UPDATE: Public Votes to Purchase Three Hazlet Fire Command Vehicles

Update, August 21: Voters approved the allocation of funds to purchase the new fire vehicles, 25-1, according to Fire Commissioner Tito Acevedo. The vehicles won't be ordered until next year. 

__________________

On July 11 at 7 p.m., the Hazlet Fire Commissioners will hold a special meeting at Hazlet Town Hall to secure voter approval to purchase three command vehicles for the township's three fire companies. 

The three Chevy Tahoes are being purchased through state contract for an amount not to exceed $150,000. 

Chairman Tito Acevedo said the Chevy Tahoes will be paid through a future capital expenditure fund and will not increase the taxpayer-supported Fire District budget. The budget pays for hydrant maintenance, the Office of Fire Prevention, and mandatory training and equipment. 

They will be used by the full time volunteer chiefs, whose present cars will be repurposed for fire police or utility vehicles.

The older vehicles in the fleet are becoming too expensive to maintain, said Aceveduto. They are models from 1999 and the year 2,000. "The third one was deemed unfit to drive two years ago, and should be junked," he said. 

The special meeting was needed for legal reasons, he said. 

A public notice announcing the election was published in the Asbury Park Press on June 22.

The Hazlet Fire Commissioners' meetings are held at the second Wednesday of the month in Town Hall and are open to the public.

Members of the board are comprised of the Hazlet Fire Co. 1, North Centerville Company and West Keansburg companies.