MILLSTONE: Tax rate to stay stable in fire budget

By Mae Rhine, The Packet Group
   MILLSTONE — Voters in the township will go to the polls Saturday to vote on the proposed fire budget and to elect fire commissioners.
   The $1.7 million total budget has a $1.5 million tax levy that, if approved, would mean no increase in fire taxes.
   The 2012 proposed budget calls for a tax rate of 8.5 cents per $100 in assessed value, down slightly from the current tax rate of 8.6 cents per $100 in assessed value.
   ”The Board of Fire Commissioners is pleased to be presenting a budget that has no increase in the tax rate,” said David Markunas, chairman of the board.
   He said the district has a history of defeated budgets.
   ”Over the last few years, the commissioners have worked very hard to inform the residents of Millstone Township about the services the Fire Department provides and the cost of providing these services 24 hours a day,” he said. “The Fire Department’s call volume has also increased from year to year — 2011 calls were up over 7 percent from 2010 — which puts a greater demand on our resources. By providing this information in an open and transparent fashion, the district was able to secure voter approval of the last two budgets.
   He added, “These budget approvals have helped the district stabilize its finances, allowing us to present a new budget with no tax rate increase and ensure that our firefighters continue to provide emergency response services in a safe and efficient manner.”
   According to the budget published online, salaries and wages as well as fringe benefits and other expenses for administration would total $99,750, up from $94,550 last year.
   Salaries and wages for operations and maintenance as well as fringe benefits and other expenses would total $1,368,900, up from $1,361,200 last year.
   Other salaries and wages as well as fringe benefits and other expenses would be $35,000, up from $30,000 last year.
   Breaking down some of those salaries, the budget lists $4,800 for a recording secretary and $20,000 for the five commissioners — $4,000 each. It also lists $148,000 for two lieutenants, $74,000 each; $402,000 for six firefighters, $67,000 each; $40,000 for overtime; and $61,000 for per diem firefighters. It also lists $27,000 for fire prevention wages.
   It lists a total of $339,200 for health insurance and other fringe benefits, including $113,200 for pension contributions.
   Among other expenses are $1,200 for the election; $71,000 for professional fees; $1,250 for advertising; $10,600 for travel; $74,500 for insurance; $52,400 for maintenance and repairs of the building and equipment; $6,500 for radio and communications; $46,800 for protective equipment; and $5,000 for fire prevention expenses.
   Another $146,100 in other expenses is broken down to $10,000 for office costs; $41,000 for the fire protection agreement; $13,300 for training and education; $13,300 for physicals and medical costs; $7,500 for firefighter recognition awards; $3,000 for EMS supplies, $9,000 for station supplies; $27,000 for fuel; and $22,000 for utilities. There also is $6,300 budgeted for firefighting equipment and $2,000 for tools.
   The Length of Service Award Program would total the same — $25,000.
   In capital appropriations, there would be $30,000 set aside for SCBA bottles, $45,000 for a new digital radio system; $45,000 for building improvements; $20,000 for thermal imaging cameras; and $10,000 for other firefighting equipment.
   There would be $80,900 set aside for debt service, up slightly from $78,620 last year.
   Running unopposed for three-year terms this year are incumbents Larry Cier and Ron Gesualdo. The other commissioners, besides Mr. Markunas, are Jeff Van Arsdale and Tom Banyacski.
   Polls will be open from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Clarksburg firehouse, 461 Stage Coach Road in Millstone.