Township Committee introduces three Murphy Road ordinances
Three first-reading ordinances for Block 559 on Murphy Road would dedicate roadway land and set conservation and sidewalk easements before a June 24, 2026 hearing.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — murphy road easement and roadway deeds, public hearing and final passage, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
The package moved together: roadway dedication, a conservation easement, and a public sidewalk easement all cleared first reading without a dissenting vote.
A stretch of Murphy Road is headed for legal cleanup. The Township Committee introduced three related ordinances tied to Block 559: one for roadway dedication, one for a conservation easement, and one for a public sidewalk easement. Each ordinance passed first reading unanimously, keeping the package together as it moves through the local approval process.
The action matters because these are the kinds of property steps that shape what land is public, what stays protected, and where pedestrian access is formally secured. Rather than taking them one by one over several meetings, the committee advanced all three at once. That gives residents a clearer view of the full set of changes proposed for the same block on Murphy Road.
Nothing is final yet. The ordinances were introduced, not adopted on final reading, so the next key date is June 24, 2026, when the committee is scheduled to hold the public hearing. That hearing will be the public's formal chance to weigh in before the committee decides whether to give final approval to the roadway dedication, conservation easement, and sidewalk easement.
Public hearing and final passage: traffic ordinance prohibiting trucks over four tons on Caldwell Avenue and Claremont Avenue
Truck traffic is about to face a new limit. The Township Committee held a public hearing on Ordinance 2026-3511, which prohibits trucks over four tons on Caldwell Avenue and Claremont Avenue. No one spoke during the hearing, and the ordinance was adopted on second and final reading.
The vote was unanimous. Ryan M. Clarke, Kimberly Kratz, the deputy mayor, and Tony Perry all voted yes, along with another committee member whose name does not appear on the town's canonical list provided for this edition.
With final passage complete, the restriction now moves from proposal to township law. For residents on Caldwell Avenue and Claremont Avenue, the practical effect is straightforward: trucks over four tons are no longer permitted on those streets under the new ordinance.
Committee opens 2026 budget hearing
The Township Committee authorized self-examination of the 2026 municipal operating budget and opened the public hearing on it. No one spoke at the hearing, and the resolution tied to the budget hearing passed unanimously.
The municipal budget determines taxes, staffing, and service levels for residents in 2026.
Township approves sale of surplus properties
The Township Committee adopted Ordinance 2026-3510 on second and final reading, authorizing the sale of certain Township-owned properties no longer required for public purposes. No one commented at the public hearing, and the final vote was unanimous.
Final ordinance authorizes sale of township-owned properties no longer needed for public purposes, an irreversible land decision.
Police Youth Week fee wins approval
The Township Committee gave final approval to Ordinance 2026-3512, amending Chapter 240-23 of the Township Code to establish a fee for Police Youth Week participants. The public hearing drew no comment, and the ordinance passed unanimously.
Final ordinance establishes a fee for Police Youth Week participants, directly changing what participating families pay.
Committee updates filming fee rules
The Township Committee adopted Ordinance 2026-3506 on second and final reading, repealing and replacing code provisions on filming and film permitting fees. No one spoke at the public hearing, and the ordinance passed with a unanimous vote.
Final ordinance repeals and replaces filming permit fee provisions, changing costs and rules for filming activity.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
Middletown had 14 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCEPublic hearing and final passage: new lease for nonprofit Middletown Art Center. The Township Committee held a public hearing on Ordinance 2026-3505 authorizing a new lease for the nonprofit Middletown Art Center. With no public comment, the ordinance was adopted on second and final reading by unanimous vote.
- GOVERNANCEPublic hearing and final passage: authorizing execution of certain deeds (Mammoth Hills). The Township Committee held a public hearing on Ordinance 2026-3513 authorizing execution of certain deeds related to Mammoth Hills. With no public comment, the ordinance was adopted on second and final reading unanimously.
- GOVERNANCEIntroduction (first reading): bond ordinance amending Bond Ordinance 2025-3475 (finally adopted August 11, 2025). The Township Committee introduced Ordinance 2026-3517 on first reading, a bond ordinance amending Bond Ordinance 2025-3475 that was finally adopted on August 11, 2025. The public hearing was scheduled for June 24, 2026; the introduction passed unanimously.
- GOVERNANCETownship adds police officer and firefighter. The Township administered the oath of office to Police Officer Sebastian Martin and approved a firefighter appointment by unanimous vote. Remarks after the swearing-in noted Martin had already served as a special officer and was hired into a vacancy, with more police retirements expected this year.
- GOVERNANCETownship Committee comments and recognitions. Committee members and the Mayor offered recognitions, including congratulations to primary election winners, congratulations to Officer Sebastian Martin on being sworn in, recognition of an Alliance program graduation involving 400 students, and thanks for several community events including Infinite Love (nearly 1,500 participants), Road to Liberty block party (about 2,000 people), Relay for Life, the Difference Walk, and the Tutu Trot.
- GOVERNANCEAdoption of consent agenda resolutions block. The Township Committee adopted the consent agenda as a block, described as including Resolutions 26-155 through 26-175 and including 26-181, with 26-176 and 26-180 removed because they were no longer needed after the budget passed (referenced as emergency appropriations). The consent agenda passed unanimously.
- GOVERNANCEOpen Public Meetings Act notice statement, Pledge of Allegiance, and moment of silence. The Mayor stated that notice requirements under the Open Public Meetings Act were satisfied, including transmission to the Asbury Park Press, posting at the Municipal Building, and filing with the Township Clerk. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Officer Martin’s niece, Emma, followed by a moment of silence for troops serving worldwide.
- GOVERNANCEPublic comment period (general). The Mayor opened a public comment period and explained the process and time limits (five minutes, with a one-minute warning). No members of the public came forward to speak, and the public portion was closed.
- GOVERNANCEApproval of May 4, 2026 workshop meeting minutes. The Township Committee approved the minutes of the May 4, 2026 workshop meeting by unanimous vote.
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