By Andrew Martins, Managing Editor
Just over 400 voters took to the polls on Saturday to decide how three fire companies in Hillsborough Township would fund their operations for the rest of the year, ultimately giving the green light to a proposed $3.6 million spending plan., According to preliminary results provided by the board of fire commissioners, 326 people voted in favor of the budget, while 78 voted against it., This year’s budget marks a significant increase from the $2.8 million budget approved in 2016., The newly approved budget also includes a slight increase in the amount to be raised through property taxes, going from $2.35 million in 2016 to $2.44 million in 2017., Increases can be attributed to the inclusion of $195,000 in capital items, including gear for firefighters and air compressors for stations 36 and 37, that were approved last year by voters as separate items., The budget covers the cost of district-wide training, equipment and operations for all three of the township’s fire companies. It also includes a $59,000 contract with the Neshanic Fire Company, which also serves a portion the municipality., Along with the budget, voters were tasked with weighing in on other fire district related issues, including the selection of a new member of the board of fire commissioners., According to preliminary results, John M. Lazorchak was elected to a three-year term on the board after besting William J. Woodruff, III at the polls, with 218 and 170 votes, respectively., Residents also voted in favor of allowing the fire district to spend up to $1.25 million next year for a new ladder tower fire truck for Fire Station 37 with a vote of 299 to 101., Preliminary numbers also show that 330 voters approved the 2018 purchase of $75,000 of new turnout gear for the fire district, despite the fact that 70 voters opposed the plan. Such gear has a state-mandated 10 year lifespan., Voters also overwhelmingly approved an amendment to the fire district’s Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP) for the volunteer firefighters in an effort to authorize retroactive cost of living increases. That measure was approved by a vote of 316-85.
