Middletown supervisors approve 2024 budget, police contract and Chick‑fil‑A land development

The Middletown Township Board of Supervisors on Dec. 11 approved the 2024 budget and several routine measures, including a four‑year memorandum of agreement with the Police Benevolent Association and land development approval for a Chick‑fil‑A at 1440 Lincoln Highway.

Director of finance Julie Kohls presented the advertised 2024 budget and the accompanying budget resolution (23‑32R). Kohls said the budget includes a real‑estate tax increase dedicated to fire services of about 1.4 mills, which she said equates to roughly $49 for an average resident. The board approved the budget by voice vote, 5–0.

Kohls said the budget had been made available for public inspection and complied with requirements of the Second Class Township Code. "It allows us to continue to provide a high level of services to our residents," Kohls said during her presentation.

Town staff reported the township reached agreement with its police union on a four‑year memorandum that staff characterized as within the budget. The agreement includes 4 percent annual wage increases, a change to the shift differential, the addition of six‑week maternity leave for birthing mothers, recognition of Juneteenth as a holiday, and a small increase in deferred compensation. Staff said the contract language would be finalized and signed before the end of the year. The board approved the memorandum by voice vote, 5–0.

On development, Ed Murphy, representing the applicant, described plans to redevelop the vacant Ruby Tuesday building in the Lowe’s parking area for a Chick‑fil‑A. Developer Richard Wilkinson described circulation and queuing design intended to prevent driveway backups. The board moved to grant land development approval for 1440 Lincoln Highway (LD No. 23‑08) with standard conditions requiring the applicant to address remaining review comments and comply with subdivision and zoning ordinances; the motion passed, 5–0.

The board also authorized solicitation of bids to replace a wooden deck at Middletown Community Park (staff said $125,000 is budgeted) and authorized advertisement of a request for qualifications for traffic‑engineering consulting services. All routine procurement and advertisement motions passed by 5–0 voice votes.

Votes at a glance: consent agenda (approved, voice), Chick‑fil‑A land development LD‑23‑08 (approved, voice, 5–0), barn deck bid authorization (approved, voice, 5–0), RFQ for traffic engineering (approved, voice, 5–0), PBA memorandum of agreement (approved, voice, 5–0), 2024 budget and resolution 23‑32R (approved, voice, 5–0), multimodal plan adoption/resolution 23‑33 (approved, voice, 5–0).

The board recorded no recorded roll‑call tallies by name in the meeting transcript; votes were announced by voice and the chair stated the results.

What’s next: staff said the police‑union contract language would be completed and signed before year‑end, and the planning staff will continue to work with applicants on remaining review comments for land‑development approvals.