New fire truck sought in vote

Written by Alex Davis Wednesday, 15 February 2012 13:00

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE – Middle Township Fire District No. 1 voters are being asked to approve $600,000 for a new fire truck during fire district elections Feb. 18.

Officials want to replace an 18-year-old fire truck that’s used as the fire company’s first line of defense.

“The last thing we want to do is put their [the firefighters] lives in jeopardy,” volunteer fire department assistant chief John McCann said Friday.

Ballots will be cast Saturday, Feb. 18, at the firehall in Cape May Court House.

Some residents aren’t so sure that the $600,000 purchase would be worth it.

On Thursday, Feb. 10, a township resident created a Facebook Group, initially called "NO NEW FIRE TRUCK!" and then named “FIRE TRUCK DISCUSSION." The page had 70 members and has since disappeared.

People have used the page as a forum to rail against getting a new fire truck, while others have defended the idea.

The 18-year-old fire truck is used for non-vehicle-related incidents, officials say. Middle Township Fire District No. 1 covers about 42 square miles of the 72 square miles in the township, according to Middle Township Fire District No. 1 Commissioner K.P. Arenberg.

One official said the 18-year-old attack fire truck could be traded in for about $30,000-$35,000.

Arenberg said a determination has not been made as to what features the new fire truck would have.

Because of design and construction, the new fire truck would not arrive until two years.

Besides the 18-year-old fire truck, the volunteer fire department’s fleet also includes a 3-year-old rescue truck, a 10-year-old ladder truck, a 6-year-old tanker truck, a 13-year-old pumper-tanker truck and a 2-year-old chief’s truck. The Swainton station has two trucks, one around 16 years old and the other around 20.

The fire department has 48 volunteers. Over the last five years, the fire department has responded to more than 2,000 incidents.

Also during the fire district elections Feb. 18, voters will be asked to approve a $1.16 million budget. Last year’s budget totaled $1.2 million.

Arenberg and Joseph Trombetta are also seeking reelection as fire commissioners. If reelected, they would both serve three-year terms.

Voters can cast their ballots from 2-9 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Cape May Court House firehouse at 112 Hand Ave.