MIDDLESEX TWP — The township supervisors approved next year’s tentative $1.73 million budget at their chilly Wednesday evening meeting, which was held in the unheated municipal building.

While the budget does not include a tax increase, it does include $25,000 for a heating, ventilation and cooling system to replace the existing 35-year-old unit in the building that has been broken for some time.

The budget, which is funded by an 11 mill property tax, has funds for four new employees, including a full-time police officer, a part-time building code enforcement officer, a part-time facilities worker to cut grass and maintain township property, and a part-time road crew worker.

This year’s budget is $1.46 million.

The budget is split into three funds: the general fund, which is funded by 9 mills; the debt service fund at 1.5 mills; and the fire tax fund at 1.5 mills.

One mill in the township now brings in $50,000. The tentative budget holds the line on taxes for the sixth consecutive year.

The public works department is the largest expense, at $673,000. That includes $297,000 for the township’s ongoing road improvement program.

Expenditures planned for 2011 also include:

• An automated public notification system to alert residents of a disaster, electrical outage or other situation

• Replacement of fluorescent lighting in the township offices with more economical and higher quality LED lighting

• Complete the installation of underground electric cable from the fire company generator to the municipal building

• Replace culverts on Davidson Drive and Steiner Bridge Road

• Allocate funds for a new police vehicle, if required

Township manager Scot Fodi said supervisors are expected to vote on the final budget on Dec. 15.