With dozens of volunteer firemen, EMTs and first aid men and women on hand and the American flag flying above the Navesink Hook and Ladder Company’s ladder truck at the
Navesink fire house, laid out the plans for the program into effect next year which shows how much the township appreciates its volunteers who save the township tens of thousands of dollars.
The Middletown Emergency Volunteer Incentive Program is designed not only to show appreciation to the service of today’s volunteers for emergency services, but Mayor Perry also told the crowd it serves as an incentive for younger men and women to make their homes in Middletown and become a part of the teams that keep the township safe and secure.
“I’m honored, as are all the members of the Township Committee,” Perry told an appreciative crowd, “to be here with Middletown’s heroes and thank them for all they do for the safety, security and well being of their neighbors; they all have this in common…they are all volunteers and they are all heroes.”
Perry’s plan, the first in the state, will grant active volunteers a series of benefits that include reimbursements for property tax, assistance with down payments on home purchases in the township and a waiver of all local fees.
The incentive means the township will give first-time home buyers a $10,000 loan, as well as a $500 annual property tax reimbursement and the waiver of parking fees at the Railroad station. These waivers are in addition to the construction permit fees which are currently given to volunteers in the township.
Perry said he believes this is the first municipality in the state that has offered incentives of this type, and he is hopeful the example of Middletown will continue to other municipalities as well.
The program will encourage new families to follow in the footsteps of the volunteers in one of the state’s largest fire departments who have long since set a standard of excellence and dedication towards helping others, Perry said.
Township Committeeman and Deputy Mayor Rick Hebel, himself a former fire chief and the son of a former fire chief, added his praise and thanks to all the volunteers. “It’s not cheap living in Middletown,” he said, “nor is it cheap living in New Jersey.” But the volunteer efforts of the men and women who get up any hour of the day or night to help others save taxpayers thousands of dollars.” He cited the fact last year the fire department answered more than 1500 calls, the EMS teams more than 2000 calls and the vol9nteers put in more than 70,000 hours.
Hibell praised his own father, Bill, who was present for the ceremony and is celebrating 50 years, a half century, as a volunteer firefighter in the township as well the father and son both serving as fire chief in two different decades. The deputy mayor made it clear he learned as a youth the hours a volunteer firefighter or EMT puts in and the times he leaves a family meal or a youngster’s own recreational activities to help someone in need. It’s an example he himself wanted to follow and did, the deputy mayor said.
Middletown Fire Department’s Second Assistant Chief, Kevin Morrissey, with Station 8, the Middletown Fire Company, expressed the thanks of all and pointed out volunteers have to undergo no less than 190 hours of intensive study apart from all their volunteer hours. The courses take an additional dedication too regular time periods he pointed out, because of the necessity for regular attendance over time. “The eco-element is the most challenging problem” in encouraging new volunteers, Morrissey reminded the public. He cited the higher cost of living, and the necessity for two parents to be working creating the diminished time to enable willing men and women to volunteer.
Former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, who recently launched his third try for the gubernatorial seat, was also present and praising the township volunteers.
Ciattarelli cited the property tax crisis in New Jersey and his own dedication and works toward keeping taxes down. In thanking the volunteers for their work as well as Perry and Hibell for creating the programs the local leaders indicated they would like to see spread across the state, Ciattarelli assured them he would carry their message throughout every municipality in New Jersey.
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