Middle Voters to Decide

Middle voters to decide on purchase of firehouse site
By BRIAN IANIERI Staff Writer, (609) 463-6713
Press of Atlantic City
Published: Thursday, March 16, 2006
Updated: Thursday, March 16, 2006

MIDDLE TOWNSHIP — Some Middle Township voters will have a say on whether their fire district will buy land for a new firehouse in Cape May Court House.

Voters in Fire District No. 1 on March 30 will decide whether to approve a $1.8 million bond to buy land on which officials later plan to build a new firehouse.

Fire Commissioner David Blood said officials will use the bond to purchase land about one-tenth of a mile away from the current fire house on Boyd Street.

“We have pretty much maxed out the use of this building for what is required for a modern fire department,” Blood said of the Boyd Street fire house, which was built in the 1920s.

Blood said the facility is too small.

“Trucks have grown, they've gotten bigger. As a result, the engine room designed for trucks in the 70s and 60s is inadequate,” he said.

He also said moving locations would make it easier for fire trucks to leave the building. Boyd Street is narrow and can get congested during the day.

Fire District No. 1 includes areas in Cape May Court House, Swainton, Mayville, Burleigh, Dias Creek, Avalon Manor and Stone Harbor Manor.

The fire districts do not correlate to voting districts in the township. For residents who don't know to which fire district they belong, that information appears on their tax bills, Blood said.

If voters approve the bond, fire officials will purchase three tracts of land, including the Avalon Carpet, Tile and Flooring Center on Hand Avenue. The company is currently constructing a building in Rio Grande.

The public vote addresses only securing the land on which to build a fire house, Blood said; it involves no money for a fire house.

“This is all future oriented. We try to make sure what we do will hold together for the next 50, 60 years,” Blood said. “Without the property, we can't go forward. Without property, we can't even go for grants.”

The cost of building a new firehouse will be subject to a later vote, Blood said. Blood said he hopes that grants and the sale of the existing firehouse can cover some of that cost.

Meanwhile, the municipality may use the firehouse to expand Township Hall, which is next door. Mayor Nathan Doughty said it could be used for police and other township agencies.

“It's a perfect fit. Are we involved in it? No way,” Doughty said. “Let them (the voters) make the call and then we'll go from there.”

The vote will take place Thursday, March 30 from 2 to 9 p.m. at the Cape May Court House fire station on Boyd Street.

To e-mail Brian Ianieri at The Press:BIanieri@pressofac.com