By ERIK SOKOLOWSKI
The 2011 Voorhees Fire District budget passed 533–475 in the recent fire district election.
The nearly $7.5 million budget was a decrease of 3.15 percent over the 2010 budget.
Fire Chief Jim Pacifico said that a utilization of excess funds helped in keeping to a zero percent increase.
“We try to balance the budget each year,” Pacifico said, “so there is zero tax increase.”
Not included in the funds, and for good reason, is the district’s plans for a new fire station.
“The new station was a line item approved by voters in 2008,” Pacifico said. “And we have been sitting on those funds since.”
And the plans are picking up steam, and expected to be released in about a month.
“Right now we have all the approvals from the township,” Pacifico said, “and are waiting for the architects and engineers to put together a final bid package.”
In the election for the two seats up for grabs on the Board of Commissioners, incumbents Robert J. Dougherty and Robert J. Caruso, retained their seats. Dougherty was the highest vote getter with 572, Caruso was close behind at 556.
Also on the ballot Scott Minghenelli tallied 517 votes, and Bruce Krapf 498. This year’s turnout was up from last year.
“The turnout was higher than average,” Pacifico said. “That usually happens in years with two seats up.”
Check www.voorheessun.com for further fire district updates, or visit www.voorheesfire.org for more information.
By ERIK SOKOLOWSKIThe Voorhees SunThe 2011 Voorhees Fire District budget passed 533–475 in the recent fire district election. The nearly $7.5 million budget was a decrease of 3.15 percent over the 2010 budget.Fire Chief Jim Pacifico said that a utilization of excess funds helped in keeping to a zero percent increase.“We try to balance the budget each year,” Pacifico said, “so there is zero tax increase.”Not included in the funds, and for good reason, is the district’s plans for a new fire station.“The new station was a line item approved by voters in 2008,” Pacifico said. “And we have been sitting on those funds since.”And the plans are picking up steam, and expected to be released in about a month.“Right now we have all the approvals from the township,” Pacifico said, “and are waiting for the architects and engineers to put together a final bid package.”In the election for the two seats up for grabs on the Board of Commissioners, incumbents Robert J. Dougherty and Robert J. Caruso, retained their seats. Dougherty was the highest vote getter with 572, Caruso was close behind at 556. Also on the ballot Scott Minghenelli tallied 517 votes, and Bruce Krapf 498. This year’s turnout was up from last year. “The turnout was higher than average,” Pacifico said. “That usually happens in years with two seats up.”Check www.voorheessun.com for further fire district updates, or visit www.voorheesfire.org for more information.
