MIDDLE TOWNSHIP FIRE DISTRICT #2

February 19, 2026

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 Assistant
Fire Chief John Kendrick, Rio Grande Fire Company President Larry Forsyth, Bob Sweeten and
Bill Frank. Richard Braslow, Attorney and Leon Costello, Ford Scott CPA were absent.
COMMUNICATION: Jean Zimmerman thanked Bob Sweeten for taking the minutes for her last
month while she was hospitalized.
There were two emails received regarding the new laws with advertising legal notices.
Beginning March 1 st , 2026, all legal notices for Fire District #2 will be advertised on our website
and for the rest of the year, a notice has to be advertised twice a month stating where to find
our legal notices. We will advertise the 1 st and 3 rd weeks starting with March 4 th , 2026 and
running through December 16 th , 2026 in the Herald newspapers.
OLD BUSINESS: Jean Zimmerman said that Kathy Belles and Alyssa Altman will sit at the fire
election polls on Saturday, February 21, 2026 from 2-9pm at a cost of $300 each.
Greg Neill reported that the grant was turned down for unknown reasons. There was supposed
to be a meeting to discuss why the grant was turned down but the meeting could not be held
due to the spokesman being involved with the government shutdown.
NEW BUSINESS: Jean Zimmerman reminded the commissioners that next month’s meeting is
the Re-Organization meeting held at 6:45pm.
Jean Zimmerman asked about the status of the shredder. She will have approximately 500
pages to be shredded in about a month and wondered if the shredder would be working by
then. Robert Zimmerman asked Larry Forsyth if he could look at it. Robert has tried to fix it but
nothing he has tried seems to be the answer.
Greg Neill questioned the copier contract and wondered if we can get out of it due to the
situation with the Fire Bureau. It was discussed that we should have a copier but not one that
size. Robert Zimmerman will call the company and possibly talk with Mr. Braslow.

Bob Sweeten, Fire Apparatus Coordinator, reported: Barry from Fire and Safety completed the
services on the Quint, Tanker and Squad. We have a list of issues and repairs to make;
*February 6 th – battery in 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe (Fire Bureau) was changed. Vehicle still had
problems starting; used a meter to check both batteries and both seemed to have enough
voltage. Took the vehicle to Mr. Tire on February 8 th . Mr. Tire checked the 2017 Tahoe for
starter or ignition system problems. They found the other battery needed to be replaced which
they did for $275; *John Miller from Shoppe One looked at the High Water (5 Ton) to see what
parts were needed for the engine service and fuel system repair. He should start with the fuel
system repair tomorrow or over the weekend; *new warning lights and siren were installed on
the High Water by one of our members and another person.
Bob Sweeten reported on the LOSAP. There are 22 qualified firefighters. Last year we paid
$1,871.09/firefighter. This year, with a CPI increase at 3.1% of $58, the cost per firefighter will
be $1,929.09. At 22 qualified firefighters, the total cost will be $42,439.98. Because of some
trouble in the Lincoln office, Bob said he should be ready by next month with his bill.
Robert Zimmerman gave a copy of the Agreement between the Rio Grande Fire Company and
Fire District #2 to new Rio Grande Fire Company President Larry Forsyth for him to look at and
be aware of.
CHIEF’S REPORT: 59 fire calls; six (6) portable radio chargers and mics came in with Chief Belles
installing them in the Squad to save some money; quote to have three (3) sets of gear fixed and
one (1) set replaced: to fix is $1,056 and to replace is $4,318. Robert Zimmerman asked Bob
Sweeten to check with JIF to see if the gear is covered under the insurance. Bob will advise.
Robert told the chief to go ahead and have the repairs done for $1,056 and we will wait on
replacing the new gear set depending on what JIF says.
FIRE BUREAU: Robert Zimmerman and Doug Greenberg, Fire Official Fire District #1, attended
the Middle Township workshop meeting. Prior to the meeting, Doug received a phone call from
Tim Parr, from the state, who denied the revised ordinance for certain verbiage the state didn’t
want. Now we have to wait for the Township’s March meeting for first reading. The township
board had multiple questions concerning how much it was going to cost the township in the
future but in the end, they were okay with the ordinance being changed with the resolution
being written correctly. Inspectors still doing their inspections and Doug has done a couple of
inspections also. Assistant Chief Kendrick has informed them of several problems also like fire
alarms and sprinkler systems.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Robert W. Zimmerman read the bills, motion by resolution to pay the
bills by Greg Neill, second Conrad Johnson, of $33,809.81. Motion carried.

Jean Zimmerman, Secretary