TOMS RIVER – After voters rejected the budget for Fire District No. 2, the Township Council decided to cut $40,000 from it.
The vote was held in February. Voters were asked to approve the $4,603,451.83 budget, of which $3,228,000 would be raised by taxation. It failed 298 votes to 265.
As a result, the budget was sent to the Township Council to make cuts. The suggested cuts included $30,000 from insurance and $10,000 from Haz Mat in the administration department. These cuts were voted upon at the April 11 Township Council meeting.
In other financial news, the Township Council authorized a contract with Pinnacle Integrated Systems for the purchase and installation of a security camera system at the municipal building, parking garage and jail. The amount of the contract is not to exceed $167,793.
The township will also be purchasing Tasers and related accessories for the police department in the amount of $60,000.
Demolition of several township buildings are also on the horizon. The 21 Plus building at Winding River Park North and an old house on the Bey Lea Golf Course are in the crosshairs. The township went out to bid on the 21 Plus building, while asking for an alternate price that would include the Bey Lea building as well.
