This election season, residents of Pennington Borough and parts of Hopewell Township will have the opportunity to vote on whether the Board of Commissioners of Fire District No. 1 can replace their aging tanker truck.
About Fire District No. 1 and the Pennington Fire Company
Fire District No. 1, served by the all-volunteer Pennington Fire Company, includes Pennington Borough and approximately one-third of Hopewell Township, including Route 295. The Pennington Fire Company has proudly served Pennington Borough and Hopewell Township as an all-volunteer unit since 1891.
The Need for a New Tanker Truck
The Fire District’s ballot question asks taxpayers to support replacing the District’s 34-year old tanker, built in 1991. The current tanker carries 3500 gallons of water, used primarily to supply water to the areas of the District without hydrants. It is also used to extinguish vehicle fires on I-295 and serves as the backup in case of a water main break or other emergency, such as aircraft emergencies.
“The current unit has been well-maintained beyond its useful life. At 34 years old, it does not provide the reliability we need. We greatly need the taxpayers to approve this purchase given the critical role it plays during a fire emergency,” said Pennington Fire Company Chief Roger Demareski.
Benefits of a New Tanker
The proposed new tanker will increase the water supply capacity from 3500 to 4000 gallons — a significant difference when firefighting can use up to 2000 gallons of water a minute. A moderate residential fire could quickly deplete the water supply from three tankers.
“Large fires can outpace the supply of a municipal water supply and tankers are often used to augment these systems when these types of fires occur,” explained Demareski. “Demands for fire service continue to rise and we are on track to respond to over 650 calls by the end of the year.”
Additionally, the new tanker will take up to two years to be built, as it will be custom-designed to meet the District’s needs. This lead time adds urgency to the decision since delaying the purchase could prolong the Fire District’s reliance on an aging vehicle.
Cost and Funding
Last year, the aging tanker required $40,000 in repairs, an amount that exceeded the budget for all the Fire Company’s vehicle repairs by $15,000. The new tanker, which will be be built specifically for the Pennington Fire Company will include improved safety features, more water, and the ability to fit under the CSX bridge on Titus Mill Road and in the firehouse.
The Fire District is asking to borrow “up to” $1.6 million for a $1.2 million apparatus to account for financing for a replacement tanker. “If it comes in under, we won’t spend the difference,” said Chairman of the Pennington Fire Commission, Brian Hofacker.
Impact on Taxes
The Pennington Fire Company is funded through tax support, community donations, and grants. Pennington Borough provides 24% of the tax revenue for the Fire District, while Hopewell Township provides 76%. The proposed purchase of the new tanker will not result in any additional tax increase for voters.
A Critical Decision for the Community
“This isn’t an issue of want — it’s a need,” said Vice Chair of the Pennington Fire Commission, Bob DiFalco.
“We realize in the environment of rising costs, rising taxes and school referendums, taxpayers are more mindful than ever of the cost of living in our community,” said Chief Demareski. “While it is not our place to comment on other areas, we do need to advocate for the fire apparatus we need in order to provide the service expected by our community.”
For more information about the Pennington Fire Company, please visit their website: https://penningtonfire.org.
