MIDDLE TOWNSHIP FIRE DISTRICT #2

April 17, 2025

Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairman Robert 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, Bill Belles and Bob Sweeten. Debbie Rue, Middle Township
Volunteer Rescue Squad was also present. Fire Official Dan DeSimone, Richard Braslow, Attorney and
Leon Costello, Ford Scott CPA were absent.
COMMUNICATION: Jean Zimmerman mentioned that Anne Marie Becica, from Middle Township, had
emailed the commissioners their Financial Disclosure that has a deadline of April 30, 2025 for filing.
OLD BUSINESS: Robert Zimmerman asked Bill Belles, representing the fire company, about the snow
removal bill. Robert said the township or state have plowed in the past. Bill said the township did not
plow the firehouse. Chief Belles also said it’s never done by the township (snow plowing). Robert said
that we were considered tenants and didn’t think we should pay especially 2/3 of the bill. He also
mentioned how the fire district had given $35,000.00 to the fire company towards the renovations of
the meeting room and that the money was not spent on the project. Greg Neill didn’t have a problem
helping out but questioned the amount requested. Jen Sill thought the township should plow the apron
and the fire company take care of the parking lot. Bill will bring up at the firehouse meeting that the fire
company will check with the township for plowing. After looking over the bill, Jen suggested we pay the
pretreatment and all the Monday, January 6 th plowing for $1,957.50. Motion Jenifer Sill, second Conrad
Johnson to pay $2,000.00 for the pretreatment and plowing on January 6, 2025. All commissioners
present voted aye.
NEW BUSINESS: Bob Sweeten, Fire Apparatus Coordinator, reported: on March 24 th appraisals were
received from 1 st Alert Appraisals for the Quint 72 damages. The cost is $15,215.58 for the left rear side
damage of which $14,215.58 will be paid by them leaving a $1,000.00 deductible to be paid. The January
claim regarding the passenger side running board at the pump panel area is $2,258.20 of which they will
pay $1,258.20 and there will also be a $1,000.00 deductible due. Two separate issues that will be fixed
at one time. After parts are ordered and received, the Quint will be gone for about two weeks, probably
over the summer. Fire Bureau’s 2014 Ford Expedition was inspected on April 11 th and Chief 72 2020
Chevy Tahoe was inspected on April 14 th . Both vehicles passed inspections. Robert Zimmerman brought
up the EZ pass situation and asked if anybody knew if the municipality vehicles are toll free. Greg Neill
said he didn’t think they were and Conrad Johnson said that without an EZ pass both Wildwood and the

county received a violation. Debbie Rue, Middle Township Volunteer Rescue Squad, said to call Alpa
Shah, 973-368-1595, for paperwork that would only be good on the parkway.
Bob Sweeten, LOSAP Coordinator, reported there was one (1) written appeal from a member who
missed by one point due to missing fire percentage. After checking with Chief Belles who confirmed the
claim of missing work hours, the member then had the necessary points to qualify. This brings the total
to 23 qualified members at $1871.09 per member for a total of $43,035.07. He said he has a new
member application that needs to be sent with the check.
Debbie Rue, Middle Township Volunteer Rescue Squad, said the mayor suggested asking the fire
companies for some financial assistance since the township will not be giving them their $40,000.00
annual money. She was looking for 2-3% of the four (4) fire districts’ budgets to help support her. She
understood that it couldn’t be done this year but possibly next year. If all districts couldn’t donate then
she would have to try some other means of supporting the rescue squad or closing the rescue squad
beginning next year. Conrad Johnson asked what she would need per year to function with 1 or 2
ambulances. Debbie responded with $100,000 to $125,000. She asked that no matter what the decision,
to call her at 609-374-0028 and give the decision.
Greg Neill said that Rt 147 water main is being extended 500’ and a fire hydrant is being put in.
CHIEF’S REPORT: 95 fire calls; two (2) new sets of black gear came in on Tuesday that were ordered from
last year’s budget. Zach and Buster have tried them out and said they are very comfortable at fire calls.
Chief said he would like to order eight (8) more sets that would cost a total of $31,664.00 at $3,958.00
per set. A set includes pants and jacket. He thought that it would be covered within his budget. Jen Sill
said she would look at his budget and see where he could maybe come up with the money from other
line items. He will order them through Continental which is a state contracted company and has used
them in the past. He brought a set to show the commissioners and indicated how the jackets are
“breathable”. Chief Belles talked about an emergency plug, cost of $1,000.00, for all plug-in hybrid and
electric cars. The plug would cut off power to windows, locks, seats and lights. Still waiting on the new
replacement SCBA batteries that are still on back order.
FIRE BUREAU: Greg Neill went to the township meeting and said the ordinance was approved. Jen Sill
reported purchasing two (2) new monitors and two (2) new computers for the fire bureau office using
penalty money. Also purchased two (2) Static Copy of Office 2024 so they can still write letters etc.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Robert Zimmerman read the bills, motion by resolution to pay the bills by Greg
Neill, second Conrad Johnson, of $68,705.74. Jen Sill said she transferred $500,000.00 into a CD to
capitalize on the interest rate. She also asked the bank for a discretionary rate which is a higher rate
than published in the Money Market. This top tier interest requires at least $100,000.00 and she asked
the commissioners for approval of transferring $200,000.00 to a Money Market. Money Markets are
easier to withdraw from for emergencies than a CD. The commissioners were good with the transfer.
Motion carried.

Jean Zimmerman, Secretary