Middletown Township recently celebrated the retirement of John Balent and Lisa Berkis, and also welcomed several new faces.
Balent began working for the township in 1985 and has held many roles in various departments over the years. He transitioned to his current role as a foreman in the Public Works Department when the Park Maintenance crew was consolidated with Public Works in 2018. Balent’s 37-year career has solidified his role as the “township encyclopedia” – his extensive knowledge will leave a void.
Berkis, special projects manager, began working for the township in the early 1990s. Over the years, she rose through the ranks serving in various administrative roles in multiple departments before becoming the special projects manager, working directly under the township manager. Berkis has been instrumental in many critical projects during her tenure.
Jim Ennis joins the township as the director of Building and Zoning. He has extensive experience in zoning and planning, as well as working in other municipalities. Ennis received his bachelor of science in geography from Kutztown University and holds a master’s degree in community and regional planning from Temple University. He has a background in GIS and cartography, which is where his passion for this field began. In his spare time, you’ll find Ennis spending time with his wife, two daughters and two dogs.
Christina Bernhardt began working with the township in May 2021 as a management intern and was recently brought on as the special projects manager. She received her bachelor of science in business management and minor in strategic communications from West Chester University in 2020. She continued her education at Villanova University, where she will graduate with her master of public administration in May 2022.
The Middletown Township Police Department welcomed two new officers, Drew Amoroso and Nick Platenecky.
Amoroso comes from a long, proud line of police officers. His father Andy is a detective with the Middletown Township Police Department. His grandfather Andrew served for 22 years with the Bristol Township Police Department and one year with Lower Makefield.
Platenecky joins the department after having previously served as an officer for Septa Transit Police Department in Philadelphia and as a ranger for the U.S. National Park Service.
