As reported last month, the Lakewood Board of Fire Commissioners will be holding a Special Meeting (Election) on December 12, 2016 from 2:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the Fire District Administrative Offices on 316 River Avenue.

The purpose of this Special Meeting (Election) is to seek approval of the voters to include two capital improvement projects in the 2017 Budget, which budget will ultimately be voted upon at the Fire District Election on February 18, 2017 by the legal voters within the Township.

One project is for renovations to Fire Station 68 at 733 Cedarbridge Avenue in the amount of $100,000. This project entails the relocation of administrative offices from 316 River Avenue to Station 68. The present administrative office will be repurposed and eventually sold.

“It is imperative to note the figure of $100,000 is an estimate of the renovations and at this point, it is anticipated the cost may be lower, however, in no event will it exceed $100,000,” the Board stated.

The other project concerns replacement of the roof to Fire Station 64 at 119 First Street in the amount of $90,000 to remedy water leakage into various critical areas of the building. “Once again, it must be noted, this is an estimate and the actual cost may be less, however, in no event will it exceed $90,000.”

“The Board of Fire Commissioners want to make it explicitly clear to the voters, contrary to information that has been disseminated by others, that they are required by law to obtain voter approval in order to place these projects in its 2017 Budget, which budget will ultimately be voted upon by the legal voters within the Township at the annual Fire District Election on February 18, 2017. This is the reason why this Special Meeting (Election) on December 12, 2016 is so important. Without voter approval, these two capital projects will not be included in the 2017 Budget.”

[TLS]