MIDDLE TOWNSHIP FIRE DISTRICT #2

September 18, 2025

Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairman Robert W. Zimmerman. Mr. Zimmerman stated that
notice had been given to the Herald Newspapers, the official paper and is posted on the bulletin board
of the Middle Township Municipal Hall as required by P.L. 1975, c231, the Sunshine Law.
Roll call was taken with commissioners Robert W. Zimmerman, Conrad J. Johnson, Jenifer D. Sill, James
G. Neill, and Jean M. Zimmerman present. Also present were Rio Grande Fire Chief Jim Belles, Rio
Grande Assistant Fire Chief John Kendrick, and Bob Sweeten. Fire Official Dan DeSimone, Richard
Braslow, Attorney and Leon Costello, Ford Scott CPA were absent.
COMMUNICATION: Jean Zimmerman reported that the commissioners were each given a copy of a
letter from Fire Official Dan DeSimone from the State of New Jersey Division of Fire Safety addressed to
him regarding the 2026 Anticipated Revenue figures which listed anticipated revenue numbers for his
LEA.
Bob Sweeten had a flyer from Eagle Energy LLC that he thought we might be interested in. It was seeking
landowners in the Atlantic City Electric service area to lease small portions of land for standalone energy
storage systems.
OLD BUSINESS: Robert Zimmerman reminded everyone about the Work Session on October 21, 2025 at
6pm. He also mentioned that Leon Costello, Accountant, would be attending.
NEW BUSINESS: Conrad Johnson said he had been having trouble getting emails and because of that, he
was fined $100 for not filing his Financial Disclosure back in April. He wondered if the commissioners
would reimburse him. Greg Neill said he should appeal it because of the email problem and maybe they
would waive the fine. Connie also stated that after last month’s meeting, Jean Zimmerman and he
figured out what the problem was and it has now been corrected. He received the minutes, for the first
time, of August’s meeting using the corrected email address.
Bob Sweeten, Fire Apparatus Coordinator, reported: Shop One Fire Apparatus has made several trips to
work on a fuel line problem with Brush 72 (5 ton) for a cost of $1,461.56; *worked with the Chief’s
Office to drop off and pick up saws and a portable generator from John’s Lawnmower Service in Green
Creek; *on September 2 nd , MISTRAS performed annual pump testing on quint, squad and tanker for a
cost of $1,005; *on September 16 th , Service Tire Truck Center changed the tires on quint 72 for a cost of
$5,419.24; replaced with the Goodyear tires approved last month; *alarm on squad a project for Barry
to replace sensor on def fuel tank; *minor issues with tanker he will work on next week.
Bob Sweeten said he had two (2) membership applications from New Jersey State Firemen’s Association
for Ethan W. Lex and Timothy M. Weidman who was a previous member and coming back. Motion

Jenifer Sill, second Greg Neill to accept the two (2) membership applications for Ethan W. Lex and
Timothy M. Weidman.
CHIEF’S REPORT: 334 fire calls; pump testing was done with all trucks passing; all testing has been done
for the year; *took the trucks through the Fire Convention Parade and then judging area and was
awarded four (4) state trophies and two (2) county trophies. State trophies were for: 1 st place best
appearing rescue pumper, 1 st place best appearing quint, 1 st place best appearing motorized antique
1950s Mack, 1 st place best comedy routine. County trophies were for: best CMC fire company apparatus
which was for the squad and best overall CMC fire company. *fire prevention material has been ordered
and most of it has come in. There was $3,500 budgeted and $3,108 was spent. *many false alarms at
Mavis Tires that was supposed to be taken care of today but haven’t heard anything yet.
Assistant Chief John Kendrick thought it would be beneficial to look into a grant for a ventilation system
for the trucks which once it starts up it sucks the exhaust out. He had an estimate of $100,000 but not a
definite. He talked with David Schwartz about the system. Robert Zimmerman asked if the grant was
through the fire district or fire company and John didn’t know. Robert said to go ahead and start looking
into it and if there was an application fee that we would pay it.
FIRE BUREAU: none at this time.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Robert W. Zimmerman read the bills, motion by resolution to pay the bills by
Conrad Johnson, second James G. Neill, of $18,595.30. Motion carried.
Jean Zimmerman, Secretary