Harrison Township voters will get to decide on a fire budget and elect a commissioner
By KRYSTAL NURSE
The Sun
Residents will vote on a new budget for the Harrison Township Fire District №1 on Saturday, Feb. 16, from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the municipal building.
Board of Fire Commissioners Chairman Ken Powell said the proposed budget has a flat tax rate of 7.7 cents per $100 of assessed value this year.
Based on the average assessed home value of $341,695 in Harrison Township, taxpayers will pay roughly $21.925 per month for the fire district.
The budget will pay for normal operating costs such as utility bills for both Harmony and Ewan fire companies, paid part-time staff, training, outfitting, insurance and physicals among other items.
Also included on this year’s ballot is a new 95-foot mid-mount aerial apparatus, which, if approved by residents, will be stationed at Harmony. Powell said while the district will have funds for the truck, they’re required, by state law, to ask permission from residents to acquire it.
The apparatus, Powell said, will allow for firefighters to reach homes that are on large lots and to maneuver around utilities.
“It’s not about going high, it’s about reaching,” said Powell. “Harrison is growing rather quickly, none of the houses are getting smaller and they’re on large lots. This is the main purpose for the apparatus.”
The apparatus will not raise taxes as the district will utilize a 15- to 20-year bond (length has not been determined yet). Previous apparatuses, Powell added, have been paid through bonds.
Powell said Glassboro has a similar 100-foot one with a bucket at the front.
Currently, Harmony’s only ladder truck, which was introduced in 2003, is a 75-foot quint. A quint is a ladder truck and an engine combined (ladder is on top of the truck) and it can perform two tasks at once and houses a pump, water tank, fire house, aerial device and ground ladders.
The proposed ladder apparatus will take around a year to make, but the district has to request the funds now, said Powell.
Powell said the district is still operating on one of the lowest tax rates in the county and will continue to do so with the new budget.
Running for re-election, unopposed, is current fire commissioner Larry Crane. He is seeking a three-year term.
