Middletown NJ Town Hall Opens
It was an old-fashioned, neighborhood party to welcome a new friend Wednesday evening when Middletown elected officials and hard working township employees cut the ribbon officially opening the new Town Hall and proudly showing hundreds of guests through everything from the court room to the family bath rooms, to say nothing of the state of the art construction and sophisticated equipment that will keep Middletown far ahead in the 21st century.
It all began with Monmouth County Surrogate Maureen Rausch leading the crowd in a pledge of allegiance. Maureen’s predecessor and former Middletown Mayor Rosemarie Peters, who set the bar for excellence and service in a county surrogate’s office, was there along with her husband and other friends and neighbors as all stood proudly to pledge the flag one of Middleton’s outstanding volunteer fire companies had hoisted on the truck for all to admire.
From there, an outstanding High School senior belted out the Star-Spangled banner with gusto and spirit with as much applause for her excellence as for the nation being honored. Then, with the commanding officers of Naval Weapon Station Earle standing by…the Leonardo portion of the Colts Neck base and thousands of Navy acreage all fall within the township… former mayors and former and current township committeemen gathered around while current Mayor Tony Perry officially cut the tape in front of the building. And Middletown Town Hall is officially open for business.
Then the fun began. Outside, in one of the huge parking lots that will ensure parking will be easy if stopping in to pay a tax bill or get information on veterans’ benefits, there were food trucks of every kind, tablecloth covered tables and pots of flowers as centerpieces for comfort and enjoyment, and many of the township’s various departments set up to give out information, answer questions, and show how happy they are to be in a facility that accommodates every bit of township business possible. There’s even a passport office.
There was also a billboard size sign proclaiming the new Town Hall and pleasant employees inviting everyone to sign it, explaining it will be on display in the new building. There were gifts of Middletown coins, pins, and very clever coasters (with a can and bottle opener concealed on the bottom side) as giveaways, along with tons of information, ice cream from the Creamery, and some pretty fantastic, iced coffee from Booskerdoo, the coffee and baking company up the road.
Booskerdoo even handed out cards so you can stop in at their business another time for even more free coffee. There were fun props to wear for photos in front of the new town Hall and so much else, all in fun, all in pride in Middletown township.
People of all ages were touring the building, upstairs and beyond, or simply hanging out in the main lobby and catching up with neighbors and friends.
Tucked away in a small corner beneath the stairs just inside the main door, …far too small to show off all the history of Middletown, were the indefatigable members of the Middletown Historical Society, from Ray Veth and Peter Van Nortwick to the ever proud and hard working Tom Valente inviting viewers to see historic papers, photographs and special memorabilia that tell the history of Middletown for centuries.
The Society has been collecting and displaying all their information since 1968 and always inviting new members to share in the past of Middletown while enjoying its present and looking towards its future. Representatives of the DAR, the daughters of the Revolution were present as a reminder of Middletown’s heroics and place in the war that won its first freedom.
Mayor Perry introduced so many notables there for the festive occasion and called for praise. quickly given with deep appreciation and thunderous applause…to township administrator Tony Mercantante for the role he played in the building of the 72,000 square foot facility, as well as the township employees, the police department and all the team members that helped it all happen through cooperative efforts and hard work. He looked forward to the nation’s celebration of its 250th anniversary in three years and noted Middletown, too, is ready for it in its history dating back longer than that.
“The future is to be decided here,” Perry told the crowd, and “everyone of the 68,000 residents can take pride in the township.” He cited the major disasters the town came together to overcome and beat from World War II through 9-11, Superstorm Sandy and Covid and reminded spectators that Middletown has stood the test of time and persevered in struggles. Showing the world what its residents are capable of. He urged visitors to the new building to “demand excellence always from your leaders.”
Want to see pictures of the construction phase? Click HERE
