Cognizant that New Jersey set February 15, which falls on a Shabbos, as the date for fire budget referendums statewide, Jackson Township Fire District #3 (which includes Fire Station 55) has taken unprecedented steps to ensure voters who observe Shabbos are given extended access to voting by providing in-person voting until 10 PM, and providing detailed information about  voting-by-mail on the proposed Fire Budget.

Both voting in person and voting by mail options are available and residents can also submit their ballot by mail, but must have it postmarked by February 15 and received by February 17 to be counted. To request a ballot by the February 8 deadline, (visit https://www.oceancountyclerk.com/frmelectionservices

In-person voting will be held at Jackson Fire Station #55, Saturday, February 15, from 2 PM until 10 PM, should citizens which to vote after Havdalah. The fire station is located at113 N. New Prospect Road, in Jackson.

In his extension request to the Ocean County Board of Elections, Frank C. Hruschka, Fire District #3 Commissioner wrote, “We now have a rather large block of constituents which observe Saturday as their Day of Rest or Shabbat. This request is so we can afford more voters the opportunity to come out and vote in person without interfering with their religious observances.”

Immediately after receiving approval for the 10 PM extension, the fire district prepared its own resolution, approved January 13, thus making the time change official for this year.

“I am thrilled that we received the support of the Board of Elections on this change and think it will give families a chance to tend to their families after Shabbat ends, without losing their opportunity to vote in person,” said Hruschka.  “As an alternative, the option of voting by mail by February 15 is just as important.”

Population growth in the Township, a 13% jump in 911 calls over the past two years, and a dire shortage of volunteer firefighters have created the perfect storm within Jackson Township. Budget passage has taken on greater importance after a referendum loss in 2024.

“Last year’s failure to pass the fire budget, we believe, was because voters were unaware what was in it, or how much the tax impact would affect them directly. This year, we are changing our approach. We are explaining how items in the budget safeguard the community and, most importantly, making sure people understand what it means to taxpayers,” said Hruschka.

According to the Fire District, the tax impact will be just $8 per month for the average homeowner if the budget referendum is passed.

Public awareness is being increased through postcard mailings, social media posts, press releases and complimentary in-person presentations for any neighborhood group or shuls that to invite Fire Station #55 chiefs and Hruschka to speak.

The 2025 proposed Fire Budget – if approved by voters – sustains safety for citizens and firefighters alike by funding the following essentials:

• The continuation of two paid firefighters, thus ensuring that Station #55 can respond to fire calls on weekends and holidays, between 6 AM- 6 PM, without having to cut critical budget line items in order to compensate them.
• Intensive maintenance and corrosion abatement on Station #55’s 17-year old Tower Ladder truck, the only one in the township, in an effort to delay refurbishment or replacement.
• Training of new and seasoned firefighters to comply with statewide certification changes, and to ensure firefighters are skilled to handle novel 911 emergencies, such as electric car fires. Training costs an average of  $833 per firefighter per year.
• Radio purchases and replacement of firefighter turnout gear due to recent safety findings. Inflationary costs put this expenditure at $22,269 per firefighter.
• Delayed maintenance on Station #55’s 54-year-old, District owned building to move toward the goal of providing a 24/7/365 response. Bathrooms, heating and the creation of sleeping quarters to allow for a faster response time are included in the proposed budget.

Fire Commissioners and Fire Station 55 leadership worked tirelessly for four months to create a bare bones budget that would have the least financial impact on the community.  “The reality is that 911 calls have increased by 13% over a two-year period. We are hoping that citizens see the importance of approving the budget this year,” said Hruschka.