By: Brian Shappell
Township residents in three fire districts will have a chance to vote on tax rates and several open Board of Commissioners positions in South Brunswick’s annual fire district elections Saturday.
In District 1 and District 3, representing Kendall Park and Kingston respectively, voters will have a chance to back budgets that include lower tax rates. District 2, representing Monmouth Junction, residents are being presented with a budget containing a stable tax rate.
Polls will be open form 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.
• In District 1, James Paulus of the Board of Commissioners, said the budget will be $661,084, with $527,584 to be raised through taxes.
That translates to a tax rate of 5.8 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, down 1 cent from last year. For the owner of a house assessed at the township average of $185,000, the fire tax would be $107.30.
Mr. Paulus said the district was able to cut the tax rate because it reduced operation costs and received an increase in ratables.
"While the budget went up, we also had an increase in assessed valuation of property, which meant a reduction in the rate," he said.
Running for the two openings on the Board of Commissioners are Richard Kish, a former member of the board and newcomer Kevin Clark. Incumbents John McManus and Earnest Cleworth are not seeking re-election. Voting will take place at the Kendall Park Volunteer Fire Company building on New Road.
In District 2, Doug Wolf, fire coordinator, said the proposed budget is $1,752,512, with $627,000 to be raised through taxes.
Approximately $975,000 to purchase a new aerial truck was approved in a December referendum.
"This has been anticipated for years," Mr. Wolf said of the truck’s purchase. "The money is already there."
The tax rate under the budget would be 3 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, which is unchanged from last year.
For the owner of a house valued at the township average of $185,000, the fire tax would be $55.50 .
Incumbent Charles Smith will seek a three-year opening on the Board of Commissioners. Newcomer Jim Shipmenn is seeking election to fill a one-year term that Tom Johnson, elected in 2000, will not be finishing.
Voting will take place at the Monmouth Junction Volunteer Fire Department building on Ridge Road.
In District 3, Brad Radimer of the Board of Commissioners said the budget will be $459,043, with $325,000 to be raised through taxes in South Brunswick and $12,133 to be raised through taxation in Franklin Township, which the district also serves.
The tax rate under the proposed budget is 4.5 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. The rate is down from 4.9 cents last year.
For the owner of a house assessed at the township average of $185,000, the fire tax would be $83.25
"We’re looking to actually reduce the rate because ratables are up a bit and we were able to keep costs stable," Mr. Radimer said.
Incumbents Charles Holmes and Norman Luck are seeking re-election to two, three-year positions on the Board of Commissioners.
Voting will take place at the Kingston Volunteer Fire Co. building on Heathcote Road.
