MIDDLE TOWNSHIP FIRE DISTRICT #2

January 16, 2025

Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairman Robert Zimmerman (zoom). 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 Zimmerman (zoom), Conrad Johnson, Jenifer Sill,
J. Gregory Neill, and Jean Zimmerman present. Also present was Rio Grande Assistant Fire Chief
John Kendrick. Fire Official Dan DeSimone, Richard Braslow, Attorney and Leon Costello, Ford
Scott CPA were absent.
COMMUNICATION: Jean Zimmerman received three (3) petitions for the February 15 th
elections. They were: Jean M. Zimmerman, James G. Neill and Salvatore J. DeSimone. She also
stated that she had emailed the County Clerk’s office requesting a number for the absentee
ballots but had not heard back from them. 800 ballots will be printed with 550 going to the
clerk’s office for absentee ballots.
OLD BUSINESS: Robert Zimmerman asked Greg Neill if he had heard anything from Triad
regarding the grant application. Greg said things were looking good.
NEW BUSINESS: Greg Neill reached out to Triad on Monday by email requesting a look at other
grants that may be available for our use.
Jean Zimmerman reminded everyone that the fire elections will be held on Saturday, February
15, 2025 from 2-9pm. She also mentioned that our next meeting will be the Re-Organization
meeting at 6:45pm on Thursday, February 20, 2025. It is early this year because the elections
fall before the meeting.
Robert Zimmerman read a report from Bob Sweeten, Fire Apparatus Coordinator, who is still
suspended: completed the 2024 year end report for fire company apparatus and Fire Bureau
vehicles and will review this report at the February meeting. He completed forms for JIF due to
damage to Quint 72 at a structure fire in Green Creek on January 3 rd . He will get estimates for
repair to the running board and hose trough on passenger side when he returns after January
22 nd .
Robert Zimmerman read a report from Bob Sweeten, LOSAP Coordinator, which stated that
both Greg Neill and Jean Zimmerman forwarded the Local Finance Notice for LOSAP CY 2024

Annual CPI Adjustment to him. It allows a 3.4% increase and a max payment of $2141 per
participant for the fire district LOSAP. He will calculate and post the LOSAP points for each
firefighter for 30 days. At the February meeting he will know how many participants qualified
and what the total payment will be. Questions will be answered at the meeting.
CHIEF’S REPORT: 362 fire calls for the year; 13 calls so far; 2025 Officers are: President Dan
DeSimone, Vice President Larry Forsyth, Secretary Bob Sweeten, Treasurer Bob Zimmerman,
Trustees: Bill Belles, Wayne Hall, Harold VanArtsdalen. Chief Jim Belles, Assistant Chief John
Kendrick, Captain: John Thomson, Wayne Hall, Lieutenant: Ron Panebianco, Julio Rivera, Zach
Lex, Safety: Helen Graham, Dan DeSimone, Larry Forsyth. Quint 72 responded to a garage fire in
Green Creek and had some damage to the passenger side hose compartment and the exhaust
tail pipe. Pictures were sent to Bob Zimmerman and Bob Sweeten and a supervisor incident
report was filled out per JIF insurance and returned to Bob Sweeten. Will have to get
estimates. MSA determined that the batteries for new SCBA are bad and will replace every
battery at no charge. Batteries went bad due to sitting too long in their warehouse waiting for
the SCBA. Question on whether the bill was paid for Concentra. Jen Sill said it was paid and that
the check and notice probably crossed in the mail. Asked about EZ pass for squad. Jen Sill says
we do not pay for EZ pass. Conrad Johnson thought maybe the township paid for it.
FIRE BUREAU: none at this time
TREASURER’S REPORT: Robert Zimmerman read the bills, motion by resolution to pay the bills
by Greg Neill, second Conrad Johnson, of $7,260.76. Profit and Loss report for the years 2023-
2024 was also given to the commissioners. CD is maturing January 21 st from OceanFirst. 4 th
quarter draw has not been received. Check was mailed and now the township will stop
payment and reissue another check which Jen Sill will pick up at the township building and
deposit. Motion carried.

Jean Zimmerman, Secretary