The state Department of Community Affairs’ Local Finance Board in October approved the dissolution of Plainsboro Fire District No. 1.
The decision allows for the fire district’s operations to be transferred to Plainsboro Township, which will incorporate the fire services into its Department of Public Safety.
The dissolution follows concerns raised by township officials after the Fire District held a referendum in February seeking approval for a $1.5 million budget increase through new taxes.
The Plainsboro Fire District budget for the 2024 operating year exceeded the state mandated 2% increase allowed ($53,000 based on the 2023 Plainsboro Fire District budget of $2.65 million).
The referendum was overwhelmingly rejected by voters, with 1,091 against and only 200 in favor.
Said a township news release: “There was no information or explanation regarding the need for this drastic increase… The township requested backup as to the factors driving this increase but did not receive a proper response.
“The Plainsboro Fire District claimed that it needed to more than double the current staffing levels of thirteen firefighters to meet the demands of increased calls.”
In April of 2024, Mayor Peter Cantu requested an operational study be performed by the review team from the state Division of Local Government Services
“I am most concerned about the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of the Township of Plainsboro,” Cantu said. “That is of paramount concern to me and the rest of the Township Committee members.”
In June, the Local Government Review Team started an operational study of the Fire District. According to the news release, the township also uncovered that the financial audits and reporting of the Plainsboro Fire District were seriously delinquent and requests for financial information were not fulfilled in a timely manner.
The last independent audit on file with the state Division of Local Government Services was for the 2021 fiscal year. Although requests for financial data went back to May 2024, only as of Aug. 1 did unaudited financial data—through the period ending Dec. 31, 2023—become available.
Based on the best available data provided to the township’s independent financial accounting experts “we projected that the Plainsboro Fire District would overspend their 2024 budget by as much as $300,000”, said John Swisher, Partner of Suplee, Clooney & Company.
As the township prepares for the transition, officials emphasize the importance of maintaining effective fire protection and emergency services.
The township plans to continue to work closely with fire employees and volunteers to ensure a smooth transition and engage in a public communication campaign to inform residents of the changes and the benefits of the new structure.
It will also establish a monitoring and evaluation framework to assess the effectiveness of the fire department structure and make any necessary adjustments, as needed.
“We have a lot of work to do, but the township is committed to ensuring that the residents of Plainsboro continue to receive high-quality, efficient fire protection and emergency services, and we believe that this restructuring is in the best interest of the community”, said Cantu and Deputy Mayor Neil Lewis, who is the Township Committee liaison to Public Safety.
The township introduced an ordinance to dissolve the fire district on July 24 and made a formal application to the state on Sept. 10. The dissolution will be effective on Dec. 31.
,
