Middletown Wins State Award For Planning Effort

April 14, 2022

Middletown Supervisors Chairperson Mike Ksiazek, Vice Chairperson Anna Payne, Township Manager Stephanie Teoli Kuhls, and Assistance Township Manager Nick Valla with state officials.
Credit: PA Internet News Service

Middletown Township officials were in Harrisburg Wednesday to accept an award for their sustainability planning efforts.

Middletown Township received the Governor’s Award for Local Government Excellence in Innovative Planning and Sound Land Use Practices at the State Museum of Pennsylvania.

Below is how the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development described Middletown Township’s efforts:

“In September 2021, Middletown Township became the first township in southeastern Pennsylvania and the first municipality in Bucks Count y to adopt a Climate Action Plan. The Climate Action Plan serves to coordinate the township’s sustainability efforts and recommends initiatives and strategies for communitywide greenhouse gas reduction. The plan was developed in partnership with the Board of Supervisors, the Township’s Environmental Advisory Council (EAC), and the Department of Environmental Protection’s Local Climate Action Program. As a result of the partnership, residents now know how to reduce the carbon footprint of their home or business and sustainability and energy efficiency top the list of conversations between the township, the community, and developers.”

“We’re proud to be a leader in sustainability, not only in our region but in our Commonwealth,” said Middletown Township Board of Supervisors Chairperson Mike Ksiazek. “We humbly accept this award for our efforts so far, though our work has just begun.”

“Local governments have an important role to play in an issue that many might see as transcending far beyond our bounds,” said Middletown Township Board of Supervisors Vice Chairperson Anna Payne. “Action on every level of government matters now more than ever.”

In addition to Middletown Township, a number of other municipalities and local government officials in the state were recognized at the event.

“It’s an honor to recognize all of these local officials, governments and organizations for their achievements over the past year,” said Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Acting Secretary Neil Weaver. “More than any other level of government, local government has the greatest impact on our day-to-day lives. The projects and individuals recognized today help continue to make Pennsylvania the best place in the world to live, work and play.”