Middletown Board elects officers, approves solicitor and engineering appointments

Middletown Township held its reorganization meeting where the Board of Supervisors elected Anna Payne as chair and approved a series of routine appointments and administrative items.

The board nominated and voted to elect Anna Payne as chair, Dawn Corpel as vice chair and Miss Hannah as secretary. The board approved several professional appointments, including Curtin & Heafner as township solicitor and Paul Lang of Parlow & Lang as township conflict attorney. Dave Trulove of Hill Wallach was appointed labor attorney, and a firm identified in the meeting (Remington/Vernecht in the transcript) was approved as township engineer. The board also appointed Phil Wursta of Traffic Planning and Design as traffic engineer. Most motions were carried by unanimous voice vote; the appointment of the vacancy board chair later in the meeting passed 4–1.

Why it matters: these appointments set the township's legal and technical advisers for 2023 and establish administrative controls that affect contracting and oversight. The board also set bond limits for fiscal responsibilities and adopted its public meeting schedule for 2023.

Key facts and votes: the board established bond limits of $1,500,000 for the treasurer, assistant treasurer and township manager for faithful performance of duties. The finance director was appointed assistant treasurer, and the township manager was appointed to the roles of treasurer, assistant secretary and chief administrative officer to pensions. The 2023 public meeting schedule was authorized for advertisement.

Contract rates and oversight: representatives for the township's engineering and legal service providers discussed modest rate increases. One firm said it requested a roughly 10% increase for engineering services this year to retain staff; another representative said a 2–3% increase was expected for labor law services. Board members emphasized they will monitor invoices monthly and track charges to budget reports.

What comes next: these appointments take effect for the year ahead; board members noted routine oversight measures including monthly budget reports and invoice scrutiny. Staff offered to follow up on outstanding operational issues raised during public comment (see separate story on drainage complaints).