Middle Mayor Tim Donohue to present State of the Township on Feb. 25

Cape May Court House, N.J. – Mayor Tim Donohue will share positive news about economic growth when he speaks to business leaders at the 2022 State of the Township on Feb. 25. The Middle Township Chamber of Commerce sponsors the event at the Bellevue Tavern.

The Township is seeing more development than it has in the past 20 years and its population climbed 8 percent to 20,380 over the past decade. Census data showed it was the only municipality in Cape May County to experience significant population growth.

Donohue attributes the positive trends to a stable tax rate and a commitment to quality-of-life services.

“We are conscious of the need to deliver high-quality services at the lowest possible tax rate. We weigh every spending decision as if it came out of our household budget,” Donohue said. “Our fiscal responsibility creates a unique value for residents and businesses.”

Of 565 municipalities in the state, only 30 have lower property taxes than Middle Township, according to a report based on data from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.

The Township had its first marginal tax increase in several years in 2021 and despite inflationary pressures on salaries and operating expenses, anticipates only a modest uptick in 2022. The need to maintain competitive wages was the driving factor behind the tax adjustment, Donohue said.

“We negotiated new contracts and are now paying our Public Works employees comparable wages to other towns in Cape May County. With an extremely tight labor market, it is imperative that we can attract and retain quality candidates,” he said.

The Township renewed three labor contracts last year that provided higher wages, including starting salaries.

Achievements despite adversity

Donohue’s State of the Township presentation is expected to touch on economic challenges, particularly the ongoing effects of COVID-19.

Municipal fees were still down in 2021 as courts remained virtual, and hotel/motel occupancy increased but stayed below typical levels, impacting tax revenue.

Middle leveraged cost-efficient measures such as transferring emergency dispatch services to the county, and also is exploring the privatization of EMS services.

Meanwhile, the Township’s favorable business structure continues to attract development. The municipality reports a $30 million combined increase in its ratable base over the last two years.

Vacant properties also were redeveloped last year. Noble Senior Living, a memory care facility in Rio Grande, opened at the site of an assisted-living complex that had been closed for several years. And the former Pier One in Cape May Court House was redeveloped to house a Starbucks, Verizon and the Taco Shop.

Looking ahead

Donohue expects another active year of development. Projects on the horizon include an entertainment complex in Rio Grande that will include a movie theater, bowling alley and arcade.

After the imminent completion of the final stretch of its Bike Path, the Township is eyeing other improvements to enhance recreation and tourism. Norburys Landing, a small waterfront park, will be improved with the help of county and Americans with Disabilities Act grants.

Middle is also planning talks with the county about repairing Shellbay Pier, a fishing and crabbing destination, and developing its downtown.

The Township looks forward to a full calendar of special events, including community partnerships such as the April 1 Family Fun Night at the MLK Center that will be hosted by Middle Township Recreation and Progressive Black Initiative.

For more on the Middle Township Chamber of Commerce State of the Township event, visit https://mtcc4u.com/.