Volunteer Fire Stipend Program Plan In Mahwah Comes Under Scrutiny

MAHWAH, NJ — An ordinance to authorize a volunteer firefighter stipend program in Mahwah has come under scrutiny for containing text relating to operational matters that purportedly "does not belong there," township Business Administrator Business Administrator Benjamin Kezmarsky said, referring to a letter written by the fire department's battalion chiefs.

In the letter, which was sent to the township council, the battalion chiefs said they would like to meet with the department chiefs to review and perhaps modify the program plan as needed, according to the council, which already allocated budgetary funds for the program. The fire chiefs helped put together the program plan.

"Having the fire department provide feedback is what will guide us here," Councilman Jonathan Wong said at Thursday's meeting.

Despite some dispute, a motion to introduce the ordinance was approved by the council, and a public hearing on the matter will be held at the Sept. 8 meeting.

"Some people do not seem too happy about this, and I am not sure that we should be rushing into it," said Councilwoman Janet Ariemma, the one member who voted against the motion.

Other council members maintained that the ordinance needed to be introduced now, as stipend payments are appropriated quarterly, and further discussion and changes can be made later.

Something needs to be done prior to the fourth quarter, Councilman Robert Ferguson said, adding that this version of the ordinance is only a "first draft."

"It is a matter of getting something stood up," Kezmarsky said, alluding to the approaching end of the fiscal third quarter. "This has been budgeted for, and I would hate to see it fall by the wayside."

Also, if this is adopted, additional changes can be made in the future, Ferguson said, yet the important thing, in the interest of timing, is that something is introduced now.

"I would ask that all concerns and questions provided in the letter be addressed by the fire department leadership prior to our next council meeting," Wong said.