Politics & Government
Committee Approves $75,000 Decrease on Towaco Fire Budget
A motion to increase the reduction to $85,000 was voted down.
The Montville Township Committee voted on Tuesday to reduce the budget of the Towaco Fire District by $75,000, down from $745,320 to $670,320. The district's budget, after being , was brought before the township committee for the first time since the district's inception in 1921.
The decision comes after the committee received a 30-day extension from the state to make a recommendation on the district's budget. Ultimately, the Committee voted to maintain its suggested cut of $75,000.
A measure proposed by committeeman Scott Gallopo to increase the cut to $85,000 was defeated, 3-2, with Gallopo and committeeman Don Kostka voting in favor of increasing the cut, and committeewoman Deborah Nelson, deputy mayor Tim Braden, and mayor James Sandham voting against.
"I thought $75,000 was a fair number," said Sandham.
Vice president of the Board of Fire Commissioners Rich Conklin spoke at the meeting, referring to what he described as underfunded line items in the fire district's budget, including for training and emergency equipment, and suggesting that the committee accept the commissioners' proposal that the budget be cut by approximately 6.5 percent, or by just under $50,000, instead of by the more than 10 percent represented by the $75,000 cut.
During the final public portion of the meeting, resident Dan Pagano spoke, raising the question of why there are three fire districts in Montville, and thanking the committee for its decision.
"I appreciate the fact that you guys stood firm," said Pagano.
Stan Mikulka also spoke and, referring to a plan to outsource snow plowing, suggested that doing so would be a mistake. Mikulka praised the township's roads division for the work it did last winter.
The mayor said that even during last winter some of the snow plows were outsourced.
"We're going to try to spend the taxpayers' money as wisely as possible," said Sandham.
Also discussed during the meeting was the 2011 Montville Township municipal budget. The committee is working to be able to introduce the budget at the next meeting on April 26 at 8 p.m., and aiming to adopt the budget in May.
"The budget will be introduced next meeting," said Mayor Sandham.
