All Fire District Budgets Pass [RESULTS, PHOTOS]

Budget question results

Fire commissioner incumbents were elected to three-year terms, running unopposed.

• In Montville: Michael Caggiano (51 votes) and Carl Lewis (45 votes).
• In Towaco: Richard D. Conklin (95 votes) and Scott N. Russell (87 votes).
• In Pine Brook: Donald F. Hainzl (76 votes).

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Dan Pagano received five write-in votes in Towaco.

Montville had two additional questions, both of which passed.

A measure to transfer $100,000 from the fire district's general fund to a capital line item for the acquisition of fire apparatus passed 46 to 9. A plan to buy a replacement chief's vehicle and associated equipment for no more than $50,000 with those funds passed 45 to 10.

Montville and Pine Brook proposed the same tax levy as last year, $567,480 and $540,000, respectively.

Towaco proposed a 1.8 percent increase to the tax levy, with a proposal of $646,620. Towaco's budget statement says debt service and the cost of providing services are the main reasons for changes in the budget.

The township's fire elections have drawn increased attention. Last year, Towaco's budget was defeated for the first time in history and went to the Township Committee for review, where it was cut by $75,000.