Middletown supervisors terminate township manager, appoint interim manager

The Middletown Township Board of Supervisors voted 5‑0 on April 13 to terminate the township manager, setting an effective termination date of June 13, 2026, and then approved hiring Stephanie Teally Cooles as interim township manager on a temporary, at‑will basis.

Chair Miss Hanna read a formal board statement at the meeting saying, “The Board of Supervisors of Middletown Township has made the decision to terminate the township manager as this is a personnel matter involving an appointed employee rather than an elected official. It is the board's policy not to comment further on the specifics of that decision.” The chair also said the board would immediately begin a search for a permanent replacement and expects township services to continue without disruption.

During public comment, residents pressed the board for details. Lance Sagers asked whether the termination will trigger any contractual payout; staff responded that the manager “does have a contract, and we're going to abide by the contract,” and that the salary is public record. Resident Eric Bruno urged the board to set a timetable for hiring a permanent manager, saying the township needs “long‑term stability.” The chair said the board will act with urgency but must find the right candidate.

After the termination vote, the board moved to rehire Stephanie Teally Cooles as interim township manager on a temporary, non‑contractual basis at her previous biweekly rate with no ancillary benefits. The motion passed 5‑0. Several residents objected to rehiring a former manager so soon after a large tax increase; some board members replied that hiring authority and policy decisions rest with the full board.

The board did not disclose further personnel details at the meeting, citing board policy and the personnel classification of the matter. The chair said staff and department heads will manage continuity and operations during the search, and that the board will proceed with a search for a permanent manager.

What’s next: The termination is effective June 13, 2026. The board said it will begin a recruitment process for a permanent township manager but did not set a public deadline for filling the position.