By KATHY CHANG
Staff Writer
MILLTOWN — The “day of reckoning” has come for the Borough of Milltown.
After a lively discussion about whether or not to bond for the acquisition of a new, much-needed ladder fire truck, Mayor Eric Steeber explained the need for the Borough Council to come to a consensus to make crucial investments that will affect the approximately 7,000 or so residents of the borough.
“It’s hard to sit up here and say, ‘Folks, we need to spend your money,’” Steeber said at a council meeting on June 13. “But don’t forget it’s our money too.”
Two weeks ago, the fire department’s ladder truck, which had been in service for 27 years, was condemned, according to Councilman Jerry Guthlein.
Officials said the useful life of fire trucks is about 10 years. A borough ordinance states after 20 years in service, a fire truck should become a reserve piece and highly recommends replacement after 25 years max, according to Fire Chief Scott Janssens.
“It’s been a good truck,” he said noting that the truck responded to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. “It has responded to 5,000 fires in its lifetime … not all blazing infernos, but certainly there were some.”
Council President Ronald Dixon said they were told the truck was not repairable and were instructed by the New Jersey Utility Authorities Joint Insurance Fund that the truck would not be covered by insurance.
“We took it immediately off the road,” he said.
Dixon said they could rely on surrounding townships. However, he said that comes with delays and risk to the residents of Milltown.
Ultimately, the Council voted to approve the bond ordinance appropriating $720,000 and authorizing the issuance of $684,000 in bonds and notes to finance a portion of the costs for the acquisition of a new fire truck and canopy tent to temporarily shelter the truck.
Guthlein said a hybrid truck would cost $1.5 million.
“We are buying it off the shelf bare bones,” he said. “It is equipped with a 78-foot ladder and meets the requirements of the town … it is something we need.”
Along with the need of a ladder truck, there was discussion about the need for a pumper truck, which would need to be replaced in a year or two. Currently, the pumper truck has been in service for 23 years.
Guthlein said the new ladder truck also can carry 500 gallons of water and act as a first responding truck.
Councilman Nick Ligotti said he understood the need for the ladder truck, but asked if it would be fiscally more responsible to add a pumper truck to the purchase.
“Prices do not come down,” he said. “The sooner we can do something, in the long run it will cost less.”
Chief Janssens said there would be $17,000 in savings if the purchase included the ladder truck and pumper truck.
He said some $40,000 was spent to keep the pumper truck operational and safe in this year’s budget.
“It has become another habitual problem,” said Janssens, adding that the department’s budget and the taxpayers cannot afford it.
Councilman Randy Farkas, who was the lone “no” vote, said he understood the need for a new fire truck. However, he said the Council and the administration had to be cognizant of the taxpayers, who would foot the bill for it among other expenses, including the $14.3 million bond ordinance for the substation, eventually a new site for the firehouse and Department of Public Works and the painting of the water tower.
“We still have brown water in the town,” he said. “Where is the money coming from? We are holding the taxpayers hostage with all this stuff … we need priorities in the town.”
Farkas suggested leasing or lease-purchasing the fire truck to lessen the burden on the taxpayers.
However, Denise Biancamano, chief financial officer for the borough, said leasing the fire truck would not lessen the burden.
“It’s going to be the same split over 12 months,” she said.
In response to Farkas’ question, Steeber said the funds for the fire truck and other items are coming through taxation. He said the discussion about spending happens every year.
“Everyone in Milltown fights over each other and [we end up] not spending a nickel and it has been going on forever,” he said. “Government costs money, but we try to keep it as low and reasonable as possible.”
Steeber said it is only a matter of time that when not investing properly, things start to build up.
“Just like in your own home — a leaky roof, the car goes, the furnace — but you want to save money and not replace as it goes,” he said. “This happens in Milltown … unfortunately you have to be a man or a woman and you have to do the right thing and stand up and do what you need to do.”
Steeber said the borough has 20 miles of water lines that need to be worked on, and the water tower needs to be painted.
“That can [the painting of the water tower] has been kicked down the road for about seven years that I know of,” he said. “Why hasn’t it shown up in the past and been paid for? … I don’t know … Mayors can’t spend money, I can’t spend money.”
Steeber said all the borough’s assets need to be taken out of flood zones.
“We’ve been told by the county, we’ve been told by the state and we’ve been told by the federal government to get our assets out of harm’s way,” he said, noting that over the years they have started to do just that with the movement of the substation.
Steeber said they have to be honest with one another and ask if Milltown is worth the investment.
“We’re the eighth best place in New Jersey to raise a family,” he said. “We are the second most affordable place to raise a family. I think we are doing something pretty darn good here folks, I want people to understand that.”
Council members said they would continue to discuss the purchase for a new pumper truck. The fire department has two other pumper trucks, one is 17 years old and the other one is 13 years old.