It's disappointing to learn that Monroe is considering consolidating the three fire districts into one and there will be no new station on Half Acre Road.

I understand a tax-rate disparity from one district to another is the cause for this. As chairman of Fire District No. 2, I worked hard to find land and means to place a station, staff and ambulance in the most appropriate location for cover in the area. It's as though my effort, relationship with and affection for Monroe have been blown away with no thought for what has happened in the past.

Clearbrook Fire District No. 2 and the close working relationships with the township officials that developed over time in Monroe seem to have been wasted over a matter that could have been resolved with a phone call and a meeting of minds over a cup of coffee within 15 minutes. Monroe has a fire department on the operation side. The gap that needs to be filled is with the commissioners of the three districts getting together in a meeting once a month to resolve matters. The commissioners, Fire District No. 2, would never have hired any professionals for design, financing or publicizing a firehouse on Half Acre Road opposite Clearbrook if there had been an indication from the township administration it was not to be.

The commissioners of District No. 2 had to impose on the volunteers of Engine Company No. 1 because of space limitations. They have operated out of a small station with no space for offices or sleeping quarters for the 24/7 career staff, and they had to impose on the volunteers, taking away their meeting room. And there were other impositions. The volunteers have cooperated and been responsive in all areas in order to get the job done.

District No. 2 commissioners haven't had the tax base for expansion that warranted funds for building a new station and hiring additional staff. The commissioners exercised restraint and were always aware of the Department of Community Affairs frowning on fire districts accumulating funds without voter approval for projects. District No. 2 is being penalized for staying within the guidelines laid out by state regulation.

The commissioners' concerns are that contracts for professional advice have cost the taxpayers a lot of money, with no land to build a station. Consolidation already exists to a degree. It needs some attention, and the commissioners from all three districts can do it cheaper and with less fanfare than what has been going on as far as I can see.

Moses R. Haftel

former board chairman

Monroe Fire District No. 2