South Brunswick Fire Department To Hold Special Election For New Fire Truck

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — The Board of Fire Commissioners of South Brunswick Township Fire District #2 will be holding a special election on Tuesday, Dec. 12.

The election is being held to ask registered voters of the fire district to approve the purchase of a new fire engine to replace a truck that is over 30 years old.

The Commissioners will be asking residents for authorization to purchase the replacement fire truck for an amount not exceeding $1,400,000, and undertake lease-purchase financing or the issuance of notes and/or bonds relative to the purchase.

The election will be held from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Monmouth Junction Fire Station, at 573 Ridge Road in Monmouth Junction. Mail-in ballots will be sent out to those registered voters who have previously requested them from the Middlesex County Board of Elections.

South Brunswick Township Fire District #2, which is protected by the Monmouth Junction Volunteer Fire Department, covers the Monmouth Junction, Dayton, and Deans sections of the township.

A committee of six firefighters from the Fire Department has worked to develop specifications for the new truck. The committee recommends the purchase of a new fire engine custom-built by Pierce Manufacturing in Appleton, Wisconsin.

The Fire Department has a long and successful history with Pierce fire apparatus, operating four trucks over the years, including two fire engines currently in service in the township.

Since the pandemic, due to factory shutdowns and continued supply chain issues, the manufacture of new fire apparatus continues to experience delays and significant pricing increases.

Delivery of new fire trucks is nearly 48 months from the date of order.

The new truck will replace an aging fire engine built in 1991 currently in operation by the Fire Department.

“Our 1991 fire engine has served us reliably for over 30 years,” Monmouth Junction Fire Chief Scott Smith said. “Unfortunately, fire apparatus manufacturers continue to report long wait times for new trucks. If we receive all of the necessary approvals, our current engine will be over 35 years old when the new truck is delivered. While we take a great deal of pride in keeping our equipment in top condition, it is time to replace the truck to ensure the continued safe and reliable delivery of emergency services to the public.”

If the expenditure is approved by the voters of Fire District #2, the Board of Fire Commissioners will then begin a competitive bid process for the financing to ensure the most cost-effective purchase possible.

Once the funding option (lease-purchase, notes and/or bonds) is determined, the Commissioners will seek the required approval from the New Jersey State Local Finance Board.

If approval is granted, the Commissioners can then enter into an agreement to purchase the new truck.

As part of the Fire District’s long-range capital planning process, and given the long lead delivery times, the Board of Fire Commissioners has determined that it is necessary to replace the truck and to get it on order as soon as possible.

The Board may also utilize up to $200,000 of existing capital reserve funds to reduce the amount of required financing costs.

TAs the cost of fire apparatus are expected to rise, and delivery times continue to grow, the Commissioners encourage registered voters to vote in favor of the expenditure for the new truck.

“The continued support of the voters and residents of Fire District #2, along with our volunteer firefighters, has allowed the district to maintain a fire tax rate that is amongst the lowest in both Middlesex County and the entire State of New Jersey” District Treasurer Thomas Young, Jr. said. “And for that, we are most grateful to our residents and volunteers”, he added.

Residents with questions regarding the special election are encouraged to visit the fire district’s website at www.sbfd2.com or call 732-329-0250 for additional information.

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