State reports outlines the possibility of nearly $3million is savings with consolidation

Hamilton, NJ– A long-awaited study about the possible consolidation of the local fire districts,  requested by Hamilton Township Mayor Kelly Yaede and conducted by the NJ Department of Community Affairs Local Government Services that has been over a year in the making has been released to the public and the media.

After nearly 20 years of talk of consolidating the township’s fire services, which each operate as an autonomous entity, the report could bring the process one step closer to reality.

Yaede, released a statement along with the report:

“I want to thank the State Division of Local Government Services for undertaking, at my request, this very important study to consolidate Hamilton Townships nine fire districts.  Their efforts to conduct this study – at no cost to Hamilton taxpayers – have already yielded dividends and undoubtedly saved the cost of a private study that could have easily reached upwards of $100,000 for a community of our size and number of existing districts.”

The decision how to proceed now rests in the lap of the current Hamilton Township Council.

Currently, Hamilton Township fire protection services are provided by 9 independent districts ( District 1, Union Fire Company is shared with Burlington County and only covers a small portion of Hamilton.)

The DCA report suggested consolidation of the 8 districts into 1 district with a single set tax rate for all Hamilton residents.

Currently, residents tax rates vary per district and range from .24 to .93 per $100 of assessed property valuation for tax purposes.  The report outlines that a single district potential saving could be  as much as $2,724,838 and would represent a 11.2% budget reduction in the first year and five of the eight districts would have lower fire taxes.  The estimated tax rate for a township-wide fire district was based on  .25 per 100 of assessed value.

In terms of fire stations and staffing, the report makes no recommendations to close fire stations, but recommends a collective effort to devise a plan for capital improvements, station and equipment upgrades, and for the fire chief to plan the deployment of apparatus for optimal response.

The report suggests that a new service could be run by eight fire companies (5 fire engines, two ladder trucks and a rescue company) that work a 56-hour work week, with a 24-hour work shift for every 48 hours – also known in fire parlance as the “24-48 schedule.”  There are currently 8 fire houses in Hamilton, so the report suggests that they all would remain open.

Officers would be distributed to a new command structure of one senior fire chief, two deputy fire chiefs, seven battalion chiefs, seven captains and 18 lieutenants – and the 76 firefighters.  Keeping current staffing levels intact and relying on a unified volunteer system to limit overtime and cover gaps in coverage.

While there has been discussion of the Township taking over fire services and creating a township municipal fire department  the report stated: “Although this would eliminate the need to create a new administrative structure, this alternative may pose a potential drain on municipal resources, less autonomy for fire administrators, and inability of residents to approve fire budgets and other expenses.”

“Our goal is clear – how can we continue providing fire services to protect the safety of our residents while finding ways to achieve a cost savings that will benefit all of our taxpayers. I want to again thank the Division of Local Government Services for agreeing to study the consolidation of our fire districts for no cost so that we can save taxpayer dollars”, Yaede concluded.

The complete report can be viewed here:

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP FIRE DISTRICT STUDY FINAL 01-17-2017