MIDDLE TOWNSHIP FIRE DISTRICT #2

August 20, 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, James G.
Neill, and Jean M. Zimmerman present. Also present were Rio Grande Fire Chief Jim Belles, Rio
Grande Assistant Fire Chief John Kendrick, Rio Grande Fire Company President Larry Forsyth,
Bill Frank, Zachary Lex and Bob Sweeten. Jenifer D. Sill, Richard Braslow, Attorney and Leon
Costello, Ford Scott CPA were absent.
COMMUNICATION: Thank you card from Greg and Crystal Neill for the fruit basket sent to them
on Greg’s mother’s passing.
Robert Zimmerman questioned the bill from Richard Braslow because there had been no
correspondence with him. However, Mr. Braslow had emailed us information regarding
recreational marijuana use.
OLD BUSINESS: Robert Zimmerman asked Greg Neill if had heard anything on the grants and he
has not other than they are working on them.
NEW BUSINESS: Robert Zimmerman would like to schedule our Budget Meeting for Tuesday,
October 20 th at 6pm. Commissioners and Chief were okay with the date. Robert will let Leon
Costello, Accountant, know of the date and time.
Robert Zimmerman asked the commissioners on their thoughts of hiring a third party company
to go after insurance companies for our services, mainly car accidents. They go after the
insurance company however, if the insurance company fails to pay, they do not go after the
individual. They would get 15% of whatever is collected. They would need reports from
incidents, priced per vehicles, equipment used, etc. Chief Belles said there is a checklist they
would provide. If we were to go this route, Robert said he would have to check with Leon
Costello, Accountant, on how this income would be recorded in the budget. The company is
firefighter owned and operated. After a brief discussion, it was determined that Robert will get
more information.

It has been suggested that we start a stipend program to entice more firefighters to respond to
fire calls. The funds collected from the insurance company could help offset these costs. To
move forward, we will need to determine a specific stipend amount and discuss with Leon
Costello how we can utilize that unearned income for this expense in our budget process. Greg
Neill mentioned that Wildwood had used grants in the past.
Robert Zimmerman asked Chief Belles and Jenifer Sill to make a report of their purchases for
the year to see where they were standing on their spending. He said that both are on course
and looking good.
Bob Sweeten, Fire Apparatus Coordinator reported: spoke to Barry from Fire and Safety
Services about the aerial’s required items that need to be repaired before they can issue the
sticker and certificate to pass inspection for 2026. There were three (3) required items that had
to be addressed before they would sign off on issuing the sticker and certificate. They were:
small fuel leak on the driver’s side of the engine, plastic cable guide on left side of ladder was
broken and missing screws on slide pad between ladder section. He also called F&SS to get
Barry scheduled for the repairs. *Utility 72-1 was dropped off at VCI on July 27 th so the wrap
could be put on and the lighting and siren installed. *John Miller was here two (2) separate days
to work on repairing the AC on Quint 72. He replaced 27’ of hose and valves in the system.
Seems to be holding so far. No bill yet. *Bob took Brush 72 to Wildland Warehouse in
Blairstown, NJ on August 19 th . They worked on the skid unit including replacing the pump and
speed increaser. The pump’s motor will need replacing which has been ordered. This should be
covered under warranty. We will get a brand new pump, brand new speed increaser and brand
new motor. They also added a valve on the direct fill line which Ty Parker said would not be
billed.
Larry Forsyth said he noticed the commissioners shed’s foundation is washing away on the
front corner and needs to be looked at.
CHIEF’S REPORT: 310 fire calls; Annual SCBA flow testing was done and everything was good;
*had a structure fire and had problems with two (2) air packs shutoff valve freezing and also
around the quick connect fitting. Chief called the salesman who picked up the air packs the next
day. Currently in the hands of the engineer who can download the software and see what
caused the problem. *one firefighter starting Fire Fighting 1 on Tuesday, August 25, 2026; *air
seems to be working in the Quint; *Brush 72’s new pump was having a problem and was taken
for repair but it can’t be fixed. It will be replaced when the new pump comes in. All under
warranty.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Robert W. Zimmerman read the bills, motion by resolution to pay the
bills by Conrad Johnson, second Greg Neill, of $41,413.62. Motion carried.

Jean Zimmerman, Secretary