Council votes on squad ordinance

Staff Writer

By takesha pettus

SOUTH RIVER — The wrangling between the South River Rescue Squad and borough officials may finally be nearing an end.

Officials voted unanimously at their meeting Thursday to prepare an ordinance that would establish operating criteria for the rescue squad after it officially becomes a department of the town.

Seven weeks of controversy began wrapping up last month in a special meeting after the squad finally approved an agreement with the borough to become a department. The borough and squad had delayed finalizing the agreement because the squad wanted several changes made. Among them was the inclusion of a clause allowing for a 99-year nonrenewable lease for the squad building on Thomas Street. But the borough would not change the agreement and the squad would not bend on its proposal.

After weeks of negotiations, the two parties finally agreed on the proposal and the agreement was signed during a special meeting Aug. 16.

Initially the squad came before the council eight months ago requesting to become a borough department. According to squad officials, the squad could no longer sustain itself due to rising insurance costs and overdue maintenance of the building.

The volunteer-based squad is supported by donations received from the borough and its residents. The borough normally gives the squad a $10,000 donation each year.

Under the agreement, the squad would receive $25,000 from the borough. In addition, the borough would now handle insurance of the squad vehicles and maintenance of the squad building. The building will be leased back to the squad for a cost of $1. The lease will be automatically renewed each year unless the agreement is severed by both parties. Although the squad will be under the advisement of the public safety department, the squad’s captain will be considered the department head for the squad.

The final ordinance for the departmentalization may be introduced at the council’s next meeting which is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 20.