'We Are Not Going To Gamble With People’s Lives', Says Bernards Township Committee

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Bernards Township defended its decision to pursue litigation against the Liberty Corner First Aid Squad at the Committee meeting on Tuesday night after multiple residents questioned it.

"Nothing the township committee has done has brought this to litigation. It's the squad's refusal to sit with the committee, the squad's insistence on lawyering up, and the squad's refusal even in an orderly and timely fashion to deed back that land and building to the township," said Bernards Township Attorney John Belardo said during the meeting. "So yes it is unfortunate that we are going to have to engage in litigation and as members of the township committee have said, there really is no other alternative."

Committeeman Andrew McNally compared the situation to having a limited menu of options to choose from.

"The situation with the Liberty Corner First Aid Squad is most unfortunate. They have done tremendous work and lifesaving work and no one should forget that," said McNally. "This is really a matter of life and death. We certainly honor the service that these volunteers have provided and I think all of us preferred the good ol' days when they kept doing it. But that just wasn't feasible and we are not going to gamble with people’s lives."

There has been a disagreement between both sides on what actually transpired and the squad's remaining assets. As a result, the township committee voted unanimously at the Oct. 11 meeting on a resolution to authorize the "Township Attorney to pursue litigation, and all other means, against LCFAS." Read More: Rescue Squad Supporters Criticize Township's Decision To Seize Assets

A few residents who spoke during the meeting asked the Township Committee to reconsider their decision and try to work things out with the squad.

"It seemed rather than enter litigation where everything then is a standoff and no one can speak - then that resolution should've been tabled," said resident Cody Smith.

"I do think you should take a step back maybe go back to the table and talk to them and see if they are open to discussion," said resident Nacy D'Andrea.

Committeewoman Janice Fields said the committee would've loved for the squad to reach out and say have a seat at the table.

"We weren't given a seat at the table. It was, 'Talk to our lawyers' and that was it. They didn’t want to talk about it," said Fields.

Fields added that the town "did not push them out. They decided to close on their own knowing that there was a problem with shifts."

Fields said a letter was sent to the township by the squad announcing their plans to cease operations in September due to a lack of volunteers. Read More: Liberty Corner First Aid Squad Halts Operation After 57 Years

After the town received the letter from the squad saying they were terminating operations, Fields and the town's Chief Financial Officer Sean McCarthy both tried to work with the squad, according to Belardo.

"They were told they lawyered up and won't talk with you and won't come to the table. And next thing I know I get a call from two of their lawyers," said Belardo. "The township was certainly not aggressive from a litigious standpoint. In fact, it was the squad that decided to walk away from the table and hire a lawyer. That was unfortunate."

Resident Joan Bannon also asked the town to try give the squad another chance to rebuild.

"I am pleading with you to take a step back and do the right thing. Let them be back up to Atlantic Health. These people are dedicated, volunteers. Try to help them rebuild it will take time."

Fields noted that it would be dangerous to give them another shot.

"We can’t give them one more shot because that jeopardizes our community and jeopardizes lives and we just couldn't do it. It's not right for our community," said Fields.

Since Fields was elected three years ago she said the squad has had issues finding volunteers to work shifts and had been an issue before she came on board.

"They were having such a hard time with the nine shifts that they merged with Basking Ridge [EMS] and Basking Ridge was helping them with the calls. And we were unaware of that," said Fields. "They couldn't cover all the shifts in the summer. So this has been a huge problem with them being able to cover the shifts."

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

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