MILLSTONE: Voters to decide on fire budget

   MILLSTONE — Voters will go to the polls Saturday to elect fire commissioners and pass on the township fire district’s budget.
   The polls are open from 2 to 9 p.m. at the Millstone Township Fire Department’s firehouse at 461 Stagecoach Road in the Clarksburg section of the township.
   Dave Markunas is seeking a third term on the board of commissioners. Russell Taylor is running to fill the one-year remainder of the term vacated by Jeff VanArsdale last year. Mr. Taylor was appointed to the board after Mr. VanArsdale’s resignation.
   The fire district’s budget is set at $1,753,510, with $1,642,610 to be raised by taxes if approved by the voters. The total amount is a decrease of $6,040 from the 2012 budget. If approved, the budget would mean an increase in the fire tax rate of $0.008 per $100 of assessed property value, or $36.02 per year for an average Millstone property taxpauyer, according to a budget summary prepared by the fire district.
   According to the summary, the rate increase is due to the loss of $210 million in property tax valuation in the township, as well as the fire district using 2012 budget surplus of $30,000 in the 2013 budget. A year ago, the district was able to apply $125,000 in budget surplus, according to the summary.
   To view the budget visit www.mtbfc.com or www.millstonefire.com.