MIDDLE TOWNSHIP FIRE DISTRICT #2

Special Meeting
October 30, 2025

With the retirement of Fire Official Dan DeSimone on October 31, 2025 and resignations of Fire
Inspectors Helen Graham, on November 1, 2025, Mike Quigley, on November 5, 2025 and Ron
Panebianco, on October 31, 2025, a special meeting was held on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at
6pm with Commissioners Robert Zimmerman, Conrad Johnson, Jenifer Sill, J. Gregory Neill and
Jean Zimmerman attending. Rio Grande Fire Chief Jim Belles, Rio Grande Assistant Fire Chief
John Kendrick, Bob Sweeten and Charles Cripps were also in attendance.
Robert Zimmerman stated that this special meeting was called for the conduct of the Fire
Prevention Bureau office only.
Robert Zimmerman had multiple conversations with Middle Township #1 and their fire official
regarding the fire bureau office and they were not 100% sure they would want to take this
office on. Robert had thoughts of dissolving the office also. An issue we could have if we
dissolve the office and Middle Township #1 denies taking the office, then fire prevention district
goes to the state. He also talked with multiple people to fill the spot of temporary fire official
and they didn’t want to take on the responsibility of signing off on it. He talked with two (2)
more guys who are willing to dive into our files and do an assessment of where the office
stands, what’s left out on the street and what’s left for the district. Neither man is interested in
the position so it would be a non biased report. There have been no reports from the fire
bureau as to what has been done or what needs to be done. Dan DeSimone was asked for the
passwords but as of the meeting they still have not been received. Robert asked that all
uniforms, badges, outerwear – anything that was purchased by the fire district for the district to
be returned regardless of personalization.
Robert Zimmerman stated legality wise that we have 30 days from Friday, October 31, 2025, to
fill the spot of Fire Official for the rest of the year. If not filled by then, or dissolved, there is one
(1) filing of an extension of 45 days. Robert talked with Tim Parr, from the state, who said if we
do dissolve he would like to see Fire District #1 take it because it would be an easy transition
because of township, ordinances and fees. The state still would have to do an investigation to
make sure #1 office could handle the influx of extra inspections. Robert has talked with a
retired inspector who was willing to help us out with inspections that are needed which are
smoke certs and rental inspections. The township is asking where to send their emails regarding
registrations they are doing for rental licensing. The township has an ordinance where there is a
$350.00 fee to register rental properties but to get their license they have to be inspected first.
The township was told to use the same email, we’ll get the password, Bob will check the emails
and will handle whatever is pressing.

Greg Neill said if the fire bureau was dissolved, a letter would have to be sent to the state
asking for Fire District #1 to take over Fire District #2’s fire bureau and the township would have
to make an ordinance changing Fire District #2 governing body of Fire Prevention office to Fire
District #1 governing body. The state has to make an inspection to make sure there are enough
people/staff to handle the work and that they are in the good graces of the township. It would
be a four (4) month process to dissolve the office. Even with our solicitor writing a Shared
Services Agreement with Middle Township #1 it would still have to be an ordinance with the
township. Greg said there are 12 periodic inspections that have to be done before the end of
the year and rentals will need to be done. Greg has access codes to the system from the
software company and was able to print out four (4) reports: Master List of accounts,
Inspector’s Activity Report for 2025, Invoice Status Report for 2024 and Invoice Status Report
for 2025. Greg said there are 619 properties in the system of which 85 are life hazards and 414
are non life hazards. He also mentioned that one of the lists broke it down by total of
inspections by each employee of which one did over 500 inspections to 30 inspections. He
noted that in 2024 that $109,942.00 was billed but only $68,474.00 had been paid. In 2025, so
far, $86,888.00 has been billed and only $62,349.00 has been paid. Greg talked with the
software company and was told that money could be in another category that is not in the
system. On the 2024 list there is penalty money showing as not collected. He wondered if food
trucks were not included in the reports. An ex-employee stated to Greg that sometimes the
state did not give money for reinspections. Greg is not sure where we stand with the state – if
we got our full money.
Conrad Johnson mentioned that he had called several people for filling in as inspectors but they
were not interested or busy with their own place. Robert Zimmerman said that Middle
Township Fire District #1 will be implementing a new software system January 1, 2026 and
whatever software they are using it will be compatible with our ESP and they would be able to
transfer our files over. Connie may have one (1) person to do Saturday inspections and possibly
some nights. Greg thought if we could have someone temporarily fill in as Fire Official until
January and have some kind of reports from now until the end of the year we could then
discuss the problems at our January meeting. Connie reached out to Sue Casey to handle the
office who is familiar with the setup. She may be interested. Mostly would involve answering
phones, retrieving messages and emails. She would be part time and probably not for a long
period of time. Robert Zimmerman thought maybe two (2) days for start if she was interested,
10am-2pm at $24.00/hr. Motion Greg Neill, second Jenifer Sill to have Sue Casey in the office at
$24/hr.
Jenifer Sill mentioned that we will have to change the passwords and get back any phones that
belong to us.
Robert spoke with Jake Spiegel and Mark Barham about doing an assessment of the office. They
would need about two (2) weeks to get everything done. Conrad Johnson said they have
worked with Sue Casey and that could be helpful. Motion Jenifer Sill, second Conrad Johnson to
pay Jake Spiegel and Mark Barham $500 each to assess the fire bureau office.

Conrad Johnson knows of two who may be able to help with required inspections. They are
Dominick McClain and Mike Johnson. There are 12 inspections that need to be done before end
of year. Connie said they could probably do them on the weekend except for two (2) that would
have to be done on the weekday. It was decided to pay Dominick and Mike $25/hr and for
them to keep track of their hours.
Greg Neill said he talked with Mark Barham about the Fire Official position. Mark has no
problem with filling the void but he doesn’t want to have a full time position plus he still wants
to see what’s going on with the books. He’s worried about the inspections and what is
outstanding.
Greg Neill said there is end of year paperwork that has to be done by December 31, 2025 with
an extension to January 15, 2026.
Jean Zimmerman asked about who was going to check the mail and messages. Bob Sweeten
usually picks up the mail and puts in the commissioner’s box. Presumably, Helen would then
open the mail and handle it. Jen Sill wondered about deposits and payments in the mail. It was
discussed that Sue Casey can put the deposits together and Jen Sill would deposit them. Greg
Neill mentioned about changing the lock to the office on November 1 st , 2025 which prompted
Chief Belles to ask for the names of those who will be using the office so he can get fobs made
for them to get in the building.
Robert Zimmerman ended the meeting with good work on everybody’s part, it will be a process
and through our do diligence before making any rational decisions. Conrad Johnson
commented that we are headed in the right direction.
Jean Zimmerman
Secretary