Helmetta will ask voters in a nonbinding referendum whether they want to use borough funds to purchase a new fire truck, which local firefighters have requested for more than a decade.
At a special meeting earlier this month, Borough Council members unanimously voted to place the purchase of a $985,000 ladder truck on the ballot. Councilman Joe Perez was absent for the vote.
Deputy Fire Chief Greg Bennett said he has often raised concerns about the Helme Mill redevelopment, stating the fire department currently does not have a ladder that can reach the top of the old mill buildings once they are redeveloped.
“We notified the council in writing in 2006 that we needed an aerial,” Bennett, former fire chief and police director, said, referring to a fire truck with a ladder component attached.
“The fire department currently only has ground ladders, so anything above the second floor we can’t reach.”
However, Mayor Nancy Martin said Bennett is “trying to stir fear in the citizens” and cited fire safety measures included in the mill by the developer.
“I do not believe a new fire truck is needed as a result of the mill development project,” Martin said.
“The borough has and continues to be a part of mutual aid, and run cards are prepared every other year with respect to the needs of the municipalities. Mutual aid has always and continues to work for all towns in Middlesex County.”
In a letter dated Aug. 14, Bret Kaplan, general counsel for the developer Kaplan Companies, wrote Martin enumerating what he called “fire-resistant construction and protection strategies,” including fire-resistant walls, provisions to limit drafts that would spread fires and a sensor-monitored sprinkler system.
“In sum, as designed, the buildings are inherently safer than the previous factory use,” the letter reads. “The development is fully code-compliant, and the construction techniques utilized will provide a safe environment for all residents.”
But Bennett maintains those measures alone are not sufficient in the event a fire traps residents on the upper floors. He added the local fire department needs the new fire truck because the nearest department with access to an aerial is located in East Brunswick. According to Bennett, this is problematic not just for the Lofts at Helmetta, but also for local communities such as the Heather Glen condos.
Bennett fears the “lag time” it would take for East Brunswick’s aerial to respond would be too great in an emergency.
“If somebody is trapped above the second floor, we can’t help them,” he said.
In a letter sent to the Borough Council in January, Bennett explained that a 100-foot ladder truck would give the department access to every building in town, while a 75-foot ladder would cover up to the fifth floor of the mill buildings. In that letter, Bennett requested a capital budget of $500,000 to purchase a used truck, as well as replacements for outdated equipment.
The fire department saw its first sizable budget increase this year, boosting its funding by more than $6,000 to an annual total of $31,000.
According to Fire Chief John Dunay, the increase is helpful for maintaining and updating some of the equipment, such as air tanks used during rescues, but purchasing an aerial would require additional municipal funds.
If it wasn’t for the generosity of neighboring departments, he said, resources would be even scarcer.
In the past, the fire department has been the recipient of trucks donated by neighboring companies, including East Brunswick, South Brunswick and Old Bridge, Dunay said.
“We’re fortunate for [the other departments]. We look out for each other. It really is like a brotherhood.”
The borough’s decision to put the purchase of a fire truck to a referendum is rubbing local volunteers the wrong way. Some view the decision as a political maneuver to put off making a decision until after the election in November.
Martin is seeking reelection and facing a challenge from Council President Chris Slavicek.
Two council seats are also up for grabs, with Councilman Vincent Asciolla and Councilman Pete Karczewski seeking to retain their seats against challengers as well.
Duane Hoven, president of the Helmetta Fire Department, said in an interview he believes the referendum was forced on the department, singling out Martin, who requested the council consider a ballot referendum, in particular.
“I think this referendum is just a way to buy time through the election so she can look like she is pro-public safety,” Hoven said.
He added local elected officials could use the vote as an excuse to avoid making the decision to expend the funds.
But Martin disagreed, stating that since residents would be paying for the truck they should be given the opportunity to vote on it.
“They are the taxpayers,” Martin said in an interview. “The council was given the opportunity to vote on [purchasing a new firetruck], but they went with the referendum.
“I don’t understand why it’s an issue to put it out for referendum, unless they think people will vote no. The fair way is to put it on the ballot.”
According to the fire officials, the department has entered two separate rounds of discussions with truck manufacturer Pierce, negotiating $75,000 in concessions, but always having to back out at the eleventh hour.
“We’ve been doing smoke and mirrors here for far too long. Every time we want one dollar, it’s a fight,” Bennett said.
Still, the fire department is optimistic for the future of relations with the local government.
The recent budget increase and visits to the firehouse by members of the public safety and finance committees, who did not immediately respond to requests for comment, are encouraging signs, the volunteers said.
“Now things are changing. They’re listening, and there’s a difference between hearing and listening,” Bennett said.
“The line of communication is open now,” Dunay added.
Voters will have the opportunity to weigh in on the ballot question regarding the purchase of a new fire truck on the day of the general election, Nov. 3.