Middletown board approves consent agenda, vehicle purchases, cleaning contract and zoning referrals

The Middletown Township Board of Supervisors took a string of procedural and procurement votes on Feb. 22, 2022, approving consent items, authorizing equipment purchases, awarding a cleaning contract and directing township solicitor participation in upcoming zoning hearings.

Consent agenda and resolutions: The board approved the 02/22/2022 bills list in the amount of $1,572,340.42, accepted minutes of the February public meeting and adopted Resolution No. 22‑06 (application to the Community Development Block Grant program) and Resolution No. 22‑07 (designating an agent for a hazard mitigation planning grant). A single motion to approve all consent items passed 5–0.

Vehicles: Public Works requested replacement equipment. The board authorized purchase of a 2022 Caterpillar skid steer with bucket and attachments from Foley Inc. (Piscataway, NJ) for $99,054; staff said the skid steer was scheduled for replacement and will be used across parks, ballfields and roadwork. The board also authorized acquisition of a 2023 SFA dump truck cab and chassis from Bucks County International (Langhorne, PA) for $99,588; staff said the township would return later with pricing for the truck body. Both motions passed unanimously.

Cleaning contract: After a rebid process and a police‑facility clearance requirement that the two lowest bidders did not document, staff recommended Genevieve Barker’s cleaning service for township facilities at an annual cost of $44,200. The board approved the contract 5–0 and noted the township spent about $64,000 on cleaning services in 2021.

Ordinance continuation and ZHB participation: Township solicitor Mr. Esposito asked the board to continue Ordinance No. 21‑09 (an age‑qualified overlay related to the Stone Farm conservation easement) to March 21, 2022 while county/Stone family settlement talks continue; the board voted to continue the hearing, 5–0. The board also authorized Mr. Esposito to represent the township before the zoning hearing board on two applications: opposing a Levittown property application that would allow three large storage containers in a front yard, and participating in a Dorm Road administrative/home‑occupation variance to seek limits on additional commercial vehicles for an on‑site landscaping business; motions carried 5–0.

Votes at a glance:
- Consent agenda: approved (motion carried 5–0).
- Neshaminy High School SLD No. 21‑08: approved (see separate story).
- Ordinance No. 21‑09: continued to 03/21/2022 (motion carried 5–0).
- Caterpillar skid steer (Foley Inc.): authorized for $99,054 (carried 5–0).
- 2023 SFA dump truck cab/chassis (Bucks County International): authorized for $99,588 (carried 5–0).
- Cleaning services contract (Genevieve Barker’s cleaning service): awarded at $44,200 annually (carried 5–0).
- Zoning hearing board participation/oppose Levittown application: authorized (carried 5–0).

Several members of the public urged clearer online posting of last‑minute continuances and complained the televised rebroadcast of the previous meeting sometimes supplanted current meeting recordings; township staff said meetings are also viewable on YouTube and offered follow‑up.