$2.38 million fire budget approved by voters
A turnout of just more than one percent of the township’s voters Saturday approved the year’s $2.38 million budget for firefighting resources.
Bruce Vatter, whose two-year stint as chief of Company No. 2, based on Route 206, expired at the end of 2013, was elected a township fire commissioner. He’ll succeed 18-year fire commissioner Ronald Berju, who is stepping down.
Mr. Vatter received 175 votes to 118 for Peter Michael Carone, a firefighter with Company No. 1 in Flagtown.
Mr. Vatter will be sworn in at the March 11 commission meeting.
The budget, which carried, 251-47, includes a stipend of $3,000 per year for each of the five 2013 and 2014 fire commissioners in what previously was a volunteer job.
Fire coverage is provided by three independent companies — based in Flagtown, on Route 206 and on Woods Road — that own and maintain their own buildings. The fire commission contributes 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.
The budget would fund a brush truck for the Flagtown fire 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.
The budget will require $1.76 million in property tax dollars. The amount for each owner is shown on a separate line on their tax bill. The tax is a little more than three cents for each $100 of assessed value, or about $33 for each $100,000.
Mr. Vatter said he has been an active member for 15 years, making the top 10 responders’ list for 14 years.
He said he joined the fire company late, at age 45, but, once elected to the fire-fighting line of officers as a 3rd lieutenant, over 12 years he rose to chief.
Mr. Carone has been a mechanic with Somerset County government for about five years, but had his own business installing solar panels and general contracting for 25 years.
Mr. Vatter owns and operates an auto repair business. He also is paid to teach “catalogue and contract” fire training courses parttime at the Somerset County Emergency Services Training Academy.