Middletown officials introduce ordinance to increase open space tax rate Middletown officials introduce ordinance to increase open space tax rate MIDDLETOWN – The Township Committee has introduced an ordinance that will, if adopted, implement a voter-approved increase to the annual collection rate of the Middletown Open Space, Recreation, Floodplain Protection, Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Fund. The ordinance was introduced during the committee’s April 5 meeting and is scheduled for a public hearing and a possible vote for adoption during the committee’s April 19 meeting. Meetings of the governing body are being conducted in a virtual manner during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Instructions on how to view the meeting are posted on Middletown’s website.