Tears, Pleas From Liberty Corner Rescue Squad Supporters Heard At Town Meeting

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Multiple supporters and volunteers of the Liberty Corner First Aid Squad called on the Township Committee to help them get back on their feet rather than pursuing litigation over assets.

Current LCFAS Captain Greg Taylor was visibly choked up and crying as he spoke during the Tuesday night committee meeting.

"There hasn't been a time I wasn't called out at 1 or 2 o'clock in the morning to see the most heinous stuff that you wouldn’t even dream about. And I would do it again in a second," said Taylor. " I joined the squad to make a difference and that's what you are holding me back from doing again."

Those who spoke at the meeting made accusations that the township committee "shut down" the volunteer squad. However, Committee Member Janice Fields, Mayor James Baldassare and Deputy Mayor Andrew McNally claim the squad instead had "voluntarily disbanded."

"We did not push them out," said Fields, who serves as the liaison to the LCFAS.

This all came about after the all-volunteer rescue squad was having trouble getting volunteers to cover the 24/7 coverage needed for the township. A letter was then sent to the township in August stating the squad would cease operations after Labor Day. Read More: Liberty Corner First Aid Squad Halts Operation After 57 Years

"We were shocked about it," Fields said.

LCFAS President Dave "Phil" Lai-Len said at the meeting Tuesday that the squad didn't want to disband but instead wanted to cut down on the number of shifts to three while they rebuild. He was told by the township that they could not do that.

• Read More: Tensions Rise In Basking Ridge: Rescue Squad, Township At Odds

Fields noted that the lack of volunteer issue was not something new and had been ongoing for the past three years. She added that the response time and getting someone to fill shifts was an issue brought up by the police chief.

"We are not going to jeopardize the safety of our residents here in this town if there is an issue getting an ambulance to any of our residents. We have the responsibility to make sure that everyone who calls 911, somebody can get to their home and save their life," said Fields.

At the meeting, Lai-Len also noted that the township uninvited the rescue squad to its upcoming Volunteer Fire Responder Appreciation night after they disbanded.

"I doubt the town committee realizes what it is to be a first responder. To go out at 2 in the morning to transport a COVID patient to a hospital and then leave for work at 8 a.m." said Lai-Len.

Resident Eugenia Milito said the township's actions were a "slap in the face" to the volunteers.

Another resident Susan Kessel said, "As a 20-plus year resident of this town I am shocked, appalled that is how the government feels about these amazing volunteers."

Resident Todd Edelstein asked the township to pull or table a resolution to authorize the "Township Attorney to pursue litigation, and all other means, against LCFAS."

"Only a month ago the committee was singing the squad's praises of how great they were. Now the squad is being treated like they were never there," said Edelstein.

McNally, who noted that he is the son of a FDNY Firefighter, said he has a deep respect for emergency service personnel.

"I'm surprised and disappointed that we now find ourselves in a dispute with the Liberty Corner First Aid Squad over the substantial funds they have accrued over the years," said McNally.

McNally noted that the township has appropriated tax dollars to the squad and donations from residents have also been made. However, the squad has said they plan to donate assets to other towns in need or overseas to Ukraine.

"They want to, in their own words, they intend to use these funds for purposes beyond serving Township residents which is in direct contradiction of the way that they obtained these funds," said McNally. "We as the residents, elected representatives, cannot and will not allow these funds to be spent in ways that do not serve Township residents."

Fields noted the assets taken from the squad will be placed into a separate trust account through the State for EMS purposes serving Township residents.

"We have a responsibility and that responsibility is to our taxpayers and we have to make sure they are taken care of at the end of the day. There is a lot of misinformation … The fact that we cut off funding, and abandoned Liberty Corner First Aid Squad - that just isn't the case. They ceased operations on their own," said Baldassare.

The committee ended up voting unanimously on the resolution to pursue getting the squad's assets.

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