EXCLUSIVE: Middletown Staffers Allege ‘Toxic’ Environment

Several current and former Middletown Township employees have come forward to allege that former Manager Eden Ratliff fostered a “toxic” work environment in the months before he was fired.

The time period was characterized by those within township government as one with harassment, intimidation, and a rapid deterioration of morale during Ratliff’s brief tenure, an investigation by LevittownNow.com has uncovered.

In response to the allegations, Ratliff said he faced “significant challenges” in the township and was “sorry” if his actions were “seen as too aggressive.”

Ratliff, who was hired in July 2025 to serve as township manager for the municipality of 46,000 residents, was placed on administrative leave in early April before being terminated by the Middletown Township Board of Supervisors one week later.

Interviews with more than a dozen current and former township employees, residents, and local government officials paint a picture of unprofessional and disrespectful conduct that left employees feeling nervous, fearful of retaliation, and alienated from jobs they once loved. All the current and former employees requested anonymity due to their current jobs and concerns about coming forward.

At the May 11 supervisors meeting, Jim Ennis, the township’s director of building and zoning, stepped to the microphone to speak on behalf of the workforce. A number of employees stood behind him in a show of solidarity.

“I am not going to get into details because there are people, a significant number that were very, very negatively affected during the brief time the previous manager held the position,” Ennis told the supervisors. “I am not going to have anyone relive those experiences. I can tell you that what has always been for me an amazing work culture filled with many dedicated people that take great pride in their role in this administration, many of which are actual residents of this township, was ruined.”

Ennis said he believed the workplace had reached “a point of no return,” alleging that staff members were targeted, unfairly treated, and harassed for no justifiable reason.

The building and planning official of several years in the township said the situation drove morale to an “abysmal point” and resulted in the departures of respected staff members.

According to Ennis, the turmoil stayed within the walls of the municipal building but would have soon boiled over to cause negative effects for the community had the supervisors not acted.

Employee morale bounced back quickly after Ratliff was removed, Ennis said.

Multiple current and former employees echoed Ennis’ statements.

A former employee, whose account was backed up by several colleagues, said Ratliff demonstrated a pattern of workplace intimidation, including against female staff members.

Current and former employees across several departments reported feeling that management was working to undermine some employees who were in a union and disparaged municipal staff.

“It really was like [Ratliff] wanted to pit people against one another,” one former employee said, adding that the manager frequently talked behind people’s backs.

Staffers described a workplace culture in Middletown Township that had long been a positive environment of people who believed in public service, teamwork, and kinship with coworkers.

“This was like a family, a work family. People were happy and proud to be in Middletown,” a former employee said. “But things started to change with the last manager.”

According to employees, there were off-color jokes, inappropriate comments regarding employees’ personal lives and physical appearances, and the implementation of ill-timed or incomplete policies and operational moves.

Current and former employees said the negative changes in the workplace caused them to dislike their jobs and begin searching for employment elsewhere.

Among the issues was the departure of staff members, including two well-respected employees from the parks and recreation department.

Employees alleged that Ratliff prioritized external hiring over internal promotions and succession plans that were discussed under past management, which created an uncomfortable and opaque culture.

Another staff member said that Ratliff disparaged not just employees but residents with inappropriate comments.

One employee said Ratliff had a big vision for the township and pushed to implement it without building respect among residents or staff. The employee remarked that while Ratliff had the makings of a good manager, his personal style led to some employees feeling disrespected.

“Look at the tax increase,” an employee said. “Residents weren’t happy about it.”

Internal complaints prompted the township supervisors to hire an independent investigation firm. Investigators conducted interviews with employees during the winter months, just weeks after the supervisors had publicly praised Ratliff at a January meeting.

One employee said it was uncomfortable because the investigation was happening as Ratliff milled about the township’s offices. He could figure out some of the staff members who were interviewed.

As workers shared their experiences with investigators, the supervisors moved to remove Ratliff from his post.

Due to Assistant Township Manager Nick Valla being out on parental leave at the time, the sudden vacancy forced the supervisors to take a more hands-on role in daily municipal management.

Multiple current and former employees commended the supervisors for taking action to terminate the manager.

No lawsuits have been filed in connection with Ratliff’s tenure, and there have been no allegations of criminal or financial wrongdoing.

One township official simply described Ratliff’s time as manager as “not the right fit.”

The township did not release a copy of the report that involved the concerns about Ratliff’s management style or its findings.

Records obtained by LevittownNow.com through a Right-to-Know request showed that Ratliff’s employment agreement provided a starting salary of $223,600 per year, alongside benefits, 20 days of vacation, a $600 monthly car allowance, and paid travel for professional organizations and events.

Due to a contractual requirement mandating a 60-day notice of termination, the township paid Ratliff through June 13, despite the fact that he performed no work for the municipality after he was removed from the job in April.

Ratliff, a Chester County native who holds two degrees from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and is a student at Johns Hopkins University, came to Middletown Township after serving as deputy city manager in Charlottesville, Virginia. He previously held municipal management roles in the Pennsylvania municipalities of Kennett Township, Greencastle Borough, and Ford City.

Local officials within Bucks County who interacted with Ratliff described him as a young administrator who appeared to have a bold vision for local government. Several noted they began hearing rumblings of workforce issues earlier this year and expressed disappointment over the claims.

The fallout impacted Ratliff’s outside projects. He previously co-hosted “Generation On The Rise,” a podcast billed as a platform for the next generation of local government leaders.

After Ennis’ public remarks, the podcast hosts announced on their Spotify page that they were ending the show.

“Employees do not come forward without great risk and cost,” the hosts wrote. “We understand it is the employees who create value in an organization and respect their efforts to be heard. While this is a difficult dilemma for us, the recovery of the organization is paramount and will be a much greater challenge.”

Responding to a detailed list of questions, Ratliff expressed disappointment that his tenure was cut short but stated he respected the supervisors’ decision that he was not a good fit. He noted that legal and ethical rules prevented him from discussing individual personnel matters.

“Culture and fit for any employee and their job is always a difficult formula,” Ratliff said in a statement. “I was faced with what I would describe as significant challenges and I attempted to react in ways that were appropriate and in keeping with the feedback I was receiving from human resources, attorneys, and elected officials. If my actions were seen as too aggressive, I am sorry. I believed I was faced with serious challenges that required me to move quickly and aggressively.”

The ousted manager said he “will look back on the friendships I made in my time with Middletown and my accomplishments, all be them brief.”

He added, “I wish them all the best of success and I have since moved on to new experiences and new situations.”

Ratliff, who operates a local government consulting firm, has been working as the interim borough manager for Wyomissing Borough in Berks County. That borough council voted to hire his consulting firm the day after Middletown Township voted to cut ties.

Stephanie Teoli Kuhls, who retired last year as township manager before Ratliff was hired, returned in April to serve in the role temporarily.

Valla, the assistant township manager, resigned earlier this month after his parental leave to accept a position as township manager for New Britain Township.

Valla stated he appreciated his time in Middletown Township and that his departure was unrelated to the allegations against Ratliff.

In a statement, Middletown Township’s interim manager and solicitor declined to address specific workplace complaints.

“Because this involves personnel matters, the Township cannot comment on specific allegations, employee concerns, personnel actions, investigations, or matters involving current or former employees,” the statement read. “As the Township moves forward with its search for a permanent Township Manager, it will evaluate candidates based on a range of qualifications, experience, and leadership qualities needed to effectively serve the community and support Township operations.”