Week of March 8
District responds to claims
To the editor:
The Commissioners of Fire District 1, Chesterfield and Hamilton Townships feel compelled to address several issues and allegations that have been circulated in the media.
Chesterfield’s two separate fire districts originated almost 100 years ago because access to city water and fire hydrants were restricted to the Village of Crosswicks. Chesterfield Township residents outside the village did not want to pay the water bill for hydrants, so two districts were created.
District 1’s tax rate has dropped significantly from $.221 per $100 of assessed value in 2006, to a new rate of approximately $.09 per $100 in 2007. This decrease is the result of recent reevaluation of existing properties and the addition of new homes to share the cost of township services. As more new homes are added to the tax rolls over the next years, the rate will drop even more. Our fire tax rate is attractive when compared to neighboring areas, like Bordentown Township’s fire tax rates of $.224 for District 1 and $.213 for District 2 and Florence Township’s rate of $.17.
Homeowner insurance rates are higher in rural areas not serviced by hydrants than they are in areas that do have hydrants. District 2’s homeowner’s insurance rates are not likely to improve because of any merger of the two districts.
Currently District 1 has 25 active volunteer firefighters, including about 10 new volunteers which joined in the last few years. Members have left for a variety of reasons. For example, some got married and could not afford to live in Chesterfield Township, some went to college (but still respond to calls when they’re home on break or during the summer), and some just lost interest.
Although there has been a recent unsubstantiated allegation that there are many issues plaguing District 1 which discourage new volunteers, we are not aware of them. District 1 does a lot for the community besides firefighting and our volunteers enthusiastically participate. Each December volunteers in District 1 are responsible for the decorating and lighting of the tree at the Community Center and bringing Santa to the tree lighting ceremony. On Christmas Eve the fire company brings Santa to visit the children in District 1. At the annual PTA carnival District 1 takes its turn at providing fire truck rides for the children. Splash Day at the Community Center is open to all. Every other year, the fire company goes to all the public and private schools in the township to provide fire prevention information. District 1 fire trucks and volunteers participate in and lead the Halloween parade in Crosswicks. Members of the community get together regularly for pancake breakfasts and spaghetti dinners put on by District 1 volunteers. Is it really possible for an organization that has existed since 1822 to be "plagued" with many issues and still provide all these services for the community?
Another unsubstantiated allegation claims that District 2 has tried to have dialogue with District 1 to consider unifying the two districts into one. In fact, the District 1 commissioners have not received any communication from District 2 regarding this subject. Several years ago, at the request of the township committee, the two districts met to discuss consolidation. The result of that meeting was that consolidation was not in the best interest of the township.
Fire Commissioner meetings are held on the third Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Crosswicks Fire House. They are open to the public, and everyone is welcome to ask questions or make suggestions.
Dana Boyadjian
Secretary,
Chesterfield Fire District 1
Schools need support at election time
To the editor:
More than ever, your yes votes for the school budgets this year at the elementary and high school levels is crucial to the future of our children’s educational and professional successes. Please stop being disengaged from this matter. You can no longer pretend that this is not as important as other issues in life or that the schools will "get by."
The existing budgets simply cannot support the increased populations and still maintain status quo, never mind keep pace with the speed of life outside of Columbus. Another defeat will result in further hardships on the students. I kid you not. I am informed. I know the consequences.
It is a sad irony that you live in a $700,000-plus home, drive a Mercedes, and yet your schools (and children) are suffering. Even though we just received a "token" increase from the state, it’s still up to us, one and all, to step up and shoulder the burden until the state gets back on it’s feet and stands at the plate to honor its obligations to us. Our priorities must go beyond making immediate ends meet to the future of the people who will inherit this Earth. Think forward.
These budgets must pass. I sincerely dread the alternative. Times are changing rapidly and you know it as well as I do. Help me help our children. Be someone’s hero. Vote on April 17 at the NBC Regional High School, 2-9 p.m. Thank you.
Regis Rose Scelza
Columbus
Young reader looks forward to library
To the editor:
Bordentown Township and Bordentown City have grown and realized that it needs a new library. The Burlington County Library people met with the county freeholders and told them there as a need for a larger library. The Bordentown Library Association board has been raising money for this for years. They hired an architect, he drew plans and construction began.
My grandmother, who is one of the members of the board game me a tour of the new library. I was able to see how much bigger it is (almost 10,000 square feet bigger). I could tell where the children’s room had been, where Mrs. Caldwell read us stories since I was three. That room is now a meeting room. The new children’s area features a beautiful sea mural and a corner for teens. There are so many computers it is amazing! The books are self check-out too. That ought to be fun! The upstairs has many rooms and the fireplace is beautiful. I’ll be able to curl up in one of the leather chairs and read my book. There are also many new faces helping Ms. Bociulis. There is going to be a big aquarium right when you walk in the door. Please hurry up and open library.
Suzy Mansour
Bordentown
Volunteers needed for response team
To the editor:
Residents, please ask yourself these few questions:
Do you want or like helping people? Or want to make a difference in someone’s life? Or considered being a little more involved with your community? Or want to experience interpersonal satisfaction?
If the answer to any one of those questions is yes, then you need to contact your local Police Department and sign up as a Domestic Violence Response Team (DVRT) volunteer now. You will receive free professional training. You will get to know and work closely with people who need guidance and interact with police officers from your local departments as well as other municipal police agencies in our surrounding areas.
Yes, we need your help. A little of your personal time will go a long way and make a difference in your life as well as others. Take the step and sign up now as a volunteer. Experience satisfaction, guaranteed.
Here is how to apply if you are interested:
Contact your local municipal police agency on how to apply as a volunteer for the DVRT.
Visit your local municipal Police Department and pick up your application for the DVRT.
Or simply contact your local municipal police liaison if known, or inquire directly: Bordentown City Police Patrolman Joe Bourn, 298-0103, ext. 29.
Matthew Simmons III
Bordentown City
Chief of Police
Reader cautions against
To the editor:
I just finished reading about the resignation of Mark Drew, the basketball coach at Bordentown Regional High School. If what I am hearing on the street is true, then I have just one comment. Put up a sign over the doorway to the gym. "All parents. Keep your babies at home."
Fred S. Tuccillo
Bordentown Township

