HILLSBOROUGH: Fire budget approved overwhelmingly

Patullo defeats Uniszkiewicz for seat on fire commission board

   Voters overwhelmingly approved this year’s $2.1 million fire budget on Saturday.
   They also chose Nicholas Patullo over incumbent Robert Uniszkiewicz for one of the five posts on the Board of Fire Commissioners. Greg Kane was re-elected, too.
   Mr. Kane received 274 votes, Mr. Patullo 211 and Mr. Uniszkiewicz 148. The result means that three of the five commissioners are members of the Flagtown company, with one each from the companies located on Route 206 and Woods Road.
   By a margin of more than 7-1, the operating budget was approved, 302-42. The budget will take $1.65 million in taxes to fund the operating budget. That would be supplemented by $225,000 to be shifted from reserve funds, plus grants and contracts.
   The money would be spent on just over $1 million in district expenses, plus $69,500 to $75,000 allocated to each of the three fire companies in the township.
   A second question authorizing the spending of not more than $415,000 on a new emergency vehicle was approved, 288-56.
   Districtwide funds pay for fire operations, training, gear, equipment and rolling stock. The three fire companies raise money to run and keep up their buildings.
   The fire budget takes about 3 cents of the total property tax rate of $2.18 for each $100 of assessed value. That’s about $90 on a home assessed at $300,000, or $150 on a home assessed at $500,000.
   There was only the poll at the municipal building for the second straight year. About 1.5 percent of eligible voters cast ballots, about one-quarter early by mail.
   This year, funds will go to buy sheeting, shoring materials, rope and breathing and communication lines needed in a confined space or trench rescue.
   In the next five years, the schedule calls for the purchase of five new or replacement vehicles. The board puts aside money every year.
[gro: Incumbent Greg Kane and Nick Patullo each received more than 200 votes in Saturday’s fire elections to earn the township’s two commissioner spots.