Committee Postpones Bond Ordinance Vote

The Barnegat Township Committee postponed a vote on a proposed $2.1 million bond ordinance on Monday night as residents reiterated their criticisms of the purposes of the bond.

The ordinance, introduced at the Dec. 5 meeting, includes funding for a new aerial ladder fire truck, gear for the volunteer firefighters and four new 4-wheel drive police cars, as well as replacing some of the public works vehicles.

Township Administrator David Breeden again outlined how much the township has reduced its debt since 2006, noting the township has reduced its overall debt by more than $3 million.

“Our only bonding was $500,000 for sidewalks for a safe route to schools in 2010,” Breeden said. “We have effectively and responsibly driven down debt in Barnegat.”

The biggest line item in the bond ordinance is a $900,000 aerial fire truck that Breeden said is needed to replace one that the township has had since 1987 and is no longer reliable.

“In the six months especially there have been several structure fires where the town has had to rely on neighboring towns’ ladder trucks to fight them,” Breeden said, pointing out photos at the front of the room showing fire scenes, including that of a chimney fire Sunday night in town. A ladder truck from Manahawkin had to be called in to provide aerial access to fight the fire, which was extinguished quickly and contained to the residence’s chimney.

“You can’t outsource public safety,” Breeden said.

While few quibbled with the intended purchase of the fire truck, there was much criticism of the fact that the town intends to purchase both police and public works vehicles through the bond.

“All of these other items should be put in the annual budget,” said Marianne Clemente of East Bay Avenue.

Clemente and Vince Greer also were critical of Breeden specifically, saying that when Breeden began working for Barnegat he had promised to make vehicle replacement an ongoing, systematic program.

“That would cost $300,000 to $400,000 per year,” Mayor Jeffrey Melchiondo said, defending Breeden. “And we know what that means.”

Greer also questioned whether the township really needs 29 police vehicles and why any of them are allowed to be taken home.

“Any police car is a target of vandalism,” Greer said, adding those vehicles are less likely to be damaged if they are left at the police department.

Breeden said seven to nine cars are taken home by members of the police department, primarily by on-call detectives.

After the meeting, Breeden said that given the current economic situation and due to the millions in tax revenue that the township has lost in the situation with property tax appeals, township officials have avoided major capital purchases in the annual budget in the interest of maintaining other services.

If approved at the Dec. 30 meeting, the bond won’t impact the township until 2013, he said.

“I feel confident in saying the residents of Barnegat will get a return on their money,” he said.