There is a large anti war movement in Monmouth County (where Middletown is located).
It is just my speculation; but I think that was a contributing factor in closing the Fort Monmouth base.
That was a bummer to me. When I was in the Army Security Agency back in '69, my best buddy was from Asbury Park/Deal, N.J.. He used to drive a few of us down from Fort Devens on weekends to play the horses down there in Jersey. Great times.