Tinton Falls fire district budgets pass
BY LINDA DeNICOLA
Staff Writer

TINTON FALLS - The voter turnout was low as usual, but commissioners were elected and the budgets for the borough's two fire districts were passed last week.

According to Councilman Brendan Tobin, who is a firefighter, just over 1 percent of Tinton Falls voters came out to vote.

In District 2, the northern half of the borough, which is served by the Tinton Falls Fire Company and Northside Engine Company, Joy Eastmead was re-elected and Ron Neis was voted in for uncontested seats with three-year terms as fire commissioners. Duane Morrill did not run for re-election since he is seeking a seat on borough council.

The budget passed by a vote of 29-17, with 45 voters going to the polls and two absentee ballots received. Voters approved the $799,000 tax levy in support of an $864,145 budget. The proposed levy is $130,000 over the current levy.

With the approval of the fire district tax rate, it will increase from about 11 cents per $100 of assessed value to about 14 cents per $100. The annual tax on an average home assessed at $146,894 would be $200, an increase of $38.42.

In District 1, the southern half of the Borough, which is served by the Wayside Fire Company and Pine Brook Fire Company, there were three contestants for two, three-year terms as fire commissioners.

Commissioner Gerry MacPherson was re-elected while newcomer Tom Wieczerzak was elected to his first term, beating incumbent Cary Costa by just five votes.

The budget for District 1 passed by an 83-29 margin. Voters approved the $828,991 tax levy in support of an $857,635 budget. The proposed levy is $96,000 over the current levy.

The fire district tax rate will increase from about 10.5 cents per $100 of assessed value to about 12 cents per $100. The annual tax on an average home assessed at $146,894 would be $171, an increase of about $15.

There were a total of 119 voters, 95 at the polls and 24 absentee ballots received.

Tobin said some people assert that the low voter turnout in most fire districts is due to the time of year that the election is held.

"Residents {he has} spoken to over many years have told me that they think it's perfectly fair to spend less than a dollar a day {based on the average home's tax rate} to have professionally trained firefighters, with the best equipment, and an extensive hydrant system ready to serve the borough, as we do with hundreds of calls a year for each of the four firehouses," he said.

"Many have told me that they have checked and found they receive a large discount on their homeowners insurance due to our excellent fire rating," said Tobin, a firefighter. "While that still doesn't excuse poor voter attendance, it does give a major pat on the back to the many excellent volunteers I have the pleasure of serving with every day."