By Birgitta Wolfe, Managing editor
Area voters, though few in number, went to the polls Saturday and approved fire district budgets. In Bordentown Township’s Fire District 2 (Derby Fire Company), voters approved the budget that calls for a tax rate of 13.6 cents, up from 13 cents. The vote was 60 to 19, For the owner of a house assessed at $300,000, that means a fire tax bill of $408.
Of the $1,55,312 total budget, $1,401,065 will be raised by taxation. The bulk of that, $1.32 million goes toward salaries and benefits, Mr. Stephen Monson, Fire Commission secretary said.
Of the two newcomers are running for the one three-year open seat on the Fire Commission, James H. Kostoplis won with 60 votes over Naga R. (Raji) Addepalli, who received 9 votes. Incumbent Joseph Fresco decided not to seek re-election.
Voters at Bordentown Township Fire District 1 at the Mission Fire Company, 51 Groveville Road, approved its budget of which $612,482 is to be raised by taxation by a vote to 60 to 5.
The budget, which is within the 2 percent cap, calls for a tax rate increase of half a cent, from 12.9 cents to 13.4 cents. This means the owner of a house assessed at $300,000 would pay an additional $15 this year.
The total budget of $686,831 increased by $30,142 over last year due mainly to hikes in utilities, maintenance and repairs, according to the fire company.
Incumbent Sal Guido, running unopposed for the one open three-year seat on the Fire Commission, received 62 votes..
In Chesterfield Township Fire District 1 voters at the Union Fire Company No. 1 on New Street in Crosswicks approved a tax levy of $474,380 out the total $646,299 budget by 38 to 8 votes.
The tax rate increases from 9.6 cents to 9.9 cents per 100 of assessed value. The .03 cent tax rate hike means the owner of a house assessed at $400,000 will pay an additional $12 this year.
Running unopposed for two open three-year seats on the Fire Commissioners Joseph Dubell received 42 votes and Stanley Lewis had 40. .
In the Florence Township Fire District 1 voters at 401 Firehouse Lane approved a tax levy of $1,270,020 by a vote of 104 to 26. This is a decrease of $11,818 from 2011 and calls for a tax rate decrease from 10.4 cents to 10.3 cents and means a fire tax bill of $309 for the owner of a house assessed at $300,000. The budget totals $2,071,981.
This year’s increase in the budget is for matching funds for a FEMA grant to replace breathing apparatus. If the district is not awarded the grant, the matching funds will not be spent. Most of the matching funds would come from the unreserved fund balance.
The Florence District voters also, in a 109 to 20 vote, approved a ballot question asking permission to spend up to $135,000, with self-financing up to $75,000, for an ambulance in 2013 or later. It also wants permission to send up to $350,000, with up to $325,000 in self-financing, for 38 self-contained breathing apparatus (air packs and their cylinders).
Under the Public Employee Occupational Health and Safety Administration rules, the district is required to replace the air pack cylinder, said Kevin Mullen, battalion chief.
Scott Arnold received 96 votes and William Rzomp received 103 votes for the Florence Fire Commission. The two newcomers ran unopposed for three-year seats.

