HANOVER — While hitting a milestone of over 3,000 calls for emergency services in 2024 would have some fire companies gloating, Hanover Township has a more fateful perspective: its proposed Fire District 3 Budget needs voter approval, or the challenges will continue.
Hanover Township Fire District 3—the fire, EMS, and rescue provider for the Cedar Knolls section and the EMS provider for all of the township—endured a failed budget referendum last year. This has resulted in fire trucks needing repairs, expiring safety equipment, less-than-desirable staffing, and a need for updated firefighter gear that can only be addressed with the approval of the budget.
As in previous years, Hanover Township Fire District 3 is proposing a lean fire budget, which focuses on the essentials needed to sustain and support its 14,000 residents, and launching a public awareness campaign. In an effort to educate its voters in time for the budget referendum vote, outreach activities will include postcard mailings, press releases, social media posts, and speaking engagements within the township. People will learn about the budget, why it is needed, and how to vote by mail or in person for the February 15 election.
“Voter approval on the budget and referendum will allow our firefighters and EMTs to continue to provide exceptional patient care, especially when our 911 call volume is at an all-time high. Even with this fact and the township’s sizable population, only 5.42% of the township’s budget supports the Hanover Township Fire District 3,” said Michael Dugan Sr, Treasurer.
Under its proposed Fire District Budget, voter approval will support the following essential activities:
- Make critical repairs to its 2013 fire engine.
- Replace firefighter gear, which currently contains PFAS (harmful forever chemicals).
- Prepare firefighters and EMTs to answer advanced calls unique to Hanover Township, such as EV accidents and rail incidents.
- Refill vacant EMT positions.
- Update the ambulances’ equipment to equip all three ambulances equally. One of these needs is for an additional LUCAS device, which provides automatic chest compressions to patients in cardiac arrest, increasing survivability rates.
- Replace expiring self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) components to protect firefighters in hazardous environments.
- Improve existing quarters to support 24/7 staffing by firefighters and EMTs and answer calls faster.
Based on calculations, the tax impact of the proposed fire budget and proposed referendum – if approved – will cost the average assessed household no more than $12.85 per month or about the cost of a pizza.
“We worked hard to create a bare-bones budget that can get us back on track and ready to respond,” said Steven Cornine, Chairman. “Now, we just need the community to recognize how important public safety is, and to vote in person on February 15 in person or by mail.”
Essential Voting Details
In-person voting will occur on Saturday, February 15, from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., at Hanover Township Fire District 3, 82 Ridgedale Ave., Cedar Knolls. To vote by mail, ballots must be postmarked by February 15 to count.
The ballot question, “Shall the Board of Commissioners of Fire District Number No.3 in the Township of Hanover be authorized to increase the 2024 amount to be raised by taxation in the Fire District annual budget by 12.8% or $203,600 as provided by N.J.S.A. 40A:4-45.45, notwithstanding that its amount to be raised by taxation will exceed the two percent (2.0%) increase limitation.…” comes with a monthly cost impact of $12.85 for the average household. Voters can view their exact amount using the tax calculator on the Fire District’s website.
“There are more than 5,000 eligible voters in our Fire District, and only about 10% showed up last year to vote,” Michael Dugan Jr., Clerk. “Every vote matters, and we hope with our increased awareness efforts, residents will understand how much this vote means.”
