Public hearing on the proposed ordinance for a new District-2 fire station will be held Feb. 6.
By: Audrey Levine
The Monroe Township Council unanimously introduced an ordinance Wednesday that would allow a new District 2 fire station to be built on a 1-acre parcel donated to the township by Edgewood Properties.
A second reading and public hearing on the proposed ordinance will be held Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m. in the Municipal Building.
A $3,862,090 referendum for the new station would go to District 2 voters at the Feb. 18 fire elections, said Fire Commissioner Glenn Borsuk. He said the company is planning to begin construction on the new fire station in September.
"We are not sure of the estimated time frame for construction though," he said.
Construction schedules and building plans were expected to be discussed by the fire commissioners Thursday, after The Cranbury Press’ midafternoon deadline.
The station would be built on the corner of Applegarth and Half Acre roads.
The property was donated to the township by Edgewood Properties, which previously purchased the stretch of land for commercial construction.
In November 2005, Edgewood Properties subdivided the land and chose to donate 1 acre to the township for the construction of the station, Mr. Borsuk said.
He said the new station, which would be in addition to one already in use in the southern part of the district, would have three engine bays for fire apparatus as well as an ambulance station and would be staffed by career personnel.
In addition, Mr. Borsuk said the new station would have office and storage spaces, aspects lacking in the older building.
Its location near more populated areas of District 2 would help the department be more accessible, Mr. Borsuk said.
"We will better cover the population and have better response time (at the new station)," he said.