monmouth Health & Life Magazine is hosting its Annual Best of Monmouth County 2012 Awards. Please vote for the Middletown Arts Center in the categories of "Dance Lessons" and "Theater." Voting ends August 1st.

http://www.monmouthhealthandlife.com/Monmouth-Health-Life/Best-of-Monmouth/


Save the Date!

Child Safety Seat Checkpoint Fri, June 29, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Summer Concert : Jennifer Mylod – Thursday July 12, 7p.m.
Middletown Day 2012 – Saturday, September 29, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Child Safety Seat Checkpoint Fri, July 20, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Summer Concert: The Del Angels – Thursday, July 26, 7p.m.
Child Safety Seat Checkpoint Sat, July 28, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Child Safety Seat Checkpoint Fri, Aug 3, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Summer Concert: Funktion 11 – Thursday, August 9, 7p.m.
Summer Concert: RB Express – Thursday, August 23, 7p.m.
Child Safety Seat Checkpoint Fri, Aug 24, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.


Like Us on Facebook
Visit us at www.facebook.com/middletowntwp

Do you Tweet?
Follow us on Twitter @middletownnj

Buy Middletown
Business Directory

Calendar
http://www.middletownnj.org/calendar

Middletown Arts Center Classes and Programs
www.middletownarts.org

Middletown Day – Saturday, September 29
www.middletownday.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MiddletownDay
Applications: Middletown Day Sponsor and Participation Forms

Middletown Library
Event Schedule

Middletown Parking Permits
Online-Renewal and New Applicants

Middletown Photos
Galleries

Middletown Police
Activity Reports

Middletown Recreation Facilities
2012 Permit Application

Middletown Senior Center
Special Events

Poricy Park Camps and Programs
www.poricypark.org

Middletown Letter to Property Taxpayers,Prior To Next Weeks Budget Presentation, Suggests Rebate Program Was Township's Idea

Hypocrisy and disingenuousness has reached new heights in Middletown when it comes to what our Republican politicians will take credit for in order to given an impression that they are being fiscally prudent and watching out for our tax dollars.

In a letter to taxpayers that arrived with quaterly tax statements, just prior to next weeks Township budget introduction, Middletown's Mayor Fiore states that taxes will not really be going up this year, that they will actually be going down.

How can that be when it has already said that there will be increases in this year's Township budget? It seems that our mayor is jumping on the bandwagon and taking credit for the new NJ Homestead Rebate Tax Credit program initiated by Gov. Christie this year that some homeowners can qualify for t, after the governor eliminated the old rebate program last year.

Middletown residents should know that not all Township residents will qualify for tax rebate credits and that Middletown had nothing to do with the new NJ Homestead Rebate Program, which entitles some to the tax credit. Middletown has to cooperate with the Governors office because it is a State program, not a Township program. I repeat Middletown had absolutly nothing to do with this program.

So once again, here is another example of how those that run Middletown are trying to take credit for something that wasn't their idea and had nothing to do with. It's all just a smoke and mirrors attempt to fool resident taxpayers into thinking that the property tax rate that they pay to the Township will be going down, when in fact it will be increasing once the budget is released, to offset lower property assessments.

Nice try Tony, you really earned your "fibber" moniker on this one!

If you haven't seen the letter you can read it >>> Here

NJPP Monday Minute 5/17/10: The Millionaire's Tax: It's a Start

The New Jersey state budget is far from settled. In just over a week Treasurer Sidamon-Eristoff and Legislative Budget and Finance Officer David Rosen will appear again before the budget committees to reexamine the state's financial condition and revenue collections.

A showdown is brewing between the Democrats in the Legislature and Governor Christie. Last week, both the Senate and Assembly passed bills out of committee to raise income taxes on taxpayers with incomes over $1 million. Votes were along partisan lines and a full vote of the legislature is expected shortly. The bills are expected to pass both houses because Democrats are the majority party in both chambers (Senate: 23 Democrats out of 40; Assembly: 47 Democrats out of 80). Gov. Christie has reiterated he will veto all tax increases. A two-thirds majority is needed to override a veto - that might be problematic.

Identical bills (S-10 and A-10) have been introduced to raise income tax rates to 10.75 percent from 8.97 percent on taxpayers with incomes exceeding $1 million. This new rate would be retroactive to January 1, 2010 and is expected to raise about $637 million in FY 2011. Approximately 16,000 taxpayers would be affected.

These tax bills have companion spending bills (S-20 and A-20) that reinstate homestead rebates to certain senior and disabled homeowners and tenants ($563.2 million) and restore cuts the Governor recommended to the prescription assistance programs Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled or PAAD ($55.5 million) and Senior Gold ($55.5 million). These companion spending bills would be inactive until the tax bill is passed.

The provisions of the companion spending bills are as follows:

Homestead Rebates for Senior and Disabled Citizens
The Governor's proposed budget eliminates homestead rebates for 2010, affecting over 500,000 homeowners and 100,000 tenants. These rebates would be replaced with a tax credit that would be deducted directly from quarterly property tax bills starting in May 2011.

S-20/A-20 would pay property tax rebates to senior and disabled homeowners whose incomes are under $150,000 and to senior and disabled tenants whose incomes are under $100,000. Depending on income, average homeowner rebates would range from $750 to about $1,300 and average tenant rebates would range from $150 to $700.

Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD) and Senior Gold
The Governor's proposed budget increases the PAAD co-payment for brand name drugs to $15 per prescription from $7 and beginning January 1, 2011 requires recipients of both PAAD and Senior Gold to pay an annual $310 deductible before being eligible for low-cost medications. The $310 deductible affects approximately 100,000 senior and disabled PAAD recipients with incomes below $24,432 (single) and $29,956 (married) and another 23,000 Senior Gold participants with incomes between $24,432 and $34,432 (single) and $29,956 and $39,956 (married). The deductible for married couples is $620.

S-20/A-20 would eliminate the co-pay increase for PAAD recipients and the new $310 deductible for both PAAD and Senior Gold recipients.

This could be great news for New Jersey's senior and disabled residents, but not so much for everyone else:

• Libraries will close or have shorter hours with limited internet access because the state library budget has been eliminated.
• Children will pay more for breakfast and lunch or go without.
• Some after school programs that keep kids safe are eliminated.
• Tuition Aid Grants to college students are reduced at the same time the state cut more operating funds than ever to the state's public colleges.
• Some parents of children enrolled in the state's FamilyCare program will no longer be eligible for this program themselves.
• Women who can't afford health insurance will not get prenatal and ob-gyn care.
• Working families receiving the state Earned Income Tax Credit will be hit with a tax hike when the credit amount is cut from 25 percent to 20 percent.
• NJ Transit fare increases up to 45 percent will further strain the budgets of commuters and the state's mass transit system.

All of the above represent increased costs in one form or another. Cuts to schools, municipalities and libraries will increase class sizes, raise property taxes and eliminate free services like library internet use and inter-library loans. Increased costs to college students may make them defer college or take longer to complete degrees. Cuts in FamilyCare and family planning services will mean more people in emergency rooms and more expensive health care. The highest ever transit increases will put more people in cars, causing greater deterioration of roads and bridges and an increase in air pollution.These cuts will most severely hurt middle and low-income people in the state - those with the fewest choices.

The new revenue and spending bills are a good start but more needs to be done. New Jersey's budget crisis must be resolved with a balanced approach that includes other taxes and shared sacrifice by all. For other budget options, check out the Better Choices Coalition.

Quote of The Day

"When revenues fell, the last item we cut was property tax relief. Now that we have recovered some lost revenues, the first thing we will restore is property tax relief. This money belongs to the taxpayers, and we're going to give it back to them in property tax relief."

Governor Jon Corzine announcing the better than expected success of theTax Amnesty program. The additional revenues will now be used to off set property taxes

See the video anouncement below

Video:Roberts, Watson Coleman & Greenwald on Better-Than-Expected Tax Amnesty Revenue Figures

In this video press release, Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, Jr. (D-Camden), Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Mercer) and Assembly Budget Committee Chairman Louis D. Greenwald (D-Camden) discuss Governor Jon S. Corzine's announcement that the state's tax amnesty program has exceeded revenue projections.

According to numbers from the state Department of Treasury, the program has collected more than $600 million - $400 million over initial projections - and represents the largest single tax amnesty program executed by any state.

The Democratic leaders said they are committed to using the money for property tax relief.