Fire commissioners would be paid, for the first time, in the $2.38 million budget that goes to the voters on Saturday, Feb. 15.
By Gene Robbins, Managing Editor
Fire commissioners would be paid, for the first time, in the $2.38 million budget that goes to the voters on Saturday, Feb. 15. The only poll is in the municipal building at 379 South Branch Road, and it is open from 2 to 9 p.m.
Each of the five elected members would receive a stipend of $3,000 per year for both 2013 and 2014 in what was a volunteer job.
The budget would fund two vehicle purchases. One is a brush truck for the Flagtown company. The other is a “deuce” water rescue vehicle for the Woods Road station; its high clearance allows it to navigate roads in high water. It would the third such truck in the township.
The budget would require $1.76 million in property tax dollars. The amount for each owner is shown on a separate line on the township tax bill. The tax is a little more than three cents for each $100 of assessed value, or about $33 for each $100,000 of value. The budget is subject to the state-mandated 2 percent cap on the tax increase.
The budget includes $551,650 to pay salaries and benefits for four full-time and one part-time fire marshals, and an office administrator.
Fire coverage is provided by three independent companies — based in Flagtown, on Route 206 and on Woods Road — that pay to own and maintain their own buildings. But the fire commission would contribute $62,000, $48,000 and $42,000 to companies 1, 2, and 3, respectively, for training, equipment and supplies. The district also contracts for $70,600 with Neshanic Fire Company to cover part of the western area of the township.
Maintenance of vehicles and equipment is budgeted at $135,000, and there are amounts for insurance ($310,000), apparatus and equipment housing ($184,000), district special equipment purchase ($163,000) and gasoline and diesel ($48,000).
The budget continues with $141,000 for the Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP), annuity-like awards to qualifying volunteer firefighters. They receive $1,200 a year in a retirement account if they meet turnout, meeting and drill attendance requirements. The program covers 76 in Hillsborough and 16 in Neshanic.

