BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP: Fire District No. 2 introduces 2013 budget

By Amy Batista, Special Writer
   BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP — During the Board of Fire Commissioners’ meeting for District No. 2, members introduced the 2013 budget.
   According to auditor Jack Maley, the budget is being introduced at $1.5 million. A public hearing on the budget will be held on Jan. 3.
   ”It is down $3,100 from the year before,” Mr. Maley said.
   ”There are no tax increase in the budget proposed,” he noted.
   According to Commissioner Stephen Monson, chairman of the board, there are 12 career firefighters plus the chief. The station is staffed 24 hours a day. Firefighters work 24 hours and then have 48 hours off duty.
   ”Fire District 2 covers only Bordentown Township from Ward Ave., south to the southern end of the Township while the northern end of the Township is covered by Fire District (No.) 1, Mission,” Commissioner Monson said in an email on Dec. 9.
   A resolution was passed to appoint a new auditor from McEnerney, Brady & Company from Livingston.
   During Fire District No. 2 Chief William Hartman’s reports, the purchase of thermal imaging cameras was approved.
   Additionally, the fire at the Ramada was discussed which occurred on Thanksgiving. Firefighter Swanson spoke on behalf of Chief Hartman who was on scene that day since Chief Hartman was not there.
   ”The entire roof was covered in solar panels which hampered the efforts of the fire,” Mr. Swanson said.
   According to Commissioner Sal Schiano, there were more than 100 firefighters at the scene. Commissioner Schiano said the company would review its “Call Back” policy after this incident.
   Part-time bookkeeper for the board, Vicki Richmond, announced she would be resigning effective March 1, according to Commissioner Monson.
   ”She will continue on through the end of February,” Commissioner Monson said. “Sorry to lose you Vicki and I understand, from what you have told me, that you are very focused on your full-time job.”
   In other news, concerns were raised at the meeting regarding air quality and other conditions — including ownership — of the Bordentown Township firehouse.
   The board unanimously approved a contract for $2,046 for a microbial investigation by Consulting of Union, which will include five different sampling types.
   Commissioner Monson told the Register-News, “A reinspection was to have been scheduled in October, but due to the hurricane, the availability of the director of the Division of Fire Safety has been limited. We are attempting to reschedule his visit.”
   According to Commissioner Monson, “the big hurdle” is adding another stairwell, which is what the state fire marshal is requesting. That could cost the department $100,000 to install “on a building we don’t even own.”
   Derby Volunteer Fire Company owns the building.
   ”We are a tenant,” Commissioner Monson said of Fire District No. 2.
   ”This building has problems — electrical problems; we got this thing with the water with the roof,” Commissioner Monson said. “Is it really rehabitable? Maybe, maybe not. We don’t know, but we have heard that the township has been considering a public safety complex. Maybe we should be part of that. If that’s the case, then we may need to go for a referendum but it would be ducktailed with anything the township will be doing.”
   ”We are hanging our hats and hopes on something that we can’t even get a straight answer out of the Township Committee,” Chief Hartman said. “I know it’s costly but we are here. They provide a service. We can work together and come up with a concept because it just keeps getting put off and put off and putt off.”
   Tammori Petty, Department of Community Affairs spokeswoman, said on Tuesday, “(The Division of Fire Safety) is working with the Division of Codes and Standards (per enforcement of construction codes) to determine what options, if any, are available.”
   The district needs a building permit to re-convert the second floor to an attic,” Ms. Petty said, adding, “It requires demolition work.”