There might not be any drama or a big push to move this election like the school district, but the Evesham Fire-Rescue district will still be presenting its budget for voter approval to the township on Saturday, Feb. 18.
The fire district announced that it will again present the 2012 budget to its voters at a zero percent tax increase, the second year in a row, for Evesham Township voters. The polls will be open from 2 to 9 p.m. and the polling locations will be at all three fire stations in the district. Please visit the district’s website at www.eveshamfire.org. to see which station you must vote in.
The budget, according to the district’s business manager Paul Thomas, will be about $8.6 million for 2012. The tax rate will remain flat at the 2011 rate and will raise about $6.89 million in taxes for the district.
As well as the budget, two fire commissioners will see their seats expire this year. Thomas Conkey, the board’s vice president, and commissioner Mark Scian will both see their seats end. Both have filed to run for reelection and are unopposed in the election. Both seats are for three years and will expire in 2015.
In a written piece about the budget, which can be found on the district’s website, Fire Chief Ted Lowden said the annual budget is what supports the district and enables the firefighters and emergency service workers to serve the residents of Evesham Township.
“We understand the burden of taxation, as we are Evesham Township residents as well. Rest assured that the fire district endeavors to act in the most fiscally responsible manner with your tax dollars. We are doing everything possible to maintain a stable tax rate while also complying with the state and federal regulations,” he wrote.
According to the district, Evesham Fire-Rescue is a combination career and volunteer agency that delivers emergency services to the 50,000 residents of Evesham Township.
In 2011, Evesham Fire-Rescue responded to more than 5,400 calls for fire, rescue, ambulance service and its volunteer staff contributed more than 20,000 hours, according to district representatives.
Polls are located at the Main Street Station, 26 E. Main Street, the Kings Grant Station, 150 Merchants Way, and the Kettle Run Station, 498 Hopewell Road, all located in Evesham.
