Middletown unveils new Web site MIDDLETOWN - The township has launched a new Web site at www.middletownnj.org with a host of new services offered online. The new site is designed to improve residential access to municipal services and enhance communication between residents and township government. New site features including receipt of emergency notifications via e-mail and cell phone, on-line submission of municipal service requests and tax payments, and access to township resolutions, ordinances and minutes. "Our goal is that Middletown's Web site becomes a one-stop shop for everyone's information needs," said Mayor Gerard Scharfenberger in a press release. "The new Web site will make it easier than ever for residents to keep up with what is going on with their government and to communicate with elected officials and township departments." Some features require residents to join the new Citizens Communications Center. For example, members can choose to receive local municipal service updates and community announcements by e-mail. Flooding and other emergency notices can also be sent to residents' home phones or by text message to a cell phone. Property owners can choose to make online tax payments through an automatic checking account debit (ACH) or by a credit card payment. No fees are charged for automatic checking account debits. Those making credit card payments will be redirected to a third party Web site to finish the payment process. An additional processing fee will be added to the bill by the third party Web site for credit card payments. Future Web site enhancements include access to personalized profiles of municipal service and property information including recycling, brush, leaf and garbage collection schedules, election and voter information, and nearby park locations. Enhancing communications between residents and their local government is among the goals and objectives set by Scharfenberger at the beginning of the year. As part of this effort, the township's newsletter has also been revamped in a new format and will be delivered to residents' homes six times a year. It was previously mailed quarterly.