MIDDLE TOWNSHIP FIRE DISTRICT #2

May 21, 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 Fire Chief
Jim Belles, Rio Grande Assistant Fire Chief John Kendrick, Rio Grande Fire Company President
Larry Forsyth, Bill Frank and Bob Sweeten. Richard Braslow, Attorney and Leon Costello, Ford
Scott CPA were absent.
COMMUNICATION: Jean Zimmerman reported she had received an email from the DCA
regarding her Financial Disclosure that had not been filed. If not filed before their June 10 th
meeting, a fine would be imposed. Robert Zimmerman said he and the other commissioners
had received the same email. He talked with Kim Osmundsen, Middle Township Clerk, who said
that it is now the secretary’s responsibility to notify the commissioners of the April 30 th
deadline. File online at www.fds.nj.gov. Middle Township Fire District #2 was not the only
Middle Township fire district who did not file on time. (In the past, Middle Township sent
reminder emails to the fire districts in Middle Township)
OLD BUSINESS: Robert Zimmerman commented on the Fire Bureau status: April 27, 2026, the
fire bureau was officially closed. Robert and Greg Neill transferred the filing cabinets to Middle
Township Fire District #1 on Saturday but denied their request for the computer. Everything
seems to be going well. Jen Sill questioned what she was to do with the multiple fire bureau
checks she had received for unknown reasons. Some were marked for inspections that had
been done. She was not sure if they were in response to Sue Casey’s invoices that had been
sent out. Sue’s invoices did not specify if they were for inspections that were done or waiting to
be inspected. It was decided to deposit the state rebate and the check with the inspection note.
The remaining checks will be given to Fire District #1 to deposit.
NEW BUSINESS: Greg Neill had a meeting with the state about the declined grant application.
Seems that the computer read the application and decided it was on the low priority of the
scale. Radios were considered high priority where portables/mobile units were considered low
priority. We were applying for mobile units. Application was listed as a rural area but the
computer had us as a suburban area which was based on hydrants, open space and square

miles for firehouse. Greg is going to reapply again for radios and suburban area and should be
able to receive it this time. Chief Belles said to try the county also after he talked with John
McCann about the portable radios.
Robert Zimmerman said the shredder was worked on and needs to be replaced. A new
shredder has been ordered and should be coming in a couple of days.
Greg Neill gave the commissioners copies of the New Jersey State Association of Fire Districts
Fire Commissioner’s Handbook and Emergency Services Volunteer Length of Service Award
Program (LOSAP) Rules.
Bob Sweeten reported on LOSAP. There are 22 qualified members with this year’s cost at
$1,929.09 per member for a total cost of $42,439.98. He will make a copy of the check and then
mail it to a new address in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Bob Sweeten, Fire Apparatus Coordinator report: end of April, the 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe
(chief’s vehicle) had oil changed and tires rotated at Mr. Tire. Chief mentioned a squeal and
they found the brake rotors and pads needed replacing. The cost was $1,123.19. Assistant
Chief’s 2019 Tahoe is next because of some front end noise. Robert Zimmerman asked Bob
Sweeten where he kept his lists/information on the vehicles. He thought maybe they could be
kept in the fire bureau office to keep everything together.
CHIEF’S REPORT: 182 fire calls; iPads are in all the trucks; new larger iPads are easier to read
and all the information can fit on the screen.; *still waiting for one more price from VCI to wrap
the Jeep; also working on different lighting options once it’s painted or wrapped.; *annual PM
was done on the in-house air compressor; *new skid unit has been getting used and working
very well; it’s been a great addition.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Robert W. Zimmerman read the bills, motion by resolution to pay the
bills by Conrad Johnson, second Greg Neill, of $67,544.35. Jen Sill mentioned that a smaller CD
maturing on June 7 th will rollover for six (6) months and $500,000 was transferred from the
Operations Account to a six (6) month CD at Sturdy Bank at 3.35%. Jen also reported on a brief
discussion of moving payroll processing from LEA account to the Operations Account so that
she doesn’t have to keep transferring money into it. Two Penalty Accounts will stay open.
Motion carried.

Jean Zimmerman, Secretary