Fire District Elections Set for Saturday

The five Howell fire districts will be holding their annual elections on Saturday at their houses around town. The elections will determine whether their budgets are approved as well as holding elections to the board of fire commissioners.

At least one district will also have a question on the ballot looking to approve future funding for new equipment.

Fire District #1, also known as the Squankum Fire Department has two three-year terms up for election with three candidates running. The three vying for the two spots are William Johnson, Gerald Murphy and Daniel Timmerman. 

There is also a one year unexpired term up for election with three candidates running for that seat as well. The three candidates are Joseph Heaton, Raymond Roe and Edwin Runyon.

Their budget up for approval is $1,035,800 with $1,031,000 to be raised through taxation.

With their voting being held at the main building on Elton Adelphia Rd. the Adelphia Fire Department, also known as Fire District #2 will also be holding elections on Tuesday. 

Howell's oldest department has an uncontested election for the board of fire commissioners with Doug Howlett and Frank E. Biddle III running for the two three-year terms. 

Adelphia is proposing a budget of $1,639,700 with $1,400,000 of that to be raised through taxation.

The Southard Fire Department, also known as Fire District #3 is proposing a budget of $1,580,302 with $1,405,302 raised through taxation.

Southard is also holding an election with Douglas Hesselbart, Mike Morgan and Louis Memmolo III running for two three year terms. 

In Ramtown, the Fire District #4 elections will be held at the Ramtown Fire House on Ramtown Greenville Rd. The department is having an uncontested election with Raymond A. Equils and Robert J. Kelly looking to keep their terms on the board for at least another three years. 

The proposed budget for the Ramtown department for 2012 is set at $907,693 with $617,693 for operating appropriations and $290,000 for capital appropriations. Of that total $725,898 would be raised through taxation. The Ramtown ballot will also have a second referendum question to approve a future purchase of a rescue pumper truck and related equipment at a cost not to exceed $750,000. 

Fire District #5, also known as the Freewood Acres house has two three-year seats up for election with three candidates running. The three candidates are Charles Davison, Edna Donahue and John Smith. 

As of Friday morning their budget numbers were not available but will be one of the items on the ballot.

The elections will be held on Saurday from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the firehouses around town.