South Brunswick Fire District 2 Election This Saturday

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — The annual election for South Brunswick Township Fire District No. 2 will be held from 2-9 p.m. this Saturday, Feb. 17 at the Monmouth Junction Fire Station, 573 Ridge Road in Monmouth Junction.

South Brunswick Fire District 2 covers the Monmouth Junction, Dayton and Deans sections of the Township.

Registered voters of the district will be asked to approve the proposed 2024 operating budget, as well as to elect two commissioners to three-year terms.

The 2024 budget for Fire District No. 2 calls for total appropriations in the amount of $1,272,200, which represents a decrease of $1,124,043 (-46.9%) compared to the 2023 adopted budget. The primary cause of the proposed decrease is attributable to $1,100,000 of capital appropriations to support the lease-purchase of a new tower ladder budgeted in 2023, versus only $100,000 of budgeted capital appropriations in 2024 for a new command vehicle.

The amount to be raised by taxation is $1,151,711, an increase of $70,281 (+6.5%) from 2023. The proposed tax rate of $.045 per hundred of assessed value is $.002 per hundred higher (+4.7%) than budgeted and realized in 2023. The primary causes of the increase in the amount to be raised by taxation is due to the hiring of a full-time Deputy Fire District Coordinator in November of 2023, an anticipated shared services agreement with the other two fire districts within South Brunswick Township in 2024 to provide firefighters for the daytime response to fires and emergencies within the township, and a weak rise in the ratable base of less than 2%.

For a single-family residence in South Brunswick Township assessed at the average value of $196,460, a taxpayer in Fire District #2 would pay approximately $88.40 a year for fire protection. Residents can check their property tax bill from South Brunswick Township to see exactly how much they pay for fire protection.

The fire tax is used to fund fire protection to the residents and businesses of the fire district. This includes the operation and maintenance of the fire stations and fire apparatus, as well as the purchase of firefighting equipment, supplies and protective clothing for firefighters. Since 1924, fire protection has been provided by the Monmouth Junction Volunteer Fire Department.

The use of a volunteer firefighting force results in a significant savings for taxpayers every year. In fact, the fire tax in Fire District #2 is the lowest in Middlesex County on an equalized basis, and amongst the lowest in the entire state of New Jersey.

For the 2024 election, there are two Commissioner’s positions that are up for election, each for a 3-year term. Incumbents Charles Spahr and Douglas Wolfe are running un-opposed on the ballot for re-election.

South Brunswick Township is divided into three separate fire districts, each with their own elected five-member Board of Fire Commissioners.

Said the members of Fire District #2:

"The Commissioners of South Brunswick Township Fire District #2 and the members of the Monmouth Junction Volunteer Fire Department thank the public for their support and encourages the registered voters to vote in favor of the 2024 fire district budget this Saturday."

Residents with questions regarding the fire district election or the proposed budget can visit the fire district’s website at www.sbfd2.com or call 732-329-0250.

Board of Fire Commissioners
Fire District #2
Township of South Brunswick
Regular Meeting P.O. Box 114
Third Monday at 7:00 P.M. Monmouth Junction, N.J. 08852
Monmouth Junction Fire House