District consolidation remains hot topic in Hamilton
by James McEvoy, Managing Editor
HAMILTON — Residents served by the Rusling House Fire Company bracing for a 4-cent tax increase will now see a 1-cent decrease after the Township Council reduced the amount to be raised by taxation in the district’s nearly $4 million budget by $200,000.
The council approved the reduction Tuesday night after the budget was defeated by voters by a 9-8 margin in the Feb. 15 fire district elections.
The district maintains 17 full-time firefighters. In addition, the district shares its Chief Thomas Gribbin with Hamilton Fire District No. 4.
Council President David Kenny, Councilwoman Ileana Schirmer and Councilman Dennis Pone voted in favor of the reduction, while Councilman Ed Gore dissented. Councilman Kevin Meara was absent.
Specifically, the council reduced the amount to be raised by taxation by reallocating $200,000 from the district surplus, which was originally set at $860,000.
Council President David Kenny and Councilman Dennis Pone commended the district for setting aside funds, but suggested the amount was disproportionate to the overall budget.
”Generally I think it’s a solid budget,” Mr. Pone said. “My gut feeling is that your surplus is too high. We need to get some of that large cash surplus back to the taxpayers.
”Just for perspective for those who don’t know we have about a $98 million budget and our remaining surplus will be about a little over $1 million,” he added. “They have about a $4 million budget and their surplus is about $850,000. So your surplus is almost as big as the whole town’s. It doesn’t make sense.”
Prior to the vote, Rusling fire officials, as well as members of the public, spoke about the proposed budget, the services offered by the district and equipment and facility needs.
Of particular concern for fire officials were roof repairs and a $550,000 pumper truck, which was proposed in the budget. Fire officials said they hoped to use grant funds toward the pumper truck purchase.
”If we’re successful with the grant, we should be able to pay for that truck,” said Joe Zalescik, chairman of the District 3 Board of Fire Commissioners. “We don’t like to borrow too much money because our tax rate is the highest in Hamilton.
Mr. Zalescik, who also services as vice chairman of the Hamilton Township Fire Commissioners Association, told the council that the current truck was purchased in 1996.
Members of council suggested financing a truck or purchasing a refurbished one from another department or district.
In addition, the subject of consolidation came up multiple times, at one point prompting Gil Lugossy, who also serves as a District 3 fire commissioner, to acknowledge cooperative purchasing the district participates in with other districts.
Mr. Lugossy noted that more could be done and communication improved, but emphasized the talks for consolidation were for another day.
He further noted that few new ratables due to the area being built up is an additional fiscal challenge facing the district.
Fire officials further noted that there are a high volume of calls – especially for EMS services – as they serve an older population.
Councilman Gore explained his vote against the budget reduction was due to his ongoing concerns with what he referred to an antiquated fire service system in the township.
Consolidation talks were also prevalent at the Feb. 18 meeting, where some residents said they weren’t aware of the elections that took place Feb. 15.
At that meeting, resident Janice Glonek questioned the notification of the fire district elections during the meeting.
”We don’t get flyers,” said Ms. Glonek. “There’s no notification. We don’t get anything about the firehouse (elections).”
Ms. Glonek said further she often doesn’t know what she’s voting on.
”I don’t even have a clue whether they are changing an amendment, whether they are raising it, or voting against other people,” she said.
Township officials and members of the public, both Tuesday and at the last meeting questioned why fire budgets weren’t voted on in November.
Mr. Zalescik said he has been amendable to such a move, provided like school budgets, the public only votes on them when they exceed the 2 percent tax levy cap.
Amy Batista contributed to this story.

