An ordinance authorizing preliminary expenses toward the construction of a new municipal complex has been adopted by the Middletown Township Committee.
According to the ordinance that was before the governing body on May 21, $250,000 in preliminary expenses will direct the initial steps of development.
Township Administrator Tony Mercantante said the preliminary expenses will address up-front and early costs associated with planning the new municipal complex.
Mercantante said the money will come from Middletown’s Capital Improvement Fund and he that said no debt will be incurred to pay for the preliminary expenses.
Tara Berson, the township’s public information officer, said officials’ intention is to house municipal facilities in one consolidated area.
She said township buildings, such as the Middletown Health Department, are on the opposite side of the 42-square-mile town.
The 9.7-acre municipal complex is near Route 35, Kings Highway and Penelope Lane.
Officials intend to maintain the ability to use and operate existing municipal facilities during the construction of the new municipal complex.
The site will be redeveloped with a combination of municipal, governmental and public uses, according to the site proposal.
Mercantante said the municipal building, which was established in 1961, is an “inefficient building that incurs very high annual maintenance costs.”
Officials have found creative ways to offset costs.
According to Mercantante, there will be pad sites on the perimeter of the complex, along Route 35, which will offer a steady stream of revenue.
