JAMESBURG — Despite residents’ decision to vote down the fire district’s budget, the Borough Council approved it without changes at Wednesday’s meeting.
The approximately $414,000 budget was rejected by voters by a margin of 15 to 14 during the Feb. 21 election.
”Every year, the fire budget goes out, and only a minimum amount of people go,” said Mayor Anthony LaMantia. “I don’t know why there’s such a low voter turnout. We advertise. I just can’t understand it.”
This year’s budget did not include any tax increases, borough officials said.
Asking the volunteer department to make any additional cuts could endanger public safety, said Councilman Otto Kostbar at the meeting.
A handful of firemen attended the meeting, showing their support for the Borough Council.
”We think it is a lean and fair budget, and we appreciate what you’ve done,” said John Walker, deputy chief of the Jamesburg’s Fire Company as he addressed the council members during the public portion comment of the meeting.